16722NO. 16,722
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A RACE
RELATIONS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF LITTLE
ROCK; SPECIFYING THE NUMBER OF
MEMBERS AND THE MANNER OF APPOINTMENT;
SPECIFYING THE DUTIES OF THE
COMMISSION; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
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WHEREAS, FUTURE- Little Rock established the need for such
a race relations commission for the City of Little Rock; and
WHEREAS, the Race Relations Task Force met and proposed
the creation of a race relations and cultural diversity
commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1. The City hereby authorizes a commission to be
known as the Little Rock Racial and Cultural Diversity
Commission to fulfill the purposes of this ordinance.
SECTION 2. Purpose. The purpose of the Commission is to
ensure that all the residents of the City and all persons
subject to its jurisdiction enjoy equal freedom to pursue their
aspirations without discrimination because of race, ethnicity,
color, or national origin.
SECTION 3. Membership. The Commission shall consist of
seventeen (17) members to be selected as follows:
(a) Seven (7) members shall be selected by ward by the
Board of Directors.
(b) Seven (7) members shall be selected by the Board of
Directors from the recommendations of the Race Relations
Task Force. After the term of such a Commission member
expires, a successor shall be selected by the Board of
Directors as a whole.
(c) Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Mayor.
After the term of such a Commission member expires, a
successor shall be appointed by the Mayor.
SECTION 4. Terms of members. Nine (9) initial members
will serve for two (2) years and eight (8) initial members will
serve for three (3) years. Tenures will be determined by a
drawing. After the initial appointment, all appointments shall
be for a period of three (3) years.
SECTION S. Vacancies. If any member of the Commission
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resigns or terminates service before his or her term expires, 38 v
the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor to fill the
remainder of the term.
SECTION 6. Selection of Officers. The officers of the
Commission shall consist of a Chair and a Co -chair and such
other officers as shall be determined by the Commission to be
required. These officers shall be elected by the Commission.
SECTION 7. Duties and powers. The Little Rock Racial and
Cultural Diversity Commission shall have the following duties
and powers:
(a) To draft and adopt a set of bylaws for such a
Commission and to periodically review and revise said
bylaws for necessary changes;
(b) To advise the City Manager on the appointment of an
executive director and other staff members as required by
the Commission;
(c) To prepare an annual report of the activities of the
Commission; and
(d) To advise and assist the City in combatting racism
through education, mediation and legislation;
(e) To promote equal opportunity and full exercise of
civil rights for all persons without discrimination
because of race, ethnicity, color or national origin;
and
(f) To engage in such other activities as may be referred
to the Commission by the Board of Directors.
PASSED: August 2, 1994 k
A�TTESST:
ROBBZ NCO �
CITY CLERK
APP OVED AS TO FORM:
THOMAS . CARPENTER
CITY ATTORNEY
W.,