CHAPTER 7
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY
SECTION:
2-7-1: Declaration Of Policy
2-7-2: Creation Of Advisory Commission On Diversity
2-7-3: Duties And Powers Of Commission
2-7-4: Appointment And Members
2-7-5: Appointment Of Subcommittees
2-7-6: Investigations, Public Hearings, And Research
2-7-7: Procedure, Meetings, And Interpretation
2-7-8: City Council Review
2-7-1 DECLARATION OF POLICY:
The City Council herewith finds that all forms of prejudice and the general practice of discrimination against any individual, group or organization by reason of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or marital status have a detrimental effect on the public welfare and well-being, and that to eliminate such prejudice and discrimination an instrumentality should be established through which the citizens of the City may be kept informed of developments in human relations, the employees and officials of the City may obtain advice and assistance in wholesome practices to keep peace and good order, and private persons, groups and organizations may be officially encouraged and advised to promote tolerance and goodwill toward all people.
The City Council further finds that it would be in the interests of all citizens of the City of Renton to promote and celebrate diversity.
Whenever a word is used herein, the definition given to that word shall be that of RCW 49.60.040 which is incorporated herein as if fully set forth. An “unfair practice” shall mean the denial of any right identified in this Chapter or RCW 49.60.030(1) and shall be further defined to include any unfair practices identified in RCW 49.60.030(3). (Ord. 4420, 10-11-93; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-2 CREATION OF ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY:
There is hereby created the Advisory Commission on Diversity. (Ord. 3191, 1-9-78; Ord. 3251, 9-25-78; Ord. 4650, 1-27-97; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-3 DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION:
In addition to other powers and duties set forth in this Chapter, the Commission shall have the power and duty to:
A. Study, advise and hold public meetings on issues of diversity within the City.
B. Provide a forum that will encourage input concerning diversity from citizens for reviewing and establishing the City’s vision.
C. Advise and recommend to the Mayor and City Council ways and means of discouraging and combating discrimination, prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in all groups and in their relationships with one another.
D. Advocate and assist in development of a continuing educational program for Council and staff that will lead to a greater understanding of the value of a diverse community to the governance process, and advise the staff on strategies to be used in recruiting, hiring and training a diverse work force.
E. Identify obstacles that could impede access to City government for all of the community’s diverse members.
F. Prepare and disseminate educational and informational material relating to prejudice and discrimination and ways and means of eliminating such prejudice and discrimination.
G. Provide outreach to the community in an effort to place the value of diversity before the citizens in a positive manner.
H. Inform and advise the public of false information which is not in the public interest or which tends to foster or encourage prejudice or intolerance toward any person or group.
I. Consult with and maintain contact with other public agencies and with representatives of employers, labor unions, property owners, associations, realtor associations, religious denominations and institutions, professional associations, national origin groups, community organizations concerned with interracial, interreligious and intercultural understanding, social welfare organizations and any such other organizations and institutions as directed by the City Council or as the Commission shall deem advisable to further the objectives of this Chapter.
J. Help recruit minority representatives for boards, committees and commissions within the City.
K. Organize and promote celebrations of diversity, when approved by the Administration, and funding has been provided by the Council.
L. Promote an atmosphere conducive for minority businesses.
M. Perform such other functions and duties as may be requested by the Mayor and/or City Council or prescribed or authorized by any resolution or ordinance of the City.
N. Investigate and report on patterns of discrimination and means to eliminate such patterns of discrimination in failing to list, show or transmit an offer, or to sell, rent, lease, sublease, sign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of a housing accommodation; or failure to act upon or provide financial assistance; or to ask questions about or keep records of; or to otherwise discriminate.
The Commission shall refer any complaints of discrimination to the appropriate State or Federal agency(ies) in order to not duplicate the efforts of the State Human Rights Commission or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any Federal or other State agency.
In defining and prescribing the above duties and functions of the Commission it is not the intent of the City Council to duplicate or overlap functions, duties or responsibilities heretofore or hereafter assigned to any department or board or committee of the City or the responsibilities of the chief executive. (Ord. 3191, 1-9-78; Ord. 3807, 4-23-84; Ord. 4420, 10-11-93; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-4 APPOINTMENT AND MEMBERS:
The Advisory Commission on Diversity shall consist of nine (9) members, one of whom shall be a youth representative under 21 years of age at the time of appointment. The members of the Commission shall be citizens of the City of Renton and representative of a cross section of the citizens of this community, including members of minority groups. Members shall consist of those persons who have demonstrated an interest and/or expertise in civil or human rights and who are willing to promote actively the goals of the Commission. Prospective new members may be interviewed by a majority of the Commission members for recommendation to the Mayor for appointment with confirmation by a majority vote of the Council.
A. All of the members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for related business expense incurred in performance of their duties, and as authorized by law. The members of the Commission shall appoint one of their members as chairperson, and one other member as secretary, and said persons shall serve in said capacity for the period of one year or until their successors have been elected by the members.
B. Members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation or concurrence by a majority of Council members for a period of two (2) years; each such member shall serve until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The appointing authority has the right to remove any member of the Commission for good cause shown with concurrence of the City Council after due hearing.
C. A majority of the members so appointed shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Commission. (Ord. 3191, 1-9-78; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-5 APPOINTMENT OF SUBCOMMITTEES:
A majority of the members of the Commission may name such subcommittee or subcommittees, as in its judgment, will aid in effectuating the purpose of this Chapter and may empower any such subcommittee to study the problems of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination in all or any fields of human relationship within the purview of this Chapter. (Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-6 INVESTIGATIONS, PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND RESEARCH:
The Commission shall, upon referral to it by the Administration, conduct its own investigation of tensions and practices of discrimination against any group or organization by reason of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or marital status and may conduct public hearings with regard thereto, carry on research, obtain factual data and conduct public hearings to ascertain the status and treatment of racial, religious, ethnic and similar groups in the City and the best means of progressively improving human relations, and make such recommendations to the Mayor and City Council, as in its judgment, will effectuate the policies and goals of this Chapter. (Ord. 4420, 10-11-93; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-7 PROCEDURE, MEETINGS, AND INTERPRETATION:
The provisions of this Chapter shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes set forth in this Chapter. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to amend, repeal or modify any of the provisions of any civil rights law or any other law of the federal or state government, or any other provisions of this Code relating to discrimination because of race, color, creed, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or marital status as defined in this Chapter. (Ord. 4420, 10-11-93; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)
2-7-8 CITY COUNCIL REVIEW:
The Commission shall submit unto the City Council, by January 31st of each year, a summary of all actions taken by the Commission, including the investigation of complaints and disposition therefrom, during the preceding year so that the City Council may fully review the manner in which the Advisory Commission on Diversity has implemented and enforced the provisions of this Chapter. (Ord. 3191, 1-9-78; Ord. 5155, 9-26-05)