CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 20, 2023
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. ___ AMENDING AND REPLACING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 3.60 OF THE PLEASANT HILL MUNICIPAL
CODE REGARDING THE COMPOSITION OF THE CITY OF
PLEASANT HILL'S DIVERSITY COMMISSION
SYNOPSIS
In 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 944 to establish the Diversity Commission with one city councilmember included in the Commission’s composition. The Councilmember appointed to the Diversity Commission resigned from the City Council effective December 31, 2022 as he was elected to a seat on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The position has remained vacant on the Commission since his resignation. Now that the Diversity Commission has been in place and active for over a year, the Mayor asked staff to bring forward an ordinance for the City Council to consider changing the councilmember position on the Diversity Commission to a member of the public. The proposed ordinance is attached for review and consideration by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Background
On May 17, 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 944 establishing the Diversity Commission. The composition of the nine-member Commission was adopted as:
One city councilmember;
One commissioner from the City Planning Commission;
A minimum of four residents of the city; and
Three residents of the city or the owners or employees of a business (holding a valid City of Pleasant Hill business license) located within the city.
Councilmember Ken Carlson was appointed to the Diversity Commission. He was elected to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors in November 2022 and subsequently resigned from the City Council, leaving his seat on the Diversity Commission vacant.
Analysis
The Diversity Commission is broadly tasked with making recommendations to the City Council on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion, including, but not limited to: proposing appropriate diversity, social justice, and equity training; proactively planning inclusive and welcoming events; making policy recommendations to the City Council regarding diversity and inclusion; advising the City Council on ways to recognize and reaffirm the mission of the Council’s 2017 inclusion resolution; and liaising with the Civic Action, Education, and Planning Commissions and the Commission on Aging.
The Commission has been meeting and active since September 2021 and has successfully and proactively planned and participated in City events and created a citywide inclusionary program, liaised with other commissions, and partnered with the County on a Community Service Day Project. Commissioners have established a relationship with the City’s Police Department, and the Commission has become an effective resource in the community.
The Commission has passed its one-year anniversary and has continued to successfully move forward in the absence of the councilmember appointee. The Mayor is therefore requesting that the City Council consider adopting an ordinance to change the councilmember appointment to the Diversity Commission to a fourth resident of the city or the owner or employee of a business (holding a valid City of Pleasant Hill business license) located within the city.
Staff has drafted a proposed ordinance (attached) for introduction by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to introducing the ordinance.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Introduce the proposed ordinance.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
The City Council could choose not to introduce the proposed ordinance and provide additional direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed ordinance
Prepared by: Danielle K. Habr, Principal Management Analyst/City Clerk Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager