Ordinance 2022-13
- Published: April 20, 2022
— Public Notice —
AMENDING CHAPTER 276 HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF TITLE EIGHT
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OF PART TWO ADMINISTRATION CODE OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO
ORDINANCE 2022-13, VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO
Interested persons will take note that the Village Council of Yellow Springs on Monday, April 18, 2022, gave first reading to an ordinance, text to follow.
Council will give a second reading and pass into law during a public hearing on Monday, May 2, 2022, in the Bryan Community Center, 100 Dayton St.
WHEREAS, extensive discussion about the roles and functions of the Village’s Human Relations Commission (“HRC”) have taken place between Council and HRC members; and
WHEREAS, the Human Relations Commission was established by Ordinance 63-02 on August 19, 1963, with a core function to “eliminate prejudice and discrimination within the Village of Yellow Springs against any individual or group because of race, color, creed, national origin or ancestry, inasmuch as such prejudice and discrimination are inimical to our American tradition of equality of opportunity. The Human Relations Commission shall endeavor to bring about and maintain harmony among the citizens of Yellow Springs and to avoid intergroup tensions and to promote tolerance and good will and to insure equality of treatment and of opportunity of all persons regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, or ancestry”; and
WHEREAS, the HRC’s initial duties included responsibility to investigate complaints of “racial, religious and ethnic group tensions, prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and disorder” as well as discrimination against any person, group of persons, organization or corporation, whether practiced by private persons, associations or other groups, as well as the power to conduct hearings in a quasi-judicial capacity with approval of Council, but the investigatory and quasi-judicial powers were reduced by Ordinance 1979-13, effective June 21, 1979, instead giving HRC a function as “a mediating and conciliatory body upon request or with the consent of the affected parties, in those cases where HRC deems its participation to be appropriate” and
WHEREAS, the HRC’s duties were recodified by Ordinance 2015-25, passed November 16, 2015, reiterating the purpose of the body as “promoting harmony among the citizens of the Village and working to eliminate prejudice and discrimination within the Village against any individual or group because of race, religion, nationality, heritage, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or economic class” (VCO 276.01) and duties to “Monitor human relations and social issues and trends in the Village, serving as a sounding board for issues related to its purpose and provide feedback and information to Council” while referring “specific interpersonal conflicts to the Village Mediation Program, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, the Federal Housing Administration or other appropriate bodies”; and
WHEREAS, Council liaisons for the HRC and JSC have noted that Council’s goal of intentionally promoting “anti-racism, inclusion, equity and accessibility through all policies, procedures and processes” would be served by amending the purpose of the HRC to include advancing social justice overall,
NOW, THEREFORE, COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO HEREBY ORDAINS THAT:
Section 1. That Chapter 276 Human Relations Commission of Title Eight Boards and Commissions of Part Two Administration Code of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Yellow Springs, Ohio is amended as set forth in Exhibit A, which is attached and incorporated by reference, with new language underlined and bolded and deleted language in strikethrough.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force at the earliest date permitted by law.
Brian Housh, President of Council
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