This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the diversity
and inclusion commission ordinance of the city.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20)
For the purpose of this division, the following definitions
shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different
meaning.
Commission.
The diversity and inclusion commission of the city.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20)
(a) Creation.
There is hereby created the diversity and
inclusion commission of the city.
(b) Membership.
(1) All commission members shall be appointed by the city council and
shall serve without compensation.
(2) The commission shall be composed of seven members to serve three-year
terms.
(3) Each candidate for appointment as a member of the diversity and inclusion
commission shall be at least eighteen (18) years old and shall have
resided within the corporate city limits, within territory annexed
prior to the appointment, or within the boundaries of the Hutto Independent
School District for at least twelve months preceding the appointment.
The diversity and inclusion commission shall, to the extent possible,
be broadly representative of economic status, race, color, religion,
gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, physical or mental
disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
(4) Commission members shall serve without compensation and shall not
be employed by or hold any other position in city government. In addition
to any other requirements prescribed by the city council, members
shall maintain the qualifications established by this section while
in office.
(5) Members of the commission shall be limited to three consecutive full
terms in office. A person who has served three consecutive full terms
as a regular member may not again hold the same office until at least
one term out of office has passed.
(6) The commission members shall serve staggered three-year terms that
will coincide with the term of the member of the city council with
the same place number.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20; Ordinance O-2022-031 adopted 7/7/22; Ordinance O-2023-073 adopted 11/2/2023)
(a) Officers.
The commission shall elect from its members,
at the first meeting of the commission held on or after January 1st
of each year, a chairman and a vice-chair, and may elect a secretary.
Such officers shall hold office for terms of one year, or until their
successors take office.
(b) The
commission shall establish rules of procedure consistent with city
ordinances, resolutions, and regulations.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20)
(a) Any
member who moves one’s residence outside the city limits shall
automatically be dismissed from membership.
(b) No
member of the commission shall remain in his/her position after being
elected or appointed to city, county or state board or office.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20; Ordinance
O-2022-051 adopted 2022)
(a) The
commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each month and
shall fix regular meeting dates at a regular meeting place. Special
meetings may be called as necessary. A majority of the commission
members serving shall constitute a quorum to do business.
(b) All
meetings shall be held in accordance with the Texas Open Meeting Act
(Tex. Gov’t Code, §§551.001 et seq.), as it now exists,
or as same may hereafter be amended or codified, to the extent of
its applicability to the commission.
(c) Every
regular or special meeting of the commission shall be open to the
public, except as may be authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20)
(a) The
commission shall serve in an advisory capacity and render recommendations
upon request of the city council to include, without limitation, as
follows.
(1) Create focused recommendations specific to the city related to equity
and empowerment issues.
(2) Actively promote community awareness and education on the value of
diversity.
(3) Promote equity on the basis of economic status, race, color, religion,
gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, lawful source of
income, physical or mental disability, familial status, sexual orientation
and gender identity.
(4) Develop recommendations for actions to strengthen policies, practices,
services and programs.
(5) Create a culture and framework of community equity, diversity and
inclusion awareness efforts, programs and activities that are available
and accessible to all community members.
(b) The
commission shall provide upon request of the city council coordination,
collaboration, innovation and focus to development effective solutions
to address equity and empowerment issues.
(c) The
commission shall provide an annual report to the city council by January
31st of each year and may be required to provide additional reports
upon request of the city council.
(Ordinance O-2020-021 adopted 7/16/20)
A quorum of the commission shall consist of three (3) members.
(Ordinance O-2023-073 adopted 11/2/2023)
An action of the commission shall be approved by three (3) members.
(Ordinance O-2023-073 adopted 11/2/2023)