ORDINANCE NO. 250931
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Amending Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances, Administration, by enacting a new Section 2-11 to establish a process by which the mayor or any member of council, the clerk, the city auditor, or the city manager may seek reimbursement for legal expenses incurred in the process of seeking or enforcing an order of protection.
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WHEREAS, elected officials and Charter officials must be able to serve their communities without fear of threats, intimidation, or violence; and
WHEREAS, violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in civic life; and
WHEREAS, public officials have been subject to unprecedented violence and danger in recent years; and
WHEREAS, it may be necessary from time to time for an elected official or Charter official to seek protection from the judicial system to prevent threats, intimidation, or violence experienced due to their position; and
WHEREAS, Council wishes to support such actions with a program to provide reimbursement should an elected or charter official incur legal expenses as a result of obtaining or enforcing an order of protection; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. Chapter 2, Code of Ordinances, ADMINISTRATION, is amended by enacting a new Section 2-11 to read as follows:
Sec. 2-11. - Reimbursement of legal expenses.
(a) Public purpose established. Whenever the mayor or any member of the city council, the clerk, the city auditor, or the city manager seeks or moves to enforce an order of protection or similar judicial order to restrain an individual or individuals from harassing behavior that materially frustrates the administration of their respective office, he or she may apply to the city attorney for reimbursement of legal expenses from the legal expense fund.
(b) Definition. As used in this provision, the term “legal expenses” shall include attorney fees, witness fees, handwriting expert fees, stenographer fees, court costs, investigator fees, and other direct costs in connection with the judicial action.
(c) Reporting. The city attorney shall report to the council committee with oversight of public safety matters on a quarterly basis as to the number, type, and amount of any request submitted during the preceding quarter. Any report shall be presented without identification of the official or officials that submitted a request for reimbursement.
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Approved as to form:
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Katherine Chandler
Senior Associate City Attorney