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present time and explained that when the Community Relations Program was adopted, it was determined that a Human Relations Commission was not ad- vi-sab~e and that the Administration felt that it was not advisable ~t the present time. Councilman Patterson expressed his opinion that the Council should appoint a committee to look into the matter and report back to Council on whether or not a Human Relations Commission is needed and the Council could act on the matter. He felt the committee should be comprised of two Councilmen; some Staff members, including ~the CommUnity Relations Director and someone from the Police Department; a member from the Chamber of Commerce; someone from N. A. A. C. P., LULAC, and organizations of this type. Councilman Brooks stated that he wouldbe .in favor 0f~setting. up a Council con~mittee to work' With a citizens' committee to discuss t~ow a Human Re- lations Commission should be set up, realizing this commission should be formed from responsible people in the community. He reminded Council of the Community Relations Program ~tH~t~was adopted and thought Council should move through a committee study before setting up a Human Relations Commission. Mayor Griset stressed the importance of the matte~ and stated the Council wants to make sure every citizen in our community is treated with dignity and respect and that thls is the most important problem facing our City to- day. He said we cannot avoid facing the fact that there is insecurity and fear in our minority communities and we need to communicate with our citizens in a way that these fears will be dispelled and we can live together in the harmony most of us want. Mayor Griset mentioned that the Santa Arm Co- ordinating Council, which was stipulated as the official organization in our Community Relations Program, ~had not functioned well and he did not know the reason for this~ and he was not sure that appointing a Human Relations Commission would accomplish what the Council wants to accomplish. Councilman Villa stated that many organizations and people had 'requested the formation of a Human Relations Commission; that a commission could be good or could be adverse, but he thought Council should take some action immediately, and he felt Councilman Patterson's suggestion to appoint a committee was a very good one. Councilman Brooks stated that he agreed with Councilmen Patterson and Villa and thought Council should appoint a committee tonight. Reverend Galal Gough commended the Mayor, City Manager, and Police Chief for their words and conduc~ during the recent tense period in the City. Reverend Gough said he was in~- favor of a Human Relations Commis- sion and that the Council of Churches was anxious for such a commission. James J. King, 2001 South Forest Street, member of the N.A.A. spoke stating that his association did not understand what the duties of the Community Relations Coordinater were and thought his interests would be the interests of the City Manager rather than the interests of the community. He stated that the people had no one to turn to during the crisis of a few weeks ago, and he felt if there were a Human Relations Commission, with representation from the minority community, then these people would have someone to turn to and someone who could act on their behalf, since very few people in a minority community would dare to go to the Police Chief or a City official to voice a complaint. CITY COUNCIL -270- July 7, 1969