HomeMy WebLinkAbout025650 ORD - 02/10/2004 AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTIONS 24-2, 24-4, 24-20, 24-21, 24-22, AND 24-25 OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, BY
ADDING A MEMBER TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION,
ADDING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO THE CLASSES OF
PERSONS PROTECTED BY CHAPTER 24, CODE OF ORDINANCES,
AND CLARIFYING THE PENALTY PROVISIONS; AND BY ADDING
ARTICLE V, DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES, CHAPTER 24, HUMAN RELATIONS, ESTABLISHING
PROCEDURE AND IMPLEMENTATION; PROVIDING PUBLICATION;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI,
TEXAS, THAT:
SECTION 1. The list of articles at the beginning of Chapter 24 of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Corpus Christi, is amended by adding Article V, to read as follows:
"Chapter 24 HUMAN RELATIONS
"Art. I. In General, §§ 24-1 -- 24-19
"Art. I1. Discrimination in Place of Public Accommodation, §§ 24-20 -- 24-29
"Art. Ill. Discrimination in Housing, §§ 24-90 -- 24-79
"Art. IV. Discrimination in Employment, §§ 24-80 -- 24-83
"Art. V. Discrimination Aqainst an Individual with a Disability, §§ 24-90 -- 24-103"
SECTION 2. Section 24-2, Code of Ordinances is revised to read as follows:
"Sec. 24-2. Human relations commission; established; composition;
appointment, term and compensation of members; filling vacancies.
"(a) There is hereby established the "Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission."
Said commission shall consist of sixteen votin.q members. Fourteen ~(14)
members will be .appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council.
"(1) One (1) member shall be in the business of selling dwellings.
"(2) One (1) member shall be in the business of renting dwellings.
"(3) Three (3) members will each serve a term of one (1) year, unstaggered, and
shall not be more than twenty (20) years of age at time of appointment.
"(4) The members shall be broadly representative of the total community, drawn
from various racial, religious, ethnic, or other groups.
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"(5) The corem!cc!on ch3!! c!cc hc':e ~ fifteenth memberT will be the director of
the Coastal Bend Legal Services or a designated member of his/her-the director's
staff.
"(6) The sixteenth member will be the chairperson of the Committee for Persons
with Disabilities.
"(b) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation. Members of
such commission, exclusive of these-the members appointed under subsection (a)(3) of
ti '"~'""" + ............ ;'~-~-~ ;'- *~"- '-~- ............ ~' the chairperson of the
this sec on; ................. ~. ................... ~.-.-~,-~.,,,
Committee for Persons with Disabilities, and the member of the staff of the Coastal
Bend Legal Services. shall serve staggered terms of (3) three years. Initial appointment
of three (3) of the members shall be for one (1) year, three (3) of the members for two
(2) years, and three (3) of the members for three (3) years. Terms shall extend through
June 14 each year. The initial terms of the members in the business of selling and
renting dwellings shall end in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
"(c) The ' , representative from the Coastal Bend Legal Services and
the chairperson of the Committee for People with DisabilitiesT shall serve continuously
and shall not be subject to the appointment required under this section.-Terms~ha~
~v,~.~ through ~ .... !~. ..~h ..... -rh.. ~.~+~, ..... ~,~ .... ~...o ~. ,~.. ~,,~; .....
SECTION 3. Section 24-4(b), Code of Ordinance is amended by adding new
paragraphs (8) and (9), to read as follows:
"Sec. 24-4. Commission duties.
"(b) The commission is further authorized to:
"(8) Acting through the administrator, investigate all complaints received
regarding the failure of the City to provide accessible buildinqs and programs or
to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities through its
administration of its ordinances and the manaqement of its programs and
properties, as required by applicable Federal and State laws and implementing
regulations. In carrying out this activity, the Commission shall:
"a. Determine whether in its opinion the City has violated any applicable
Federal or State laws and implementing regulations.
"b. Recommend any remedies or reasonable accommodations that are
needed to remedy the situation.
