[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Farmington 2-25-1969
by Ord. No. 59; amended in its entirety 6-27-1995. Subsequent amendments noted
where applicable.]
Pursuant to the authority granted to the Council of the Town by the
General Statutes and Special Acts of the State of Connecticut, there shall
be established, organized and appointed for the a Human Relations Commission
created for the purposes stated herein and having delegated to it the duties
and powers hereinafter set forth.
A.
There is hereby created a Commission on Human Relations
of the Town to be known as the "Farmington Human Relations Commission" (the
"Commission"). The Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be
appointed by the Town Council. Members shall be appointed for two-year terms,
commencing on July 1.
[Amended 6-26-2001]
B.
Membership shall be open to persons interested in the
aims and programs of the Commission as set forth in this chapter. In determining
membership of the Commission, consideration shall be given to representation
of a diverse economic, social and cultural cross section of the community.
C.
The Town Council shall appoint the Chairperson of the
Commission for the ensuing year, who shall be charged with calling the first
meeting of the Commission within 30 days following the date of the appointment
of the members of the Commission. At the first meeting of each year, the Commission
shall elect from its members a Vice Chairperson and recording secretary and
shall establish a schedule of regular meeting dates for the ensuing year.
Any vacancy on the Commission from whatever cause occurring shall be
filled by appointment by the Town Council for the unexpired portion of the
term in accordance with the preceding section. The membership of any person
who is absent from two regular meetings during any twelve-month period shall
terminate as of the time the second such absence occurs, unless such absences
are waived by the Chairperson of the Commission because of illness or other
extenuating circumstances. The Chairperson of the Commission shall notify
the Town Manager promptly after the second such absence occurs.
A.
The Commission shall hold a minimum of four meetings
each year at such regular intervals as it may designate. At any regular meeting,
any member of the public may present an oral petition to the Commission requesting
the Commission to hear public comments or complaints. The Chairperson of the
Commission may call a special meeting at any time. Any three members of the
Commission may at any time request, in writing, that the Chairperson call
a special meeting. The Chairperson shall, within five days after receipt of
such request, call a special meeting for a time within 10 days after the date
of the call of the meeting.
B.
A quorum at any meeting shall consist of four members
and the vote of a majority of the Commission present at any meeting at which
a quorum is present shall be required for any action taken.
[Amended 6-26-2001]
The purposes of the Commission shall be as follows:
A.
To foster mutual understanding and respect among all
members of the community.
B.
To encourage equality of treatment of, and opportunity
for, all members of the community, without regard to economic status, race,
color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age and physical, mental
and learning disabilities.
[Amended 6-26-2001]
C.
To cooperate with governmental and nongovernmental agencies
and organizations charged with promoting an integrated and diverse community
or having like or kindred functions to those of the Commission.
The duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
A.
To act as a fair hearing body for conflicts arising from
the administration of regulations promulgated under the Americans With Disabilities
Act.
B.
To receive and hear complaints regarding inequity of
treatment or of discrimination in the Town and to refer such complaints to
the proper agency having jurisdiction in the particular matter if a resolution,
mutually agreeable to the parties involved, cannot be reached following a
hearing by the Commission on the matter.
C.
To assist in the resolution of interpersonal conflicts
of a noncriminal nature referred to the Commission by another department or
agency in the , including but not limited to the Police Department, the Department
of Human Services or the Building Department. Such conflicts shall be heard
by the Commission only with the voluntary cooperation of the parties involved.
D.
To seek voluntary compliance with all state and federal
laws relating to human rights and opportunities.
E.
To offer its services and to cooperate with every other
agency and department of the in promoting a healthy community by providing
outreach to new neighborhoods and affordable developments.
F.
To promote educational activities and programs and assist
cooperative efforts in the community in furtherance of the Commission's objectives.
G.
To carry out such projects as shall be assigned to it
by the Town Council.
H.
To submit to the Town Council annually, or more frequently
if the Council shall so request, reports concerning the activities of the
Commission.
The facilities and services of the various agencies and departments
of the shall be available to the Commission as it may reasonably require.
