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To amend City Code §§ 2-894, 2-895, and 2-896, concerning the functions, duties, and administration of the Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board, for the purpose of modifying the member qualifications, duties, and administration of the Board.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That sections 2-894, 2-895, and 2-896 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2015) be and are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
Sec. 2-894. Functions.
(a) Composition. The Board shall be composed of sixteen members, including seven members appointed by the Mayor, eight members appointed by the Council, and the Director of Community Wealth Building, who shall be a non-voting member. All appointments shall be otherwise governed by sections 2-755 and 2-756 of this Code.
(b) Qualifications.
(1) Mayoral appointments. The Mayor shall appoint members from each of the following categories:
a. Four persons who, at the time of appointment, reside in a [census tract] City Council district within the City of Richmond with a poverty rate of at least [25%] 20 percent At least one of the four persons shall, at the time of appointment, be a tenant of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority or a recipient of Section 8 housing vouchers from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
b. A representative of a service provider assisting low-income individuals or families.
c. A representative of a community organization or advocacy group with a primary focus on the reduction of poverty and who resides within the City of Richmond.
d. A person who resides within the city of Richmond.
(2) Council appointments. The Council shall appoint members from each of the following categories:
a. Four persons who, at the time of appointment, reside in a [census tract] City Council district within the city of Richmond with a poverty rate of at least [25%] 20 percent At least one of the four persons shall, at the time of appointment, be a tenant of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority or a recipient of Section 8 housing vouchers from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
b. A business owner or a representative of a business with a workforce made up of employees, the majority of whom reside in the city of Richmond.
c. A representative of a college or university located within the city of Richmond with expertise in studying poverty or in program evaluation.
d. A person who resides within the city of Richmond.
e. A member of the City Council, who shall be a non-voting member of the Board and shall serve as co-chair.
(c) Terms of office. Of the voting members initially appointed, five members shall be appointed for a term of one year, five members shall be appointed for a term of two years and four members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter, voting members shall be appointed for terms of three years. However, the Director of Community Wealth Building shall serve as an ex officio member and the member of the City Council shall be appointed by resolution of the City Council in the same manner as appointments to Standing Committees of the City Council and shall be appointed for a term that shall expire as provided in such resolution. The members of the Board shall serve no more than two successive full terms; provided, however, that persons appointed to fill an unexpired term may serve two successive full terms upon completion of the unexpired term for which the person has been appointed. Members appointed pursuant to subsections (b)(1)(a) and (b)(2)(a) of this section who, after such appointment, no longer meet the qualifications specified therein may complete their full term and hold office until a qualified successor is appointed. All other aspects of the Board and its membership not addressed in this division shall be governed by Chapter 2, Article V, Division 1, of this Code.
(d) Compensation. The voting members of the Board shall receive a per diem compensation of $50.00 for each meeting of the Board for which such members are actually engaged in the duties of the Board; provided, however, that no member shall receive more than $600.00 per fiscal year for compensation.
Sec. 2-895. Duties and functions; reporting.
(a) Duties and functions. The Board shall monitor, evaluate and provide advice and recommendations to the Mayor, the City Council, and [a Human Services Manager] the Director of Community Wealth Building concerning the City’s poverty reduction and wealth building initiatives and the City’s progress towards achieving its poverty reduction objectives. For purposes of Section 2-761, the Board is classified as “advisory.” In addition, the Board shall fulfill the following duties and functions:
(1) [Monitor and provide] Provide advice to the [Mayor and a Human Services Manager] Director of Community Wealth Building concerning the City’s comprehensive poverty reduction and community wealth building efforts.
(2) Review reports and evaluations concerning the progress of the City’s poverty reduction and community wealth building initiatives and compliance with the objectives of, funding for, and grant requirements and contractual obligations to be performed by the Office of Community Wealth Building.
(3) Review and evaluate proposals for poverty reduction and community wealth building initiatives submitted to the City.
(4) [Educate] Inform the citizens of the City of Richmond on issues of poverty and the City’s [efforts] policies and actions to address [such] poverty-related issues.
(5) Engage the citizens of the City of Richmond in public forums concerning the progress of the City's poverty reduction and community wealth building initiatives and concerning [urgent] issues affecting low-income communities in the City of Richmond.
(b) Reporting. The Board shall provide the Mayor and a Human Services Manager with quarterly reports concerning its performance and the completion of the duties and functions set forth in Subsection (a) of this section.
Sec. 2-896. Administration.
The [Council Chief of Staff] Office of Community Wealth Building shall provide the necessary support for the Board. The Board shall meet at least once [a month] each quarter and as often as the Board may deem necessary. The Board shall keep minutes of its meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Nine members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall select from among its membership a member who is a resident of the City of Richmond to serve as co-Chair of the Board with the member of the Council pursuant to Section 2-894. The Board may adopt rules of procedure or bylaws, approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney and not inconsistent with this division or other applicable law, to govern the conduct of its meetings and affairs.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.