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<br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 7, 2019 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-i <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Amendment to the Civil Rights Ordinance <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Draft Ordinance <br />Resolution <br /> <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Annette M. Moore, (919) 245-2317 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To consider a resolution approving an amendment to the Orange County Civil <br />Rights Ordinance, Orange County Code of Ordinances § § 12-17(e) and 12-18(l). <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: On June 6, 1994, the BOCC adopted the Orange County Civil Rights <br />Ordinance. Shortly, thereafter the towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill also adopted <br />the Ordinance by resolution. The Civil Rights Ordinance requires that members of the Human <br />Relations Commission review administrative hearings when either a person appeals a director’s <br />“no cause” decision or the recommended decision of an administrative law judge after a hearing. <br /> <br />At the time of the adoption of the Civil Rights Ordinance, the County did not have professional <br />staff or access to the training for a Human Relations Commissioner that exists today. With the <br />available training that exists from the United States Department of Housing and Urban <br />Development (“HUD”), department staff and the extensive network of professional trainers, <br />limiting training to the North Carolina Human Relations Commission does not benefit the <br />County’s Civil Rights program. The Department is recommending the BOCC remove the <br />limiting language in the Ordinance so that staff can pursue professional trainers paid for by HUD <br />to train Human Relations Commissioners. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. <br /> <br />SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable <br />to this item: <br />• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br />INEQUITY <br />The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br />religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or <br />ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic <br />status. <br />• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION <br />Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage in government through voting <br />and volunteering by eliminating disparities and barriers to participation. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt and authorize the <br />Chair to sign the resolution approving an amendment to the Orange County Civil Rights <br />Ordinance, Orange County Code of Ordinances § § 12-17(e) and 12-18(l). <br />1