Finance and Audit Committee
Amendment
March 21, 2005
IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION acknowledging the Fowler Report concerning the Jackson County Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints and making recommendations pursuant to the Fowler Report.
Intro
RESOLUTION # 15391, February 22, 2005
INTRODUCED BY Dennis Waits, Henry C. Rizzo, Bob Spence, Scott Burnett,
Rhonda L. Shoemaker, and Robert A. Stringfield, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints ("OHRCC Office") and the OHRCC Commission ("Commission") were created by the Jackson County Home Rule Charter; and,
WHEREAS, the smooth and efficient operation of the OHRCC Office and the Commission is in the best interest of all the citizens of Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature has previously contracted with Duncan Fowler, an expert recommended by the United States Ombudsman Association; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Fowler submitted a report ("Fowler Report") concerning the operations of the OHRCC Office and the Commission, and made recommendations concerning that office; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature acknowledges receipt of the Fowler Report; and,
WHEREAS, substantial changes in the functioning of the OHRCC Office and the Commission have been recommended by the Fowler Report; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature recommends the following:
Any member of the Commission who is absent from more than three (3) meetings per year shall have forfeited his office;
A member's attendance at a meeting of the Commission shall be satisfied by answering present at the roll call of scheduled and properly noticed meetings, but that if said member leaves the meeting before its adjournment and the Commission then fails to take any action due to the lack of a quorum, the member who has left the meeting shall be counted as absent for the entire meeting;
The compensation of the members of the Commission should be increased to the sum of $100.00 per meeting for a total not to exceed $1,200.00 per year;
The Commission should request a budget allowance of up to $5,000.00 annually for retaining independent legal counsel for the Commission when deemed appropriate by a majority of the Commission or County Counselor;
The Commission or the Director of the OHRCC office should provide a monthly report to the Jackson County Legislature and the County Executive no later than the tenth (10th) day of each month beginning June, 2005, containing a brief statement of facts of each complaint received during the preceding month and action, if any, taken on each complaint until such complaint is resolved and, if so, whether such complaint was ruled justified or unjustified;
Every complainant shall be invited to complete a "satisfaction form" to be completed and returned in a postage paid envelope addressed to the County Auditor who shall report to the Legislature the results no later than the tenth (10th) day of each month for the preceding month; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Legislature urges the Commission to review the operation of the OHRCC Office and utilization of staff by the Commission, and to replace the staff or Director of the OHRCC Office if deemed appropriate to improve the operation and image of the OHRCC Office; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Legislature requests the Commission work with the County Executive and the Legislature to relocate the OHRCC Office to a new physical location to enhance the presence of the OHRCC in the community and to improve citizen access to the OHRCC Office, its staff and Director.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Acting Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution # 15391 of February 22, 2005 was duly passed on _______March 21_______________, 2005 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______7_________ Nays _______0_______
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent _____2_______
________________________ ______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino Clerk of Legislature