DEPARTMENT: City Attorney's Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Martha G. Sepeda, Acting City Attorney
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Gender Equity in Boards and Commissions
SUMMARY:
Councilmember Shirley Gonzales filed a Council Consideration Request relating to Gender Equity in Boards and Commissions.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 20, 2016, Councilmember Shirley Gonzales, District 5, filed a Council Consideration Request asking staff and City Council to adopt a gender balance rule for the City's Boards and Commissions. The CCR asked for the establishment of a policy that would require the composition on Boards and Commissions to be 50% women.
The City Code of the City of San Antonio already has two sections that prohibit the City Council from discriminating in the appointment to boards and commissions.
Section 2-529 - Membership (on City Boards or Commissions)
(c) When making appointments to boards and commissions, the city shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age or disability.
Section 2-552. - Appointed officials, boards and commissions
(a) Appointments to boards and commissions. When making appointments to boards and commissions, the city shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age or disability.
Currently, the City does not discriminate when making appointments to City Boards and Commissions. The City promotes efforts for full diversity on City Boards and Commissions to ensure the best representation.
ISSUE:
Only City Council can establish policy.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City maintain its commitment to diversity and non-dis...
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