(1) Study the relationships between persons of various races, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, abilities and nationalities within the city and to advise and assist the various departments of the city in matters involving relationships between the groups to the end that discrimination will not exist in the city;
(2) Act to insure discrimination does not exist in education, employment, public accommodation and housing;
(3) Study, investigate and take action in regard to any condition having an adverse effect upon relations between persons of various races, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, creeds, abilities and nationalities;
(4) Institute and conduct educational and other programs intended to promote the equal rights and opportunities of all persons;
(5) Solicit the cooperation of the various racial, ethnic, disabled, LGBTQIA, women’s rights and religious groups within the community in order to improve the quality of communications and understanding within the community;
(6) Stimulate private and governmental departments and agencies to develop and foster meaningful programs in support of the objectives and purposes of the Human Relations Commission, this subchapter and §§ 37.045 et seq.
(7) Hold a regular meeting each month; and (All meetings of the Commission and notice thereof shall be conducted in conformity with I.C. 5-14-1.5-1 et seq.)
(8) Render an annual report of its doings to the Mayor and to the Common Council.
(B) The Commission shall have all powers that may lawfully be conferred upon the Commission pursuant to the applicable provisions of state law including the power to:
(1) Investigate, conciliate and hear complaints and enter into consent decrees;
(2) Subpoena for attendance of witnesses and/or production of documents and records may be issued only by the City Court on behalf of and at the request of the Commission upon good cause being shown and under the provisions of I.C. 4-21.5-1-1 et seq. and Rule 28(F) of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure;
(3) Administer oaths;
(4) Examine witnesses;
(5) Appoint hearing officers or panels;
(6) Make findings and recommendations;
(7) Issue cease and desist orders requiring remedial action and affirmative relief;
(8) Order payment of actual damages, except that damages to be paid as a result of discriminatory practices relating to employment shall be limited to lost wages, salaries, commissions or fringe benefits;
(9) Institute actions for appropriate legal or equitable relief in an appropriate court and enter into consent decrees;
(10) Employ an executive director and other staff personnel consistent with budgetary authority;
(11) Initiate complaints, except that no person who initiates complaints may participate as a member of the agency in the hearing or disposition of the complaint;
(12) Conduct programs and activities to carry out the purposes of the Human Relations Commission provided for in this subchapter within the territorial boundaries of the city;
(13) Adopt rules and regulations, which shall become effective 30 days after approval by the Common Council;
(14) Enter into contracts; and
(15) Accept gifts, bequests or other payments, public or private, to help finance the activities of the Commission, making timely report of their receipt to the Mayor and the Common Council.
(Prior Code, § 34.121) (Ord. 3706, passed 9-28-1970; Am. Ord. 4460, passed 8-28-1978; Am. Ord. 4920, passed 10-22-1984; Am. Ord. 5087, passed 11-10-1986; Am. Ord. 9377, passed 6-12-2017)