[Adopted 3-21-2017; amended 2-6-2024]
Under the authority of the Home Rule Amendment, Article 89 of the Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, there is hereby established under the jurisdiction of the City Manager a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee.
A. 
Membership in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee shall be appointed through the authority of the City Manager, subject to confirmation by the City Council.
B. 
The Committee shall consist of 11 appointed members, which includes two associate members.
C. 
The aforementioned 11 appointed members shall be comprised of persons representing the following offices, disciplines, and communities:
(1) 
The Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer;
(2) 
A Lowell Police Department DEI Liaison;
(3) 
Two Lowell High School students;
(4) 
A representative from the Chamber of Commerce;
(5) 
Four members of the nonprofit community;
(6) 
Two associate members appointed by the City Manager.
D. 
A vacancy occurring otherwise by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
E. 
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee members shall serve terms of two years, however, the terms shall be staggered such that no more than six terms expire in any one year.
F. 
The Members of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee must be residents of the City of Lowell.
G. 
In the event of prolonged, unfilled vacancies, the City Manager may appoint, subject to City Council approval, a nonresident who works in the City of Lowell.
H. 
The Chairperson shall conduct each meeting. In the Chairperson's absence, the Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson. The Clerk shall prepare the agenda, post proper notice of meetings, maintain a record of dates of appointment of members and their attendance and prepare the minutes of each meeting.
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee shall be under the overall administrative supervision of the City Manager, and its members shall serve without compensation.
It shall be the duty of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Advisory Committee to:
A. 
Advise the City Manager on the diversity, equity, and inclusion function of the City, including making recommendations on programs that promote diversity within the City.
B. 
Review the existing policies, procedures, services, and activities of any City department, board, commission or agency and make recommendations to the City Manager on ways to improve regulations related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
C. 
Encourage, promote, and monitor practices in the City to ensure that all individuals enjoy equal protection of the law, equal access to all public services and the full enjoyment and exercise of their civil rights.
D. 
Submit annually to the City Manager, to be conveyed to the Mayor and City Council, a report stating the undertakings of the Committee, its accomplishments, conclusions, and recommendations concerning the status of diversity, equity, and inclusion related issues in Lowell.