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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Office of the Mayor
DATE: February 25, 2025
SUBJECT:
A resolution appointing 13 members and 1 student representative to the "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Board" (AANHPI).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this item is to make an initial round of appointments to AANHPI.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council approved the creation of the AANHPI Advisory Board in July of 2024. The board was created to align with the city's other established cultural/heritage advisory boards.
DISCUSSION:
The announcement of the board was made in May, in conjunction with AANHPI Heritage Month. The calls for applications were made in July and August of 2024 through the Council Committee process as well as through Communications and Marketing channels. Additional advertisements were made as part of a campaign for the city's three newest boards and commissions (AANHPI, Sister Cities and Aging in Community).
Staff conducted virtual interviews of candidates starting in November of 2024, the nominations below represent the full thirteen-member board. This board will also be appointing a non-voting student representative, Rishima Mukherjee.
The candidates are listed below:
• Abigail Kemph, Ward Two; Owner of Leilani Asian Fusion
• Anthony Ramos, NR; Vice President, Talent and Culture, and Chief Diversity Officer at Waubonsee Community College
• Christopher Loo, NR; Business Development Manager, Windfall Group
• Girish Kapur, Ward Nine resident
• Jasmine Ni, NR; Property Manager of Windfall Group
• Judy Ni, NR; Director of Real Estate of Windfall Group
• Lynda White, Ward Three resident
• Nadia Kanhai, Ward Four resident
• Pawdoh Soe, Ward Five resident
• Ralph Yamamoto, NR; Casino Services Supervisor with the Hollywood Casino
• Ram Tyagi, Ward One resident
• Rita Moy, Ward Six resident
• Tina Eggert, NR; Owner of a Hawaiian Dance School; one of the founding members of Aurora's Ukulele Festival
• Rishima Mukherjee, Student Representative, Illinois Math and Science Academy
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of these members will allow the AANHPI to begin the work outlined in the code.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff respectfully request approval of these appointments.
cc: Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution appointing thirteen inaugural members and one student representative to the "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Board" (AANHPI).
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances provides that the Mayor, shall, with the approval of the City Council, appoint the members of the advisory boards and commissions of the City; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances, the Mayor has notified the City Council of the appointment of the individuals listed in Exhibits A through M of this resolution to the advisory board or commission and to the term therein enumerated, and has requested the City Council’s approval of said appointments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the appointees set forth in Exhibits A through M of this resolution possess the necessary qualifications to serve in the position to which they have been nominated;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the appointments of the individuals listed in Exhibits A through M of this resolution shall be and hereby are approved.