HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2019-007 Amendment to the Civil Rights Ordinance
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 7, 2019
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-i
SUBJECT: Amendment to the Civil Rights Ordinance
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations
ATTACHMENT(S):
Draft Ordinance
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Annette M. Moore, (919) 245-2317
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution approving an amendment to the Orange County Civil
Rights Ordinance, Orange County Code of Ordinances § § 12-17(e) and 12-18(l).
BACKGROUND: On June 6, 1994, the BOCC adopted the Orange County Civil Rights
Ordinance. Shortly, thereafter the towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill also adopted
the Ordinance by resolution. The Civil Rights Ordinance requires that members of the Human
Relations Commission review administrative hearings when either a person appeals a director’s
“no cause” decision or the recommended decision of an administrative law judge after a hearing.
At the time of the adoption of the Civil Rights Ordinance, the County did not have professional
staff or access to the training for a Human Relations Commissioner that exists today. With the
available training that exists from the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development (“HUD”), department staff and the extensive network of professional trainers,
limiting training to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission does not benefit the
County’s Civil Rights program. The Department is recommending the BOCC remove the
limiting language in the Ordinance so that staff can pursue professional trainers paid for by HUD
to train Human Relations Commissioners.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
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: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage in government through voting
and volunteering by eliminating disparities and barriers to participation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution approving an amendment to the Orange County Civil Rights
Ordinance, Orange County Code of Ordinances § § 12-17(e) and 12-18(l).
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DRAFT
ORD-2019-007
Section 12-17(e). Reasonable Cause, Conciliation Efforts and Right to Sue Letters
(e) In the event the Commission staff determines that reasonable cause does not exist, the
Complainant may make a written request to the Commission that such decision be reconsidered.
Such request shall be filed with the Commission staff within 30 days of the date the Commission
staff issued its finding of no reasonable cause. The request for reconsideration shall be heard by
a panel of three Commission members. The panel members shall be selected by the
Commission. As a prerequisite to serving on this panel, the Commission member shall receive
appropriate training by the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Such training shall
include Ordinance coverage and scope, how to prove if discrimination has occurred, and how to
determine appropriate remedies if discrimination is proved.
Section 12-18(l).The panel members shall be selected by the Commission.
(l) The panel members shall be selected by the Commission. As a prerequisite to serving on this
panel, a Commission member shall receive appropriate training. by the North Carolina Human
Relations Commission. Such training shall include Ordinance coverage and scope, how to
prove if discrimination has occurred, and how to determine appropriate remedies if
discrimination is proved.
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