"c. Report its findings to the city manager and city secretary.
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"d. Keep an active file on any complaint in which it finds that the charge
has some basis and shall, through its administrator, work with the
appropriate City official to end any discriminatory practices to the
satisfaction of the commission, to the end that the commission can satisfy
itself that the basis for the charqe has been eliminated.
"e. File with each party receiving a copy of its initial report any
supplemental reports of its findings as may be indicated until the file is
closed.
"(9) Acting through the administrator, investigate all complaints received
regarding discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities by the owner
of any place of public accommodation, including the employees and agents of
the owner, has unreasonably withheld any of the advantages, facilities,
programs, or services offered to the general public by a place of public
accommodation or failed to make a reasonable accommodation to the person
with a disability.
"a. Determine whether in its opinion there has been a violation of the
applicable Federal or State laws and implementing regulations by the
place of public accommodation.
"b. Report its findinqs to the city manager and city secretary.
"c. Keep an active file on any complaint in which it finds that the charge
has some basis and shall, through its administrator, work with the
appropriate City official to end any discriminatory practices to the
satisfaction of the commission, to the end that the commission can satisfy
itself that the basis for the charge has been eliminated.
"d. File with each party receivinq a copy of its initial report any
supplemental reports of its findings as may be indicated until the file is
closed."
SECTION 4. Section 24-20, Code of Ordinances, is amended by deleting the definition
for "disabled person," adding a new definition for "disability," and revising the definition
of "place of public accommodation," to read as follows:
"ARTICLE II. DISCRIMINATION IN PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION
"Sec. 24-20. Definitions.
"For purposes of this Article il, Discrimination in Places of Public Accommodation, the
following words shall have the following meanings:
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"Disability means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more of the maior life activities of the individual; a
record of impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
"a. Physical or mental impairment means any physiological disorder or
condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or
more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special
sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular;
reproductive, digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and
endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and
specific learning disabilities.
"b. Majorlife activities means functions such as caring for one's self,
performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, s~eakin~l, breathin~l,
learninq, and working.
"c. Has a record of such impairment means a history of, or has been
misclassified as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially
limits one or more major life activities.
"d. Is regarded as having an impairment means has a physical or mental
impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but that is
treated by a recipient as constituting such limitation; has a physical or
mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a
result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or has none of the
impairments defined above but is treated as having an impairment.
"Place of public accommodation means every business within the city, whether
wholesale or retail, which is open to the general public and offers, for
compensation, any product, service or facility. The term "place of public
accommodation" shall include, but not be limited to, all other places of public
accommodation, amusement, convenience, or resort to which the general public
or any classification of persons from the general public is regularly, normally, or
customarily invited. As used in this chapter, the term place of public
accommodation does not apply to any facility or program owned or operated by
the Federal or State governments or political subdivisions of the State."
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SECTION 5. Section 24-21, Code of Ordinances is revised to read as follows:
"Sec. 24-21. Policy.
"It is the policy of the city to encourage and enable mcr, tc!!y cr ph;,'slcc!!y d!sab!=d
pcrscr, s individuals with a disability and all other persons regardless of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, or religion to participate fully in the social and economic life of
the city, to achieve maximum personal independence, to become gainfully employed,
and to otherwise fully enjoy and use all public facilities, programs, and services
available within the city."
SECTION 6. Section 24-22, Code of Ordinances is revised to read as follows:
"Sec. 24-22. Discrimination prohibited.
"(a) Subject only to limitations and conditions established by law and applicable to all
persons, p~rscns '"'~' ....... *"" ..... ~.,,o~,...,,,, ,~;~..h,..,~ pe 'th disabiliti ha
.................. , ... ~..., ...... . ........ rsons wi es ve
the same right as those who are not disabled to the full use and enjoyment of any public
facility, program, service, and place of public accommodation in the city ~s s3t fcrth
pu ......... under Chapter 121, "Participation in Social and Economic Activities" of Title
8 of the Human Resources Code, as amended, of the State of Texas.
