It shall be the duty and authority of the Community Relations Commission to:
(A) Conduct research, publish and utilize studies in the field of intergroup relations and to develop and implement procedures to educate the community, equalize opportunities, eliminate discrimination and promote good will among all persons;
(B) Receive and record any complaint alleging discrimination against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, unfavorable military discharge, ancestry, age or physical or mental disability unrelated to ability in violation of this chapter, which is not more properly handled by other organizations such as the State Department of Labor, State Department of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board;
(C) Seek to resolve conflicts between persons involved in complaints which are within the jurisdiction of the Commission by specifically authorizing the Coordinator at a regular or special meeting to investigate particular complaints to determine if there is probable cause to believe a violation of this subchapter has occurred. If the Commission determines from the investigation of a complaint that there is probable cause to believe a violation has occurred, the Commission may authorize the Coordinator to give notice to all parties that a closed conciliation conference will be held by impartial conciliators who have been approved and appointed by the Commission. At the conciliation conference, an attempt shall be made to resolve the conflict between the parties by formulating a written agreement to eliminate any discriminatory situation which may be found to exist;
(D) If neither the factfinding nor conciliation phase produces a settlement between the complainant and the respondent, the Commission shall make its own determination in the case in light of the evidence before it and shall submit its report in writing to the appropriate state or national Human Relations Board with the recommendation that appropriate action be taken;
(E) Recommend to the appropriate agency or person legislative, administrative, legal or other ameliorative action to be taken to eliminate discrimination and foster good will;
(F) Invite and enlist the cooperation of any citizen, organization or committee which can be of benefit in fulfilling the responsibilities of the Community Relations Commission in carrying out specific programs designed to lessen conflicts and in improving understanding in the community;
(G) Adopt rules of procedure and regulations as may be deemed necessary to conduct its meetings, conciliation conferences, and general operations and to carry out the purposes and provisions of this subchapter. These rules of procedure and regulations shall be submitted to the City Council for its approval;
(H) Cooperate and assist, at its discretion, any person who requests cooperation or assistance for the purpose of developing or maintaining affirmative action programs;
(I) Prepare and submit annually to the City Council, at or shortly after the end of each fiscal year, a report of its activities during the fiscal year; and
(J) Refer individuals and information to other agencies or persons when appropriate.
(1990 Code, § 13-41) (Ord. 87-1178, passed 9-9-1987; Ord. 88-1234, passed 9-6-1988; Ord. 02-2037, passed 2-4-2002; Ord. 10-3303, passed 8-2-2010; Ord. 13-3422, passed 10-21-2013)