At its July 20, 2020, meeting, the Hopewell Township Committee approved the creation of the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee. The committee will conduct a systematic review of existing and proposed Township regulations and practices for potential discriminatory effect and will offer suggestions on how to remedy any such effects.
The committee will consist of at least five, but no more than nine, Hopewell Township residents. The resolution states that members “shall reflect the diversity of Hopewell Township which includes, but is not limited to, diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age and economic status.” Initial appointments will last through December 31, 2021.
Any Hopewell Township resident who is interested in applying should send a statement of interest to Hopewell Township Municipal Clerk Laurie Gompf at [email protected]. The Township Committee will select members from the applications received.
The full text of the resolution is printed below.
TOWNSHIP OF HOPEWELL
MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
R E S O L U T I O N #20-268
RESOLUTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HOPEWELL,
MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, ESTABLISHING THE CITIZENS’ EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, systemic racism is present throughout the United States, including Hopewell Township; and
WHEREAS, an action taken at any level of government, including Hopewell Township, may not have a discriminatory intent but may have a discriminatory effect; and
WHEREAS, the Township should consider the potential discriminatory effect of its regulations and actions on vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, the Township would benefit by learning from the experience and wisdom of a diverse group of local residents who are knowledgeable about the effect of systemic racism to advise the Township on potential discriminatory effects of its regulations and actions; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter 2, Hopewell Township Administrative Code, the Committee has the authority to establish a Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 5.2 of the Hopewell Township Administrative Code, the Committee has the authority to make appointments to the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hopewell Township Committee does hereby establish the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of nine voting members plus a representative of the Township Committee and a representative from at least one Township Department, who shall not be a voting member. All members shall be appointed to serve through December 31, 2021. On-going, members shall be rotated over a two-year basis; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members will be actively solicited among Hopewell Township residents. Members shall reflect the diversity of Hopewell Township which includes, but is not limited to, diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age and economic status; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Citizen’s Equity Advisory Committee shall organize annually and designate one of its members to serve as Chairperson and one as Vice-Chairperson, initially through December 31, 2021, and then each for a term of one year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the purpose of the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee shall be to conduct a systematic review of existing and proposed Township regulations and practices for potential discriminatory effect and to offer suggestions on how to remedy such effects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee shall advise the Township Committee not less than quarterly; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Committee shall consider, upon request of the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee, a budget of up to $5,000 for the remainder of 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Committee hereby requests volunteers for appointment to the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee through December 31, 2021. Within thirty days, initial members of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee shall be appointed and the first meeting of the Citizens’ Equity Advisory Committee shall be scheduled within thirty days of the appointment of at least five members.
Date Adopted: July 20, 2020
Submitted by Hopewell Township
