Powers & Duties
The powers and duties of the Brookings Human Rights Commission shall be to:
- Promote human and civil rights for all its citizens and visitors.
- Promote a mutual understanding and respect among all racial, religious and nationality groups and work to discourage and prevent discriminatory practices against any such group.
- Attempt to foster, through community effort or otherwise, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation.
- Study and determine the existence, character, causes and extent of discrimination in employment, housing accommodations, property rights, education, public accommodations, public services in the city, and discrimination based on age, disability, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and political affiliation. The study and determination of discrimination is based on a broad understanding of civil and human rights as embodied in the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended, which includes race, color, religion, gender and country of origin.
- Advise and provide a forum for those who have been subjected to unfair and discriminatory practices in the city.
- To receive, investigate and conciliate complaints alleging discrimination and where probable cause for discrimination is found to exist, refer the complaint to the appropriate governmental agency. The human rights commission shall develop rules of procedure subject to approval of the city council.
- Enlist the cooperation of various racial, religious and ethic groups, community, civil, labor and business organizations, student organizations, fraternal and benevolent associations, veterans' organizations, and other groups in educational campaigns and programs devoted to teaching the need for eliminating group tensions, prejudices, intolerance, bigotry and unlawful discrimination.
- Cooperate with federal, state and city agencies in developing programs showing the contributions of the various groups to the culture and traditions of our city and nation, the menace of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and unlawful discrimination and the need for mutual respect.
- Advise the mayor, city council members, city manager and the respective departments of the city concerning matters consistent with the purpose and powers of the human rights commission.
- Recommend ordinances and other legislation pertinent to the purposes of human rights.
- Conduct educational programs and disseminate information in furtherance of the purposes and policies of the human rights commission.
- Hear and investigate complaints alleging discrimination regarding the City of Brookings, in accordance with the grievance procedures for ADA grievances adopted by resolution of the city.