Carson Municipal Code Art. G . Human Relations Commission

The City Council recognizes and finds:

That in an increasingly complex society it is necessary for local government to be concerned with the problems and needs of individuals and groups within that society if the Constitutional principles of democracy, freedom and equality of opportunity are to be achieved, preserved and protected;

That the rights of individuals, regardless of religious affiliation, national origin, political belief, economic status, cultural background, race, color, age or sex are identical under law, and should be equal in practice in our society and community;

That the people of a community are that community's greatest resource.

That it is therefore in the best interest of the community not only to protect and insure the legal rights of individuals and groups, but also to seek to provide opportunity for the full realization of the hopes, aspirations, abilities and ambitions of individuals of all religions, races, national origins, political beliefs, economic or social status, cultural background, ages or sex, thereby encouraging and developing the human resources of the community to their highest potential value, thereby improving the quality of our society and the richness of life.

(Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 74-294)

In order to work toward the fulfillment of the goals and objectives embodied in the foregoing statement of policy, the Human Relations Commission is hereby established.

(Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 74-294)

The Human Relations Commission shall consist of 11 members, including seven general members, two youth members, and two members with a focus on disability-related matters, and three alternate members who shall be called upon, when necessary, in the order of their appointments as Alternate 1, 2 or 3, to substitute for any absent commissioner, each of whom shall be a resident of the City of Carson. The members shall be appointed as follows.

(a) General Members. Except as otherwise provided in Charter Section 602, all general members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. Subject to the provisions of this Section 2762, the tenure of the first general members appointed after the effective date hereof shall expire April 30, 1994. Thereafter, all general members shall be appointed biennially for two year terms expiring at midnight on April 30th of each regular municipal election year (each even-numbered year).

(b) Youth Members.[1] Except as otherwise provided in Charter Section 602, the two youth members shall be appointed by the Mayor, based upon the recommendation of the general members, and subject to approval by the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. Each youth member shall serve for a one year term or until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. All terms of office shall commence on July 1st of each year and expire on June 30th of the successive year. Thereafter, one or both of the youth commissioners may be appointed for one additional year, for a maximum tenure of two years. The two youth members shall meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) Youth members shall be between the ages of 16 and 21 and enrolled in school at the time of appointment;

(2) Youth members shall have maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average in the previous school year; and

(3) Youth members shall have an interest in human relations issues and concerns.

[1]

Editor's Note: Procedures for the filling of vacancies for youth members may be found in Ordinance No. 93-1010, Section 4, which has not been codified herein.

(c) Members with a Focus on Disability-Related Matters. Except as otherwise provided in Charter Section 602, the two members with a focus on disability-related matters shall be appointed by the Mayor, based upon the recommendation of the general members, and subject to approval by the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. Subject to the provisions of this Section 2762, the tenure of the first members with a focus on disability-related matters appointed pursuant to the ordinance that enacted this subsection shall expire April 30, 2026. Thereafter, all members with a focus on disability-related matters shall be appointed biennially for two year terms expiring at midnight on April 30th of each regular municipal election year (each even-numbered year). Notwithstanding these members’ focus on disability-related matters which is anticipated to naturally result from the qualification requirements stated below, these members shall participate in all proceedings of the Commission, subject to compliance with applicable law. The two members with a focus on disability-related matters shall meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) Have an interest in disability-related human relations issues and concerns;

(2) Have professional experience, educational qualifications, or other demonstrated expertise or knowledge related to rights, advocacy, access, services, policies, or issues of concern for persons with disabilities.

(d) Termination, Vacancies, Voting. The tenure of any member of the Commission and any Alternate shall be terminable at will, and without cause, by removal upon recommendation/nomination for removal by the Mayor and a vote of a majority of the membership of the City Council pursuant to Charter Section 605. Subject to the provisions of this Section, the tenure of Commission members appointed on or after April 1, 1997, shall expire at midnight on the last day of the calendar month in which the next general municipal election after the member's appointment is held for seats on the Carson City Council. Each Commission member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed by the appointing power and has qualified unless the City Council declares the position to be vacant. Should any vacancy exist on the Commission, except as otherwise provided in Charter Sections 602 and 605, an appointment shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. All appointments shall be made in an open meeting of the City Council. Action taken by the Commission shall only be valid if a majority of the general members present, and in no event less than three general members, have voted for it.

