Santa Clara County Municipal Code Ch. IV Human Rights Commission

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. NS-300.934, adopted Jan. 15, 2019, amended Ch. IV in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. IV pertained to Human Relations Commission, consisted of §§ A6-50—A6-55, and derived from Ord. No. NS-300.168, adopted Aug. 15, 1972; Ord. No. NS-300.168.1, adopted Oct. 15, 1974; Ord. No. NS-300.168.2, adopted Jan. 27, 1981; Ord. No. NS-300.186, adopted May 14, 1974; Ord. No. NS-300.486, adopted Sept. 17, 1991; Ord. No. NS-300.515, adopted Feb. 18, 1993; Ord. No. NS-300.524, adopted Aug. 10, 1993; Ord. No. NS-300.607, adopted Jan. 13, 1998; Ord. No. NS-300.622, adopted Feb. 9, 1998; Ord. No. NS-300.779, adopted Apr. 24, 2007; and Ord. No. NS-300.816, adopted Apr. 13, 2010.

There is hereby established, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 500 and Section 506 of the Charter, a County of Santa Clara Commission on Human Rights. The purpose of the Commission is to advise the Board of Supervisors on matters that foster mutual respect and understanding among or between people within Santa Clara County and to address incidents of prejudice and discrimination perpetrated on and by people, or groups of people, within Santa Clara County because of race, religion, national origin, cultural background, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or other factors.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)

The Commission shall consist of 15 members allocated equally among the five supervisorial districts. The Commissioners shall be nominated by individual Supervisors and appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Each Commissioner shall have a term of four years and until his/her respective successor is appointed and qualified. The terms shall be staggered so that no more than three members' terms expire each year. No member shall be eligible to serve on the Commission for more than three consecutive terms in addition to any portion of any unexpired term which may have been served. However, such an individual may apply to serve on the Commission one year after leaving the Commission. A member's failure to attend three consecutive regular meetings without good cause as determined by the Chairperson will result in notification to the nominating authority, which may result in removal of the member from the Commission.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)

The Commission shall organize itself in accordance with Section 506 of the Charter. It shall prepare rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and, after approval as to form and legality by County Counsel and approval by the Board of Supervisors, such rules shall govern the Commission.

In accordance with the County Ordinance Code and County policies, the Commission shall approve a schedule of regular meetings for each calendar year prior to the first meeting of that calendar year.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)

Subject to the approved budget for the fiscal year, no expenditures or requisitions for services and supplies for Commission business shall be made without the approval of a majority of the members of the Commission. The staff supporting the Commission shall be responsible for preparing and processing all expenditures and requisitions. All expenditures and requisitions shall comply with state laws, and the County Charter, Ordinance Code, and policies.

Commissioners shall be eligible for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties as allowed by County policies and the County Ordinance Code. Commissioners shall submit requests for approval pursuant to County policies.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)

The powers and duties of the Commission shall be as follows:

(a) To foster mutual respect and understanding among or between people within Santa Clara County, including people within the County subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or other factors.

(b) To make studies in the field of human relationship relating to the Santa Clara County community that, in the judgment of the Commission, will aid in effectuating its general purposes.

(c) To inquire into and investigate incidents of tension and conflict among or between people within Santa Clara County, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or other factors, and to take action by means of conciliation, conference, and persuasion to alleviate those tensions and conflict.

(d) To hold conferences and other public meetings in the interest of resolution of tensions, prejudice, and discrimination among or between groups of people within Santa Clara County, including people within the County subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, or other factors.

(e) To render to the Board of Supervisors for approval, an annual work plan no later than June of each year detailing the activities for the following fiscal year.

(f) To render to the Board of Supervisors at least once each calendar year, a report or reports of all activities. To issue publications and reports of investigation as advisory reports to the Board of Supervisors as in the Commission's judgment will tend to effectuate the purpose of this article and provide a copy of all reports to the County Executive.

(g) To enlist the cooperation and participation of a variety of people in Santa Clara County, including people subject to prejudice and discrimination due to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, civic interest, industry and labor organizations, media or mass communication, fraternal and benevolent associations, public agencies, and other groups in educational campaigns, programs, or other activities as approved by the Board of Supervisors in the annual work plan. The education campaigns, programs, or activities shall be devoted to fostering mutual esteem, justice, and equity among or between the diverse groups within the Santa Clara County community.

(h) Subject to approval by the County Executive, to request the Office of the County Executive staff assigned to support the Commission to take any action for the purpose of furthering the objectives in this article by requesting information, services, facilities and any other assistance from County Departments.

(i) To encourage community participation within Santa Clara County and to consult and advise the Board of Supervisors on strategies that reduce hate violence in the community.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)

The Office of the County Executive shall provide staff assistance to the Commission. The Clerk of the Board shall be ex-officio secretary of the Commission and shall provide secretarial assistance to the Commission.

(Ord. No. NS-300.934, § 1, 1-15-19)