CITY OF WORCESTER

CITY OF WORCESTER A REORGANIZATIONAL ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN AND BLACK AFFAIRS Whereas, in 2015, the City Council, acting upon the recommendation of the City Manager and under Article VI of the Home Rule Charter, adopted a Comprehensive Reorganization Plan containing a new Revised Ordinances of 2015, Part Two, Organization of City Agencies; and, Whereas, from time to time certain modifications to the organizational structure of the city government are necessary and proper to enhance the efficient delivery of services to the citizens of Worcester; and, Now, Therefore, Be it Ordained by the City Council of the city of Worcester, as follows: § 1. The Revised Ordinances of 2015, Part Two, Organization of City Agencies, Article Fifteen, is hereby amended by inserting a new section 13 therein, the text of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. § 2. The repeal of the ordinances accomplished by section one hereof shall not impair any lawful action taken under authority of the ordinances previously in effect. § 3. Nothing herein shall repeal or impair any executive order, directive or administrative policy issued by the city manager. Effective Date § 4. In accordance with Article Six of the city charter, this ordinance shall take effect on the earliest of the date it is adopted or ninety days after the date the city manager first transmitted this ordinance to the city council. §13. Commission on African American and Black Affairs (a) Establishment of the Advisory Commission on African American and Black Affairs. Under authority of Article Six of the Home Rule Charter there is hereby established under the jurisdiction of the city manager an agency of the city to be known as the "Advisory Commission on African American and Black Affairs" ("commission"). (b) Membership. The commission shall consist of seven members appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the city manager for staggered terms of three years, provided, however, that of the initial appointees two shall serve terms of one year, two shall serve terms of two years, and three shall serve terms of three years. Members shall represent the diverse interests of the African American and Black communities in Worcester and, to the extent possible, reflect a balanced representation of the African American and Black populations in Worcester. From time to time, the city manager shall designate the chair of the commission. (c) Duties & Responsibilities. It shall be the function of the commission to: (1) encourage, promote and monitor policies and practices in the city to ensure that members of the African American community and members of the Black community enjoy the equal protection of the law, equal access to all public services and the full enjoyment and exercise of their civil rights; (2) formulate, encourage, promote and monitor policies and programs relating to Worcester's African American community and Black community; (3) gather and disseminate linguistic and culturally relevant information and conduct hearings and special studies concerning Worcester's African American community and Black community; (4) increase and encourage public awareness about issues of importance to the African American community and Black community in Worcester; (5) develop, coordinate, and assist other public and private organizations that serve the African American community and Black community in Worcester, including conducting training programs for community leadership; (6) submit biannually to the city manager a report stating the undertakings of the commission, its accomplishments, conclusions and recommendations concerning the African American community and Black community in Worcester, and to meet with the city manager to present said reports; and, (7) appoint sub-committees as may be needed to carry out its responsibilities. In City Council March 17, 2026 Passed to be Ordained by a yea and nay vote of Eleven Yeas and No Nays. A Copy. Attest: Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk PO 1520A March 27, 2026 March 27 2026 LNEO0486860