[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(a); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 7313, § 1, 2-21-1985; Ord. No. 7332, § 1, 3-21-1985; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010; Ord. No. 10108, § 1, 12-20-2012]
A Human Rights Commission, "Commission," is hereby created and
established which shall consist of nine persons. The Commission members
shall be residents of the City of Kirkwood. Members, to the extent
possible, broadly representative of economic status, race, color,
religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical
or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. The Commission
shall be appointed by the City Council based upon their interest and
an expressed commitment. Commission members shall serve without compensation.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(e); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 2-5-1963; Ord. No. 7313, § 2, 2-21-1985; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010; Ord. No. 10108, § 1, 12-20-2012]
The Commission shall review and advise the Council on ways to:
(a) Promote community awareness and education on the value of diversity
to the community.
(b) Work to eliminate discrimination based on economic status, race,
color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status,
physical or mental disability, familial status, sexual orientation
or gender identity.
(c) Develop tools necessary to establish the Commission as an active
servant and leader that is a transparent service to the community,
including periodic review of this enabling article.
(d) Promote responsiveness of government to concerns of all minority
groups and others in the community that may be subject to bias or
discrimination.
(e) Encourage the creation of community programs and activities that
are available and accessible to all Kirkwood residents.
(f) Provide an open and inviting forum for Kirkwood residents who believe
they are facing discriminatory practices or acts so that residents
can share those experiences with the Commission for advice and counsel.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24 (b); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]
In the original appointment of members to the Commission, 1/3
of those appointed shall be appointed for a term of one year, 1/3
of those appointed shall be appointed for a term of two years and
1/3 of those appointed shall be appointed for a term of three years;
thereafter all appointments shall be for a three-year term. The Council
may remove any member of the Commission at any time without cause.
A member's absence may be excused by the Chair, or the
Vice Chair in the absence of the Chair, upon request, provided such
request is made prior to the meeting. Any member who is absent without
being excused from three consecutive meetings or 25% of the regular
meetings within a calendar year shall be considered to have resigned.
Such resignation shall be presented in writing as a recommendation
to the City Council by the Chair through the City Clerk.
Each member of the Commission shall serve until a successor
is duly qualified and appointed. In the event of the death, resignation,
or removal of any member, a successor shall be appointed to serve
the unexpired term for which such member had been appointed.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(c); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]
The officers of the Commission shall consist of a Chairperson
and a Vice Chairperson who shall be elected by the members of the
Commission; such officers shall serve in their respective offices
for a term of one year, or until their successors shall be elected,
unless reelected to such office.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(d); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]
(a) The Commission shall make such rules and regulations as it deems
necessary for the conduct of its affairs. Such rules and any subsequent
amendments shall be filed with the City Clerk and subject to Council
approval.
(b) The Commission shall meet monthly at a fixed time, place and day
of the week. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson. Notice
of all meetings shall be posted in accordance with state law.
(c) All meetings shall essentially be conducted in conformity with Robert's
Rules of Order.
(d) The Commission shall keep a complete record of its activities and
a journal of all of its meetings and proceedings.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(f); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 6782, § 1, 8-6-1981; Ord. No. 7313, § 3, 2-21-1985; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]
The Commission shall have the powers and duties to:
(a) Formulate and conduct educational programs designed to minimize or
eliminate discriminatory acts.
(b) Provide a forum for individuals who believe they have been victims
of discrimination.
(c) Gather and maintain a list of referral agencies and organizations
best capable of providing assistance for the purpose of aggressively
obtaining a resolution of the issue.
(d) Cooperate with other organizations and private and public educational
institutions to seek ways to eliminate discrimination.
(e) Advise the City Council on human rights issues.
(f) Hold forums on the state of human rights and relations in the City
and on general human rights issues.
(g) Recommend that staff create new process(es) for placing matters of
concern or service requests before the Commission and other areas
of City government, which shall be periodically evaluated for effectiveness.
(h) Accept comments and concerns of citizens given at Commission meetings.
(i) Sponsor or initiate focused workshops and ongoing programs to improve
human relations and foster understanding and acceptance of each other.
(j) To present, upon request, informational programs and literature on
human rights to schools, businesses, and other organizations.
(k) To conduct an annual human rights symposium on such issues facing
the community and society at large.
(l) To develop a strategic plan for accomplishing the goals and responsibilities
outlined in this article, to be reevaluated every three years.
(m) To prepare and publish a written annual report describing the activities
of the prior 12 months by December 31 of each year.
(n) To recommend the creation, expansion and/or focus on specific Kirkwood
Police programs and joint programs administered by the Kirkwood Police
and specified community members.
[Gen. Ords. 1959, § 4.24(g); Ord.
No. 4860, § 1, 12-5-1963; Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]
The City, through the office of the Chief Administrative Officer,
shall assign to the Commission such office space and facilities and
such necessary clerical help as shall be necessary for the fulfillment
of its duties. The City Attorney shall render such legal services
as shall be necessary.
[Ord. No. 8721, § 1, 5-7-1998; Ord. No. 9938, § 1, 7-15-2010]