CHAPTER 34

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

34.01    PURPOSES. The purposes of this chapter are:

1. To secure for all individuals within the City freedom from discrimination in connection with employment, public accommodation, housing, education and credit; and thereby to protect the personal dignity of these individuals, to insure their full productive capacities, to preserve the public safety, health, and general welfare, and to promote the interests, rights and privileges of individual citizens within the City;

2. To provide for the execution within the City of the policies embodied in the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 and in the Federal Civil Rights Act and to promote cooperation between the City and the State and Federal agencies enforcing these acts; and

3. To provide, at the local level, a Commission on Human Rights, dedicated to the following: effective enforcement of the Iowa Civil Rights Act, service as a source of information to employers, laborers, business people, employees, tenants, and other citizens relative to various civil rights legislation and regulations; and active assistance to prevent and eliminate the effect of discriminatory practices.

34.02    CIVIL RIGHTS ACT. Pursuant to Section 380.10 of the Code of Iowa, and after published notice and public hearing, as required by law, Chapter 216 of the Code of Iowa entitled the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965 is hereby adopted by reference in its entirety.

34.03    COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS. There is hereby established in the City government a Commission to be known as the Human Rights Commission, which Commission shall consist of seven (7) members broadly representative of the community. Members of said Commission are appointed by the Mayor, subject to Council approval, for staggered three (3) year terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manners as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from the members of the Commission. Any five (5) members constitute a quorum. All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

34.04    POWERS AND DUTIES. The Commission shall administer the Iowa Civil Rights Act as contained in Chapter 216, Code of Iowa, and amendments thereto and shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Establish rules to govern, expedite, and effectuate the procedures of the Civil Rights Act and its own actions thereunder.

2. Issue such publications and reports of investigations and research as in the judgment of the Commission tend to promote good will among the various racial, religious and ethnic groups within the City and which tend to minimize or eliminate discrimination in public accommodations, employment, apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs, vocational schools or housing, because of race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability or ancestry.

3. Prepare and transmit to the Mayor and to the Council from time to time, but not less than once each year, reports describing its proceedings, investigations, and the outcome thereof, and the other work performed by the Commission.

4. Establish and administer a positive Affirmative Action Plan for the City, and administer any Fair Housing Programs as are necessitated by Federal/State regulations.

5. Assist all City contracting authorities in preparing equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination provisions for contract specifications and advise them as to the compliance records of prospective contractors.

6. Require that all City agencies, boards and commissions forward to the agency all equal opportunity documents for review and evaluation prior to their submission thereof to any State or Federal agency.

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