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TO: Aurora City Council
FROM: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
DATE: March 13, 2014
SUBJECT:
A Resolution Amending the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board By-Laws.
DISCUSSION:
The Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board (AHHAB) was founded in 2002. In 2009, board leadership put forth a resolution requesting to amend the by-laws to increase the minimum number of members from seventeen (17) to twenty-one (21). The increase was proposed to encourage greater community participation and diversify board composition. The amended by-laws also included restrictive attendance expectations, making it difficult to attract and keep quality volunteer members.
The amended resolution passed in 2009; however, the board was unable to obtain twenty-one (21) members in the period between 2009 - 2013. Under new leadership and in partnership with the Mayor's Office, the current board proposed amending the ordinance for 2014. The proposed changes include:
- A more concise, focused mission statement
- Changing the maximum number of members back to seventeen (17)
- Formalizing the policy of allowing only 25% of the members to be non-Aurora residents
- Creating more workable attendance policies for the all-volunteer board while still prioritizing commitment to AHHAB's mission statement
- Instead of focusing on hosting multiple events, AHHAB will host two annual events and utilize the majority of the board's resources to support other community-wide events that promote or preserve Hispanic Heritage and culture throughout the City of Aurora.
RECOMMENDATION:
The AHHAB board and Mayor's Office worked collaboratively to amend the by-laws in a way that allows the board to focus on their mission statement and support community events in a productive manner. Changing the number of members back to seventeen (17) also creates a more manageable board structure and attainable membership expectations.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Amending the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board By-Laws.
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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, the Mayor and City Council established the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board to promote awareness and cultural understanding; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board is a non-partisan advisory board whose purpose is to serve as a bridge between the Hispanic Community and all other communities in the City of Aurora; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board will also recognize the diversity throughout the City of Aurora and shall therefore make a conscious effort to be all-inclusive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, that the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board by-laws as amended be herby adopted.
PASSED AND APPROVED on ______________.
AYES ____ NAYS ____ NOT VOTING ____ ABSENT ____
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Alderman Bohman, Ward 1 Alderman Garza, Ward 2
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Alderman Mesiacos, Ward 3 Alderman Donnell, Ward 4
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Alderman Peters, Ward 5 Alderman Saville, Ward 6
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Alderman Hart-Burns, Ward 7 Alderman Mervine, Ward 8
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Alderman Bugg, Ward 9 Alderman Johnson, Ward 10
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Alderman Irvin, At Large Alderman O'Connor, At Large
ATTEST:
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City Clerk Mayor
Attachments:
Redlined By-Laws to reflect changes
Amended By-Laws