§ 60.105. Functions, powers and duties.

The Commission shall promote and encourage fair treatment and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital or familial status; and shall promote mutual understanding and respect among all economic, social, racial, religious and ethnic groups and shall endeavor to eliminate discrimination against, and antagonism between, religious, racial and ethnic groups and their members. In performing its functions, the Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a)

To exercise the powers and authority granted to the Commissions by Chapters 402, 406, and 408 and incidental powers necessary to the complete exercise of the express powers.

(b)

To receive and investigate, hold hearings on, seek to conciliate and act upon complaints alleging an unlawful employment practice under Chapter 402, a discriminatory public accommodations act under Chapter 406, a discriminatory housing practice under Chapter 408 or a violation of a rule under Chapter 60.

(c)

To receive and investigate complaints of, and to initiate its own investigations and hold public hearings to determine the facts about instances of discrimination and intergroup tensions and antagonisms, including discriminatory practices, abuses, or unlawful conduct in obtaining compliance with City or State laws by law enforcement officers or others.

(d)

To cooperate with private organizations and other governmental agencies, on the local, State and national level, having like or kindred functions in performing its functions under this Chapter.

(e)

To enlist the support of and work with civic, labor, religious, professional, and educational organizations and institutions in community activities and programs which further the goals of this Chapter.

(f)

To provide technical assistance to persons, as requested, to further compliance with Chapters 402, 406, and 408.

(g)

To cooperate with the various departments, agencies, and boards at the City, State and national level, in effectuating the purposes of this Chapter.

(h)

To issue subpoenas for, and compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, documents and other evidence pertaining to any investigation or at a hearing before the Commission. By appropriate resolution, the commission may delegate the power to subpoena to the executive director.

(i)

To administer oaths and take the testimony of any person under oath, such oaths to be administered by the Commission.

(j)

To issue temporary, interim, remedial and affirmative orders and decisions necessary to the complete exercise of its powers and to seek injunctive relief, as necessary.

(k)

To conduct or arrange for research projects and technical studies into and public reports on discrimination and progress in equal opportunity in the community.

(l)

To recommend methods for elimination of discrimination and intergroup tensions and to use its best efforts to secure compliance with its recommendations.

(m)

To accept gifts, bequests, grants or other payments, public or private, and to deposit such funds into a self-appropriating trust fund to assist in financing its activities.

(n)

To submit an annual report of the actions taken and progress made during the past year.

(o)

To adopt, promulgate, amend and rescind rules and regulations to effectuate the policies and provisions of this Chapter.

(p)

To recommend legislation to the City Council and modes of executive action to the Mayor that will effectuate the purposes of this Chapter.

(q)

To carry out the functions assigned to it from time to time by law.

(r)

To administer and operate the Equal Opportunity Division as provided in Part 2, hereof.

(Ord. 98-326-E, § 1; Ord. 2003-1058-E, § 21; Ord. 2004-699-E, § 2; Ord. 2017-15-E , § 2)