HomeMy WebLinkAbout103 - 09/21/1993 - AMENDING CITY CODE PERTAINING TO THE FUNCTIONS OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ORDINANCE NO. 103, 1993
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING SECTION 2-263 OF THE CITY CODE PERTAINING TO
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the City Council has heretofore established a Human Relations
Commission ("the Commission") , the functions of which are described in Section
2-263 of the City Code; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has recommended that its functions be expanded to
include specific programs aimed at promoting positive interaction among all City
residents and discouraging discrimination based upon the diversified values and
individual differences of such residents; and
WHEREAS, the Council believes it to be in the best interests of the City
to amend the provisions of the foregoing section of the Code as recommended by
the Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
that Section 2-263 of the Code of the City is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2-263. Functions.
The commission shall have the following functions:
(1) To promote positive interaction among all city residents
and to discourage all forms of discrimination based upon
the diversified values and individual differences of
such residents by:
a. developing and promoting educational programs and
activities that advocate awareness and respect
for diversity;
b. cooperating with and providing leadership and
support for other groups interested in promoting
value and respect for diversity and positive
intergroup relations;
C. educating city residents about existing local ,
state and federal laws dealing with
discrimination and diversity;
d. reviewing proposed legislation, policy changes or
other governmental action at the federal , state
or local level which may affect human rights in
the city and making recommendations to the City
Council regarding the same; and
e. recommending to the City Council such actions as
may be necessary or advisable to achieve:
1. equal employment opportunities for all
persons;
2. equal housing opportunities for all
persons;
3. equal public accommodation opportunities
for all persons; and
4. positive community relations in all fields
of governmental endeavor.
(2) To assist residents of the city in utilizing the
complaint procedure under Chapter 13, Article II, of the
Code and to hear appeals from decisions of the City
Manager as provided in Section 13-23(b) of the Code;
provided, however, that any members of the commission
who have rendered assistance to particular complainants
shall refrain from participating in the commission's
review of any decisions of the City Manager related to
such complainants.
(3) To facilitate the review of citizen complaints
concerning the actions of city police officers or
community service officers by:
a. Developing a citizen liaison program to assist
individual citizens who wish to file such
complaints and to appoint members of the public
to serve as citizen liaisons;
b. Participating in the review of internal
investigations conducted by the Office of Police
Services in accordance with the following
procedures:
1. Certain categories of internal
investigations, as defined in the
administrative guidelines established by
the Office of Police Services and subject
to the approval of the City Manager, shall
be submitted for review. Internal
investigations so defined shall include,
but need not be limited to, investigations
initiated by formal citizen complaint
involving allegations that: (i) a police
officer or community service officer used
force or discharged a firearm in violation
of administrative policy or applicable law,
(ii) a police officer or community service
officer committed a crime, or (iii) as a
result of a police officer's or community
service officer's act or failure to act, a
person sustained severe injury or death or
suffered a serious civil rights violation;
2. The subcommittee designated to perform the
review function shall consist of members of
the commission who have been approved by
the City Manager;
3. Upon receipt of an investigation, the
subcommittee, in its discretion, may elect
to conduct the review, assign the review to
one (1) or more of its member(s) or decline
to conduct a review; and
4. The review of the subcommittee shall
consist of examining the internal
investigation file and, in the discretion
of the reviewer, meeting with the
complainant. Upon completion of a review,
the subcommittee shall convey any
recommendations concerning the sufficiency
and accuracy of the investigation as
conducted by Police Services and any other
observations about the investigation to the
Chief of Police. The review shall be
completed and any recommendations conveyed
before the Chief of Police makes a decision
regarding the merits of the complaint.
C. Hearing appeals from any decision of the Chief of
Police regarding the merits of a citizen
complaint if requested to do so by the
complainant. Those members of the commission who
were previously involved in the review of the
case being appealed, or who are currently serving
on the subcommittee designated in subparagraph
(b) (2) above shall not participate in hearing
such appeal . The review on appeal shall consist
of examining the internal investigation file
developed by Police Services, together with any
additional information provided by the
complainant. The commission members considering
the appeal may meet with the complainant. Upon
completion of its review, the commission shall
forward to the City Manager its findings and/or
recommendations concerning the accuracy and
sufficiency of the internal investigation.
d. Supplementing the foregoing purposes by the
following means:
1 . formation of special subcommittees, which
may include non-commission member
specialists;
2. the making of a continuing study of ways to
support the laws concerned;
3. solicitation of aid from other social
agencies in educating the public; and
4. communication with other similar
commissions in order to share experiences
and become more sensitive to potential
problems.
(4) To make periodic reports to the City Council concerning
the activities and recommendations of the commission;
(5) To recommend to the City Council the expenditure of
funds for meeting basic human service needs in the city
as defined by the City of Fort Collins Human Services
Policy, through membership on the Larimer County Human
Resources Board; and
(6) To perform such functions as are committed to it by
other ordinances or resolutions of the city.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this
7th day of September, A.D. 1993, and to be presented f r final passage on the
21st day of September, A.D. 1993.
ayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 21st day f September, A. 1993.
ayor
ATTEST:
ZT-
City Clerk