#068 07-06-65 Create Human Rights CommissionResolution No. 68 July 6, 1965
Member Flannagan introduced the following resolution and Moved
its adoption:
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF
A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
FOR THE VILLAGE OF GOLDEN VALLEY
WHEREAS, it is the public policy of the Village of Golden Valley
to encourage the establishment and development, both publicly and privately,
of equal opportunity and fair treatment and practices in employment, housing,
public transportation, public accommodations and education among and to all
individuals, without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, affilia-
tions, national origin or ancestry, and
WHEREAS, the further public policy of the Village of Golden
Valley is to recognize and provide equal opportunity to all present and
future residents of the Village so as to assure them full and equal parti-
cipation in the affairs of this community, and
WHEREAS, the Village Council of. the Village of Golden Valley
believes it to be in the best interest of its citizens to create an
Advisory Commission, under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 112.621,
to advise the Village Council with respect to matters involving the
aforestated public policy of the Village with respect to the human rights
and liberties of its residents and other individuals acting within its
jurisdiction,
NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Establishment. There is hereby established, pursuant to
provisions of Chapter .712.621 of the Statutes of the State of Minnesota,
a Human Rights Commission for the Village of Golden Valley.
2. Purpose. The primary purpose of the Human Rights Commission
is to advise the Village Council of the Village of Golden Valley with
respect to matters involving the establishment and development, both
publicly and privately, of a policy which will, throughout the Village
of Golden Valley, foster and tend to foster equal and fair treatment and
opportunity for all individuals within the Village in such areas as
employment, housing, public accomodations, public transportation, public
services, education and all other phases of community life, without respect
to the race, color, creed, religion, affiliation, national origin or
ancestry of any of such individuals. In carrying out such purpose the
commission shall use its best efforts to aid the Village Council in
conducting a program of education which will emphasize that such enlightened
direction tends to remove sources of strife, unrest, poverty, disease,
delinquency and crime within the Village, directly promotes the general
welfare and good order of the Village by the fullest utilization of its
human resources, and can best be accomplished and practiced in the
Village on a voluntary and natural basis without resort to law. In
addition, the Commission shall have such other further purposes and
perform such functions as may be directed to it according to appropriate
action by the Village Council, including the making of recommendations
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Resolution No. 68
July 6, 1965
to the Council as to methods and means by which the basic public policy
of the Village as herein stated may be most effectively established and
developed; provided, however, that the Commission itself is not intended
to and shall not act as an enforcement agency of the Village nor as a.
judicial or quasi-judicial arm of the Village Government in resolving any
particular dispute or prosecuting any law or ordinance of the Village
which has been adopted for or tends to carry out the public policy of
the Village in respects specified in this resolution.
3. Members. The Commission shall consist of not less than
nine and not more than fifteen members who shall be appointed by the
Mayor upon the advice and recommendation of the Village Council and with
the consent and confirmation of at least four-fifths of the Council.
The membership of the Commission shall consist of residents of the
Village of Golden Valley and should reflect, on a non-partisan basis
and so far as practicable, the widest possible representation of the
various peoples and institutions within the Village of Golden Valley so
that the legitimate interests of each may be expressed and recognized within
the Commission on a fair and impartial basis and with as equal representation
as possible.
4. Terms. The appointments originally made are for the
following terms: one-third thereof for three years, one-third thereof for
two years, and the balance for a term of one year. At the expiration of
the terms of the original appointive members, their successors shall be
appointed for terms of three years each and until their successors have in
turn been appointed and duly qualified for office. Any vacancies in the
membership of the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as in the
case of an original appointment for the unexpired term of the member whose
office shall be vacant. Any member of the Commission may be removed
therefrom for cause by the Mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of
the Village Council. The members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation. Contributions of funds for the work of the Commission, either
from private or public sources, become public funds to be used only for
the work of the Commission and are subject to the public laws relating to
the expenditures of public moneys. No expenditure of such public moneys
for or by the Commission as a public body shall be made except as permitted
or approved by the Village Council. The Human Rights Commission shall
select and appoint, on an annual basis, one of the members of said Commission
to serve as the Chairman thereof.
5. Duties. In the fulfillment of its purpose, the Commission's
duties and responsibilities shall include the following:
a. To enlist the cooperation of educational, religious,
civic, social, business, labor, governmental, veterans,
and other groups, agencies, and organizations, as well as
any other groups deemed by it able to contribute to its
efforts in carrying out its purposes as set forth in this
resolution, subject to prior review by the Village Council
of any action proposed to be taken in these respects.
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July 6, 1965
b. To recommend to the Mayor and the Village Council
from time to time such actions as may seem to it advisable
in carrying out the public policy of the Village and the
purpose of the Commission, as stated herein.
c. To coordinate the local aspects of its activities
with those related activities of the Federal, State, and
County governments and such public and quasi -public agencies
as may have related purposes and objectives in the field of
civil rights and human relations, subject to prior review by
the Village Council of any action proposed to be taken in
these. respects.
d. Upon request of the Village Council to make such
studies, surveys, investigations and reports, both majority
and minority, when appropriate, so as to provide facts and
information both for the work of the Commission and to
serve as a basis for action by the Village Council.
e. To advise the Village Council whenever so requested
by it on any and all matters relating to human relations
and civil rights problems within the Village of Golden
Valley.
f. To adopt such rules of procedure relative to the
conduct of its meetings and its own affairs as it shall
see fit so as to insure the orderly transaction of its
businesses and purposes as provided in this resolution,
subject always, however, to approval of such procedures
by the Village Council.
g. To keep proper records of its meetings and any other
proceedings conducted by it.
h. To make regular reports to the Village Council
of its activities on at least an annual basis and at such
other times as the Village Council may request.
6. Limitations. Everything contained herein is subject to the
provision and qualification that the Commission shall have no powers of
legislation or to act in a judicial or quasi-judicial capacity or adminis-
tratively as a law enforcement agency, either with respect to specific
particular disputes or otherwise, but its powers shall be limited solely
to that of being an advisory body to the Village Council in the manner
specified in this resolution.
Attest:
Village Clerk
Mayor
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Resolution No. 68 July 6, 1965
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly
seconded by Member Schaphorst and, upon vote being taken thereon the following
members voted in favor thereof: Flannagan, Garis, Schaphorst, and Teresi;
and the following voted against the same: None, whereupon said resolution
was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor, and his signature
attested by the Village Clerk.
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