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AMENDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, BY AMENDING TITLE II, ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 2, ENTITLED OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND AGENCIES, ARTICLE 5, ENTITLED OFFICES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND AUTHORITIES, SECTION 39, ENTITLED COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN BY ADDING NEW MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AND ADDING A PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF FOUR (4) ADVISERS.
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WHEREAS, the City through its Governing Body, established the Committee on the Status of Women by Ordinance on January 7, 1996, reestablished by Ordinance 6S+Fa(A-1) on July 16, 1986; and
WHEREAS, the name was changed to the “Commission on the Status of Women by Ordinance 6S+Fc on April 20, 1988; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the Ordinance to incorporate new membership requirements and add a provision for the appointment of advisers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
SECTION 1: Title II, Administration, Chapter 2, Office of the Mayor and Agencies, Article 5, Offices, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, Section 39 Commission on the Status of Women, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, New Jersey, 2000, as amended and supplemented, is amended as follows:
[Editor’s Note: Additions are shown as underlined and bold. Deletions are shown as strikethroughs].
2:2-39. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.
2:2-39.1. Established.
The Commission on the Status of Women (hereinafter called the "Commission") is hereby established. The Commission shall report to the Mayor.
2:2-39.2. General Purpose.
The Commission shall pursue the general purpose of improving the status of women in Newark through coordinating, networking, advocacy, reviewing and recommending policies and legislation affecting women and other methods deemed necessary and appropriate.
2:2-39.3. Membership of Commission; Appointment; Terms.
a. The Commission shall consist of thirty-three (33) members to be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Municipal Council. The majority of the Commission shall be women. The Mayor and Council President shall serve as ex officio members.
b. The initial appointments shall be as follows: seven (7) appointments shall be for a term of four (4) years, eight (8) appointments shall be for a term of three (3) years, and eighteen (18) appointments for a term of two (2) years. All appointees by the Mayor to fill vacancies shall serve for the unexpired term.
c. All subsequent appointments shall be for a term of two (2) years.
2:2-39.4. Officers of the Commission.
There shall be a chairperson initially appointed by the Mayor for a term of two (2) years. The remaining officers, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer, shall be selected by the Commission and serve for a term of two (2) years.
Thereafter, the position of chairperson shall be filled by election from the membership of the commission by majority vote of the members present and the new chairperson shall serve for a period of two (2) years.
Upon the vacancy, for any reason, of the office of chairperson, at the next regularly scheduled meeting, a new chairperson shall be elected from the membership of the commission by majority of the members present, to serve the remainder of the term.
If the individual elected to be chairperson is the current vice-chairperson, secretary or treasurer, then the new chairperson shall appoint their replacement from the current membership of the Commission to serve out the remainder of the term.
2:2-39.5. Commission Meetings.
The Commission shall meet at least six (6) twelve (12) times per year. Each member of the Commission shall attend a minimum of eight (8) meetings per year in order to maintain their status as a member of the Commission.
2:2-39.6. Commission Advisers
The Mayor shall appoint four (4) advisers to the Commission without the need for Municipal Council approval. Each adviser shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. No adviser shall have a vote on any matters at a Commission meeting.
The Advisers shall have the following duties:
(a) to advance the causes of women in Newark and to promote women’s rights, in addition by overseeing the policies and programs of the Newark Commission on the Status of Women;
(b) serve as the direct link to the Mayor’s Office and Administration regarding policies and City Ordinances and ensure that the Administration receives communication from the Commission on such issues;
(c) meet with the Executive Board of the Commission a minimum of three (3) times a year to decide the strategic direction of the Commission, ensuring policies and programs conform to municipal policies and City Ordinances;
(d) work with the Commissioners to challenge traditional thinking and practices of implementing and supporting gender equality, and brainstorm ideas that will prove to be beneficial for all women through various events, forums, and community service;
(e) assist the Commission in adopting strategies that will enable women to achieve sustainability through empowerment, and help move a progressive agenda forward.
SECTION 2: If any provision of this Ordinance or application thereof to any person(s) or circumstance is judged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalidated provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Ordinance are declared severable.
SECTION 3: The Ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This Ordinance Amends Title II, Administration, Chapter 2, Office of the Mayor and Agencies, Article 5, Offices, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, Section 39 Commission on the Status of Women, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, New Jersey, 2000, as amended and supplemented, by adding new membership requirements and add a provision for the appointment of advisers.