Ord 56-2013 10/1/2013
ORDINANCE NO. 56-2013
Ordinance Amending Article III, Chapter 2 Of The Code Of Ordinances
Of The City Of Wichita Falls To Add Division 3 To Establish A
Veterans Advisory Council, And Providing For Codification
WHEREAS, the City desires to establish a council to assist veterans of the
armed services and advise City Council on issues related to said veterans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. Article III of Chapter 2 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls is
hereby amended to add Division 3 thereto, which will read as follows:
DIVISION 3. VETERAN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Sec. 2-172. Created; purpose.
There is created a council to be known as the Veterans Advisory Council. The
purposes of the council shall be as follows:
(a) Encourage and facilitate communication between City leadership, military
veterans and veteran organizations on issues important to veterans,
(b) Build awareness and support in the City and in the surrounding communities
in helping our veterans.
(1) Assist families of deployed veterans and easing their day-to-day
obligations,
(2) Develop a “welcome home” program to greet veterans and military
personnel at the city’s bus stop and airport.
(3) Promote local veteran functions through various forms of media.
(c) Inform and educate local veterans on:
(1) Local job training programs and preparation to attend college,
(2) Family support programs and reintegration into the community.
(3) Available medical and behavioral facilities to help returning and
wounded warriors and their families.
(d) Provide housing options and support for homeless veterans.
(e) Annually award an individual with close ties to the local area who has served
honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States and who has had an
exceptionally distinguished military or civilian career and reflects great credit on
Wichita Falls and the military services.
(f) Promote volunteerism and foster true patriotism to maintain and extend the
institutions of American freedom
(g) Provide a central repository for information and documents concerning
veterans' benefits. Communicate and publicize said information through the City
of Wichita Falls website and other electronic media.
Sec. 2-173. Duration.
The Veterans Advisory Council shall continue in operation perpetually, unless it is
terminated by the City Council.
Sec. 2-174. Composition; term of members.
(a) The Veterans Advisory Council shall be composed of 11 members appointed
by City Council.
(b) Each member shall be a city resident and be a veteran of the armed services.
Members shall serve without pay.
(c) Membership shall be for a term of five years. All terms will begin on January 1
and will end on December 31 five years after appointment.
(d) Any member of the Veterans Advisory Council may be removed at any time
by the City Council. Removal may be with or without cause. Attendance at
meetings is strongly encouraged. There shall be at least four regular meetings
per year, at least once per quarter. An absence from two or more regular
meetings is cause for removal.
Sec. 2-175. Liaison with Conditional Voting Authority.
City Council shall appoint a City Councilor to serve as liaison to the Veterans
Advisory Council. If a quorum is not present in a meeting of either the Veterans
Advisory Council or its Executive Committee, the City Council liaison may act as
a voting member.
Sec. 2-176. Officers and Committees
(a) The City Council shall select a member of the Veterans Advisory Council to
serve as Chairperson for a period of 5 years. The Veterans Advisory Council
shall select from among its members a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer.
(b) The Veterans Advisory Commission shall appoint an Executive Committee
with such authority as determined by its bylaws. The Executive Committee will
be composed of 5 members of the Veterans Advisory Council. Membership of
the Executive Committee shall include the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and 3
other members selected by the Veterans Advisory Council.
Sec. 2-177. Quorum; voting.
Six members of the Veterans Advisory Council shall constitute a quorum. Matters
shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present.
Sec. 2-178. Bylaws and rules.
The Veterans Advisory Council may propose such bylaws and rules governing its
functions as it deems best, subject to the approval of the City Council.
Sec. 2-179. Special meetings.
Special meetings of the Veterans Advisory Council may be called from time to
time by its Chairperson or the City Council Liaison.
Secs. 2-180—2-200. - Reserved.
2. The sections of this ordinance that specify they amend or add to the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Wichita Falls are intended to be parts of said Code, and said
sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such
intention.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the 1st day of October, 2013.
______________________________
M A Y O R
ATTEST:
____________________
City Clerk