[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]