Item B: HRC - Recommendations from HR Listening Project

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Alexandria Virginia Primary functions of Human Rights Office & Staff: Human Rights Director is appointed by the City Manager and reports to the City Manager’s Office. The Commission makes recommendations for said appointment. The Director is the primary staff support for the Human Rights Commission and also oversees the investigatory process of complaints received. This person is also charged with negotiating contracts and work agreements with other Commissions and local, state and federal agencies. Investigators are charged with assessing complaints received and when appropriate, managing investigations and making findings. ADA Program Coordinator manages ADA who addresses the rights of persons with disabilities and their advocacy efforts; conducts legal research and analysis and interprets the impact of disability-related laws and rulings on persons with disabilities; educates the public on the Americans with Disabilities Act; and refers persons with disabilities to the appropriate and available community and legal resources at the local, state, and federal levels. The Office serves as the local EEO office and receives, investigates, makes findings and conciliates complaints of discrimination brought under the Ordinance and applicable federal laws, which arise out of employment relationships within the City of Alexandria. The Office was designated in 1975 as a Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA), and has been under contract with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since 1978 to receive and investigate complaints brought under applicable federal laws. The Office also investigates allegations of discrimination in Housing and Commercial Real Estate, Public Accommodations, Health and Social Services, Education, City Contracts, and Credit. Investigations are the primary responsibility of Staff and although the Human Rights Commission has oversight of office activities, it is not privy to details of cases for reasons of confidentiality during investigation. In some cases Investigators elect to hold a Predetermination Conference or Confidential Advisory Hearings facilitated by a Tribunal of three Human Rights Commissioners in order to speed up cases not likely to go to litigation. If investigators uphold the claim of violations to the Code, they make every effort to offer mediations and reach a conciliation agreement between the involved parties. There is no right of appeal to the Commission; however, in cases where probable cause has been established by investigators and conciliation between parties is not reached, it will be forwarded to the Commission which may elect to hold a public hearing. A civil penalty clause in the Ordinance affords the Commission the power to recommend the imposition of a $5,000 fine against any person found to have violated any section of the Human Rights Code. This recommendation is made to the City Manager, following a public hearing. The Commission may also issue an order requiring the respondent (party charged with the violation) to be in compliance with the code and to provide for any necessary relief. Additionally, for 8 | Page