HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-15 I03 Civil Rights Commission Ordinance_INTRO, 1ST READAGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: December 15, 2025
AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of an ordinance to adopt and establish Chapter 29,
Waukee Civil Rights Commission [introduction; first reading]
FORMAT:Ordinance
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: Iowa Code § 216.19 requires that all cities with a
population of more than 29,000 create a civil rights commission. This ordinance establishes that
commission, its structure and its powers and duties.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: No fiscal impact
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT:
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: Staff recommends approval of the ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION: Introduce the ordinance and approve the first reading in title only.
ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Ordinance
PREPARED BY: Nick Osborne, Assistant City Administrator
REVIEWED BY:
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION:
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
I3
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT AND ESTABLISH CHAPTER 29, WAUKEE CIVIL
RIGHTS COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa has determined it is in the best
interest of the citizens of Waukee to establish a nonjudicial Civil Rights Commission consistent
with the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
BE IT THEREFORE ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Waukee:
Section 1: The Waukee Municipal Code is hereby amended by adding Chapter 29 as
follows:
CHAPTER 29. WAUKEE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION.
29.01 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a nonjudicial Civil Rights Commission consistent
with the Iowa Civil Rights Act; to recognize the authority of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission
and foster use of its procedures and programs; and to proclaim a public policy of nondiscrimination
by securing freedom from discriminatory practices, protecting individual dignity, ensuring their
full productive capacities, preserving the public safety, health, and general welfare, and promoting
the interests, rights, and privileges of individual citizens within the City.
29.02 DEFINITIONS.
The following words when used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, shall
be defined as follows:
Commission: The Waukee Civil Rights Commission created by this chapter.
Commissioner: A member of the commission.
29.03 COMMISSION APPOINTED.
The Waukee Civil Rights Commission is hereby established, as provided under Iowa Code
§ 216.19, “Local Laws Implementing this Chapter”.
29.04 STRUCTURE OF COMMISSION.
1.The City Civil Rights Commission shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the
Mayor with approval of the City Council. Membership shall be open to a balanced
mixture of citizen representatives of the community at large who are recognized for
their interest or experience in connection with civil rights. Members shall reside in the
city. Members shall not hold any other elective or appointed office within the city
government.
2.The term of appointment shall be three (3) years from January 1 of the year in which
the appointment is made, except that for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate
staggering of terms, the Mayor may prescribe a shorter term for any appointment or
reappointment. In the event that a vacancy occurs in the membership of the commission
by death, resignation or otherwise prior to the normal expiration of the appointee's term,
the Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, shall appoint a person to serve out
the remainder of the unexpired term.
3.Any member or all members of the commission may be removed from office at any
time by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. The commission shall elect
one of its members to be Chairperson.
4.The members of the commission shall serve without salary, wages or other
compensation.
5.The members of the commission shall meet as needed to carry out the purpose of the
commission.
29.05 POWERS AND DUTIES.
The commission's powers and duties include:
1.Promoting goodwill among the various racial, religious, and ethnic groups within the
City and to minimize or eliminate discriminatory practices prohibited under state law.
2.Providing assistance with complaints from individuals who may be victims of
discriminatory practices under Iowa Law and refer such complaints to the Iowa Civil
Rights Commission for investigation and adjudication.
3.With approval of the City Council and with the assistance of the City staff, receiving
administering, dispensing and accounting for any City funds that may be allocated, any
donations that may be voluntarily contributed to the commission, or any grants that
may be awarded to the commission for furthering the purposes of this chapter.
4.Examine and analyze Waukee specific annual data and reports from the Iowa Civil
Rights Commission.
Section 2. Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions
of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 3. Severability Clause. If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall
be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the
ordinance as a whole or any section, provisions or part thereof not adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in effect from and after its final
passage, approval and publication as provided by law.
Passed by the Council the _____ day of _____________________ 2025, and approved this _____
day of _____________________ 2025.
Courtney Clarke, Mayor
Attest:
Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk