RESOLUTION NO. 220380

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RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to update the Quality of Urban Life Report; and report back to Council in six months.

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WHEREAS, on May 4, 1968, Mayor, Ilus W. Davis, commissioned a study to provide recommendations to address civil discord, prevent civil disorder and ensure harmonious relations among the people in Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, on August 15, 1968 the Commission published a final report with recommendations to improve the economic conditions, education and police-African American relations; and

WHEREAS, the report detailed:

* Seventeen recommendations for the Kansas City Police Department including returning to local control, increasing diversity, improving pay, addressing complaints, improved public communications and community policing;

* Twelve recommendations for the Kansas City School District including racial integration, expanding community services, vocational training and improving counseling services;

* Nine recommendations for the City of Kansas City including fortifying the Human Rights Commission, neighborhood stabilization, fully staffing Human relations functions, improved communications, sanitation and increased recreational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, racism was explored and the "necessity for all citizens to recognize the concept of human dignity for all people regardless of skin color or ethnic background." The final report acknowledged that "white superiority must be recognized, understood and corrected before meaningful long-term progress in the community's race relations can be expected"; and

WHEREAS, on February 26, 1969 the Commission on Human Relations, staffed by Alvin Brooks, was tasked by the Mayor Charles B. Wheeler, Jr, to provide a report to follow up on the recommendations issued in 1968. Three conclusions were noted in the interim report:

a. Administrators agreed with the majority of the recommendations;

b. Administrators perceived evid...

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