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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County amending Article I, section E of the Rules of Council for Allegheny County Council, to provide for a Committee on Committees for the purpose of establishing committee assignments and chairs of committees based on considerations of political party affiliation, racial, geographic, age and gender diversity of the members as well as considerations of personal experience, personal interest in the subject matter, and past committee meeting attendance for returning members.
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Whereas, Article I, section E of the Rules of Council currently places the selection of committee chairs and assignments solely in the hands of the President of Council; and
Whereas, the Rules of Council are presently silent as to important considerations of diversity, attendance, and experience for the selection process for the committees; and
Whereas, the committees of Council are vital elements to the democratic process in their duty to thoroughly vet legislative items prior to a vote by the full body and as such should be comprised of a diverse selection of members who are dedicated, interested and who represent the diversity of the County in the composition of the committee; and
Whereas, the model of a Committee on Committees is utilized by many governmental bodies and is proven to be a recognized and democratic methodology in committee selection; and
Whereas, it is the opinion of Council that a Committee on Committees organized to select committee membership and leadership with the mandate to consider political party affiliation, racial, geographic, age and gender diversity of the members as well as considerations of personal experience, personal interest in the subject matter and past committee meeting attendance for returning members will ensure a more democratic and transparent process in the formation of Committees of Council;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY,
That this Council hereby amends the ...
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