10851-22 Ordinance to Amend South Bend Municipal Code-Residency of Human Rights Commission Members

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BILL NO. 14-22 ORDINANCE NO. 10851-22 AN ORDINANACE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA,AMENDING THE SOUTH BEND MUNICIPAL CODE AT CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 9, SECTION 2-129 TO CHANGE THE RESIDENCY RESTRICTION OF COMMISSION MEMBERS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT 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 (HRC) to reside within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend, Indiana. This residency restriction should be amended in the best interests of the HRC. Since 2017 the City has had an interlocal agreement with the County of St. Joseph ("the County") by which the Commission investigates cases of discrimination within the County under the County's Human Rights Ordinance which is substantially equivalent to the City's Human Rights Ordinance. The 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. Because the HRC now investigates cases throughout the County, the Commission membership should reflect this County-wide scope of HRC work. Members of the HRC believe 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 the community" and who desire to serve the cause of equal opportunity and elimination of discrimination. The HRC has recommended to this Council that Municipal Code Section 2-129(a) be amended, as expressed in HRC Resolution No. 01-2022 which is Attachment"A"hereto. Accordingly,this ordinance is in the best interest of the City and the area now served by the HRC. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND as follows: SECTION I. Chapter 2, Article 9, Section 129 (a) of the South Bend Municipal Code be and hereby is amended 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 of South Bend County of St. Joseph and are representative of the racial, ethnic, religious, economic.,and educational groups in the eemmunity St. Joseph County. SECTION II. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council and approval of the Mayor. 1