[Adopted by Ord. No. 11-19; amended in its entirety 12-22-2022 by Ord. No. 22-24 (Ch. 31, §§ 31.03 and 31.04, of the 2000 Code)]
A. 
The Marion Civil Rights Commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. Membership on the Commission shall be broadly representative of the City's population and shall have diverse representation of the City's population and its protected classes. The Commission shall have the authority to include up to two ex-officio or nonvoting members as needed or desired per the rules of procedure adopted by the Commission.
B. 
The term of office of each member of the Commission is three years, and members shall continue to serve until reappointed or replaced. A member chosen to fill a vacancy otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom they are to succeed. A member of the Commission is eligible for reappointment but shall not serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. Any person who completes three consecutive three-year terms may be reappointed after a period of one year.
C. 
The Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties with approval of the Commission and within the limits established in the City budget.
A. 
The Commission shall annually elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among its members. The Chairperson shall serve for no more than three consecutive twelve-month periods. The Vice Chairperson shall serve for no more than three consecutive twelve-month periods. The election of officers shall be held at the first regularly scheduled meeting after the first of the calendar year.
B. 
The Commission may, pursuant to Commission rules, recommend to the Mayor and City Council that a Commissioner be removed for neglect of duties or malfeasance in office. If a member is absent from three consecutive meetings or more than 25% of all meetings during one calendar year, the Chairperson shall inquire with the member whether such absences may continue in the future. If it appears such frequent absences may continue, or if the absences do continue, the Chairperson may request removal of the member by the Mayor and the City Council. To the extent possible, members should notify Commission staff of expected absences.
C. 
The Commission may name subcommittees which, in its judgment, will aid in effectuating the purpose of this article and Chapter 181, Human Rights and Fair Housing, of the Code of Ordinances and may empower them to study the problems of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination in any fields of human relationships within the purview of this article and Chapter 181. The Commission may, by rule, establish committees to exercise its powers.
D. 
The Commission shall hold a minimum of four meetings, one each quarter, per calendar year. A quorum shall consist of a majority of all Commissioners, excluding any ex-officio or nonvoting members. The Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, in the absence of the Chairperson, may call a special meeting by giving at least 24 hours' published notice to every member of the Commission. The notice for all meetings shall include an agenda, and only matters included in that agenda may be discussed at the meeting. All meetings shall comply with Iowa Code Chapter 21 and any other relevant state, federal and local laws.
E. 
The Commission may adopt, amend or rescind such rules as may be necessary for the conduct of its business in accordance with this article.
In the enforcement of this article and Chapter 181, Human Rights and Fair Housing, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To prepare and transmit to the Mayor and City Council an annual report on Commission activities.
B. 
To make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council for such further legislation concerning discrimination because of age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, lawful source of income, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation as it may deem necessary and desirable.
C. 
To cooperate, within the limits of any appropriations made for its operation, with other agencies or organizations, both public and private, whose purposes are consistent with those of this article and Chapter 181, Human Rights and Fair Housing, and in the planning and conducting of programs designed to fulfill the declaration of purpose as specified in § 181-1.1.
D. 
To hold meetings at a minimum of four times, once each quarter, annually at a time and place to be determined by the Commission.
E. 
To receive, administer, dispense and account for any funds that may be voluntarily contributed to the Commission and any grants that may be awarded the Commission for furthering the purposes of this article and Chapter 181, Human Rights and Fair Housing, with the approval of the Mayor and City Council.