Title
An Ordinance enacting Article L of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances creating the Racial Justice and Equality Commission. [Council Office, Maynard]
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT:
Section 1 - That Article L of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances be and hereby is enacted to read as follows:
Section 2-519. Established.
1. A commission is hereby created which shall be known as “Racial Justice and Equality Commission”.
2. The focus areas of the Commission shall be:
a. Health Disparities
b. Law Enforcement, Justice and Accountability
c. Housing and Gentrification
d. Racial Equality
e. Education and Economic Opportunity
Section 2-520. Membership.
The commission shall consist of fifteen (15) voting members appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation by the Urban County Council.
Section 2-521. Terms of members.
All members shall serve four (4) years from the date of appointment, provided that the term of the initial members shall be staggered in the following manner: eight (8) members shall be appointed for four (4) years and seven (7) members shall be appointed for two years.
Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired terms in the manner prescribed for the original appointment. Members May be appointed for two consecutive terms. Members who have served two (2) consecutive full terms shall not be eligible to succeed themselves until the lapse of twelve (12) months from the end of said terms.
Section 2-521. Meetings.
1. The commission shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping a record of its proceedings.
2. The commission shall adopt a meeting schedule, which sets forth the date, place and time for its regularly scheduled meetings.
3. Meetings shall be in compliance with the Kentucky Open Meetings Act. Special meetings May be called by the chair or a majority of the members of the commission.
4. Presiding officers for the commission shall consist of the chair and a
vice-chair. The vice-chair shall preside in the absence of the chair. The initial chair and vice-chair shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall serve a term of two years. Thereafter, the chair and vice-chair shall be determined by a majority vote of the voting members of the commission and are eligible to serve two consecutive one year terms.
Section. 2-522. Quorum.
Eight (8) voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the commission.
Section 2-523. Facilities and Staff.
1. Within the limits of funds appropriated by the urban Council in the annual Budget, the Urban County Government shall provide the commission, either directly or by Contract or Agreement, with the facilities, materials, supplies and staff needed for the conduct of its business.
2. The Department of Law, Diversity Officer and Administrative Staff from the Office of the Mayor shall serve as staff for the Commission.
Section 2-524. Reports.
Upon request by the Mayor or the Urban County Council, the Commission shall provide an activity report detailing its work.
Section 2-525. Duties and Powers.
1. The commission shall not have the power to directly operate any program.
2. The commission shall make recommendations and advise the Mayor and Urban Council for purposes of developing racial justice and equality within the city.
3. The commission shall set goals, develop strategies for reaching their goals, and create methods to measure progress towards their goals.
4. The commission shall create an annual report detailing the effects and successes of their efforts and outlining a plan for the upcoming year.
5. The commission shall engage with citizen groups for the purpose of soliciting community feedback.
6. The commission May request information or assistance from Departments and Divisions of the Government to assist the commission with its duties.
Section 2 - That this Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its passage.
PASSED URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL:
________________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
CLERK OF URBAN COUNTY COUNCIL
PUBLISHED:
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