6927-02
ORDINANCE NO. 6927-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD;
AMENDING SECTION 2.121 TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF
MEMBERS TO FIVE; PROVIDING FOR A NON-VOTING
MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE CLEARWATER POLICE
DEPARTMENT; AMENDING SECTION 2.123 TO REDUCE THE
NUMBER OF MEMBERS REQUIRED FOR A QUORUM;
AMENDING SECTION 2.124 TO REPLACE THE TERM
"HANDICAP" WITH THE TERM "DISABILITY"; PROVIDING THAT
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BOARD ARE SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL BY THE CITY MANAGER; AMENDING SECTION
2.125 REGARDING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
BOARD; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, due to the transfer of the external case processing program from the
City of Clearwater to Pinellas County as of October 1, 1999, the focus of the Community
Relations Board has shifted to more community-based, rater than enforcement-based
activities; and
WHEREAS, case processing requirements previously necessitated a thirteen
(13) member board made up of citizens representing various industries and
occupations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments reduce the number of board members to
five (5) Clearwater residents representing various diverse backgrounds, and one non-
voting representative from the Police Department; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Sections 2.121 through 2.125, Code of Ordinances, are amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2.121. Creation; composition.
(1) The community relations board is hereby created and shall be composed of
five (5) 4-3 citizens of the city and the county, appointed by the city commission to serve
for terms of four years, staggered such that not more than two fGw: terms shall expire in
any calendar year. Those members appointed from outside the corporate limits of the
city, '.vhich shall not be more than two in number, shall be chosen from the area of the
county over '.Nhich the city has jurisdiction by contract. In addition to minority
representation on such board, the board shall have one non-votinq member
representinq the Clearwater Police Department, and shall be chosen to ensure
Ordinance No. 6927 -02
representation for varvinQ diverse aQes, races, Qenders, reliQious backQrounds, etc. be
chosen to ensure representation for all ages, races, religious beliefs and conditions of
employment. There shall be on the board at all times at least one representative from
each of the following fields: retail merchandising; management; industrial management;
real estate sales; property leasing; mortgage financing; and lawenf-orcement. Property
leasing shall include managing rental of apartments, mobile home park lot leasing and
motel management.
(2) Members' terms shall be set up on an overlapping basis and members may
not be appointed to serve more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled in
the same manner as the original appointments. Each member shall serve without
compensation and may be removed without cause by the city commission at any time.
Members of the community relations board shall appoint a chairperson and vice-
chairperson secretary and the board may promulgate rules and regulations for the
conduct of its meetings and affairs.
Sec. 2.122. Officers.
(1) The chairperson of the community relations board serves for a term of two
years and has the following duties:
(a) Call board meetings and set the agenda for the same;
(b) Preside at board meetings;
(c) Appoint one or more panels of not less than three board members to
exercise board powers, as provided in section 2.125;
(d) Appoint and define the role of such committees as are necessary or
expedient to advise the board or its director;
(e) Perform such other functions as the board may assign by rule or
order.
(2) The vice-chairperson serves for a term of two years, the term to run
concurrently with that of the chairperson. The vice-chairperson performs the duties of
the chairperson in the chairperson's absence and performs other such duties as the
chairperson may assign.
(3) If a vacancy occurs in the office of chairperson, the vice- chairperson shall
become the chairperson for the unexpired term of the chairperson. If a vacancy occurs
in the office of vice-chairperson, the board will select another member to fill the
unexpired term of the vice- chairperson.
Sec. 2.123. Meetings.
Ordinance No. 6927 -02
(1) The community relations board shall be required to hold at least four
meetings each year and may meet more frequently. Notice of the time and place of the
meeting shall be given to all board members and all parties scheduled to be heard, and
shall be made public. The chairperson may call an unscheduled meeting, and meetings
may also be called by written notice signed by three members of the board. All meetings
shall be public. The city manager shall provide such staff as may reasonably be
required in his discretion to assist the board in the performance of its duties. The city
manager shall provide a regular meeting place for the board.
(2) A maiority of the active members or not less than three Seven members of
the board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of board business. A majority of the
members of a panel or committee shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business
assigned to a panel or committee. In the presence of a quorum, board or panel
business shall be conducted by a majority vote.
Sec. 2.124. Objectives.
(1) The objectives of the community relations board shall be to:
(a) Promote and encourage fair treatment and equal opportunity for all persons
regardless of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, age, disability handicap, or
marital status, and mutual understanding and respect among members of all
economic, social, racial, religious, and ethnic groups and shall endeavor to
eliminate discrimination against and antagonism between religious, racial and
ethnic groups and their members;
(b) Cooperate with governmental and nongovernmental agencies and
organizations having like or kindred functions;
(c) Make such investigations and studies in the field of human relations as in the
judgment of the board will aid in effectuating its general purposes;
(d) Assist various groups and agencies of the community to cooperate in
educational programs and campaigns devoted to the elimination of group
prejudices, racial tension, intolerance, disrespect for diversity. or discrimination;
(e) Aid in permitting the city to benefit from the fullest realization of its human
resources; and
(f) Recommend that the city accept grants and contracts from foundations and
other sources for the purpose of carrying out the above- listed functions, subject
to the approval of the city manaQer commission.
(2) The objectives set forth in subsection (1) of this section are not to be
construed as duties and the board shall have the discretion to determine when each
objective is implemented.
Ordinance No. 6927 -02
Sec. 2.125. Powers and duties.
The powers and duties of the community relations board shall be to:
(1) Develop and implement proQrams/materials, and the fosterinQ of mutually
beneficial relationships, throuQh the Human Relations Department, in order to facilitate
the reduction of prejudice and tension in relation to all matters involvinQ race, creed,
color, sex, national oriQin, aQe, disability, or marital status and disorder occasioned
thereby. Receive, investigate and pass upon complaints and to cause, through the
office of community relations, investigations of:
(a) Tension or prejudice in relation to all matters involving race, creed, color,
sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status and disorder occasioned thereby;
(2) Propose reasonable rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the
policies of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall become effective upon
approval by the city commission.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
December 13, 2001
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED
January
:11;" to fonn
Pamela K. Akin, City Attorney
Attest:
.~.
ia E. EQudea.u, City Clerk
-""....-
..~ -
Ordinance No. 6927 -02