CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Direct staff to prepare an ordinance that establishes a Human Rights Commission through expanding the Housing Advisory Commission
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DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
SUBMITTED BY: Marcie Schatz, Deputy City Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
NA
BACKGROUND:
In December 2019, the City Council revised the City's mission statement to emphasize diversity and inclusiveness in the community. The City's mission statement is:
"To provide services that ensure a high quality of life, sound fiscal management, and a dynamic business environment, while creating an inclusive community that values diversity."
On May 19th, the City Council approved recommendations focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. The recommendations include items related to the City's workforce, engaging with community partners, and the creation of a Human Rights Commission. These recommendations recognize that advancing equity and inclusion in Naperville is not a short-term project, but rather a long-term commitment to continuous improvement. We strive to be a more inclusive community, respecting all citizens and recognizing that the diversity of all backgrounds of people in our community make us stronger.
DISCUSSION:
As discussed in the May agenda item, the scope and structure of Human Rights Commissions vary from community to community. Because of this variety, staff spoke with and evaluated Human Rights Commissions from several communities including Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Evansville, IN, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Asheville, NC. City staff has voluntarily worked with and been guided by the Department of Justice in the research process and development of these recommendations.
Considering the totality of information, Staff recommends expanding the scope of the Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) and renaming it the Human Rights Commission (HRC), The new HRC will:
* Serve an advisory role to the City on fair and affordable housing and ...
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