HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 68-35 PROVIDING FOR A HUMAN RIGHTS COF~IISSION FOR THE CiTY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
WHEREAS, The public policy of the City of Columbia Heights recognizes
the right of equal opportunity for all residents regardless
of race, color, creed or national origin, and
WHEREAS, To aid in the development of such a public Po!~icy it is pro-
posed that there be created a Human Rights Commission, and
WHEP~EAS, The City Council recognizes the establishment of a State of
Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and
WHEREAS, The City Council desires to cooperate with the State of
Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE iT RESOLVED By the City Council of the City of
Columbia Heights as follows:
There ~s hereby established a Human Rights Commission for the
City of Columbia Heights.
2. The purpose of the Commission is to aid and advise the City Council
in insuring for all citizens of the City of Columbia Heights equal
opportunity in employment, housing, public accomodations, public
services and education and such other affairs as affect the social
well being of the community and for such further purpose as may be
provided by action by the City Council.
3. Members on the Commission shall be composed of nine (9) members.
if possible, no more than one (1) member shall reside in any
voting precinct. 5iembers of the Commission shall serve without
compensation. Members of the Commission shall be at least
Twenty-one (21) years of age and shall be residents of the City
of Columbia Heights while serving on the Commission. Members
shall have been a resident of the City of Columbia Heights for
at least one (!) year prior to their appointment.
Membership of the Commission shall provide so far as practicable
the widest possible representation of the various peoples and
institutions within the City of Columbia Heights.
4. Appointment ~ the Commission shall be made by a majority vote of the
City Council. Appointment to the Human Rights Commission may be
terminated by a 4/5 vote of the City Council without cause and
without hearing.
The members appointed to the Human Rights Commission after the
first appointment will serve for a term of three (3) years com-
mencing and ending in the month of April and the terms are to be
staggered in order to urovide continuity of policy and program.
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The first Commission shall consist of three (3) members appointed
for a term of one (1) year, three (3) members appointed for a term
of two (2) years and three (3) members appointed for a term of
three (3) years. Appointments to the Commission shall be made
in the month of April of each year with the exception of the year
1968.
Any vacancy arising because of disqualification, moving from the
City or resignation or for any other purpose, shall be filled by
appointment by a majority of the council.
Operation of the Human Rights Commission:
a. The City Council shall appoint the first Chairman of the Com-
mission to serve until the new appointments to the Commission
are made in April of 1969. Thereafter, each year after the
appointment of new Commission members by the City Council, a
Chairman shall be elected from the members by a majority vote
of the Commission to serve a one (1) year term as a presiding
member at all meetings. The Commission shall adopt such rules
and procedures relative to the conduct of the meetings as it
deems proper. A simple majority shall constitute a quorum for
all meetings of the Commission. The Commission to select a
recording Secretary from their own ranks.
The Commission shall study and review programs and policies and
aid the City Council in enlisting the cooperation of agencies,
organizations and individuals in the City in an active program
directed to create equal opportunity and eliminate discrimina-
tion and inequalities.
The Commission shall review all reports or complaints of discrim-
ination in the City and report its findings to the City Council of
the City of Columbia Heights°
d. The Commission shall advise and aid the City Council in cooper-
ating with the Department of P~uman Rights in implementing such
recommendations as may be appropriate to the City of Columbia
Heights as determined by the City Council of the City of
Columbia Heights. The Commission shall recommend to the Council
from time to time such actions as it may seem and deem advisable
in creating better human relations and to carry out the policy
of the City.
e. The Commission shall keep proper records of meetings as well as
any other proceedings of the Commission and any committees it
may establish.
f. The Commission shall submit to the City Council copies of the
Minutes of each meeting of the Commission or committee follow-
ing such meeting.
g. The Commission shall perform such other functions concerning
human relations as the City Council may from time to time direct.
8. Authority. The Human Rights Commission shall be advisory to and
subject to the direction and control of the City Council at all times°
The Commission shall have no powers of legislation or to act judicialt~
or quasi-judicially as a law enforcement agency.
t ~
Passed this 26th day of August, 968 · ·
0~ere~ by: Jeska
Seconded by: King ~'"
Roll Call - ~tl Ayes. ~ BRUCE-G. ~A~kOCKI, ~ayor
~ -~-~ '~)/ ~/f Seer,tar to the Council