(A) Creation: There is hereby created a human relations commission (hereinafter "commission") consisting of three (3) members appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees. All members shall be residents of the village. From among the members of the commission, the chairman of the commission shall be appointed annually by the president with the advice and consent of the board of trustees. Any other officers that the commission may establish shall be elected annually by a vote of a majority of the commission. At the first regular meeting of the commission, lots will be drawn whereby it will be determined that in the first term of appointment, one member will serve three (3) years, one member will serve two (2) years and one member will serve one year. Subsequent terms of appointment shall be for three (3) years. No member shall serve more than three (3) consecutive full three (3) year terms.
(B) Purpose: The purpose of the commission shall be to promote a truly open community with long term population diversity and integration and to stimulate the improvement of human relations among all persons, so as to provide all citizens with an equal opportunity to grow, participate in, and share to the best of their ability the economic, educational, political and social benefits of the community.
(C) Duties: The duties of the commission shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
1. Advising elected officials and staff on human relations matters;
2. Serving as an educational arm of the municipality in the field of human relations to all persons, groups, and institutions in the community;
3. Acting as a bridge between municipal governments, citizens, and citizens' groups;
4. Performing as a catalyst in improving human relations and equitable living conditions;
5. Holding hearings and carrying on research and studies in the field of human relations in an effort to equalize opportunities and, lessen prejudice and discrimination;
6. Performing an advocacy role by initiating complaints of discrimination and by assisting and encouraging persons in the pursuit of their rights under this chapter;
7. Gathering and providing for the exchange of information relative to the provisions of this chapter among real estate brokers and salesmen, lenders, developers, employers, village officials and community groups within and without the village;
8. Counseling of prospective residents in accordance with the policy and provisions of this chapter and maintaining a list of counseling services.
(D) Meetings: The commission shall meet quarterly and adopt its own rules of procedure, which shall become effective only upon approval by the board of trustees. All meetings shall be held in accordance with such rules. The commission shall submit to the village an annual report and such special reports as it may from time to time deem advisable. The commission shall perform such further duties as may be assigned by the president and board of trustees of the village.
(E) Subpoena Power: When authorized by the president and board of trustees, the commission may require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documents, and its subpoena power may be enforced by proper petition to a court of competent jurisdiction. The chairman of the commission is authorized to sign such subpoenas and to administer oaths and is required to provide for the preservation of all testimony taken. (Ord. 2012-02, 4-19-2012)