City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK JINKS, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 2-4-180 (CREATION, COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION) of Article W (ALEXANDRIA GANG PREVENTION COMMUNITY TASK FORCE) of Chapter 4 (COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS) of Title 2 (GENERAL GOVERNMENT) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to amend the qualifications for membership on the Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force to remove restrictions on certain positions.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council introduce the ordinance, pass the ordinance on first reading, and hold a public hearing on the ordinance on November 14, 2020, and after public hearing, adopt the ordinance on November 14, 2020.
DISCUSSION: The Alexandria Gang Prevention Community Task Force, pursuant to City Code Section 2-4-180, is comprised of 17 members appointed by city council, including one member from and representing a community organization with specific outreach to the Latino community and one member representing a community organization with specific outreach to the African-American community. By using the language, “one member from and representing the Latinx or African-American community” we expand the opportunity for people from the Latinx or African-American community to apply to be a member of the Gang Prevention Community Task Force. To address these concerns, the task force has requested an amendment to City Code Sections 2-4-180(b)(8) and 2-4-180(b)(9) that broadens the membership qualifications for both positions, thus permitting consideration of additional candidates.
The proposed ordinance as currently drafted removes language from City Code Section 2-4-180 that requires the two members to be affiliated with a community organization with specific outreach to the relevant communities. As a result, membership criteria for the task force will include “one member from and representing the Latino community” and “one member from and representing the African-American community” without additional limitations.
The City Council is empowered, pursuant to Section 3.04(g) of the Alexandria City Charter, to amend this section of the city code governing the composition of the task force.
FISCAL IMPACT: There would be no fiscal impact associated with this ordinance change.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance Cover Sheet
2. Proposed Ordinance
STAFF:
Joanna C. Anderson, City Attorney
David E. Lanier, Assistant City Attorney
Percy White, Gang Prevention & Intervention Coordinator