[R.O. 1996 § 120.500; Ord. No. 4482 § 1, 3-3-2014]
There is hereby established a Human Relations Commission, which Commission shall be selected, serve and have the powers and responsibilities set forth herein.
[R.O. 1996 § 120.510; Ord. No. 4482 § 1, 3-3-2014]
A. 
It is declared to be the public policy of the City to fulfill its responsibility in securing for all citizens equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, public services and housing and to continually strive to eliminate and prevent discrimination, including but not limited to segregation or separation, in these areas against individuals and groups for reasons, including, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, ethnicity, family structure, physical ability, religious affiliation, age, color, language, national origin, veteran status or ancestry.
[Ord. No. 4847, 8-19-2019]
B. 
To this end, the City firmly believes in and supports the human rights provisions as set forth in Sections 213.040 through 213.070, RSMo., delineating unlawful discrimination practices in housing, commercial real estate loans, employment, public accommodations and other practices as detailed therein. The City will work to prevent or eliminate such conduct and to assist the State, if so requested, in resolving complaints alleging discrimination, as may be necessary, by developing strategies to anticipate, prepare for, and alleviate community tensions arising from intergroup conflict, providing resources and direction to a complainant as necessary, and assisting the State, Federal agencies, and other civil rights organizations in conflict resolution as needed and directed by the Mayor and Council.
C. 
Furthermore, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the City to promote diversity awareness and inclusion through education, meaningful community partnerships, and the establishment of an open forum for dialogue and discussion of issues affecting the community related to such topics for the primary purpose of eliminating or preventing discrimination and ensuring equal opportunities for each citizen of Blue Springs to live a safe, peaceful life in a community that treats all persons with dignity and respect.
[R.O. 1996 § 120.520; Ord. No. 4482 § 1, 3-3-2014; Ord. No. 4656, 4-17-2017; Ord. No. 4745, 5-21-2018; Ord. No. 4813, 4-15-2019; Ord. No. 5047, 9-20-2021; Ord. No. 5111, 4-18-2022]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Human Relations Commission is to foster the improvement of human relations among and between citizens of all cultural backgrounds so as to provide all individuals with an equitable opportunity to grow and participate to the best of their ability in our economic, educational, political, and social systems.
B. 
Members Of Human Relations Commission.
1. 
There shall be a Human Relations Commission consisting of seven (7) members and a non-voting liaison appointed by the Blue Springs School District. The Mayor, with the consent and approval of a majority of the City Council, shall appoint all members of the Human Relations Commission. Members shall serve for three (3) year terms. All members shall be residents of Blue Springs, with the exception of appointments from community partner agencies, which shall be current employees or members of the organization. Best efforts will be made to have representation from each Council District. Appointment of a successor or reappointment of a member shall be effective on or about May 1 following expiration of the member’s term. Members shall continue to hold office until reappointed or their successor is appointed. The Mayor, with the consent and approval of a majority of the City Council, shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term of that member.
2. 
Student Members. In addition, there may be one (1) student member of the Human Relations Commission. The student member must be, at the time of their service on the Commission, a student of a high school within the City limits. The Human Relations Commission may seek nominations from high schools located within the City limits, review the applications and select candidates for interviews. The Human Relations Commission may recommend a student member for appointment by the Mayor, with the consent and approval of a majority of the Council. The student member may serve a one-year term as a non-voting member of the Commission.
3. 
Any member of the Human Relations Commission may be removed from office for misconduct, neglect of duty, or lack of qualifications by executive order of the Mayor after receiving the consent of a majority of the entire City Council, or by a five-sevenths (5/7) vote of the City Council on its own initiative.
C. 
The Mayor, with the consent and approval of a majority of the City Council, shall appoint a Chair and Vice Chair annually on or about May 1 for a term of one (1) year. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as Chair or Vice Chair.
D. 
Any sub-committee of the Human Relations Commission shall require approval of the City Attorney and City Council. Any approved sub-committees shall abide by all Sunshine Laws.
E. 
The City Administrator shall assign staff support, and the City shall budget monetary support for the Commission, including, but not limited to, the evaluation of potential grant opportunities and other available/dedicated resources that might become available from time to time.
F. 
Rules of Procedure shall be adopted and amended from time to time by Resolution by the City Council.
G. 
Meetings of the Human Relations Commission shall be held at the call of the Chair and at such other times as the Human Relations Commission may determine.
[R.O. 1996 § 120.530; Ord. No. 4482 § 1, 3-3-2014; Ord. No. 5047, 9-20-2021]
A. 
The Commission, through its members, agents, and committee task forces, shall have the following functions, duties and responsibilities:
1. 
Promote mutual understanding and respect among all diverse groups in the City and seek solutions to related problems concerning citizens of the City with the objective to provide an environment in which each citizen shall have the opportunity to grow to their maximum potential and be treated with dignity and respect.
2. 
Address issues of prejudice among various groups in the City and to create harmonious relationships among citizens, groups and agencies within the City.
3. 
Encourage the cooperation of all groups, both private and public, to foster better human relations among the citizenry of Blue Springs and within the surrounding communities when those relations will significantly impact the quality of life in Blue Springs.
4. 
Identify issues of concern, develop action plans, and coordinate discussions between appropriate individuals or groups if needed in order to lessen tensions and promote human relations in the City.
5. 
Assemble and study pertinent data specifically requested by the Mayor and City Council.
6. 
Advise, consult, and present to the Council and the City Administrator matters involving discrimination in order to assure effective compliance with non-discriminatory policies and ordinances.
7. 
Advise and make other recommendations to the City Council and the City Administrator about legislation, policies, procedures and practices of the City and other public entities as are consistent with the purposes of this Article.
8. 
Upon specific direction of the Council, form conciliation councils and task forces.
a. 
These groups will aid in effectuating the purposes of this Article; to study the problem of discrimination in all or specific fields or instances of discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, familial status, sexual preference or orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, language, or veteran status; to foster through community effort, or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements in the population of the City; and to make recommendations to the City for the development of policies and procedures, and for programs of formal and informal education, which the Commission may recommend to the City.
b. 
These groups may be composed of Commission members and representative citizens serving without pay. Every effort shall be made to ensure that each district of the City shall be represented by at least one (1) member of each group.
c. 
The Commission may consult with the City Council and City Administrator to accomplish the acts authorized by this Subsection. It may, by voluntary conferences with parties in interest, endeavor by conciliation and persuasion, to eliminate discrimination in all the stated fields and to foster good will and cooperation among all elements of the population of the City. The Commission, as a whole or a committee thereof, may also serve as a resource to citizens who believe they have suffered discrimination.
9. 
Provide to the City Council and City Administrator for possible dissemination such publications and results of its investigations and research that in its judgment will tend to promote good will and minimize or eliminate discrimination because of race, religion, color, sex, familial status, sexual preference or orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, language, national origin, ancestry, disability or veteran status.
10. 
Prepare an annual report for the City Council concerning the Commission's activities under the provisions of this Article, with recommendations and pertinent comments.