Title
a. Consider adoption of an Ordinance amending Chapter 2.80 of the Monterey County Code establishing policy and procedures for the investigation and resolution of discrimination complaints;
b. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Policy;
c. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy;
d. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Equal Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities and Reasonable Accommodation Policy;
e. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Diversity Policy; and
f. Direct the Equal Opportunity Officer to implement policies and procedures.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 2.80 of the Monterey County Code establishing policy and procedures for the investigation and resolution of discrimination complaints;
b. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Policy;
c. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy;
d. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Equal Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities and
Reasonable Accommodation Policy;
e. Adopt a Resolution to establish the Diversity Policy; and
f. Direct the Equal Opportunity Officer to implement policies and procedures.
SUMMARY:
In February 2012, the Board of Supervisors gave direction to the Equal Opportunity Officer to review and update the County of Monterey Discrimination Complaint Ordinance. The Equal Opportunity Office, in collaboration with the Office of the County Counsel, has met bi-weekly to review and update the County of Monterey Discrimination Complaint Ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
On May 9, 1989, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 3387, Amending Title 2 of the Monterey County Code to add Chapter 2.80, Discrimination Complaint Investigative Procedures. The Ordinance was developed to provide due process and equal protection to all employees, applicants for County employment, bidders, contractors and recipient of County services within its jurisdiction.
On April 30, 1991, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 3537, Amending Title 2, Chapter 2.80 of the Monterey County Code, Establishing Policy and Procedures for the Investigation and Resolution of Discrimination Complaints. This policy applies to County employees, applicants for County employment and or promotion, bidders and contractors who seek to do business with the County or its agencies, and recipients of County services. The purpose of the policy and procedures were to provide appropriate and available means for raising, investigating and resolving, to the fullest extent possible issues of discrimination which affect any of these individuals.
On January 15, 2013 the Board of Supervisor introduced, waived reading, and set January 29, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. to consider adoption of the ordinance amending Chapter 2.80 of the Monterey County Code establishing policy and procedures for the investigation and resolution of discrimination complaints.
The 2013 amendment and retitling of the ordinance recognizes and reaffirms the long-standing commitment of the County of Monterey to the principles of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination. It also provides for greater flexibility in the administration of this commitment and the ability to respond to changes in the law. The ordinance establishes specific policies, which will be adopted by resolution, supersedes and rescinds older, identified resolutions, and authorizes the Equal Opportunity Office to develop implementing procedures that can be updated.
The Board is also asked to approve specific resolutions to establish specific policies which have been updated and created, in an effort to consolidate into one place the County's commitments to equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and to clarify and update those commitments. Copies of those proposed policies are attached to this Board Report.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Equal Opportunity Office has been working with The Office of the County Counsel.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund.
Prepared by: Approved by:
_____________________________ ____________________________________
Michelle Gomez Date Irma Ramirez-Bough Date
Equal Opportunity Specialist-Confidential Equal Opportunity Officer
Attachments:
Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Ordinance
Resolution adopting the Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Policy
Resolution adopting the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy
Resolution adopting the Equal Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities and Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Resolution adopting the Diversity Policy
Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Policy
Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy
Equal Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities and Reasonable Accommodation Policy
Diversity Policy