"(b) To the extent required by Federal or State law, it ~shall be unlawful for any person
or any employee or agent thereof, within the city, to withhold from or deny any person,
because of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, or national origin, any public facility
or any of the advantages, facilities, programs, or services offered to the general public
by a place of public accommodation."
SECTION 7. Section 24-25, Code of Ordinances is revised to read as follows:
"Sec. 24-25. Penalty for violation of Article II.
Excv~. .......................... ~_~, _... Any person violating any provision of this
article shall be punished by fine of nc
~up to the maximum provided in section 1-6 of the Code of Ordinances of the
City of Corpus Christi ("City Code"). Violations of section 24-22(a) of this article shall
may also be forwarded to the appropriate governmental body to enforce and punish
such conduct to the extent and manner prescribed by state-applicable law."
SECTION 8. Chapter 24, Code of Ordinances, is amended by adding a new Article V.
to read as follows:
"ARTICLE V:DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY
"Sec. 24-90. Policy.
"(a) It is the policy of the City that no individual with a disability shall, on the basis of a
disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be
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subjected to discrimination under any program or activity operated or contracted for by
the City, provided that such participation does not fundamentally alter the program or
activity. The City will make every effort to make a reasonable accommodation to
individuals with a disability, consistent with the requirements of the applicable Federal
and State laws, and implementing regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
"(b) It is the policy of the City that all persons and entities receiving financial assistance
from the City comply with all applicable civil rights laws and rules, including all of the
rules and regulations found in this chapter.
"(c) The City endorses the fundamental purpose behind the Americans with Disabilities
Act, which includes the removal of physical and non-physical barriers when readily
achievable, where applicable.
"(d) The City further endorses a public policy that businesses within the City's
jurisdiction must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the
removal of physical barriers whenever removal is readily achievable.
"Sec. 24-91. Definitions.
"As used in this Article, the following words and phrases have the following meanings:
"Auxiliary Aid includes: Services or devices such as qualified interpreters,
assistive listening headsets1 television captioning and decoders,
telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDD's), videotext displays,
readers, texts on tape, materials in Braille, and large print materials. This list is
not exclusive and functional equivalents may be substituted for any auxiliary aid.
"Financial Assistance means the receipt, from the City, of any specific grant,
loan, lease, contract (other than contracts for goods, insurance or guaranty, or
services upon payment of full and fair compensation or upon obtaining a lease,
license, or use privilege agreement upon payment of fair market value or the
payment of fees required by City ordinance), or the use of City personnel or
property without the payment of fair market value or full and fair compensation.
"C~ualified Person With A Disability means an individual with a disability who, with
or without reasonable modifications to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of
architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of
auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the
receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a
public entity.
"Readily Achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out
without much difficulty or expense. Determining if barrier removal is readily
achievable is, by necessity, a case-by-case judgment. Factors to consider
include:
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"a. The nature and cost of the action.
"b. The overall financial resources of the site or sites involved; the number
of persons employed at the site; the effect on expenses and resources;
legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation, including
crime prevention measures; or any other impact of the action on the
operation of the site.
"c. The geographic separateness and the administrative or fiscal
relationship of the site or sites in question to any parent corporation or
entity.
"d. If applicable, the overall financial resources of any parent corporation
or entity; the overall size of the parent corporation or entity with respect to
the number of its employees; the number, type, and location of its
facilities.
"e. If applicable, the type of operation or operations of any Parent
Corporation or entity, including the composition, structure, and functions of
the workforce of the Parent Corporation or entity.
"Reasonable Accommodation means any change or adiustment to the
service, activity or program for the known physical or cognitive limitations
of an otherwise qualified person with a disability unless it can be
demonstrated that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship
on the operation of the program. Any particular change or adjustment
would not be required if, under circumstances involved, it would result in
an undue hardship.
"Sec. 24-92. Effect on other governmental entities.
