CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SEVENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. O-26-11 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Nichole Rogers
ORDINANCE
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Establishing The African American Advisory Board (Rogers)
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WHEREAS, residents of African descent, including African Americans, Africans, Afro-Latinos, Afro-Caribbeans, and others within the African diaspora-have made enduring and significant contributions to the cultural, economic, civic, and social fabric of the City of Albuquerque; and
WHEREAS, despite these contributions, people of African descent continue to experience disproportionate barriers related to economic opportunity, wealth-building, public safety, health outcomes, and access to culturally responsive systems and services; and
WHEREAS, economic mobility is essential to long-term community stability and prosperity and requires intentional, equity-driven policy guidance informed by lived experience; and
WHEREAS, black communities experience disproportionate rates of violence, disappearance, unresolved cases, and insufficient systemic response related to missing and murdered Black people, resulting in ongoing harm to families and communities; and
WHEREAS, residents of African descent experience documented disparities in physical health, mental health, maternal and infant outcomes, chronic disease, life expectancy, and access to culturally competent healthcare services; and
WHEREAS, cultural events, traditions, and artistic expression of the African diaspora preserve history, strengthen identity, promote healing, and support local economies; and
WHEREAS, meaningful engagement with communities of African descent requires structured, consistent, and representative input into municipal decision-making; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of a permanent advisory body will strengthen the City’s ability to develop informed, responsive, and equitable policies.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. A new Part 21 is hereby adopted in Chapter 2, Article 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque, 1994 as follows:
§ 2-6-21-1. SHORT TITLE.
This Ordinance may be cited as the “African American Advisory Board Ordinance.”
§ 2-6-21-2. AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED.
There is hereby established the African American Advisory Board (“Board”), which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and City Council.
§ 2-6-21-3. PURPOSE AND DUTIES.
(1) Economic Mobility - workforce development, entrepreneurship, housing stability, and wealth-building opportunities;
(2) Missing and Murdered Black Family - prevention strategies, interagency coordination, advocacy, and support for impacted families;
(3) Cultural Events and Heritage - preservation, promotion, and support of African diaspora cultural programming and institutions;
(4) Health Outcomes - physical health, behavioral health, maternal and infant health, health equity, and access to culturally competent care; and
(5) Civic Engagement and Representation - Ensuring that Black voices shape policy at every level is critical to securing and protecting rights and resources. Protecting access to the ballot and ensuring redistricting fairness.
§ 2-6-21-4. BOARD COMPOSITION.
(A) The Board shall consist of 15 voting members. The Board shall be comprised of the following members:
(B) Permanent Organizational Seats. The following organizations shall hold permanent seats on the Board and may designate one representative to serve on their behalf.
(1) State of New Mexico Office of African American Affairs
(2) Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission
(3) Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico
(4) African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico
(5) New Mexico Black Leadership Council
(6) University of New Mexico African American Student Services
(7) University of New Mexico Hospital - African American Community Liaison
(8) Center for New Mexico Black Excellence
(9) New Mexico Black Lawyers Association
(10) Albuquerque Police Department Black Ambassador(s)
(11) Ministers Fellowship
(12) Baptist Ministers Union
(C) Community Subject Matter Experts. Three (3) members shall be community subject matter experts. Applicants are to be reviewed by permanent members with a recommendation(s) to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, with demonstrated lived experience and/or professional expertise in one or more of the Board’s focus areas.
(D) Health Expertise Requirement. At least one Board member shall possess demonstrated expertise in public health, behavioral health, healthcare administration, or health equity.
§ 2-6-21-5. APPOINTMENT, TERM, AND REMOVAL OF MEMBERS.
(A) Organizational seats are permanent. Organizational designees may be changed at the organization's discretion by written notice to the City and shall not constitute a vacancy.
(B) Community subject matter experts shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Each appointment shall be for a term of three years from the date of appointment, unless the appointment is to fill a vacancy. The initial terms shall be staggered and shall be for either one, two or three years.
(C) Vacancies. Vacancies in community subject matter expert seats shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(D) Removal. Community subject matter experts may be removed by the Mayor or by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all Councilors after due notice and hearing if such member has violated any law, regulation or charter provision, or for other good cause such as the intentional failure to carry out the duties of the Board.
§ 2-6-21-6. ORGANIZATION, MEETINGS, AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Meetings: The Board shall meet monthly unless otherwise determined by the Chair or requested by three (3) or more members.
(B) Officers: The Board shall elect one of its members to serve as the Chair of the Board. The Board shall elect one of its members to serve as Vice Chair to serve in place of the Chair in their absence. Officers shall be elected for a term of one year.
(C) Attendance: Members who miss three (3) consecutive meetings or fifty percent (50%) of meetings in a calendar year without good cause may be subject to removal or replacement. Absences for organizational seats shall be addressed by requesting a new designee.
(D) Alternate Representatives: Each organization member outlined in second 2-6-21-4-B may designate one alternatemay designate one alternate representative who may attend and vote in the absence of the primary representative.
(E) Quorum: Quorum shall consist of eight (8) members, one of which shall be the Chair or Vice Chair.
(F) Voting: Decisions of the Board shall be made by a majority vote of the members present.
(G) Reporting: The Board shall submit an annual written report to the Mayor and City Council summarizing activities, findings, and policy recommendations. The report shall be publicly available.
(H) Bylaws: The Board shall adopt bylaws consistent with City requirements governing meeting procedures, officer roles, voting, and Board operations.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Ordinance. The Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase thereof irrespective of any provision being declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.
SECTION 3. COMPILATION. SECTION 1 of this Ordinance is to be compiled as a new Part 21 in Article 6 in Chapter 2 of the Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1994, titled “African American Advisory Board.”
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance takes effect five days after publication by title and general summary.