Number
190449
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS
Title
An ordinance creating the office of veterans’ affairs.
Sections
380 cr
Analysis
This ordinance creates an office of veterans’ affairs and a veterans’ affairs advisory council under the supervision of the office of the common council - city clerk which shall be responsible for the administration, coordination and implementation of the city’s policies relating to the special needs of the city’s military veteran residents, their families and caregivers.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Chapter 380 of the code is created to read:
CHAPTER 380
OFFICE OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
380-1. Creation. There is created an office of veterans’ affairs in the office of the common council - city clerk which shall be responsible for the administration, coordination and implementation of the city’s policies relating to the special needs of the city’s military veteran residents, their families and caregivers. In this chapter, the term “veteran” shall mean a person who has served in the active military service of the United States and who has been released from such service, other than by dishonorable discharge, or who has been furloughed to the reserve.
380-3. Administration. Under the direction of the city clerk, the office of veterans’ affairs shall be administered by an executive director.
380-5. Duties. The executive director of the office of veterans’ affairs shall:
1. Identify issues central to the rights and needs of the city’s veteran residents, their families and caregivers.
2. Identify barriers faced by the city’s veteran residents to existing municipal resources and services and present recommendations for removing those barriers.
3. Develop and implement veteran-centered policies, plans and programs related to the special needs of the city’s veteran residents, their families and caregivers.
4. Promote opportunities for the city’s veteran residents with regards to home ownership, business ownership, job creation, job training, health care and education.
5. Act as a liaison and facilitate partnerships between Milwaukee’s veterans community, state and federal agencies, and public- and private-sector organizations, to improve veterans access to available resources and opportunities.
380-7. Cooperation. The executive director of the office of veterans’ affairs shall coordinate the activities of the office under this section with any other city departments, agencies, boards, commissions and councils that have been tasked with attending to the needs of the city’s veteran residents.
380-9. Annual Report. The executive director of the office of veterans’ affairs shall submit an annual written report of the office’s activities under this section to the common council and the mayor.
380-11. Advisory Council. 1. ESTABLISHMENT. There is created a veterans’ affairs advisory council.
2. PURPOSE. a. The purpose of the veterans’ affairs advisory council is to make recommendations to the common council and the executive director of the office of veterans’ affairs on matters of importance to veterans in Milwaukee. In making recommendations, the advisory council shall:
a-1. Advocate for fair and accessible healthcare services for veterans.
a-2. Support efforts to end homelessness among veterans.
a-3. Advocate for employment initiatives for veterans.
a-4. Identify and support local, state, federal and private-sector initiatives to improve veterans’ quality of life.
b. The advisory council shall support efforts to recognize the contributions of all veterans, from all United States wars and conflicts.
3. COMPOSITION. a. The veterans’ affairs advisory council shall be composed of the following 9 members, each of whom shall be subject to confirmation by the common council:
a-1. A member of the common council who is a veteran. If more than one such person exists, the common council president shall select the person from among the eligible common council members. If no such person exists, the common council president shall select from any member of the common council.
a-2. Eight persons who are veterans and who collectively approximate a cross-section of veterans relative to age, branch of service, gender and period of service, 4 of whom shall be appointed by the common council president and 4 of whom shall be appointed by the mayor.
b. The city residency requirements of s. 320-3 shall not apply to any member of the advisory council.
4. TERM OF SERVICE. a. Term. Veterans’ affairs advisory council members shall serve 2 year terms.
b. Reappointment. Members of the advisory council may be reappointed.
c. Vacancy. When a vacancy occurs on the advisory council, the appointing authority shall make an appointment within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. A vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
5. ORGANIZATION. The veterans’ affairs advisory council shall meet every other month and may meet at such additional times as the advisory council determines or the chair directs. The common council member of the advisory council shall be chair of the advisory council and shall designate a vice-chair. Advisory council members shall receive no compensation.
6. OPEN MEETINGS. All meetings of the veterans’ affairs advisory council shall be publicly held and open to all citizens at all times in accordance with subch. V of ch. 19, Wis. Stats.
7. STAFFING. The city clerk’s office shall provide staff assistance to the veterans’ affairs advisory council. All city departments shall cooperate with the advisory council and provide assistance whenever the advisory council so requests.
8. ANNUAL REPORTS. The veterans’ affairs advisory council shall submit a written annual report of its activities under this section to the common council and the mayor.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: ______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requestor
Drafter
Dana J. Zelazny
LRB174360-1
6/20/2019
6/18/2019
CLERICAL CORRECTION -- July 11, 2019 -- James R. Owczarski