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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Mayor's Office Staff
Law Department
DATE: July 1, 2021
SUBJECT:
An ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances pertaining to the City's Officers and Departments.
BACKGROUND:
In 2009, the city underwent a substantial re-organization and re-aligned several city departments, but did not update the code. In 2017, the City Council approved substantial changes that codified new and existing departments (Legistar File 17-00759, attached). This document seeks to update the code again to address current community and departmental needs.
DISCUSSION:
Most proposed changes either seek to add support positions to existing departments and divisions; some existing departments/divisions are restructured to better serve the needs of the community.
Proposed Existing Departmental Changes:
Public Works:
• Assistant Director/Assistant City Engineer (Approved by Council in 2018, not codified)
• Assistant Superintendent of Street Maintenance
Development Services:
• Director of Development Services
• Assistant Director of Economic Development
Human Resources:
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Division of Human Resources
• Division of Training & Development
Proposed Structural Changes:
Innovation & Core Services:
• Split into two separate departments: Community Services and Information Technology (IT);
• Community Services Divisions:
o Innovation
o Community Development
o Community Engagement
o Customer Service
• Information Technology Divisions:
o Data & Analytics
o GIS
o Cyber & Technology Risk
o Infrastructure & Operations
o Service Desk
o Project Management
Community Relations & Public Information:
• Re-named “Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs”
• Proposed Divisions are:
o Communications
o Equity
o Special Events
Law Department & City Clerk:
• City Clerk will be re-aligned and moved under the Law Department.
• The realignment reaffirms that responsibility for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act is a shared responsibility across all offices and departments.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval of these changes will allow the city to operate in compliance with the city code.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully requested the Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee forward this proposal.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the City's Officers and Departments.
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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, Section 2-17 of the Code of Ordinances provides that the City Council shall have the power to the administrative departments of the city and define the scope and duties of each department and division thereof and to define and prescribe by ordinance the professional and technical qualifications, the powers and the duties of appointive officers and employees; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has recommended that various offices, departments, and divisions of the city should be reorganized; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has reduced such recommendations to a discrete legislative proposal set forth in Exhibit A to this Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the reorganization of the offices, departments, and divisions of the city proposed by the Mayor is in the best interests of the City and its residents;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances shall be and hereby is amended as set forth in Exhibit A; and further
BE IT ORDAINED, that the Corporation Counsel and City Clerk shall be and hereby are authorized and directed to correct any scrivener's or other non-substantive errors in Exhibit A upon codification.