(A) The functions of the Human Rights Commission are to foster mutual respect and understanding and to create an atmosphere conducive to the promotion of amicable relations among all members of the city’s community, to serve as a vehicle through which citizens can convey their suggestions on city policies with respect to social problems, to be sensitive to the social needs of citizens and to advise and assist the city government in relating human and social services to the needs of the city residents. It is also the responsibility of the Commission to use due diligence to enforce the provisions of this subchapter, to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination and to seek the elimination of injustice created by discriminatory practices.
(B) In addition to other tasks that the Board of Commissioners may assign to it, the Commission shall:
(1) Study, prepare and recommend to the Board of Commissioners and City Manager a plan for long- and short-range priorities and specific legislation or programs to alleviate problems of human rights including programs administered by the city to promote better human relations;
(2) Upon request of the Board of Commissioners or the City Manager, or upon its own initiative, advise the Board of Commissioners or City Manager on the social and human rights impact of proposals to be acted upon by the Board of Commissioners, or upon areas to which the Board of Commissioners’ attention should be directed;
(3) Develop and conduct programs and activities, alone or in cooperation with government agencies or community groups, designed to increase good will among citizens of the city, eliminate discrimination and open new opportunities for all citizens in all phases of community life;
(4) Oversee and manage hearings and issue orders as provided for herein and in KRS 344.320;
(5) Advise, coordinate and consult with the City Manager on programs and activities concerning the city’s departments and the Human Rights Ordinance and §§ 152.30 through 152.34 of this code of ordinances, and complement and assist those programs and activities;
(6) Conduct public hearings and inquire into incidents of division and conflict on issues of human rights and attempt to correct them by issuing public reports and recommending to appropriate agencies, public and private, implementation of actions necessary or helpful to eliminate such division and conflict;
(7) Consider, investigate, study and make recommendations regarding any contemplated or proposed action by any federal, state or municipal government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof that may have an effect on human rights in the community;
(8) Investigate complaints of discrimination in the areas of public accommodations, employment and housing outside of the jurisdiction of the state’s Commission on Human Rights;
(9) Investigate complaints of discrimination by employees toward other employees and the public;
(10) Foster mutual respect and understanding and create an atmosphere conducive to the promotion of peaceable relations among all members of the city;
(11) Study and document the effects of discrimination on the quality of life in the county and the city;
(12) Compile regular reports on Commission functions and activities which must be submitted to the City Manager;
(13) Conduct regularly scheduled meetings to discuss Commission business; and
(14) Initiate actions in Circuit Court or a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the terms of its remedial orders.
(C) In addition to other tasks that the Human Rights Commission may pursue, the Commission may:
(1) Conduct training, workshops and seminars on discrimination, sexual harassment, fair housing issues, the Americans with Disabilities Act, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., and education;
(2) Participate in community activities, such as Covington Housing Fair, Oktoberfest and the like, to educate the public about the role of the Human Rights Commission; and
(3) Accept gifts or bequests, grants or other payments, public or private, to help finance its activities.
(1984 Code, §§ 32.08, 37.04) (Ord O-31-98, passed 7-21-1998; Ord. O-20-03, passed 4-29-2003; Ord. O-02-22, passed 2-22-2022)