Human Rights Commission

Meetings

  • Meetings are ordinarily scheduled to occur on the third Thursday of every month at 5p.m.

Members

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

  • employed by or active with a local social service agency
  • employed by or active with a local educational organization or association
  • employed by a local employer

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.

  • Brandon Johnson, Chairman
    Term expires October 8, 2028
  • Dana Stickley
    Term expires September 18, 2026
  • Erik McGuire
    Term expires October 8, 2026
  • Zack Ellis
    Term expires October 8, 2026
  • Petronella Sylvester
    Term expires January 9, 2026

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