This chapter shall be known as the "Human Rights Commission chapter" and may be referred to as such.
This is a chapter to establish the Human Rights Commission. The purpose of the Human Rights Commission shall be to advise the City Commission and the City Manager and assist with efforts to bring greater equity and inclusion of diverse groups within the City of Royal Oak.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PROTECTED GROUPS Groups of people who have identities that are subject to protection against discrimination under federal, state or local law. This may include, but is not limited to: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, condition of pregnancy, marital status, physical or mental limitation, source of income, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.
STAFF EX OFFICIO MEMBER The staff ex officio member shall be responsible for working with the Commission and the chair in organizing their agendas, minutes, and other documents; maintaining records and handling administrative elements of the program.
The Human Rights Commission shall be made up of nine total members. Eight of those shall be appointed by the City Commission, including seven voting members and one nonvoting student member. A minimum of four voting members shall be Royal Oak residents, and three voting members may be filled by applicants with a vested interest in the community, such as a business owner, employee of a business located in the City or a property owner who does not live in the City. One member shall be a staff ex officio member who does not have the ability to vote and is appointed by the City Manager or their designee.
Members of the Human Rights Commission shall be appointed for a term of three years on a staggered rotation. To form the Human Rights Commission in the first year, the City Commission shall appoint two members to a one-year term, two members to a two-year term and three members to a three-year term. The student position shall be appointed in accordance with our §
12-11 for student appointments.
The Human Rights Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to do the following:
A. To work with residents, community organizations and federal, state, and local government offices, units, activities and agencies to promote programs, policies, and procedures to ensure equity between and among all protected groups.
B. To create and implement an inclusive community plan for the City which increases public awareness of issues; promotes education and understanding; provides, enables, or enhances services; articulates planned collaboration; and promotes public participation.
C. To make recommendations concerning programs and training to the appropriate decisionmakers, and seek the establishment of programs that will foster mutual understanding and respect between all people regarding different protected classes and in the City protected by federal and state antidiscrimination laws for the purpose of discouraging and eliminating intergroup tension, discrimination, harassment or prejudice.
D. To conduct public forums, town meetings, educational and other programs to promote the mutual understanding, dignity, and respect among all citizens and visitors and work to discourage and prevent discriminatory practices against any such group. Except in accordance with the provisions governing complaints and investigations, these hearings shall be of a nonadjudicatory nature and shall not constitute investigations or adjudication of individual complaints regarding unlawful discrimination under Michigan law.
E. To provide information to the community regarding the process of making complaints of violations of Royal Oak's Human Rights Ordinance and provide referrals of complaints to appropriate agencies, including the Michigan Department of Civil Rights or to the City Attorney.
F. To study problems which may result in patterns of tension, discrimination or prejudice within the City, and make recommendations regarding policies, procedures, practices and legislation to the City Commission, City Manager and/or other stakeholders.
G. To issue publications and results of investigation and research to minimize or eliminate discrimination, harassment, prejudice, intergroup tension, cultural insensitivity and promote goodwill; however, the identity of the parties involved shall not be disclosed.
H. To accept contributions from any person or agency to assist in the implementation of the purposes of this chapter and to see and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor, and civic and benevolent organizations for the purposes of this chapter. Funds raised and held by the Commission are public funds and shall be reserved for the purposes of this chapter.
I. To do all other acts and deeds necessary and proper to carry out and accomplish effectively the purposes, functions and services contemplated by the provisions of this Commission, including the promulgation of rules and regulations implementing the powers and authority hereby vested in the Human Rights Commission.
J. To serve as an advisory body to the City Commission and the City Manager.
K. To prepare an annual written report on its work, functions, and services for each year in August.
If any section, subsection, clause, phrase or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent portion of this chapter, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect 10 days after the final passage thereof.