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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/15/1989, 7 - CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ENABLING ORDINANCE AND BYLAWS. IIIN�IMI��III�'�I'� •. MEETING DATE: ITEM I ,��IN city of sin lues OBISpo 8-15-89 07 MMUiCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NUMBER: FROM: Candace Havens, SACAO Y', Prepared by Bob Van Sickel, CAO Staff 6 SUBJECT: Consideration of proposed changes to Human Relations Commission enabling ordinance and bylaws. CAO RECOMMENDATION: Approve the draft ordinance and bylaws as submitted by the Human Relations Commission. BACKGROUND: In December 1988, the City Council instructed all advisory bodies to inspect their various ordinances and bylaws, and to begin to bring these into conformance with the recently-revised City Advisory Body Handbook. At that time, the Human Relations Commission was reluctant to adopt the Council-mandated changes to its enabling ordinance, particularly the reduction of the HRC from twelve to seven members. The Commission also had concerns about the deletion of specific HRC functions and programs from the ordinance. At a joint meeting of the City Council and Human Relations Commission in January 1989, the Council reaffirmed its desire to see the HRC as a seven member body, and to see the HRC ordinance and bylaws reflect this and other changes as set forth in the revised Advisory Body Handbook. Since that meeting, the HRC has seen a considerable turnover in its membership. At present, only two Commissioners who were in attendance at the January 1989 joint meeting remain on the HRC. This is the primary reason that the draft ordinance and bylaws are only now coming before the Council. ANALYSIS• The Human Relations Commission remains uncomfortable with the reduction in membership from twelve to seven persons. A letter from HRC Chairman George Brudney expressing these continued concerns accompanies this staff report (Attachment "A") . Nevertheless, the HRC respects the City Council's perogative to mandate changes to advisory body operating documents, and has therefore forwarded the draft changes as directed. i �����► ►(VIIIII���i��uil ��� city of san WiSIOBIspo =Mlogs COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT The draft ordinance and bylaws contain essentially three changes. The first two of these are the changes in membership number (from twelve to seven) and in the length of Commissioner's terms (from two to four years) . The third basic change involves the description of HRC programs and functions. The wording of the draft documents contains a more general description of the HRC's functions, rather than explicitly spelling out the various programs such as tenant-landlord advice, mediation, investigation of discrimination, and so on. This has the effect of now allowing the City Council more flexiblility in designating and assigning HRC duties and special projects. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Accept the proposed changes to the Human Relations Commission enabling ordinance and bylaws. These would take effect immediately. 2. Reject the proposed changes to the Human Relations Commission enabling ordinance and bylaws, and return these to the HRC, along with further Council direction to the Commission. The existing ordinance and bylaws would govern Commission - actions in the interim. 3. Choose to take no action on this issue at the present time. The existing ordinances and bylaws would remain in effect. RECOMMENDATION Approve the draft ordinance and bylaws as submitted by the Human Relations Commission (Alternative #1 above) . ATTACHMENTS: A: HRC Letter to City Council B: Resolution Approving Draft Ordinance and. Bylaws C: Draft HRC Ordinance D: Draft HRC Bylaws HRCIII:hrc-ord rwv/12july89 RESOLUTION NO. (1989 Series) C A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY COUNCIL, APPROVING THE REVISED ORDINANCE AND BYLAWS FOR THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO BE IT RESOLVED by the San Luis Obispo City Council as follows: SECTION 1. The revised Ordinance and Bylaws for the Human Relations Commission and attached hereto, are hereby approved. On motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this day of , - 1989. ATTEST MAYOR, RON DUNIN CITY CLERK, PAM VOGES Approved: City inistrative Officer City A ey Finabde Director C�` �i►ll�'I�'!�I�����j;�il! III�I�����II'� ,���� city of sAn oBispo 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100 MEMORANDUM July 5, 1989 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: George Brudney, Chairman Human Relations Commission RE: Revisions to HRC Enabling Ordinance and Bylaws As you will recall, the City Council has requested that all advisory bodies review their bylaws and ordinances, recommending appropriate amemdments which will bring these into accordance with the recently-revised Advisory Body Handbook. One issue still in question is the reduction of the HRC from twelve to seven members. We continue to believe that there are compelling reasons for maintaining Commission membership at twelve Persons. The Human Relations Commission has a fundamentally different role than that of other advisory bodies, and it is imperative that it have the broadest possible representation from different groups which reside in the community. Additionally, the HRC's Grants-in-Aid progra7r--, duties create a workload which we believe warrants the additional five members. The HRC is forwarding draft versions of its enabling ordinance and bylaws as the Council has directed. Nevertheless, we wish to express our continued disagreement with the reduction of Commission membership to seven members. We believe that this number will seriously inhibit the HRC's ability to represent fully the diverse groups in our community. hrcmemo GB/rwv 7- 4 ORDINANCE NO. (1989 Series) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING CHAPER 2.56 OF THE SAN LUIS OBISPO MUNICIAL CODE, REGARDING THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. That certain amendments are hereby made to Chapter 2.56 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, to read as follows: Chapter 2.56 - Human -Relations Commission SECTION 2.56.010 ESTABLISHED There is hereby established the Human Relations Commission, originally appointed by motion of the Council in January, 1964. SECTION 2.56.020 PURPOSE It is the purpose of the Human Relations Commission to advise the Council in its actions to create an environment within the City in which all. persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, acje., physical, mental or economic status. The Human Relations Commission shall make recommendations to the Council or the City Administrative Officer on how these social concerns and human needs can .best be addressed. SECTION 2 .56.030 FUNCTIONS The functions of the Human Relations Commission are: A. To promote mutual understanding and foster harmonious relations between persons and groups within the community, and provide a forum for residents to discuss problems relating to human rights and relations; B. To receive and investigate complaints concerning community tensions and acts of discrimination, and cooperate with and assist other human services groups which have similar purposes; C. To make recommendations to the Council when action is proposed as a means to insuring community cooperation and understanding; D. To evaluate perceived inadequacies in human rights and services and to recommend possible action; E. To review and evaluate all City-funding requests from groups which provide human services; to provide liaison to recipients of grants-in-aid moneys, through personal contact and required activity and budget reports; F. Such duties, including studies and research, as the Council deems necessary and appropriate and assigns to the Commission. i SECTION 2.56.040 MEMBERSHIP The Human Relations Commission shall consist of seven members who are representative of diverse groups within the City and who have a demonstrated interest in social issues. SECTION 2.56.050 TERMS OF OFFICE A. Commissioners shall be ap'ointed by the Council for terms of four (4) years, commencing immediately upon appointment. Commissioners shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. Any Commissioner may be reappointed, providing that no appointees shall serve more than two consecutive terms (8 years) . , B. Vacancies shall be filled by the Council, for unexpired terms. Appointment for a partial term following an unscheduled vacancy shall not preclude the appointee from serving two (2) consecutive full terms following the completion of the partial term, provided the partial term is less than two (2) years. SECTION 2. This ordinance, together with the ayes and noes, shall be published once in. full, at least three (3) days prior to its final passage in the Telegram Tribune, a newspaper published and circulated in said City, and the same shall coo into effect at the expiration of thirty (30) days after its said final passage. INTRODUCED AND PASSED TO PRINT by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo at a meeting held on the th day of 1989, on motion of , seconded y , and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Mayor Ron .Dunin__- ATTEST: City Clerk Pamela Voges Approve - City -inistrative Officer City Atto 7�6 �����������►�►����►IIIIII�IIIIIa��""�"�� city o san hues oBispo 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 BY-LAWS HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE It is the purpose of the Human Relations Commission to advise the Council in its actions to create an environment within the city in which all persons can enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, ache, physical, mental, or economic status. The Human Relations Commission shall make recommendations to the City Council or the. City Administrative Officer on haw these social concerns and human needs can best be addressed. ARTICLE 2. TERMS OF OFFICE Commissioners shall be appointed by the City Council for terms of four (4) years, commencing on April 1. Commissioners shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Any Commissioner may be reappointed, provided that no appointee shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms (8 years) . ARTICLE 3. MEETINGS A. The Commission shall hold a regular meeting each month and not less than ten (10) times a year. B. Meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. C. The Commission meetings shall be open to the public and shall be held at City Hall or other previously announced locations at specific times as required by California law. D. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Commissioners currently serving. E. All actions of the Commission shall be decided by a majority Vote or concensus and shall be directed through the Commission Chair. F. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to the City Council and be available as a public record. G. The Chairperson or any three members of the Commission may call a special meeting providing a week's prior notice is given in writing to each member. Human Relations Commission Page 2 H. All Commission meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order. I. All members present must. vote, except when abstaining due to a declared conflict of interest. J. Any member with a declared conflict of interest shall not vote on or participate in any discussion of an item or in any manner attempt to influence the decision on that item. ARTICLE 4. SUBCOMMITTEES Subcommittees consisting of less than a quorum of the Commission shall be appointed, as needed, by the Chairperson. Study committees may include non-commission members who shall have no voting power. ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS A. The officers shall be a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson who - shall be elected at the Commission meeting in March, for i one year terms. B. The Chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the Commission, prepare all meeting agendas, and perform such duties as directed by the Commission. C. The Vice-Chairperson shall serve in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson. ARTICLE 6. WORKPLAN . The Commission shall develop a workplan on an annual basis. The workplan shall be a description of the activities that will be undertaken in order to meet the goals and objectives of the Commission. ARTICLE 7. AMENDMENTS By-law amendments shall be submitted for Council approval by an affirmative vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the Commission, provided that such amendments shall have been discussed by the Commission on the agenda of at least two meetings prior to the vote. The members shall receive the proposed amendments in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the first reading. Revised: June 1989 hrcbylaws C