Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 2.85 Human Relations Commission

This chapter shall be known as the "Human Relations Commission Ordinance."

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

There is created and established a commission of the city to be known as the "human relations commission" and hereinafter called "commission."

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The commission shall consist of 9 members, who shall be appointed as follows:

1. Each of the 7 councilmembers and the mayor shall nominate 1 member for a total of 8 members.

2. The mayor shall nominate the remaining 1 member from persons recommended by the 7 councilmembers.

3. All nominations are subject to ratification by the city council.

B. Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, and shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms. A term of less than 1 year shall not be considered a full term. Terms expire on June 30th of the applicable years. A member shall continue in office for the term for which he/she was appointed or until his/her successor is appointed. No member who has served 2 consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the commission prior to the passage of a 2-year interval.

C. If a member ceases to reside in the city prior to the expiration of a term, the member may complete the term only upon approval by the city council pursuant to Section 2.45.020.

D. Any member of the commission may be removed by the city council at its pleasure.

(Ord. 6820 §§ 19, 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. All members shall be residents of the city; provided, however, that a persons nominated by a councilmember need not reside in said councilmember's district.

B. Members should be committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all people and have the ability to function harmoniously within a heterogeneous group.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 15, 8-2-2021)

A. In the event a member has three consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of the commission, the city council may declare the office of such member vacant. The staff to the committee shall advise the administrative assistant to the mayor of any such member with 3 consecutive unexcused absences. The chair of the commission may excuse absences.

B. Vacancies, whether scheduled or unscheduled, shall be filled by the person who nominated the member to the vacant office, or by his/her successor, in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.85.030.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 3, 8-2-2021)

At the annual meeting of the commission, the members shall elect a chair and a vice chair. In the absence or incapacity of the chair and vice chair, the commission may designate a temporary chair.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 16, 8-2-2021)

A. The commission shall meet at least once a month. All its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law. Special meetings may be called by the chair or a majority of the commission.

B. A quorum shall be a majority of the commission seats filled by the city council. A seat is deemed to be filled after a nominee has been sworn in by the city clerk. No action of the commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least 3 members.

C. The commission shall keep a record, which shall be available for public inspection, of all of its resolutions, proceedings, and other actions.

(Ord. 6820 §§ 20, 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6675 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The commission shall adopt and amend, by the affirmative vote of a majority of seated members, rules and regulations for the conduct of the commission's business consistent with this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be submitted to the city council and shall not become effective until approved and ordered filed by the council.

(Ord. 6820 § 21, 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 17, 8-2-2021)

The commission shall submit an annual report and workplan to the city council no later than September 1st of each year. Attendance records of members shall be included as part of the annual report.

(Ord. 6930 § 9, 2003: Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

Members of the commission shall not be required to file annual statements of economic interest pursuant to the city's conflict of interest code.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The city council finds that racial tension and conflict contribute substantially to the creation of juvenile delinquency and adult crime; that prejudice, intolerance and discrimination against any individual or group because of race, religion, national origin or cultural background promote tension and conflict, all of which adversely affect the peace and public welfare. The purpose of this chapter is to eliminate such prejudice, intolerance and discrimination and thereby promote the public health, welfare and security.

B. The purpose of this commission is to aid the city in achieving better human relations in city government, and to provide assistance to private persons and groups in promoting good will and better relations among all people.

C. The commission shall:

1. Formulate ideas and suggest programs in the areas of research and education for the purpose of lessening racial and religious prejudice and of fostering attitudes among the various groups within its jurisdiction which lead to civic peace and intergroup understanding;

2. Develop and participate in plans and programs designed to promote the full acceptance of all citizens in the community in all aspects of community life, without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex or a minority affiliation;

3. Cooperate with and assist in coordinating on a city-wide basis the work of those community agencies engaged in fostering mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious and cultural groups in the city, or in attempting to discourage discriminatory practices against any such group or any of its members;

4. Cooperate with the city manager and, through that office, with the various city departments in identifying and ameliorating human relations problems with which the commission may be concerned;

5. From time to time recommend measures, including legislation, to the city council which will serve to improve human relations within the city;

6. Provide a forum where human relations problems may be presented and discussed and their implications evaluated with the understanding that if such problems require corrective action the commission will transmit recommendations thereon to the city council. Human relations problems include claims of abridgements of equal opportunity in employment, housing and education because of race, religion, national origin, age, sex or a minority affiliation and intergroup conflicts, based upon any of these factors, between the police and residents of the community, and between various groups within the community;

7. Maintain close liaison with the police department through the police chief or his/her representatives and promote understanding and cooperation between the police department and residents of the community;

8. Cooperate with the police department in assuring that a sound program of human relations training is provided for new recruits, as well as current members of the department;

9. Encourage and assist representatives of the local law enforcement agencies, the judicial system and other interested community groups in developing and maintaining harmonious relationships between the law enforcement agencies and the residents of the city;

10. Formulate or recommend programs and policies for lessening prejudice, intolerance and discrimination in employment, housing and education for both the general public and the city organization.

D. The commission shall neither be considered in theory nor function as a police review board.

(Ord. 6905 §§ 1, 2, 2002; Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)