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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