Chapter 2.36
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION*

Sections:

2.36.010    Purpose and intent.

2.36.020    Created – Appointment of members – Term – Quorum – Meetings – Rules and regulations – Appointments.

2.36.030    Duties and functions.

2.36.040    Staff assistance and funding.

*    For statutory authority for cities to act on behalf of interracial, interethnic and interreligious peace, see Gov. Code § 50261; for Charter provisions regarding appointive boards and commissions, see city Charter §§ 600 – 606.

2.36.010 Purpose and intent.

A. It is the purpose and intent of the city council to redefine and broaden the duties and functions of the human relations commission as an advisory body, to make recommendations and offer advice to the city council and the city manager in the improvement and effectiveness of the interrelationships between the various racial, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, age and handicapped groups of citizens forming the social body of the city and to advise the city on how it may best proceed in the realization of its stated goal to provide both physical and social answers to the human care needs of said groups and to accomplish, among other things:

1. The development of a mutual understanding and respect among all such groups in the city;

2. The establishment and maintenance of contacts with groups in the community which are concerned with interracial and intercultural understanding, and to report to the city council and city manager regarding the activities of these groups;

3. The promotion of new and improved programs of services to all local citizens in cooperation with peer boards and commissions as well as the city manager;

4. The encouragement of citizen participation in local government by providing a forum for discussion so as to avoid recourse to conflict and disorder as a means of resolving community relationship problems;

5. The protection and strengthening of the rights of various racial, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, age and handicapped groups of citizens of Chula Vista to insure full enjoyment of their constitutional privileges without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex or age and the elimination thereby of prejudice, discrimination or bigotry in this community;

6. The advancement of programs to assist senior citizens in the realization and satisfaction of their needs for adequate and decent housing, food, clothing and other social concerns;

7. The strengthening and improvement of programs to stimulate housing for low and moderate income families and individuals;

8. The encouragement of policies and programs to fully integrate the handicapped into the mainstream of community life in the city.

B. It is a further duty and function of the human relations commission to advise the city council on matters involving Chula Vista public transportation services, relating to operational activities and especially as to how well these services serve the needs of Chula Vista citizens.

C. It is the intent of the city council to create healthy, enlightened attitudes, policies and practices by establishing this commission as an official body, not primarily as an enforcement or audit agency, but as a commission which will conduct careful surveys, advise intelligently, and use the tools of education and motivation to the realization of the objectives stated herein, which are the fulfillment of democracy’s promises and realization of constitutional guarantees. (Ord. 2543 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1909 § 1, 1980; Ord. 1857 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1968; prior code § 1.4.1).

2.36.020 Created – Appointment of members – Term – Quorum – Meetings – Rules and regulations – Appointments.

A. There is created a human relations commission, consisting of seven members, appointed by the city council from the qualified electors of the city in the manner prescribed by, and in accordance with, the provisions of Section 600, et seq., of the Charter. The members selected by the city council shall be representative of the total social spectrum of the city, specifically chosen to reflect the interests and desires of the various racial, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, age and handicapped groups, as well as a member or members having a close association with the business and civic activities of the city. The members shall serve for overlapping terms of four years, with no more than two appointments for regular terms being made in a single year. Each member shall serve until his successor is duly appointed and qualified, and all vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of the member whose place has become vacant.

B. The city attorney and the city manager shall be ex-officio members of the commission, but they shall have no vote.

C. The commission shall select a chair and vice-chair from its membership annually. Four members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The commission shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations, consistent with the law, for the government of its business and procedures. The commission shall meet not less than once a month, and at the call of the chair, or in that individual’s absence, the vice-chair or a majority of the members of the commission. The commission may appoint, at its discretion, committees to concern themselves with specific community problems. These committees may be composed of citizens who are not members of the commission, except that the chair of each such committee must be a member of the human relations commission. Such committees as are created should be broadly representative of the religious, racial, ethnic, economic, age, handicapped, and labor groups in the community. (Ord. 1857 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1968; prior code § 1.4.2).

2.36.030 Duties and functions.

In cooperation with other relevant boards and commissions, the human relations commission shall perform the following duties and functions:

A. Foster mutual understanding, respect and good will among all racial, religious, national, ethnic, socioeconomic, age, sex and handicapped groups in the city;

B. Enlist the cooperation of the various racial, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, age, sex and handicapped groups, fraternal and benevolent associations and other groups in Chula Vista in programs and campaigns devoted to eliminating group prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and discrimination;

C. Study the problems of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby in all or any fields of human relationship;

D. Study, review, analyze and report to the city council and the city manager the studies of state and federal agencies, and legislative enactments of state and federal governments, including but not limited to the several civil rights acts of the United States government and the state;

E. Work together with city, state and federal agencies in developing programs showing the contributions of the various racial, religious, ethnic, age, sex and handicapped groups to the culture and traditions of the city, state and nation;

F. Promote the establishment of local community organizations in such neighborhoods as it may be necessary and desirable to carry out programs to lessen tensions or improve group relations in the community;

G. Create such advisory committees and subcommittees as, in its judgment, will aid in effectuating the purposes of this chapter;

H. Work with the several boards and commissions and departments of the city toward the improvement of municipal services and community relations, including assistance in the development of housing programs for low and moderate income families and individuals, the full range of programs providing assistance to senior citizens and the handicapped, and actions to eliminate age and sex discrimination;

I. Initiate and investigate complaints and initiate its own investigation, after consultation with the city manager, relative to the actions of city officials or city agencies, except that instances of discrimination within the jurisdiction of any federal or state commission or agency shall be referred to such commission or agency;

J. Hold hearings and take testimony of any person under oath or otherwise, relating to any matter under investigation or in question before the commission;

K. Advise the city council and the city manager of policies and programs of a formal and informal nature that will aid in eliminating all types of discrimination based on race, creed, national origin, ancestry, age or sex, and secure the furnishing of equal services to all residents and maintain the quality of opportunity for employment and advancement in the city government;

L. Prepare and submit to the city council and the city manager, not less than once each fiscal year, a written report of its activities and recommendations;

M. Consider Chula Vista public transportation services, including, but not limited to, route structures; fares; vehicles; interface with all other forms of transit; and bench, bus stop and bus shelter locations;

N. Assess Chula Vista public transportation services from the standpoint of the Chula Vista citizen and keep the city council informed of the adequacy of service;

O. Consider and recommend to the city council the levels of public transportation services in Chula Vista;

P. The commission shall be advisory in its function, and shall have no police or enforcement powers. It shall issue no reports or recommendations except through the city council and the city manager. (Ord. 2543 § 2, 1993; Ord. 1909 § 2, 1980; Ord. 1857 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1968; prior code § 1.4.3).

2.36.040 Staff assistance and funding.

The city manager may make available staff and clerical support, as requested by the commission, to fulfill its functions and duties, provided such staff and clerical support is available. In the event that private funds or funds from other governmental agencies are made available for special projects, surveys, educational programs or general program support, the city manager is authorized, upon recommendation of the commission and approval of the council, to enter into appropriate contracts for the utilization of such funds in furtherance of the purposes and intent of, and the duties and functions of, the commission. (Ord. 1857 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1120 § 1, 1968; prior code § 1.4.4).