"Nothing in this article is intended to apply to any facility or program owned or operated
by the Federal or State governments or political subdivision of the State.
"Sec. 24-93. General prohibitions against discrimination.
"The Department of Justice's "General prohibitions against discrimination," 28 CFR
35.130, are adopted by the City and read as follows:
'"(a) No qualified individual with a disability shall1 on the basis of disability,
be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services,
programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination
by any public entity.
'"(b)(1) A public entity, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not,
directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the
basis of disability--
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'"(i) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the
opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit,
or service;
'"(ii) Afford a qualified individual with a disability an
opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit,
or service that is not equal to that afforded others;
'"(iii) Provide a qualified individual with a disability with an
aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording
equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same
benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement as that
provided to others;
'"(iv) Provide different or separate aids, benefits, or services
to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals
with disabilities than is provided to others unless such action
is necessary to provide qualified individuals with disabilities
with aids, benefits, or services that are as effective as those
provided to others;
"'(v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified
individual with a disability by providing significant assistance
to an agency, organization, or person that discriminates on
the basis of disability in providing any aid, benefit, or service
to beneficiaries of the public entity's program;
'"(vi) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the
opportunity to participate as a member of planning or
advisory boards;
'"(vii) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with a disability in
the enjoyment of any ri(~ht, privile(~e, advanta(~e, or
opportunity enjoyed by others receiving the aid, benefit, or
service.
"'(2) A public entity may not deny a qualified individual with a
disability the opportunity to participate in services, programs, or
activities that are not separate or different, despite the existence of
permissiblv separate or different programs or activities.
"'(3) A public entity may not, directly or through contractual or other
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration:
'"(i) That have the effect of subjecting qualified individuals
with disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability;
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'"(ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or
substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of
the public entity's program with respect to individuals with
disabilities; or
'"(iii) That perpetuate the discrimination of another public
entity if both public entities are subject to common
administrative control or are agencies of the same State.
'"(4) A public entity may not, in determining the site or location of a
facility, make selections--
'"(i) That have the effect of excluding individuals with
disabilities from, denying them the benefits of, or otherwise
subjecting them to discrimination; or
'"(ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or
substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives
of the service, program, or activity with respect to individuals
with disabilities.
'"(5) A public entity, in the selection of procurement contractors,
may not use criteria that subject qualified individuals with
disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability.
"'(6) A public entity may not administer a licensing or certification
program in a manner that subjects qualified individuals with
disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability, nor may a
public entity establish requirements for the programs or activities of
licensees or certified entities that subject qualified individuals with
disabilities to discrimination on the basis of disability. The programs
or activities of entities that are licensed or certified by a public entity
are not, themselves, covered by this part.
"'(7) A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies,
practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to
avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless the public
entity can demonstrate that making the modifications would
fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.
'"(8) A public entity shall not impose or apply eligibility criteria that
screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability or
any class of individuals with disabilities from fully and equally
enjoying any service, program, or activity, unless such criteria can
be shown to be necessary for the provision of the service, program,
or activity being offered.
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'"(c) Nothing in this part prohibits a public entity from providing benefits,
services, or advantages to individuals with disabilities, or to a particular
class of individuals with disabilities beyond those required by this part.
'"(d) A public entity shall administer services, programs, and activities in
the most integrated settinq appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals
with disabilities.
'"(e)(1) Nothing in this part shall be construed to require an individual with
a disability to accept an accommodation, aid, service, opportunity, or
benefit provided under the ADA or this part which such individual chooses
not to accept.
'"(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or
guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water,
medical treatment, or medical services for that individual.
"'(0 A public entity may not place a surcharge on a particular individual
with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the
costs of measures, such as the provision of auxiliary aids or program
accessibility, that are required to provide that individual or group with the
nondiscriminatory treatment required by the Act or this part.
'"(fl) A public entity shall not exclude or otherwise deny equal services,
programs, or activities to an individual or entity because of the known
disability of an individual with whom the individual or entity is known to
have a relationship or association.'
"Sec. 24-94. Requirements to ensure City facilities, programs, and services are
accessible to qualified persons with disabilities.
"(a) No qualified individual with a disability will, because of inaccessibility to or
unusability of the City facilities, be denied the benefits of, be denied participation in, or
otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or service.
"(b) The City will operate its programs and services so that the programs and services,
when viewed in their entirety, are readily accessible to qualified individuals with
disabilities.
"(c) Each facility or part of a facility designed and constructed by or for the use of the
City or persons and entities receivin.q financial assistance must be desiqned and
constructed in a manner that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and
usable by persons with disabilities in compliance with ADA and regulatory standards,
including Texas Accessibility Standards of the Architectural Barriers Act.
"(d) Each facility or part of a facility that is altered by1 on behalf of, or for the use of the
City or persons and entities receiving financial assistance must be altered in a manner
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that ensures that the facility or part of the facility is readily accessible to and usable by
persons with disabilities.
"(e) The City will not provide financial assistance to any entity or program that does not
comply with this Chapter.
"(f) This subsection does not require that every existing facility or every part of a facility
be made accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
"Sec. 24-95. Personal Devices and Services.
"(a) Nothing required in this Article includes, or may be construed to include, a
requirement that the City provide to individuals with disabilities personal devices, such
as wheelchairs, individually prescribed devices, such as prescription eyeglasses or
hearing aids; readers for personal use of study; or services of a personal nature
includin.q assistance in eating toiletinq or dressing.
"(b) Nothing in this Article requires the City to fundamentally alter its programs or
services.
"Sec. 24-96. Communications.
"(a) The City shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with
applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as
communications with others.
"(1) The City shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where
necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity conducted
by the City.
"(2) in determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, the City
shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individuals with disabilities.
"(b) The City, and those receiving financial assistance from the City, must provide
auxiliary aids and services as reasonable accommodations when they are necessary to
ensure effective communication with individuals with hearinq, vision, or speech
impairments.
"Sec. 24-97. Certificate of Compliance for Applicants for Financial Assistance.
~AII applications for financial assistance from the City must certify on a form provided
by the Director that the applicant will operate its programs and services in compliance
with this Article.
"Sec. 24-98. Annual Evaluation by City.
"(a) The City will annually:
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"(1) Evaluate1 with the assistance of interested persons, including people with
disabilities or organizations representing persons with disabilities, the City's
current policies and practices.
"(2) Modify, after consultation with interested persons, including persons with
disabilities or organizations representing persons with disabilities, any policies
that do not meet the requirements of this Article.
"(3) Take, after consultation with interested persons, including persons with
disabilities or organizations representing persons with disabilities, appropriate
steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that results from the failure to
adhere to this Article.
"(b) The City will maintain on file and make available for public inspection:
"(1) A list of the interested persons consulted.
"(2) A description of areas examined and any problems identified.
"(3) A description of any modifications made and of any remedial actions taken.
"Sec. 24-99. Adoption by the City of Desi.qnated Coordinator and Grievance
Procedure.
"(a) The City will designate at least one person to coordinate its efforts to comply with
this article,
"(b) The City will adopt grievance procedures that incorporates appropriate due process
standards and provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging
any action prohibited by this Article.
"Sec. 24-100. Non-Discrimination Notice regarding Individuals with Disabilities.
"(a) The City will take appropriate and continuing steps to notify participants,
beneficiaries, employees, or applicants, including those with impaired vision or hearinq,
and unions or professional organizations officially recognized by the City that the City
does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
"(b) The notification will include the identification of the individual and department
responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination.
"Sec. 24-101. Administration.
"(a) The Director will serve as the City's focal point for coordinating the implementation
of this Article.
"(b) The Director will coordinate the implementation of any relevant new and existing
laws and ordinances relatinq to the discrimination against persons with disabilities.
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"(c) The Director is responsible for:
"(1) Coordinating the investigation and/or conciliation procedure outlined in Sec.
