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Home My WebLink AboutA- 7 Human Relations Ordinance . • 111 I 111 s _ _ * � , (- uS a Al ORDINANCE TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: SONIA CARVALHO, CITY ATTORNEY VIA: RICK COLE, CITY MANAGER, C DATE: JUNE 14, 2001 SUBJECT: HUMAN RELATIONS ORDINANCE RECOMMENDATION: Adopt on first reading the attached Ordinance creating a Human Relations Commission. BACKGROUND: In response to a disturbing pattern of hate crimes in Azusa, the City Council appointed a Hate Crime Task Force to address the causes and community response to these outrages. The group, which selected "Human Relations" as a broader focus for its efforts, submitted its report in May of this year. Among its principle recommendations was the creation of a permanent Human Relations Commission. The Human Relations Task Force outlined an ambitious work plan for the new Commission to pursue. The Task Force suggested that a number of committees be set up by the new Commission, including, (a) community outreach; (b) youth and anti-gang; (c) grants and fundraising; and (d) city tone setting. Among the activities suggested are: • Ad hoc support team for hate crime victims • Forums for dialogue • Neighborhood watch and community policing Some of these activities currently exist and the role of the Commission and its appointed committees will be to support and improve the programs and to coordinate the efforts of concerned citizens, the Azusa Police Department and interested organizations. The Task Force recommended that the Commission, working in concert with its committees, the City of Azusa Administration, the Azusa Police Department, and other community-based 41110/ 1()10///s1 Litto„1 ,Iv( ) c-))/ //.f// y organizations would develop and implement the following programs: • " Compile and distribute a community resource booklet to educate the public on the problem of hate crimes and to promote tolerance and understanding diversity. • Develop and implement Victim Support Services. These services may include, but not be limited to, counseling, relocation services, health services, rapid response teams, etc. • Actively participate in the programs offered by the Human Relations Commission of Los Angeles County, the Community Relations Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the State of California Attorney General's office, and other government and non-governmental organizations. • Develop ongoing education and training of Commission members, community volunteers and City of Azusa employees and officials in the areas of diversity, tolerance, victim assistance, mediation and intervention. • Actively pursue grants and other fund raising activities to assist the City in financial support of the Commission and its programs. • Develop a Human Relations Commission newsletter to be distributed periodically to Azusa residents with utility bills. • Work with the City and other entities in presenting theater and cultural programs that share the diverse cultures within the City of Azusa. • Coordinate between the City, Azusa Police Department, public and private schools and Los Angeles County probation and parole divisions to promote education regarding diversity, tolerance, victim assistance, mediation and intervention • Develop additional programs to enhance the interaction of all diverse groups and cultures in the City of Azusa. FISCAL IMPACT: Based on the report of the Task Force, Council has allocated $5000 in the FY 2001-02 Operating Budget for the new Commission's operations and recommended work plan. • ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHING A HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE V AND ADDING DIVISION 6 TO THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Chapter 2,Article V of the Azusa Municipal Code is hereby amended to add Division 6 to read as follows: "Division 6 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Sections: 2-420 Purpose 2-421 Appointment;Membership,Terms,Officers,Vacancies 2-422 Powers and Duties 2-423 Meetings 2-424 Budget Azusa Sec.2-420 Purpose The Human Relations Commission("Commission")is created to: (1)promote the ideal of a community that embraces inclusion,diversity and civic peace;and(2)develop a comprehensive policy to address the causes of hate crime incidents and inter-group conflicts;and(3)to ensure that rights guaranteed by California State law and the United States Constitution are protected for all citizens,regardless of race,color,gender,religion,national origin,ancestry,age,sexual orientation,disability or any other personal characteristic. Sec.2-421 Appointment; Membership,Terms,Officers,Vacancies The Commission shall consist of nine(9)to eleven(11)members. Members shall be appointed by the majority vote of the City Council in accordance with Section 2-32 of this chapter. Commission membership should reflect the diversity of the community residents,businesses and institutions and each member should be committed to pursuing inclusion of all the diverse sectors of the City. Commissioners need not be residents of Azusa,if they are involved in the community or bring special expertise. Members shall serve as volunteers without compensation. The City Council shall appoint one of its members to serve as a liaison member to the Commission. In addition,the Azusa Unified School District shall appoint one advisory member to serve on the Commission and the Azusa Police Department shall appoint one liaison member to serve on the Commission. No officer or employee of the City shall be appointed as a regular member of the Commission. The Commission shall elect one of its members as Chairperson and one member as Vice-Chairperson,who shall each hold office for one(1)year and until their successors are elected. Officers shall be elected no later than the second meeting of the Commission following its appointment. Unscheduled vacancies on the Commission,from whatever cause, shall be filled for the unexpired term through appointment of the City Council. The appointment of any member of the Commission who has been absent and not excused from three(3)consecutive regular or special meetings shall automatically expire effective on the date the fact of such absence is report by the Commission to the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall notify any member whose appointment has automatically terminated and report to the City Council that a vacancy exists on the Commission and that an appointment should be made for the length of the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled pursuant to Government Code Section 54974. Sec.2-422 Powers and Duties The Commission will serve in an advisory role to the City Council and City Manager to address inter-group and inter-cultural relations;the causes of,and responses to,hate crimes;and for the development of policies, practices and implementation of programs in furtherance of the goals under"Purpose." The Commission will have the power to appoint committees that will include members of the Commission and residents of the community at large to assist the Commission in fulfilling its purposes as described herein and to pursue an active program to promote diversity,inclusion and the eradication of hate crimes. Sec.2-423 Meetings The Commission shall establish a regular time and place of meeting and shall meet regularly at least once a month or more frequently as workload requires. The Commission may meet in other locations throughout the City for the purpose of encouraging interest and facilitating attendance by people in the various neighborhoods in the City. All meetings shall be open to the public pursuant to the provisions of the Ralph M.Brown Act. (Gov. Code § 54950 et seq.) The Commission shall cause to be kept a proper record of its proceedings. Sec.2-424 Budget The City shall budget funds for support of the Commission,with the advice of the Commission on the expenditures needed to implement the Commission's programs and policies. SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty(30)days after its passage. SECTION 3. A summary of this ordinance shall be published in the manner required by law. PASSED,APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of June 2001. Cristina Cruz-Madrid Mayor ATTEST: Vera Mendoza,City Clerk RVPUB\NGS\613322 • STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss. CITY OF AZUSA ) I,Vera Mendoza,City Clerk of the City of Azusa,do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. was duly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of June 2001,and that thereafter,said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of ,2001,by the following vote,to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Vera Mendoza, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney RVPUB\NGS\613322