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[COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR] ORDINANCE NO. 260506
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Sponsor: Councilmember Wes Rogers
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
Amending Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled "Boards, Commissions and Committees," by enacting a new Division 6, entitled “Welcoming KC Commission,” consisting of Sections 2-851 through 2-857, to formally establish such commission; directing the City Manager to appoint a liaison and coordinate departmental support for the commission; and dissolving the Mayor's Commission for New Americans, to be replaced by the Welcoming KC Commission created herein.
“Advance and Do Pass as a Committee Substitute”
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WHEREAS, Kansas City is home to newcomer, immigrant, and refugee residents whose full participation in civic life strengthens the City and its neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Commission for New Americans conducted community engagement and developed recommendations concerning how the City can better serve immigrant and refugee communities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to build upon that work by establishing an advisory body to provide ongoing resident-led input regarding inclusive service delivery, civic participation, language access, emergency communications, and neighborhood inclusion; and
WHEREAS, the January 2026 Certified Welcoming Audit identified the need for a formalized and active advisory body to sustain the City’s welcoming efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Welcoming KC Commission will provide an ongoing forum for residents, community-based organizations, and City departments to identify barriers to City services and recommend improvements; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commissions, and Committees,” is hereby amended by enacting a new Division 6, entitled “Welcoming KC Commission,” consisting of Sections 2-851 through 2-857, to read as follows:
DIVISION 6.
WELCOMING KC COMMISSION.
Sec. 2-851. Establishment and purpose.
There is hereby established an advisory body to be known as the Welcoming KC Commission. The purpose of the commission shall be to ensure newcomer and immigrant families in Kansas City have equitable access to city services, drive robust civic participation, and to provide a framework for resident-led oversight of inclusive service delivery. The commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City on issues consistent with its purpose.
Sec. 2-852. Membership and appointment.
(a) The commission shall consist of twelve members appointed by the mayor with the following structure:
(1) District seats. Six members shall be appointed with one member from each of the six council districts. Each such member shall reside in the council district from which the member is appointed. The council member representing each district may solicit recommendations from community-based organizations and residents within that district and forward recommended qualified candidates to the mayor for consideration.
(2) Organizational seats. Six members shall be appointed to represent community-based organizations serving Kansas City's immigrant, refugee, and newcomer populations. These seats shall include representation from at least: one refugee resettlement agency; one immigrant legal services provider; one faith-based organization serving immigrant communities; one labor or workforce development organization; and one public school, library, or education partner. The sixth organizational seat shall be filled at the mayor's discretion to reflect community need.
(b) To promote grassroots representation, council members may solicit recommendations from community-based organizations and agencies serving residents within that council member’s district and then forward recommended qualified resident candidates to the mayor for consideration. Members shall be appointed by the mayor, who shall retain final authority to select and appoint members from the nominations.
(c) Appointments should seek to include members with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and connections to Kansas City’s diverse communities, including those with experience serving immigrant and refugee communities.
Sec. 2-853. Terms; removal; vacancies.
(a) Terms. Each member of the commission shall be appointed for a two-year term. The terms shall be staggered. To effectuate a staggering of terms, six of the initial appointments shall be for three years, while the remainder shall be for two years.
(b) Removal. The mayor may remove any member of the commission if the member has more than three unexcused consecutive commission meetings.
(c) Vacancies. The mayor may appoint a member to complete the remaining term of any vacant position. The council member representing the district in which the vacancy occurs may submit recommended qualified candidates to the mayor for consideration.
Sec. 2-854. Chairperson; other officers.
The mayor shall appoint one member of the commission to serve as chairperson. The commission may elect a vice-chairperson and any other officers it deems necessary from among its members.
Sec. 2-855. Meetings and procedures.
The commission shall conduct its meetings and business in accordance with the standing rules for boards, commissions, and task forces set forth in section 2-723 of the Code of Ordinances.
Sec. 2-856. Annual report.
The commission shall submit an annual report to the City Council and Mayor no later than March 31 of each year. The report shall include:
(1) a summary of the commission's activities and recommendations during the preceding year;
(2) an assessment of progress made by City departments on prior recommendations;
(3) identified barriers to equitable access to City services for newcomer, immigrant, and refugee residents; and
(4) recommended priorities for the coming year.
The City Manager's liaison shall provide administrative support in preparing the report.
Sec. 2-857. Welcoming America Certification.
The commission shall serve as the primary resident-led body supporting the City's pursuit of Welcoming America certification and certification advancement. The commission shall: (1) review and prioritize recommendations arising from any Welcoming America audit or assessment; (2) advise the City on strategies to meet certification standards; and (3) report annually on the City's progress toward certification goals as part of the report required under Section 2-856
Secs. 2-858-2-870. Reserved.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to appoint a liaison to the Welcoming KC Commission. The City Manager shall coordinate, as appropriate, the involvement of relevant City departments, offices, and staff to support the Commission’s advisory work, including matters related to language access, inclusive service delivery, community engagement, and emergency communications.
Section 3. The Welcoming KC Commission established herein shall supersede and replace the Mayor's Commission for New Americans, which has been inactive. Upon the effective date of this ordinance, the Mayor's Commission for New Americans is hereby dissolved, and any pending business, records, or recommendations of that commission shall be transferred to the Welcoming KC Commission for review and consideration as the new commission deems appropriate.
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Approved as to form:
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Joseph A. Guarino
Senior Associate City Attorney