Agenda - 02-16-2010 - 6b - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 • Approve reclassification of the Human Rights and Relations Director position to a Grants Compliance Specialist; • Amend the Bylaws of the Human Relations Commission and the Commission for Women to reflect the reorganization; and • Authorize the Director of Housing and Community Development, as Human Relations Commission staff, to enforce the Civil Rights Ordinance. The Manager proposes the Board approve integrating the compatible functions of Human Rights and Relations Office into the Housing and Community Development Department. The integration of the functions and responsibilities of the Human Rights and Relations Office into the Housing and Community Development Department would not be without precedence; there are Departments in Florida, Ohio, and Virginia as well as others across the country where these functions have been combined. The County Manager met with both the Housing and Community Development Department Director and the Human Rights and Relations Director to arrive at a structure that would maximize available resources while providing a greater level of service to County residents. The functions that would be incorporated into Housing and Community Development would include: • Enforcement of the Civil Rights Ordinance; • Administration of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Housing Assistance Program Agreement; • The Human Relations Commission; and • Limited English Proficiency Program. The functions identified above are compatible with the current mission of the Housing and Community Development Department which is "to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination." In addition, HUD requires that the County, in accordance with Executive Order 12892, "affirmatively further fair housing" in its programs and services related to housing and urban development. The Housing and Community Development Department administers HUD programs and services on the County's behalf and is charged with demonstrating that the County has complied with this requirement. Another function now housed within the Human Rights and Relations Office as currently structured is the advocacy group of the Commission for Women. This function may be better served by direct oversight of a qualified non-profit organization. It is proposed that the Manager be authorized to pursue that option. Staff within the Human Rights and Relations function now housed in County offices on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill will be relocated to the Whiffed Building in Hillsborough. The staff person primarily associated with the Commission for Women function was relocated to office space in the Link Center in Hillsborough subject to further decision related to the core mission of this service. Reclassification In addition to the reorganization, the shifting of staff requires a reclassification. Section 5.1 of Article VI of the Orange County Personnel Ordinance provides that the Board of County Commissioners adopt a position classification plan and approve any amendments to: