Title
An Ordinance creating Article XXXXVII in Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to create the Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission. [Council Office, Maynard]
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
Section 1 - That Article XXXXVII in Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances be and hereby is created to read as follows:
Sec. 2-495. Created.
(a) A commission is hereby created which shall be
known as the "Mayor's International Affairs Advisory Commission".
(b) The Commission, consisting of individuals with experience and expertise in international affairs in both the public and private sectors, is established for the purpose of providing information and advice to the Mayor and the Urban County Council concerning issues affecting foreign-born residents of Lexington-Fayette County as well as international issues that affect the community-at-large.
Sec. 2-496. Membership.
The commission shall consist of twenty-three (23) members, seventeen (17) of which shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority of the council. The seventeen (17) appointed members shall consist of two (2) members from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council; Ten (10) members shall be selected from Lexington-Fayette County foreign-born residents who shall be from and represent the following international geographic areas: two (2) representatives from Africa; two (2) representatives from Asia; two (2) representatives from Europe; two (2) representatives from the Americas; and two (2) representatives from the Middle East.
Five (5) members shall be from the community-at-large, from academia or other organizations which specialize in or have specific interests or competencies in global business, immigration, refugees, or international affairs.
Six (6) members shall be the following urban county government officers: the chief administrative officer or designee, the commissioner of social services or designee, the commissioner of general services or designee, the commissioner of public safety or designee, the chief development officer or designee and the Multicultural Affairs Coordinator. The six (6) members from the urban county government shall be non-voting ex-officio members.
Sec. 2-497. Terms of office.
The members of the commission, other than ex-officio members, shall serve a term of four (4) years from the date of appointment, provided the terms of those originally appointed shall be staggered in the following manner: Eight (8) members shall be appointed for two (2) years and nine (9) members shall be appointed for four (4) years. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner prescribed for the original appointment. Members of the commission may only serve two (2) consecutive terms. Members of the commission who have served two (2) consecutive full terms shall not be able to succeed themselves until the lapse of twelve (12) months from the end of said term. The membership of the two (2) urban county council members and the other ex-officio members shall be deemed to have terminated upon their leaving office as members of the urban county council or as officers of the urban county government.
Sec. 2-498. Quorum.
A majority of the voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the commission. The acts of the majority of those present at any regular or special meeting of the commission shall be the acts of the commission.
Sec. 2-499. General Powers.
The commission may enter into contracts, expend such funds as may become available to it, and adopt bylaws, rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out its duties and purposes set forth in this article. The commission shall not acquire any interest in real property without the expressed prior consent of the mayor and the urban county council.
Sec. 2-500. Duties.
The commission shall, as permitted by law:
(1) Promote cultural understanding, education, civic engagement and cooperation;
(2) Provide international expertise, advocacy and resources for the benefit of the greater community;
(3) Lend vision, guidance, and support to the Lexington Global Engagement Center;
(4) Assess the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of services appropriate to enhance and provide the necessary quality of life of foreign-born residents utilizing input from departments and divisions of the urban county government and the private sector;
(5) Foster international community relationships and inclusion to aid the integration and adaptation of immigrants and minorities into American culture and society being inclusive of local cultures and the community-at-large;
(6) Review and make recommendations on all aspects of the urban county budget pertaining to the duties and purpose of the commission;
(7) Apply for, receive and disburse funds and contracts with any state, federal, public or private agency for the purpose of carrying out its duties as set forth herein, utilizing staff made available to or employed by it;
(8) Review, provide technical assistance, recommend, stimulate and/or endorse projects, opportunities and programs in both the public and private sector which have a bearing on international affairs, services or persons;
(9) Engage local, state, national and international leaders and institutions to network and build mutual respect and understanding among the many nations represented in the Lexington-Fayette county community;
(10) Solicit and receive contributions, prepare surveys and studies, conduct conferences, sponsor educational/promotional programs related to services and needs of international persons, and engage in other activities appropriate to the goals of the Commission.
Sec. 2-501. Reports; no power to operate programs.
The commission shall regularly report to the mayor and the urban county council. The commission shall not have the power to directly operate any program.
Section 2 - That this Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its passage.
PASSED URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL:
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CLERK OF URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL