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Notice/Advertisement Title: Neighborhoods, Recreation, and Parks Committee Hearing - Community Relations Commission Code Change
Contact Name: Jacob Dilley
Contact Telephone Number: 614-645-5292
Contact Email Address: jadilley@columbus.gov
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Columbus City Council invites interested persons to attend a public hearing on Wednesday - June 5, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. The purpose of the hearing is to review and comment on the proposed amendments to Chapter 2331 of the Columbus City Code regarding the Community Relations Commission.
The Community Relations Commission, established under the Department of Neighborhoods, helps eliminate discrimination or remove the effects of past discrimination in the City of Columbus. The Commission accomplishes this through the work and input of 15 appointed Commissioners who, per Columbus City Code, are responsive to the diversity represented by the various racial, religious, national, cultural and ethnic groups in Columbus.
The proposed amendments to Chapter 2331 transition the Commission to an advisory body, ensure alignment with federal law regarding bona fide occupational qualifications when necessary, and include administrative best practices as advised by the Columbus City Attorney’s office.
As a body that can make a final administrative decision, there currently exists limitations on who is eligible to serve as a Commissioner of the Community Relations Commission. By transitioning to an advisory body that makes recommendations to the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods, the Commission can better represent the diversity of the city of Columbus through its membership.
Incorporating Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQs) ensure that certain job roles, which inherently require specific characteristics, can be effectively and safely filled. This ensures Columbus City Code is consistent with federal law. All BFOQs must be approved by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Through consultation with the City Attorney’s office, several best practices have been identified that create administrative efficiencies through the proposed amendments. These include introducing a fine schedule.
The proposed amendments will improve the Commission’s ability to eliminate discrimination or to remove the effects of past discrimination in the City of Columbus.
Date: Wednesday - June 5, 2024
Time: 5:00pm
Location: Columbus City Hall - Council Chambers, 90 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearings via WebEx or in person.
The meetings will broadcast live on CTV, YouTube, and Facebook Live. Any resident seeking to submit written testimony should submit their testimony to the office of Neighborhoods, Recreation, and Parks Committee Chair, Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer.
Written testimony must be received by 5:00pm on June 4th and should be emailed to Marwah Warsame at mawarsame@columbus.gov.
Any resident wishing to provide testimony during the hearing should email Marwah Warsame at mawarsame@columbus.gov by 5:00pm on June 4th to request a WebEx panelist link and/or speaking instructions. Each speaker will be limited to remarks lasting no longer than three minutes.