ORDINANCE NO. 240222
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Sponsor: Councilmembers Ryana Parks-Shaw and Andrea Bough and Mayor Quinton Lucas
Amending Chapter 2, Article V, Code of Ordinances, by enacting new Division 24, entitled “Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs,” and directing the City Manager to report to Council within 120 days on the development of a comprehensive plan to guide the functions of this office.
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WHEREAS, the Kansas City region is home to over 150,000 immigrants; and
WHEREAS, immigrants and refugees are an essential part of the fabric of Kansas City; and
WHEREAS, Kansas City seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive place for all; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to ensure that immigrants and refugees are successfully integrated into the civic, economic, and cultural life of Kansas City; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article V, Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended by enacting a new Division 24, entitled “Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs,” to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE V, DIVISION 24
OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS
Sec. 2-721. Establishment; officer.
There is hereby established an office of immigrant and refugee affairs to be supervised by the immigrant and refugee affairs officer. The immigrant and refugee affairs officer shall be appointed by and responsible to the city manager. It is the purpose of the office of immigrant and refugee affairs to facilitate the successful inclusion and integration of immigrants and refugees into the civic, economic, and cultural life of Kansas City.
Sec. 2-722. Powers and duties of officer.
(a) The immigrant and refugee affairs officer shall perform such functions and have such duties, powers, and authorities as are prescribed in this division, or as otherwise required by the city manager or by ordinance.
(b) The immigrant and refugee affairs officer, in supervising the office of immigrant and refugee affairs, shall be responsible for all of the following:
(1) Develop and coordinate implementation of City policies facilitating the successful inclusion and integration of immigrant and refugee communities into the civic, economic, and cultural life of Kansas City;
(2) Promote immigrants’ and refugees’ access to services from, and equal treatment by, City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and other governmental agencies;
(3) Serve as a liaison between the City and its immigrant and refugee communities and relevant community partners in order to support the safety, growth, and general welfare of such communities.
Sec. 2-723 - 2-727. Reserved.
Section 2. That the City Manager and Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Officer are hereby directed to, within 120 days of the passage of this ordinance, develop a comprehensive plan that promotes equal opportunity for immigrants and refugees in Kansas City that fully addresses the responsibilities of such office set forth above, and to recommend any appropriate amendments to the City’s Code in order to effectuate such plan. In developing such plan, the City Manager shall make efforts to appropriately solicit and incorporate relevant public input.
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Approved as to form:
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Bret Kassen
Associate City Attorney