ORDINANCE NO. 260506
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Sponsor: Councilmember Wes Rogers
Amending Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled "Boards, Commissions and Committees," by enacting a new Division 6, entitled “Welcoming KC Commission,” consisting of Sections 2-851 through 2-855, to formally establish such commission; and directing the City Manager to appoint a liaison and coordinate departmental support for the commission.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City is home to newcomer, immigrant, and refugee residents whose full participation in civic life strengthens the City and its neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Commission for New Americans conducted community engagement and developed recommendations concerning how the City can better serve immigrant and refugee communities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to build upon that work by establishing an advisory body to provide ongoing resident-led input regarding inclusive service delivery, civic participation, language access, emergency communications, and neighborhood inclusion; and
WHEREAS, the January 2026 Certified Welcoming Audit identified the need for a formalized and active advisory body to sustain the City’s welcoming efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Welcoming KC Commission will provide an ongoing forum for residents, community-based organizations, and City departments to identify barriers to City services and recommend improvements; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Boards, Commissions, and Committees,” is hereby amended by enacting a new Division 6, entitled “Welcoming KC Commission,” consisting of Sections 2-851 through 2-855, to read as follows:
DIVISION 6.
WELCOMING KC COMMISSION.
Sec. 2-851. Establishment and purpose.
There is hereby established an advisory body to be known as the Welcoming KC Commission. The purpose of the commission shall be to ensure newcomer and immigrant families in Kansas City have equitable access to city services, drive robust civic participation, and to provide a framework for resident-led oversight of inclusive service delivery. The commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City on issues consistent with its purpose.
Sec. 2-852. Membership and appointment.
(a) The commission shall consist of twelve members, with two members appointed from each council district. Each member shall reside in the council district from which the member is appointed.
(b) To promote grassroots representation, each council member may solicit recommendations from community-based organizations and agencies serving residents within that council member’s district and then forward recommended qualified resident candidates to the mayor for consideration. Members shall be appointed by the mayor, who shall retain final authority to select and appoint members from the nominations.
(c) Appointments should seek to include members with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and connections to Kansas City’s diverse communities, including those with experience serving immigrant and refugee communities.
Sec. 2-853. Terms; removal; vacancies.
(a) Terms. Each member of the commission shall be appointed for a two-year term. The terms shall be staggered. To effectuate a staggering of terms, six of the initial appointments shall be for three years, while the remainder shall be for two years.
(b) Removal. The mayor may remove any member of the commission if the member has more than three unexcused consecutive commission meetings.
(c) Vacancies. The mayor may appoint a member to complete the remaining term of any vacant position. The council member representing the district in which the vacancy occurs may submit recommended qualified candidates to the mayor for consideration.
Sec. 2-854. Chairperson; other officers.
The mayor shall appoint one member of the commission to serve as chairperson. The commission may elect a vice-chairperson and any other officers it deems necessary from among its members.
Sec. 2-855. Meetings and procedures.
The commission shall conduct its meetings and business in accordance with the standing rules for boards, commissions, and task forces set forth in section 2-723 of the Code of Ordinances.
Secs. 2-856-2-870. Reserved.
Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to appoint a liaison to the Welcoming KC Commission. The City Manager shall coordinate, as appropriate, the involvement of relevant City departments, offices, and staff to support the Commission’s advisory work, including matters related to language access, inclusive service delivery, community engagement, and emergency communications.
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Approved as to form:
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Joseph A. Guarino
Senior Associate City Attorney