Human Rights Commission

Meetings

  • Meetings are ordinarily scheduled to occur on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m.
    • The October 2021 meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on October 19, 2021 at the Interserv Community Center (5400 King Hill Avenue, St Joseph, MO 64504)

Members

The commission consists of nine members appointed for three-year terms. The commission shall include members associated with the following sectors:

  • local social service agencies
  • educational community
  • employer with fewer than 50 employees
  • employer with 50 or more employees

Members shall be residents of the city, shall reside in the city during their term of office, shall take the oath prescribed for city officials, and shall serve without compensation.

  • Juniper (June) Brown
    Term expires October 8, 2022
  • Vacancy
    Term expires October 8, 2022
  • Raymond Blancarte
    Term expires October 8, 2022
  • Terri Lowden
    Term expires October 8, 2023
  • Danielle McGaughy
    Term expires October 8, 2023
  • Sean C. Connors
    Term expires October 8, 2023
  • Leslie R. Stone
    Term expires October 8, 2024
  • Joyce A. Starr
    Term expires October 8, 2024
  • Rev. Dr. David Mason
    Term expires October 8, 2024

About the Commission

  • Encourages fair treatment for all persons, consistent with the purposes of the code of ordinances, and enlists the cooperation of other public and private organizations to discourage discrimination.
  • Advises the city council on human rights issues and makes recommendations on the modifications of the code of ordinances on a periodic basis or on the request of the city council.
  • Carries out the city council's direction to hold public hearings, conduct studies, and assemble data on human rights issues.
  • Organizes and conducts educational programs, workshops, and other events to improve human relations and eliminate discriminatory practices.
  • Makes appropriation recommendations to the city manager for funding specific efforts to improve human relations and eliminate discriminatory practices.
  • Identifies third-party mediation forums to which individuals alleging discrimination may be referred to resolve disputes related to discriminatory employment actions.
  • On direction of the city council, creates committees for the purpose of fulfilling the powers and duties described in this section.
  • Takes other actions as specifically assigned in the code of ordinances.
  • Contact the Commission by phone at (816) 271-4680 or by email. Please note that information submitted by email will be an open record and obtainable by members of the public upon request.

Such powers and duties shall only apply to the following:

  • Discrimination in employment based upon age (when such discrimination is disallowed by state or federal law), race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and protected membership of the uniformed services.
  • Discrimination in public accommodation based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and protected membership of the unifrmed services.
  • Discrimination in housing based upon ancestry, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and protected membership of the uniformed services.

Additional Resources

Videos