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DIVISION 5. - HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Attachment B Sec. 2-215. - Policy. It is the public policy of the city, in cooperation with the state department of human rights, to secure for all citizens equal opportunity in housing, employment, public accommodations, public services and education, and to work consistently to improve the human relations climate of the city. (Prior Code, § 308.010) Sec. 2-216. - Establishment and composition. The commission shall be composed of nine to 11 members and shall be advisory to the city council. The city council may, at its own discretion, appoint two to three youth representatives with full voting privileges. Youth representatives must be high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Youth representatives may be nonresidents from a school district servicing the city. Members shall be appointed by the city council. Any member of the commission may be removed by a majority vote of the city council. (Prior Code, § 308.020; Ord. No. 812, 3-19-2007; Ord. No. 1016, 4-17-2023) Sec. 2-217. - Terms. Members shall be appointed for three-year terms beginning February 1 and ending January 31 of the third year following. Members of the commission may receive compensation as the city council shall provide by resolution. (Prior Code, § 308.030) Sec. 2-218. -Vacancies. In case of a vacancy during the term of any member of the commission, the city council shall appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the term. (Prior Code, § 308.050) Sec. 2-219. - Organization. The commission shall elect co-chairs to serve staggered two-year terms. The co-chairs are responsible for presiding at meetings, working with staff on meeting agendas, and attending city council meetings as needed to represent the commission. The administration department shall maintain all records of the commission and bring forward any recommendations to the city council. Sec. 2-220. - Meetings and reports. The commission shall hold monthly meetings as needed. It shall follow the city's committee handbook procedures for formal actions and keep a public record of all motions, resolutions, findings, minutes and reports which shall be reduced in writing and a copy forwarded to the city council. The assistant city manager shall be the official advisor. Sec. 2-221. - Duties and responsibilities. In fulfillment of its purpose, the human rights commission serves in an advisory capacity to the city council. New programs and policies must receive the approval of the city council prior to implementation. Specific duties and responsibilities include: (1) Adopting bylaws and/or rules of conduct for its affairs. (2) Developing, in cooperation with the state department of human rights, programs of formal and informal education. (3) Formulating human rights programs for the city, subject to review and approval by the city council. These programs shall direct and encourage the work of all individuals and agencies involved in planning, policy making and educational programming in the area of civil and human rights and shall aid citizens in bridging cultural and other differences. (4) Coordinating efforts with the human rights commissions of neighboring cities. (5) Making recommendations to the city manager and city council in regard to the planning or operation of any city department on issues of civil and human rights and making recommendations regarding the adoption of such specific policies or actions as are needed to provide for full equal opportunity in the city. (6) Advising and making recommendations to the city council in regard to human rights issues. (Prior Code, § 308.070)