HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0058 - 2026-05-05 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 26-0058
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 5, 2026
r',° Page 1 of 4
V.
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rrn SUBJECT: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OVERVIEW
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This Informal Report is to provide an overview of the Human Relations Commission (HRC), its purpose,
programs, and activities as defined by the city's Human Relations Ordinance (ref) and related regulatory,
and programmatic guidelines.
Purpose
The purpose of the Human Relations Commission is to ensure that all residents and persons in the city enjoy
equal freedom to pursue their aspirations, without discrimination against any individual or group. This is
achieved through recommendation, advisement, and consultation to the city on matters involving
discrimination as well as participation in and hosting events and programs that foster positive community
relations.
Programs
In addition to serving in an advisory capacity, the HRC is responsible for the following programs and services,
which are administered by the Human Resources Civil Rights Division (Agency):
• Fair Employment Practices Agency (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
• Fair Housing Assistance Program (Department of Housing & Urban Development)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordination & Compliance
• Community Education & Outreach
These programs guide cooperative compliance and enforcement under federal Civil Rights laws and local
ordinance.
• Federal protected classes include race, color, religion or belief, disability, national origin, and familial
status. Employment -related protections also include age, sex, and genetic information.
• Through local policy, the City of Fort Worth has expanded protections to include sexual orientation,
transgender, gender identify, or gender expression.
Appointment
The HRC consists of eleven members who are appointed by the City Council at -large for an initial term
of two years. Members are limited to a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms. As of April 1,
2026, five (5) of the eleven (11) seats are vacant. Applications are currently under review and
consideration, and additional solicitations are planned to address vacancies.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0058
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
r�
V.
�O Y
rrn SUBJECT: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OVERVIEW
ig7'd
HRC MEMBERSHIP (as of April 1, 2026)
Place 1
Place 2
Place 3
Place 4
Amabilia Martinez
Glenda Diaz
Vacant
Scott Kendall
Place 5
Place 6
Place 7
Place 8
Ojesh Upreti
Vacant
Karen Johnson*
Austin Perrotti
Place 9
Place 10
Place 11
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
May 5, 2026
Page 2 of 4
Standing Committees
The HRC includes standing committees (Executive, Employment, and Housing) as well as the Mayor's
Committee on Persons with Disabilities (MCPD). Committees may be created or abolished with a two-
thirds majority vote.
Key Metrics
The following represents investigation, conciliation, and mediation activity over the past three years.
Agency staff also partner to provide education and promote cooperative compliance, including the
modification of discriminatory practices or policies.
WTI 11ka:1111 1a116 91 Ia011
Top three complaint categories
• Race/Ethnicity
• Sex/Gender
• Retaliation
Investigative Summary
2023
2024
2025
Inquiries Received 150 190 343
Charges Filed 84 73 82
Charges Filed and Deferred to EEOC (Non -Jurisdictional) 37 30 50
Closure by Type
2023
2024
2025
Settlement/Mediation/Conciliation 21 21 16
Letter of Determination -Full Investigation 54 52 44
Administrative Closure 17 12 8
Public Relief 2023 2024 2025
Awards to Charging Parties $ 431,804.00 $ 135,565.00 $ 378,350.00
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
r�
V.
�O Y
rrn SUBJECT: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OVERVIEW
ig7'd
FAIR HOUSING
Top three complaint categories
• Disability
• Race
• Sex/Gender
No. 26-0058
May 5, 2026
Page 3 of 4
Investigative Summary
1 2023
1 2024
1 2025
Inquiries Received
144
569
363
Case Closures
58
29
12
Conciliations
19
7
3
Closure by Type
2023
2024
2025
Cause
1
1
1
No Cause
30
14
2
Conciliation
19
7
3
Administrative Closure
8
7
6
Withdrawal with Resolution
6
4
4
Withdrawal without Resolution
Failure to Cooperate
1
2
2
Lack of Jurisdiction
1
1
0
Public Relief 1 2023 1 2024 1 2025
Awards to Charging Parties 1 $ 11,591 1 $ 42,025 1 $ 8,415
ACCESSIBILITY
In addition to coordinating complaints related to the accessibility of city facilities or programs, the
Civil Rights Office investigates complaints of public access to businesses.
Public Accommodation
Access to non -city Facilities/Programs
2023
2024
2025
Inquiries Received
13
16
10
Charges Filed
0
2
2
Closures
3
0
2
Settlement/Conciliation
2
0
1
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 26-0058
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council May 5, 2026
r',° Page 4 of 4
V.
�O Y
rrn SUBJECT: HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OVERVIEW
ig7'd
Current Efforts
A Special Called Meeting was held on March 30, 2026, which included members of the HRC and Mayor's
Committee on Persons with Disabilities (MCPD). The goals of the meeting were to:
• Provide training to members on their scope and responsibilities
• Review best practices from peer cities
• Conduct annual strategic planning, focused on education and outreach
• Promote member engagement and participation.
Priorities at this time include:
• Filling key vacancies on the HRC and MCPD
• Expanding and maintaining consistent community education and outreach
• Appropriate funding of Agency programs and requirements
The HRC and MCPD currently meet monthly. Questions or information requests should be directed to
Kristen Smith, Director of Human Resources, Civil Service and Civil Rights at
Kristen.Smith(cDFortWorthTexas.gov or 817-392-2697.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS