The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 12-04-2017 - 6-a - Department of Human Rights and Relations 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 4, 2017 Action Agenda Item No. 6-a SUBJECT: Department of Human Rights and Relations DEPARTMENT: County Manager ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Organizational Chart Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager, 919-245-2300 Annette Moore, Staff Attorney, 919-245- 2300 PURPOSE: To consider approving the County Manager's recommendation to separate the Division of Human Rights and Relations from the current Department of Housing, Human Rights and Community Development into a separate Department referred to as the Human Rights and Relations. BACKGROUND: After passage of the Civil Rights Ordinance in 1994, the Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") authorized the creation of the Department of Human Rights and Relations on December 20, 1994. The core functions of the Department of Human Rights and Relations included: • Enforcement of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance; • Administration of the Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Assistance Program Agreement ("FHAP") ; • Education, Outreach and Training on rights under the Civil Rights Ordinance; • Staffing the Human Relations Commission and their education and outreach activities; and • Coordinating County efforts to eliminate or reduce limited English proficiency as a barrier to accessing or understanding Orange County government services, program or benefits The Board approved changing the Department to the Office of Human Rights and Relation within the County Manager's Office on March 6, 2008. To improve efficiency and service delivery to residents, the County Manager subsequently recommended merging the Office of Human Rights and Relations with the Department of Housing and Community Development. On February 16, 2010 the Board approved merging the Office of Human Rights and Relations into the Housing and Community Development Department (the Commission for Women was moved to a non-profit agency). 2 During the last FHAP performance period (July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017) eight (8) Fair Housing cases were closed. Currently, there are twelve (12) cases under investigation. The dramatic rise in hate crimes motivated by intolerance, racism, sexism and xenophobia over the last several years has demonstrated the need for increased focus on improving interpersonal communications and human relations. In addition, there is also a need to not only effectively enforce the civil rights of residents but to also educate them on their rights and responsibilities under the law. The separation of the division of Human Rights and Relations from Housing and Community Development would allow the County to focus on civil and human rights training, education, outreach and enforcement. In addition to the core functions the department previously provided, it would also include a compliance function. The director of the department would be designated as the Civil Rights Compliance Officer for the County. The Civil Rights Compliance Officer would coordinate the County's efforts to comply with its civil rights obligations under federal and state law. The proposed Department would be staffed by a director, a civil rights specialist, an intake specialist and a Limited English Proficiency Specialist/Outreach Coordinator. (See Attachment 1 - Proposed Human Rights and Relations Department Organizational Chart). It is proposed that Annette Moore would have a dual role (50/50) as both the Department Director and a Staff Attorney. The intake specialist will provide administrative support to Human Rights and Relations as well as the County Attorney's Office. The duties of the staff attorney will be spread among the three staff attorneys in the County Attorney's Office. Staff in the Human Rights and Relations division now housed in the Whitted Building would be relocated to office space in the Link Government Services Center. Human Relations Commission Bylaw Changes The County Manager met with the Human Relations Commission to inform them of the proposed changes. The Bylaws of the Human Relations Commission will require minor changes to facilitate realignment of the functions of Human Rights and Relations; no substantive changes are being proposed. See below for proposed changes to Section 5, A.1. of existing bylaws. SECTION V. ORIENTATION A. Attendance 1. Each member shall attend an orientation and training on the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance presented by the Housing, Human Rights and Community Development Ih....l man Rights and Rollahons Department to familiarize the Commission members with the operation of County government, the — e_ _, — _ _• .._• _ .e Comm unity D pme-Rt—IL...Iluman Rights and RR Ilatli n organizational chart, the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance and the operating procedures of the advisory board. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is currently a budget from the general fund in addition to FHAP funds assigned to the Human Rights Division. Those funds will move with the new department. The department director's salary and benefits would be evenly divided between the County Attorney's Office and the Department of Human Rights and Relations. Staff will bring forward a budget amendment at the December 12th meeting for Board consideration. 3 SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY. The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY. The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY. The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. • GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES. The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies. • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION. Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1) Approve the new organizational structure creating the Department of Human Rights and Relations as a separate independent department. (See attachment 1); 2) Change the name of the Department of Housing Human Rights and Community Development to the Department of Housing and Community Development; 3) Authorize the Director of Human Rights and Relations to enforce the Civil Rights Ordinance; 4) Amend the Bylaws of the Human Relations Commission to reflect the changes created by the reorganization as provided in Attachment 2; and 5) Make these changes effective December 5, 2017. 4 Proposed Human Rights and Relations Department Organization Chart Director Outreach Coordinator and Vacant Civil Rights Specialist Limited English Proficiency Intake Specialist Specialist(LEP)