Powers and Duties

San Diego Municipal Code § 26.0906

in effect

§26.0906 Powers and Duties The Commission shall: (a) Conduct programs designed to bring groups together to close gaps resulting from past discriminatory practices and to proactively address current or ongoing intergroup tensions. (b) Mediate disagreements among individuals, groups, and organizations which result from discriminatory practices within the scope of this Division. (c) Process complaints using the procedures in Section 26.0908(e) or make additional, appropriate referrals. (d) Adopt, by two–thirds vote of its members, bylaws governing the conduct of its meetings and activities, the establishment of subcommittees, and such other rules as may be necessary for the performance of its functions; provided, that such bylaws shall specify that a quorum shall at all times consist of a majority of its authorized membership and that any amendments to the bylaws shall require an affirmative vote of two–thirds of its authorized membership. (e) Maintain records and serve as the source of accurate and reliable data on practices, activities, and other problems which are the subject of this Division. (f) Render a written report of its activities to the Mayor and the City Council annually. Such report shall include summaries of recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council for development of policies and procedures, additional legislation deemed by the Commission to be necessary, presentations by citizens and organizations, and recommended actions to be taken by the Mayor, the City Council, or independent Department Directors, all of which will further the objectives of this Division. (g) In addition to the other powers and duties set forth in this Division, the Commission shall have the power and duty to: (1) Prepare and disseminate educational and informational material relating to prejudice and discrimination and recommended ways and means of eliminating such prejudice and discrimination. (2) Furnish cooperation, information, guidance, and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations, and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. (3) Consult and maintain contact with other public agencies and representatives of employers, labor unions, property owners associations, professional associations, national origin groups, community organizations concerned with interracial, interreligious, and intercultural understanding, social welfare organizations, and such other private organizations and institutions as the Commission shall deem advisable to further objectives of this Division. (4) Advise and make written recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, independent Department Directors, and independent City Corporations concerning the development and implementation of programs and practices for the purpose of furthering the objectives of this Division. If necessary, the Commission and an agency, board, or officer which the Commission is assisting shall submit timely reports of progress in establishing and implementing such programs and practices as are from time to time requested by the Mayor or Council through the Executive Director of the Commission. The Commission shall not have jurisdiction over matters within the authority of the Civil Service Commission or the Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission including, but not limited to, City employee discrimination complaints or minority contracting practices; provided, however, that on a case by case basis and subject to specific direction from the City Council as expressed by a duly adopted resolution of the Council and as may be otherwise permitted by law, the Commission may be designated to make investigations of allegations of unfair or unlawful practices arising out of the proceedings of the Civil Service Commission to the extent that such investigations are consistent with Section 128 of the City Charter. (5) Investigate, and with the assent of the concerned parties, conciliate or mediate all incidents of discrimination within the scope of this Division to the extent such functions are not within the responsibilities of the California Fair Employment Practices Commission or any federal, county, state, City, or other established agency, and make specific and detailed recommendations to the interested parties as to the method of eliminating such discrimination. (6) Prepare, encourage, and coordinate programs based on established laws, regulations, policies, or goals to eliminate or reduce existing inequalities and disadvantages in the community resulting from past discriminatory practices. (7) Hold public meetings on community–wide problems which may result in discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, place of birth, citizenship, marital status, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. (8) Refer for appropriate legal action any matters not resolved through conciliation or mediation to the appropriate prosecutorial or regulatory entity pursuant to Section 26.0908. (9) Request through the Mayor, City Manager, or independent Department Directors information, services, facilities, or any other assistance for the purpose of furthering the objectives of this Division. (10) Appoint subcommittees as may be required to address specific human relations problems. Such subcommittees will be composed of persons who are members of the Commission. (11) Support and participate in activities which bring together various factions and viewpoints on emerging issues in a way that will help the community to resolve the issues which arise with change. (Amended 9–30–1996 by O–18344 N.S.) (Amended 3-27-2013 by O-20244 N.S.; effective 4-26-2013.)

Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter02/Ch02Art06Division09.pdf#page=5Fetched: 10/28/2026