(A) The Town Council finds that prejudice and the practice of discrimination against any individual or group based on actual or perceived age, mental or physical disability, sex, religion, creed, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial or marital status, economic status, veteran status or national origin, may menace the peace and public welfare. To work towards elimination of such prejudice and discrimination, a commission should be established through which the citizens of Boone may be kept informed of developments in human relations, the officers and departments of the town may obtain advice and assistance concerning practices to keep peace and good order, and private persons and groups may be officially encouraged to promote tolerance and goodwill to all people.
(B) The purpose of the Boone Human Relations Commission is to promote and improve human relations and equity among all citizens in the town. The Commission will work with town government and partner with communities and outside agencies in an effort to encourage and ensure diversity, fairness, equity and inclusion throughout the town. In furtherance thereof, the Commission should endeavor to identify and assist in addressing all forms of individual, institutional and community discrimination through education, advocacy and policy recommendations.
(Ord. passed 11-16-2021)
(A) The Boone Human Relations Commission (hereinafter, "Commission") is hereby created pursuant to the authority set forth at G.S. § 160A-492.
(B) The duration of the Committee shall initially be for five years, after which the Committee shall expire unless action has been taken by the Town Council to extend its duration.
(Ord. passed 11-16-2021)
The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(A) To serve as an advisory body to the Town Council.
(B) To study and recommend strategies for the prevention of potential human relations problems and for the promotion of good relations.
(C) To endeavor to make the Commission itself a model of good human relations at work.
(D) To promote equality of opportunity in the economic, educational, governmental, and cultural life of the community for all citizens without regard to actual or perceived age, mental or physical disability, sex, religion, creed, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial or marital status, economic status, veteran status or national origin, and work to eliminate discrimination on any of these bases.
(E) To invite and enlist the cooperation of persons and groups representing various economic, educational, and social groups in all areas of the town, and to act as a coordinating agency among these and other groups in the community in the establishment and maintenance of educational programs in the community designed to bring about better human relations.
(F) To cooperate with any interested citizen, and all state, federal and local agencies whenever such cooperation is appropriate in furthering the purpose of this chapter.
(G) To institute and conduct educational and other programs to promote the equal rights and opportunities of all persons, regardless of their race, color, religion, creed, national origin or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, and to promote understanding among all such persons and groups.
(H) To accept, investigate, and seek voluntary conciliation of complaints of alleged violations of Ch. 38 of the Town Code. With respect to such efforts, the Commission may proceed only by means of voluntary cooperation and compliance and shall not have authority to compel cooperation or compliance. The Commission may make recommendations to the Town Council as to any enforcement actions that may be available to the town under Ch. 38.
(I) To seek grants and donations to the town from foundations and others for the purpose of carrying out the above-listed functions.
(J) To prepare and render to the Town Council annual reports on its progress in accomplishing the objectives of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 11-16-2021; Ord. passed 1-25-2023)
(A) Town Council shall appoint up to ten members of the Commission. The members shall be persons committed to the values set forth in the declaration of policy above and shall represent a cross section of the community.
(B) For sake of stability of the Commission, the initial members shall be appointed for staggered terms of one-, two- and three-year terms. Thereafter, except for student members, terms of office of the members shall be three years.
(C) High school and college student members may be appointed for one-year terms in the discretion of Town Council.
(D) Except as may be expressly set forth herein, members shall hold office subject to existing ordinances and policies applicable to all Town Board and Commission members.
(E) Town Council may appoint one or more of their members to serve as non-voting liaison members of the Commission.
(Ord. passed 11-16-2021)
(A) The Commission shall select from its membership a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and a secretary, each to serve for a period of one year or until a successor is appointed.
(B) The time and place of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Commission shall be established and filed with the Town Clerk. Such meetings shall take place no less than quarterly.
(C) A majority of the Commission's total membership (not including vacant or liaison positions) shall constitute a quorum for transaction of official business.
(D) The Commission shall keep a full record of its proceedings and minutes of its meetings showing the business transacted at each meeting and upon approval of such records and minutes, copies shall be provided to the Town Manager.
(E) The Commission may adopt bylaws and prescribe rules and regulations for the conduct of its meeting and the transaction of its business; however, such rules and regulations shall be consistent with existing town ordinances and policies.
(F) Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the Commission shall function as any other advisory committee of the town pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 30 and 35 of this Code of Ordinances.
(Ord. passed 11-16-2021)