ORDINANCE NO. 240165, AS AMENDED

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Sponsor:  Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw

Amending Chapter 2, Article V, Division 20, Code of Ordinances, by enacting a new Section 2-692 entitled “Office of Language Access,” and directing the City Manager to submit amended budget proposals to fund such office, to report to Council within 90 days on the development of a comprehensive and equitable language access plan to guide the functions of this office and to engage with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department to encourage the development of a corresponding plan and practices within its operations.

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WHEREAS, on July 13, 2023 the City Council adopted Resolution No. 230576, directing the City Manager to develop a plan to provide additional mechanisms for residents with Limited English Proficiency to access City communications and resources; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City strives to be a truly welcoming city that embraces the diversity of all its residents’ cultures; and

WHEREAS, City staff and community partners have engaged in extensive research of best practices and outreach to impacted communities in their efforts to develop a comprehensive and equitable language access plan that ensures meaningful access to, and promotes participation in, local government services, programs, resources, and support; and

WHEREAS, the City seeks to establish an office of language access that will effectuate such plan; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That Chapter 2, Article V, Division 20, Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended by enacting a new Section 2-692, entitled “Office of Language Access,” to read as follows:

Sec. 2-692. Office of Language Access

(a)                     Established; officer. There is hereby established an office of language access, within the office of city communications, to be supervised by the language access officer. The language services officer shall be appointed by the city manager and be responsible to the city communications officer, who is responsible to the city manager. It is the purpose of the office of language access to address the language access limitations and needs of the city’s residents, visitors and employees and to ensure such persons have meaningful access to, and can participate in, local government services, programs, resources, and support.

(b)                     Powers and duties of officer.

1.                     The language access officer shall perform such functions and have such duties, powers, and authorities as are prescribed in this section, or as otherwise required by the city manager or by ordinance.

2.                     The language access officer, in supervising the office of language access, shall be responsible for all of the following:

a.                     Developing and administering a city-wide, comprehensive and equitable language access plan and engagement strategy that continually seeks to alleviate language access barriers and limitations for participation in local government services. In performing these duties, the officer shall promote plain language communication and consider the particular needs of impacted communities throughout the city, including, but not limited to, those with limited English proficiency;

b.                     Acting as a centralized source for language access and services across all city departments;

c.                     Identifying and implementing technological improvements and enhancements that effectively communicate and promote engagement in local government services, activities and resources, and provide access to vital documents from a language access perspective;

d.                     Assisting city staff in complying with any other requirements imposed upon city from a language access perspective, whether pursuant to terms of a grant, contract or applicable legal authority.

Sec. 2-693-2-699. Reserved.

Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to submit a Budget Amendment B that requests funding for the Office of Language Access for Fiscal Year 2024-25 in an amount no less than $900,000.00, to include funding for no fewer than four permanent positions within such office and for technology, equipment, signage, training and an incentivization program for bilingual and multilingual city employees, which will assist such office in accomplishing its powers and duties specified above.

Section 3. That the City Manager and Language Access Officer are hereby directed to, within ninety days of the passage of this ordinance, develop a comprehensive and equitable language access plan that fully addresses the responsibilities of such office set forth above, and to issue any appropriate administrative regulations and recommend any appropriate amendments to the City’s Code in order to effectuate such plan. In developing such plan, the City Manager shall make efforts to appropriately solicit and incorporate relevant public input.

Section 4. That the City Manager and Language Access Officer are directed to engage and encourage the cooperation of the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department to develop and implement its own plan and practices that correspond with those stated in this ordinance, so as to reduce language access barriers for those impacted by its separate operations.

Section 5. That the Language Access Officer is directed to submit a report to city council one year after the establishment of the office regarding the City’s comprehensive and equitable language access plan and to recommend any modifications to the Office of Language Access.

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Approved as to form:

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Bret Kassen

Associate City Attorney