(Ord. 74-294; Ord. 75-330 § 1; Ord. 81-562 § 1; Ord. 81-581 § 1; Ord. 84-694 § 4; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 92-983 § 1; Ord. 93-1010 § 3; Ord. 94-1041 § 2; Ord. 97-1113 § 1; Ord. 04-1325 § 5; Ord. 04-1330 § 5; Ord. 07-1384 § 1; Ord. 13-1520 § 1; Ord. 13-1523 § 1; Ord. 25-2516, 9/16/2025)

The Human Relations Commission shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary from among its members, for terms of one (1) year, at its first regular meeting in July of each year. The Commission may also appoint such other officers as may be necessary or convenient for the administration of its business, at the same time and for like terms. Said officers shall enter in the duties of their office at the first regular meeting in July of each year. The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business and shall keep a record of all its minutes, resolutions, actions, findings and determinations, all of which shall be filed with the City Clerk. Minutes, resolutions, and recommendations shall be filed with the City Clerk and the City Administrator.

(Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 74-294)

The Human Relations Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month at such time and date as designated in the rules and regulations of the Commission. Six members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may hold its meetings in the Council Chambers or in such other suitable place as the Commission may designate. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public.

(Ord. 74-294; Ord. 81-562 § 1; Ord. 81-581 § 1; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 25-2516, 9/16/2025)

If a member of the Human Relations Commission is absent from three (3) successive regular meetings without being excused by the Commission, or is absent for any reason for more than six (6) regular meetings in any twelve (12) month period, the office of such member shall be vacated and the Chair shall immediately notify the City Manager, who shall notify the City Council that said office is vacant. Upon such notification, a successor for the remainder of the term of such member shall be appointed by the appointing authority for the member whose position is vacated.

(Ord. 74-294; Ord. 84-694 § 4; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 92-983 § 2; Ord. 97-1113 § 1)

The Carson Human Relations Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To advise and consult with the City Council, City Administrator, and the commissions, boards and officers of the City on all matters involving discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, culture, economic status, disability, age or sex;

(b) To recommend such corrective or legislative action as may be appropriate to effectuate the policy of the City Council which is declared in this Part;

(c) To invite and enlist the cooperation of racial, religious and ethnic groups, youth and senior citizen organizations, community organizations, fraternal and benevolent societies, veterans organizations, professional and technical organizations and other groups in the City of Carson in carrying on its work;

(d) To foster communication, mutual respect and understanding among all racial, religious and other groups in the community;

(e) To make such studies in any area of human relationship in the community as in the judgment of the Commission will aid in effectuating its general purpose;

(f) To cooperate with the City, County, State and Federal agencies whenever it deems such action appropriate in effectuating the policy of this Part;

(g) To initiate, conduct or recommend such educational programs as, in the judgment of the Commission, will increase good will among inhabitants of the community and open new opportunities into all phases of community life and society for all inhabitants of the City;

(h) To hold conferences, and other public meetings, in the interest of the constructive resolution of racial, religious or other group tensions, prejudice or discrimination;

(i) To receive, hear and investigate complaints of tensions, practices of discrimination and acts of prejudice against any person or group because of race, color, religion, ethnic origin, culture, economic status, disability, age or sex, whether practiced by private persons, associations, corporations or public bodies, and to seek to resolve such matters through consultation and advice;

(j) To seek the best means of progressively improving human relations in the entire City;

(k) To issue such publications and such special reports concerning its work and investigations it may consider desirable and in the public interest, subject to the approval of the City Council;

(l) To refer all findings of discrimination within the jurisdiction of any County, State or Federal boards, commissions or departments to such agencies;

(m) To make recommendations and reports to the City Council on all matters within the duties and functions of the Commission;

(n) To submit an annual report to the City Council and such other reports as may be requested by the City Council.

(Ord. 74-294; Ord. 84-694 § 4; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 25-2516, 9/16/2025)

Each member and alternate member of the Human Relations Commission shall receive compensation at the rate of $35.00 for each meeting of the Human Relations Commission attended by such member, not to exceed a total compensation of $70.00 in any one (1) month. Such compensation shall be paid on the first register of the month. No additional compensation shall be paid for expenses incurred by the members of the Commission in the performance of their duties, except that the City Council may, from time to time, authorize in advance expenditures for attendance at seminars, institutes or other meetings which the City Council may find to be beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interests of the City. Claims for such expenses shall be filed with the Finance Officer and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council.

(Ord. 06-1368 § 4; Ord. 89-883 § 1; Ord. 87-812 § 1; Ord. 74-294; Ord. 13-1520 § 2)