24-102, and assisting in resolving grievances to assure prompt solutions.
"(2) Preparing and disseminating information regarding disability rights to the
public, City departments, and community agencies.
"(3) Researching administrative po c es and procedures to identify for City
management modifications required for accessibility to individuals with
disabilities.
"(4) Monitoring City activities related to individuals with disabilities and
conductinq periodic compliance reviews to assure that all City departments are
providing services that are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
"(5) Recommending training programs to City departments to assure that City
services are available to the disability community.
"(6) Providing technical assistance and consultation to City departments in areas
related to accessibility as defined by law.
"(7) Assisting in the development of Ionq-range planning activities to accomplish
compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
"Sec, 24-102. General Enforcement Guidelines.
"(a) Any individual who has been discriminated against because of disability may file
with the Director a request to have the Director investigate the complaint of
discrimination.
"(b) If the Director receives a complaint against an agency of the Federal or State
governments, or a political subdivision of the State1 the Director will refer the
complainant to the appropriate authority.
"(c) Nothing in this Article creates a civil cause of action for damages against the City or
precludes any aggrieved person from seeking any other remedy provided by law.
Nothing in this Article authorizes criminal enforcement of this article against the City, its
officers, employees, or agents.
"(d) Filing a complaint with the Director is not a prerequisite and does not bar the filing
of some other legal complaint or the pursuit of any other remedy provided by law.
"(e) The pendency of a complaint before the Director does not bar any aggrieved party
from seekinq civil action, but a final iudgment in any civil action bars any further
investigation of a pending complaint on the same alleged act of discrimination.
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"(f) In connection with any investigation of a charqe filed under this article1 the Director,
or an investiqator designated by the Director, shall have access to, for the purposes of
examination, and the right to copy relevant evidence from any person or entity being
investigated. This access to evidence is to be limited by applicable laws governing the
investigation of civil rights claims.
"(g) No person may knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly obstruct, or prevent
compliance with this Article or hinder or interfere with the performance of the proper
exercise of a duty, obligation, right, or power of the Director, the Director's
representatives, or other officials with duties, obligations, rights, and powers established
by this Article.
"(h) Where appropriate, and when not in violation of conflicts of interest or other ethical
rules of the State Bar of Texas, the City Attorney may assign counsel to assist the
Director.
"(i) The City Manager may make administrative arrangements as are normal and
necessary for the functioning of the Human Relations Department.
"Sec. 24-103. Filin.q and Investigating Complaints of Discrimination A.qainst the
City.
"(a) Any individual with a complaint that the City has violated this Article may file a
complaint with the Director. The complaint must be filed on a form provided by the
Director, and must identify the entity or person(s) alleged to have committed the
discriminatory practice. In situations where the complainant's disability requires
assistance to submit a complaint, the Director will make reasonable effort to assist the
person in filing a complaint. The Director must provide complaint forms and furnish
them without charge to any person, upon request.
"(b) All complaints must be filed within 180 days followinq the occurrence of an alleqed
discriminatory practice.
"(c) As soon as practicable, but in no more than 15 calendar days, the Director must
meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. After
investigation and within 15 calendar days after meeting with the complainant, the
Director must respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the
complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response must explain the
position of the City and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint, if
appropriate.
"(d) If the response by the Director does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the
complainant may appeal the Director's decision to the City Manager. The appeal must
be filed within 15 calendar days after receipt of the Director's response.
"(e) Within 15 calendar days of the appeal, the City Manager or the City Manager's
designee must meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible
resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the City Manager or City
NDO-R31502AI
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Manager's designee must respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format
accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.
"(f) All formal complaints received by the Director, the responses to the complaints and
the record of appeals to the City Manager must be retained by the Director for at least
three years.
"Sec. 24-104. Retaliation and Coercion.
"(a) The City and any person or entity receiving financial assistance from the City may
not discriminate against any individual because that individual has opposed any act or
practice prohibited by this Article, or because that individual has made a charge,
testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or
hearing under this Article or any applicable law, including the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990.
