Proposed Amendment Language Provided By Council Member Bana:
Amendment to AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND LIMITING
SERVICE TO SERVING ON ONLY ONE CITY BODY AT A TIME AND ESTABLISHING A NEPOTISM
POLICY FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES, AND TASK FORCES
E: Political Affiliates and Democratic Representation on Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Task Forces
1. Limitation on Political Affiliates: a. No more than 35% of appointed members of any board, commission, committee, or task force may be active members of any one political advocacy group or organization whose primary purpose is to promote specific candidates or policies at the city or county level of government. b. This provision applies to organizations or advocacy groups focused specifically on city or county-level elections or policies. It does not apply to members of broader political parties (e.g., Democratic or Republican parties) unless the individual is actively participating in organizing, managing, or campaigning for city or county-level candidates or policies. c.
Political Affiliates are defined as individuals who hold membership, have leadership roles, participate in setting policies, or are actively participating in canvassing, fundraising, organizing events, or election campaigns for political advocacy groups specifically focused on city or county-level government elections or policies.
2. Disclosure Requirement: a. All applicants for appointment to any board, commission, committee, or task force must disclose their membership in any city or county political advocacy group or organization whose primary purpose is to promote specific candidates or policies within the previous 12 months, as well as any participation in leadership roles, setting policies, canvassing, fundraising, or election campaign activities. b. Membership in general political parties, such as the Democratic or Republican Party, does not require disclosure unless the individual is actively organizing, managing, or campaigning specifically for city or county-level government candidates or policies.
Section [4]: One-Body Service Limitation and Nepotism Policy
3. This amendment is part of the ordinance limiting service to only one city body at a time and establishing a nepotism policy for boards, commissions, committees, and task forces. It aims to further the objectives of impartial and diverse representation in Richmond's civic bodies by ensuring democratic representation and preventing overrepresentation from any one political advocacy group.