Bill No. 14-22 Ordinance to Amend South Bend Municipal Code-Residency of Human Rights Commission Members

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[F, in Clerk's Office MAR Z 9 2022 RESOLUTION NO. 01-2022WN M� i� SRK. SOUS' � 'AEND,IN A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SUPPORTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXPAND RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS WHEREAS,The South Bend's Human Rights Ordinance at Chapter 2, Article 9, Section 2-129 (a) of the South Bend Municipal Code currently requires all members of the South Bend Human Rights Commission to reside within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: "There is hereby created a South Bend Human Rights Commission composed of nine (9) members who are residents of the City of South Bend and are representative of the racial, ethnic, religious, economic and educational groups in the community." (Emphasis added); and WHEREAS, since 2017 South Bend("the City") has had an interlocal agreement with the County of St. Joseph ("the County") for the Commission to investigate cases of discrimination within the County under the County's Human Rights Ordinance which is substantially equivalent to the City's Human Rights Ordinance. This interlocal agreement was approved by the South Bend Common Council in Ordinance No. 10542-17, enacted on September 25, 2017, reaffirmed by Council Resolution No. 4710-18 on April 23, 2018, and by Resolution No. 4794 -19 on June 10, 2019; and WHEREAS, the Commission believes that continuation of the City-only residency requirement for Commission members restricts the Commission's ability to include within its membership many persons of talent and dedication,who are"representative of the racial,ethnic,religious,economic and educational groups in St. Joseph County and who desire to serve the cause of equal opportunity and elimination of discrimination throughout St. Joseph County. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SOUTH BEND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION as follows: Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend is requested to and should amend the South Bend Municipal Code at Chapter 2,Article 9,Section 129(a)to read as follows: "There is hereby created a South Bend Human Rights Commission composed of nine (9) members who are residents of the City 0 South Ben County of St. Joseph and are representative of the racial, ethnic, religious, economic, and educational groups in the ,.,,,,..,...••ni St. Joseph County." A true Resolution passed by the South Bend Human Rights Commission at its regular meeting on March 16,2022. Felix a Chair, t Bend Rights Commission Attest: 'SaInuel Br wn, Secretary EXHICIT P