"(b) The City and any person or entity receiving financial assistance from the City may
not coerce1 intimidate, threaten1 or interfere with any individual in the exercise or
enioyment of, or on account of the individual having exercised or enjoyed, or on account
of the individual having aided or encouraqed any other individual in the exercise or
enjoyment of 1 any right granted or protected by this article or the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990.
"Sec. 24-105. Remedial or Voluntary Action.
"(a) If the outcome of an investiqation finds that the City has violated this Article by
discriminatinq against a qualified person with a disability, the City Manager, or
designee, will take any remedial or voluntary actions appropriate and necessary to
rectify the problem.
"(b) All appeals of a grievance must follow the City's established grievance appeal
procedures.
"(c) If the outcome of an investigation finds that a person or entity hired by the City to
operate a City program or a person or entity receiving financial assistance from the City
has participated in the discrimination, the City Manager, or designee, may require the
person or entity receiving financial assistance from the City to take appropriate action to
rectify the problem.
"Sec. 24-106. City Council Status Reports.
"The Director shall submit an annual status report to the City Council that apprises the
Council on the implementation of this Article."
SECTION 9. If for any reason any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase,
word or provision of this ordinance shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by final
NDO-R31502A1
16
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect any other section,
paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance, for it is the
definite intent of this City Council that every section, paragraph, subdivision, clause,
phrase, word or provision hereof be given full force and effect for its purpose.
SECTION 10. Publication shall be made one time in the official publication of the City of
Corpus Christi as required by the City Charter of the City of Corpus Christi.
SECTION 11. A violation of this ordinance or requirements implemented under this
ordinance constitutes an offense punishable under Section 24-25 of the City Code of
Ordinances, as amended by Section of this ordinance.
NDO-R31502A1
17
That the foregoing or,~l~nar~ce was read.~jorb~ first time and passed to its second
reading on this the ,2~'A~t day of ,~ ,2004, by the following vote:
Samuel L. Neal, Jr. 0,JJE_ Rex ~A. Kinnison ~
Brent Chesney ~J~4L Melody Cooper
Javier D. Colmenero
Henry Garrett
Bill Kelly
Jesse Noyola
Mark Scott
That the ~foregoing ordjn~ance was read for the second time and passed finally on this
the I ~'Tfy' day of ~j~/J~/%~! ,2004, by the following vote:
Samuel L. Neal, Jr.
Brent Chesney
Javier D. Colmenero
Henry Garrett
Bill Kelly
Rex A. Kinnison _~'0 -'
Melody Cooper ~'~,
Jesse Noyola ~
Mark Scott ~A~
PASSED AND APPROVED, this the
ATTEST:
Armando Chapa
City Secretary
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISq'I
Mayor
Approved as to legal form only this the 5th day of February, 2004;
Josep~ F. Harney ~
Assistant City Attorney
For City Attorney
NDO-R31502A1
PUBLISHER'S AFFIDAVIT
State of Texas
County of Nueces
SS:
CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Ad # 4807697
PO #
Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, this day personally came Diana
Hinoiosa, who being first duly sworn, according to law, says that she is Credit
Manager of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, a daily newspaper published at
Corpus Christi in said City and State, generally circulated in Aransas, Bee,
Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, J~m Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak,
Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Webb Counties, and that the
publication of, NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO. which the annexed
is a true copy, was inserted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and on the World
Wide Web on the Caller-D'mes Interactive on the 16TH day(s) of FEBRUARY.
2004.
$70.00
TWO (2) Time(s)
Credit Manager
Subscribed and sworn to me on the date of
FEBRUARY 17, 2004.
Notary Public, Nueces County, Texas
ROSA MARIA FLORES
Print or Type Name of Notary Public
My commission expires on 04/23/05
~Corp~ Ct~ C~er.'nm~
Fet)rua~' 16, 2O04
OF ORDINANCE NO.
,~:~ ~ o, ~..