In performing its functions, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties to:
a. Meet and exercise its power at any place within the City;
b. Employ attorneys, hearing examiners, clerks and other employees and agents, and to appoint and empower committees and divisions to assist in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Subchapter;
c. Accept gifts or bequests, grants, or other payments, public or private, to help finance its activities;
d. Receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, and hold hearings on complaints alleging discrimination, with the power to request the circuit court to issue subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses and with the power to compel the witnesses to testify under oath as administered by the Commission;
e. Recommend methods for elimination of discrimination and intergroup tensions, and to use its best efforts to secure compliance with its recommendations;
f. Issue remedial orders, after notice and hearing, requiring cessation of violations of this Subchapter;
g. Issue such affirmative orders as authorized by the Kentucky Revised Statutes as in the judgment of the Commission to carry out the purpose of this Subchapter. Affirmative action orders may include, but are not limited to:
1. Hiring, reinstatement or upgrading of employees, with or without backpay. Interim earnings or amounts earnable with reasonable diligence by the person discriminated against shall operate to reduce the backpay otherwise allowable;
2. Admission or restoration of individuals to union membership, admission to or participation in a guidance program, apprenticeship training program, on-the-job training program or other occupational training or retraining program;
3. Ordering payment to the complainant of damages for injury caused by the unlawful practice, including compensation for humiliation and embarrassment, and for other costs incurred by the complainant as a direct result of an unlawful practice; and,
4. Applying to the Circuit Court for such temporary or permanent relief as it deems necessary.
h. Cooperate with other intergroup relations agencies, both public and private, on the local, state and national level in performing its functions under this Subchapter;
i. Cooperate with the various departments, agencies and boards of the City of the Commonwealth in effectuating the purposes of this Subchapter;
j. Adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Subchapter, including regulations requiring the posting of notices prepared or approved by the Commission and the Circuit Court;
k. Exercise all applicable powers as provided in the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, KRS Chapter 344;
l. Enlist the support of civic, labor, religious, professional, educational organizations and institutions in community activities and programs that will further the goals of this Subchapter;
m. Organize community committees and councils that will work toward the goals of this Subchapter; and,
n. Submit an annual report of its activities and of the progress and problems in intergroup relations in the community to the Board of Commissioners.
(Ord. BG2003-53, 10/7/2003)