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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-OR-50ORDINANCE NO. 2004-OR-50 BEFORE THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE STATE OF INDIANA AN ORDINANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ADVISORY COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF BLACK MALES Section 1: Legislative Findings. The 1992 £mal report of the Interim Study Committee on the problems of black males which was created by the Indiana General Assembly to study the social distress of Indiana's black males has found that the following conditions exist: 1) 2) 6) 7) 8) 9) Statistical studies chronicling the status of black males in American sodety reveal startling and disturbing conditions and trends. By all indicia measuring achievement, success, and quality of Iife in American society, black males are facing a prodigious struggle for survival xvhile fighting formidable opponents. Black males make up only five and one-half percent (5.5%) of the population of the United States, but are victims of forty-four percent (44o/o) of the nations homicides annually and comprise forty-sLx percent (46O/o) of the nafons prison population. Statistics show that one (1) of every twenty-two (22) black males will die as a result of homicide and that one (1) of every slx (6) black males will be arrested before becoming nineteen (19) years of age. A major proportion of black males in America is virtually trapped in urban areas defined by poverty, violence and drag abuse. Black males suffer from more debilitating health problems, a higher death rate, and a lower life expectancy than males in other ethnic and racial groups. Black females at least sixteen (16) years of age outnumber black males by more than two million (2,000,000). Between 1973 and 1988 the average real annual income for black males between twenty (20) and twenty-four (24) years of age fell by more than fifty percent ¢0%). The increasing misfortunes and the social distress bombarding black males in American society threaten the survival of black males. Section 2: State Commission. In 1993 the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males ~vas established by Public Law 143 (found at Indiana Code 12-13-12-1 et. Seq., to study and recommend legislative remedies to address the critical social problems facing the black male population in Indiana. Section 3: Local Commission. The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana, hereby declares that it finds it necessary and worthwhile to establish a local Advisor)' Commission on the Social Stares of Black Males. Section 4: Duties and Responsibilities. (a) The Conumttee shall make a systematic local study of the following: (1) The conditions described in Section 1 of this ordinance. (2) The reasons for the existence of those conditions. (b) The Commission shall propose measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of the conditions described in Section 1 of this Ordinance. (c) The Comrmssion may study other topics suggested by the state commission or as directed by the chak'person of the local commission. (d) The Commission shall receive suggestions or comments pertinent to the issues that the commission studies from members of the local council, governmental agencies, public and private organizations, and private citizens. Section 5: Relationship Between the State Commigsion and Local Commission. Principles of cooperation wiJl govern the relationship of this commission with the State Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. The state commission and local commission will make every effort to: (1) Assist each other to reach the common goals associated with the purpose of this Ordinance. (2) Communicate to avoid duplication of efforts and/or interference with activities. 0) Exchange information. Section 6: Commission Membership. The Commission shall consist of thirteen (13) members appointed as follows: O) (2) O) (4) O) (6) Txvo (2) members appointed by the Common Council ~vho shall each be a black male. Two (2) members of the local clergy, one (1) appointed by the Common Council and one (1) appointed by the Mayor. The superintendent of Greater Clark County Schools or the superintendent's designee. The director of the Clark County NAACP or the director's designee. Two (2) business persons, one (1) appointed by the Common Council and one (1) appointed by the Mayor, who must be a minority business person. The Chief of police or the Chiefs designee. 2 (7) A youth member (must be either a Junior and Senior in High School) appointed by the other members of the commission. (8) The Mayor or the Mayor's designee. (9) The Clark County director for the division of family and children or the director's designee. (10) A black male who shall be appointed by the Community Action of Southern Indiana. Section 7: Removal, Vacancies and Terms. (a) A member of the Commission may be removed at any time by the appointing authority. (b) The appointing authority shall fill a vacancy on the Commission by appointing a new member for the un-expired term. (c) The term of each member shall expire on December 31, 2007. Section 8: Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. (a) At the first meeting of the Commission each year, the member shall elect: (1) One (1) member to be the Commission's chairperson; and (2) One (1) member to be the Commission's vice chairperson. (b) A vacancy in the office of the chairperson or vice chairperson shall be fi/led by vote of the remaining members. The term of office of a person chosen to fill a vacancy expires at the first meeting of the cormmssion the folloxving year. Section 9: Meetings. The Commission shall meet on call of the Chairperson and at other times that the Commission determines. Section 10.'__Q_uomm. A majority of the members of the Commission is a quorum. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting members of the Commission are requited for the Commission to take final action. Section 11: Annual Report. The Commission shall issue an annual report stating its activities, findings, conclusions and recommendations. The Commission shall submit the report to the Common Council. 3 Section 12: Reimbursement for Expenses. The Common Council may provide for reimbursement the necessary expenses incurred by members in connection with the performance of Comrmssion duties not to exceed $500.00 per year. Section 13: Ex~x3.tion. This ordinance shall expire on December 31, 2007. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval Passed this (Tq 7 day of 0.Lb ,2004 ATTEST: p eg~ ~tJer Clerk and Treasurer Presented by me as Clerk and Treasurer to the Mayor of said City' of Jeffersonville this ~2-~ dayof _/~r~t~ ,2004at ~'.~(3 e~m. Peggy ~c~r ~ This Ordinance approved and signed by ~~//~ ~ , 2004. Rob~erffl~. Waiz/Jr., Mayor 4