Sec. 18-2. Administrative provisions.
A. Powers and duties of Phoenix Commission on Human Relations and Equal Opportunity Department.
1. There is created the Phoenix Commission on Human Relations. The Commission shall be composed of not less than nine nor more than 17 members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Each member shall serve a term of three years with one-third of the terms expiring on June 30 of each year.
2. The Mayor and City Council shall appoint a Chairperson for the Commission. The Chairperson shall appoint a Vice-Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson in the absence or disability of the Chairperson, or in the event of a vacancy in that office.
3. A majority of the serving members shall constitute a quorum except that if the Chairman appoints a committee of the Commission, a majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum of the committee. The concurrence of a majority of the members when in session as a Commission shall constitute an act of the Commission.
4. All recommendations of the Commission shall be filed with the Equal Opportunity Department and upon such filing shall be deemed public records of the City.
5. The Phoenix Commission on Human Relations shall:
a. Make periodic surveys of the existence and effect of discrimination in the City of Phoenix because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression in public accommodations and employment.
b. Foster positive intergroup relations and the elimination of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
c. Publish the results of such studies, investigations and research as, in its judgment, will tend to promote good will and the elimination of discrimination.
d. Counsel and provide such information to persons subject to the provisions of this chapter as may be reasonably necessary to further comply with the provisions of this chapter.
e. Plan, coordinate and conduct information, education and awareness programs.
f. Plan, coordinate and conduct programs to eliminate discrimination and racism.
g. Establish committees appointed by the Chairman of the Commission from its membership and the community at large to assist the Commission in the execution of its duties.
h. At least once a year, report on its activities to the City Council.
6. The authority and responsibility for administering this chapter rests with the Director of the Equal Opportunity Department.
a. The Equal Opportunity Director may delegate his or her functions, duties and powers as they pertain to investigating, conciliating, hearing, determining, ordering, certifying, reporting or otherwise acting as to any work, business or matter under this chapter.
b. The Equal Opportunity Director shall administer programs and activities relating to discrimination in public accommodations and employment in such a manner as to further the purposes of this article.
7. In exercising the authority granted under this chapter the Equal Opportunity Director may:
a. Make studies with respect to the nature and extent of discriminatory practices in Phoenix.
b. Publish and disseminate reports, recommendations and information derived from such studies.
c. Cooperate with and render technical assistance to Federal, State, local and other public or private agencies, organizations and institutions which formulate or carry out programs to prevent or eliminate discriminatory practices.
d. After notice and hearing, adopt, amend or rescind procedural rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
e. Conduct fact-finding conferences to aid any investigations or inquiry.
f. Issue administrative subpoenas to any person, on his or her own initiative or upon application of any party to a proceeding, ordering the attendance and testimony of witnesses or requiring the production for examination of documents relating to any matter pursuant to this chapter.
g. Subject to the provisions and restrictions of this chapter, cooperate with and enter into agreements with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and agencies of the United States or the State of Arizona interested in practices governed by this chapter, accept funds from such agencies and carry out and perform the covenants and conditions of any written agreement with such agencies not inconsistent with the provisions of this article.
B. Powers and duties of the City Attorney. The City Attorney is empowered to take all necessary action in the appropriate court to secure the production of all records, documents, or other evidence necessary to assist the Equal Opportunity Department in carrying out the provisions of this article. (Ord. No. G-3557, § 1; Ord. No. G-3558, § 1; Ord. No. G-5553, § 1, 2010; Ord. No. G-5720, 2012; Ord. No. G-5780, 2013)