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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-044 CCRMember Theodore Willard introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 68 -44 RESOLUTION CREATING A BROOKLYN CENTER HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, AND DEFINING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEREFORE WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center has experienced a period of extensive growth and development, and it is anticipated that such growth will continue for an indeterminate period; and WHEREAS, such growth and development necessitates intensified communication among neighbors of the community to promote harmonious relationships among people of all races, religions and ethnic groups; and WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Minnesota has enacted Chapter 363, Minnesota State Act Against Discrimination which provides for and permits the delegation of certain responsibilities under the act to local human rights commissions; and WHEREAS, broad citizen participation in the affairs of the community is actively sought and promoted by the City Council on the premise that such participation promotes a better community: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center that the public policy of said City shall be to fulfill its responsibility in assuring for all citizens equal opportunity in housing, employ- ment, public accommodations, public services and education, and to work consistently to further improve the human relations climate of the City of Brooklyn Center. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is hereby established within the City of Brooklyn Center a Human Rights Commission as follows: Subdivision 1. TITLE: This organization shall be known as the Brooklyn Center Human Rights Commission. Subdivision 2. PURPOSE: The purpose of the Commission is to promote understanding and equal opportunity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services and education and full participation in the affairs of this community by assisting the State Department of Human Rights in implementing the Minnesota State Act Against Discrimination and by advising the City Council on long range programs to further improve community relations in the City of Brooklyn Center. Subdivision 3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: In fulfillment of its purpose, the duties and responsibilities of the Commission shall be to: Resolution No. 68 -44 (1) Advise the City Council on human relations and civil rights issues and recommend the adoption of such specific policies or actions as are needed to provide for equal opportunity in the community. (2) Formulate a human relations program for the City of Brooklyn Center to give increased effectiveness and direction to the work of all individuals and agencies addressing themselves to planning, policy making and educational programming in the area of civil and human rights. (3) Enlist the cooperation of organizations and individuals in the community in an active program directed to promote understanding and equal opportunity and eliminate discrimination and inequalities. (4) Draft a memorandum of agreement with the State Department of Human Rights, for approval by the City Council, for the purpose of determining regulatory and enforcement procedures. (5) Develop in cooperation with the State Department of Human Rights such programs of formal and informal education as will assist in the implementation of the Minnesota State Act Against Discrimination and provide for the Commission's assumption of leadership in recognizing and resolving civil and human rights problem areas in the community. Subdivision 4. COMPOSITION: The Commission shall be comprised of a Chairman and fourteen members, all of whom shall be appointed and serve as set forth in Subdivision 5. Subdivision 5. METHOD OF SELECTION TERM OF OFFICE REMOVAL: Chairman: The Chairman shall be appointed by the Mayor with majority consent of the Council, and shall serve three year terms. The Chairman may be removed upon recommendation of the Mayor with approval by a majority vote of the Council. Members: Initial appointment of Members shall be made by members of the Council, who shall each appoint three, and by the Mayor, who shall appoint two, with due regard being given by the appointing official to fitness for the efficient dispatch of the functions, powers and duties vested in and imposed upon the Commission, their geographical distribution within the City, and the representative nature of the Commission in terms of sex, religious, ethnic, racial, employment and employer groups. Members of the Commission shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Upon the expiration of his term of office a member shall continue to serve until his successor is appointed and shall have qualified. The first Commission shall consist of five members appointed for a term of three years, five members for a term of two years, and five members for a term of one year. Members of Resolution No. 68 -44 the Commission shall serve without compensation and may resign voluntarily or be removed from office upon approval by a majority vote of the Council. Vacancies of the Commission shall be filled by the Mayor upon approval by a majority vote of the Council. Qualification for Membership: Members of the Commission shall be at least 18 years of age, shall be a resident of the City of Brooklyn Center while serving on the Commission, and shall have been a resident of said City for at least one year prior to their appointment. Subdivision 6. VICE CHAIRMAN: The Chairman shall, within thirty days following the initial meeting of the Commission, appoint a Vice Chairman who shall hold said position at the pleasure of the Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairman, and shall assume the chair in the absence of the Chairman. Subdivision 7. RULES AND PROCEDURES: The Commission shall adopt such rules and procedures not inconsistent with these provisions as may be necessary for the proper execution and conduct of business, provided that in the absence of special rules, the provisions of Robert's Rules of Order shall apply. Subdivision 8. MEETINGS: The initial meeting of the Commission shall be convened at the call of the Chairman within thirty (30) days after appointment by the Council. Thereafter, regular meetings shall be held with date and time to be determined by the Commission. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman. Subdivision 9. SECRETARY: The City Manager shall assign one member of the administrative staff to serve as Secretary to the Commission. The Secretary shall perform such clerical duties on behalf of the Board as may be assigned by the Chairman. Subdivision 10. OFFICIO MEMBERS: The Mayor or his Councilman appointee shall serve as an ex- officio member of the Commission, privileged to speak on any question but without a vote, and shall provide liaison between the Commission and the Council. February 19, 1968 The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Howard Heck and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Philip Cohen, John Leary, Earl Rydberg, Howard Heck and Theodore Willard; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.