Item B: HRC - Recommendations from HR Listening Project

Home Browse Search

A “think tank” representing current and past Human Rights Commissioners, current and past human rights staff, key community stakeholders, and City staff reviewed findings. The group then shared ideas for what opportunities or solutions might be considered by the commission and staff, with items divided into three areas: items that required City of Eugene council direction or ordinance changes, items that should be considered for Human Rights Commission work planning and items that should be given to the City Manager and staff for consideration. Human Rights Commissioners and committee members and staff refined the recommendations. These items are the focus of this work session (see attachment D). They are:  Language in Chapter 2 of City of Eugene Code The current language is about 20 years old and needs to be updated to align with current o human rights City efforts moving from a civil rights to human rights framing. Commissioners and community members would like the council to consider updating the o overall introduction in Chapter 2 to reflect current human rights work and conditions. A human rights orientation moves the ordinance from a civil rights only focus to an inclusive, broader framework.  The size of the Human Rights Commission Feedback from commissioners and think tank members is that the current size of the o commission is too large and the City of Eugene should consider reducing the size to increase effectiveness. Case study research shows nationally there is an average of nine - 11 members for similar commissions in other communities. The commission would like the council to consider reducing the commission to 10 o community members and one City Councilor.  The current commission has four standing subcommittees codified in City of Eugene code Feedback from commissioners and community members clearly asks for the commission o to be nimble and to tie task team and work groups to the current work plan. Maintaining the current structure is neither sustainable nor effective. o The commission would like the council to consider repealing provisions for the four o subcommittees. These commission work groups would be established as needed, on a short-term basis, to support adopted work plans. An accessibility committee would be created as a department advisory committee to work directly with departments and City staff on the broad range of accessibility challenges.  Effective commission appointments Feedback from commissioners and community members is that more focus on the o recruitment and appointment process is critical to the commission’s success. There is a strong desire to increase the commission’s role in supporting the council in o making effective appointments. The commission would like the council to consider having the commission assume a more o active role in screening and recommending candidates for council approval, thus aligning commission practices closer to those of other council advisory bodies. RELATED CITY POLICIES  Council outcomes for advisory groups include: Board, commission and committee member development o S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111024\S111024B.doc