The Commission has the right and duty to communicate with City Council by presenting to the City Manager and the City Solicitor any issues that may present legal ramifications pursuant to this Article. The Office of the City Solicitor serves as the Commission's legal counsel. The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered:
(a) To cooperate and work with federal, state, county, and local government officers, units, activities and agencies in the promotion and attainment of more harmonious understanding and greater equality of rights between and among all racial, religious and ethnic groups in this City.
(b) To enlist the cooperation of racial, religious and ethnic units, community and civic organizations, industrial and labor organizations and other identifiable groups of the City in programs and campaigns devoted to the advancement of tolerance, understanding and the equal protection of the laws of all groups and people.
(c) To hold and conduct public meetings relating to fostering awareness of the many types of discrimination. These public meetings shall be of a non-adjudicatory nature and shall not constitute investigations or adjudication of individual complaints regarding unlawful discrimination under the West Virginia Human Rights Act 5-11-1 et seq., or this Article.
(d) To have the ability to refer any individual or group complaint regarding alleged acts of unlawful discrimination to the West Virginia Human Rights Commission for investigation and adjudication upon receipt of a written complaint or after conciliation and conference should such efforts fail or, in the alternative, shall the conciliation process fail and the Commission believes that discrimination has occurred, it may provide a cease and desist order as discussed later in the Article at Section 169.09.
(e) To study problems and needs related to inclusivity in the City and make specific recommendation to the City Manager and to City Council and other partners as pertinent.
(f) To prepare a written report on its work, functions and services for each year ending on June 30 and to deliver copies thereof to Council on or before December 1 next thereafter.
(g) To do all other acts and deeds necessary and proper to carry out and accomplish effectively the objectives, functions and services contemplated by the provisions of this Article, including, if necessary, the promulgation of rules and regulations, to be approved by the City Solicitor, implementing the powers and authority hereby vested in the Commission.
(h) To study the problem of discrimination in all or specific fields or instances of discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, blindness, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation and/or gender identity; to foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation among the groups and elements of the population of the City and to participate with other agencies and groups regarding programs of formal and informal education. The Commission may itself voluntarily make the studies and perform the acts authorized by this subsection. It may, by voluntary conferences with parties in interest, endeavor to eliminate discrimination in all stated fields and to foster goodwill and cooperation among all elements of the population of the City.
(i) To accept contributions from any person to assist in the effectuation of the purposes of this section and to see and enlist the cooperation of private, charitable, religious, labor and civic and benevolent organizations for the purpose of this section.
(j) To issue such publications and research as in its judgment will tend to promote goodwill and minimize or eliminate discrimination; however, the associated costs of such require prior approval by the City Manager and/or City Council.
(k) Advise, consult with, and inform the City Manager, or his designee on any matter pertaining to inclusivity in the City.
(l) Support program initiatives to promote residents' awareness and knowledge of both opportunities to increase inclusivity and current barriers which limit community inclusiveness and long-term sustainability.
(m) Participate in community activities in the City which increases public awareness of issues; promotes education and understanding, provides, enables or enhances services; articulates planned collaboration; and promotes public participation.
(n) Use media and the municipal marketing and internet facilities available within the City Administration to frame and convey information about issues, public programs, and service opportunities.
(Ord. 15849. Passed 2-7-23.)