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2 <br /> REPORT FROM THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION REGARDING THE <br /> PROPOSED CIVIL RIGHTS ORDINANCE <br /> The Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) met <br /> at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 11, <br /> 1993 . A major agenda item was to discuss the September 14, <br /> 1993 Public Hearing on the proposed Civil Rights Ordinance. <br /> HRC members were concerned about citizen comments <br /> indicating uneasiness with the process of how the Commission <br /> will be involved in the enforcement aspects of the ordinance. <br /> The Commission members expressed the view that further <br /> clarification of the technical aspects regarding enforcement <br /> of the ordinance would help address this concern. Additional <br /> exploration of the panel concept, and more specifics about <br /> the type and level of training necessary before an HRC member <br /> could be involved in either a reasonable cause hearing or <br /> review of an Administrative Law Judge decision, were <br /> discussed as some of the possible ways to address this issue. <br /> Commission members expressed their commitment to acquiring <br /> the necessary preparation and training to effectively serve <br /> in these new roles . <br /> The Commission members were concerned that some citizens <br /> do not seem to be aware that many other communities have <br /> successfully and effectively used a similar process . They <br /> hope that elected officials will positively affirm the role <br /> of informed citizen participation and the role of the Human <br /> Relations Commission in the ordinance process. <br /> HRC members discussed the view that they are being <br /> perceived primarily as "policemen" . They believe that their <br /> role is to help promote a climate of openness, fairness and <br /> non-discrimination, and that the HRC needs to continue to <br /> place the ordinance in this context. <br /> After some discussion, HRC members supported the recent <br /> decision of the County Commissioners to delete the first two <br /> sections of the "prohibited discriminatory acts" section of <br /> the ordinance not because of any legalities but because of <br /> their controversial nature. <br /> HRC members expressed their strong concern that not only <br /> the Board of County Commissioners but all the municipalities <br /> set public hearings and adopt the ordinance. They believe <br /> that it will have a significant positive effect on the <br /> community, including helping some citizens "who you just <br /> don't see, but they are there" . <br />