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CITY OF BOSTON CODE OF ORDINANCES
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BOSTON
CHAPTER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER II: FORM OF GOVERNMENT
CHAPTER III: ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
CHAPTER IV: CONTRACTS
CHAPTER V: ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER VI: GENERAL SERVICES
CHAPTER VII: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
CHAPTER VIII: DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER IX: BUILDING REGULATIONS
CHAPTER X: HOUSING SERVICES
CHAPTER XI: PUBLIC SERVICES
CHAPTER XII: PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER XIII: NATURAL GAS
CHAPTER XIV: LICENSING AND CONSUMER BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND OFFICERS
CHAPTER XV: DIVISIONS OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE
CHAPTER XVI: PROHIBITIONS, PENALTIES AND PERMITS
CHAPTER XVII: LICENSES AND REGULATIONS AFFECTING CERTAIN TRADES
CHAPTER XVIII: FEES AND CHARGES
CHAPTER XIX: SCHOOLS
CHAPTER XX: CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER XXI: MISCELLANEOUS PUBLIC BUILDINGS
CHAPTER XXII: SUFFOLK COUNTY
CHAPTER XXIII: TRASH AND REFUSE DISPOSAL
CHAPTER XXIV: BOSTON JOBS, LIVING WAGE AND PREVAILING WAGE ORDINANCE
PARALLEL REFERENCES
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12-20   OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE.
12-20.1   Purpose.
   The city is inhabited by a broad and diverse set of constituents from cultural communities, some of which have been and may continue to be underrepresented in city government decision making. Therefore, a concerted effort to develop policies and programs that are responsive to the strengths and needs of these cultural communities is necessary to ensure equity and inclusion for these communities in the city.
(Ord. 2023 c. 8)
12-20.2   Establishment of the Office of Cultural Affairs.
   There shall be established in the city the Office of Cultural Affairs, hereafter referred to as the Office, which shall be under the charge of an Officer known as the Director of Cultural Affairs (hereafter called the “Director”), who shall be appointed by the Mayor. The Office will be a part of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet.
(Ord. 2023 c. 8)
12-20.3   Director Responsibilities.
   The Director, or his or her designee, of the Office shall have the power and the duty to:
   (A)   Develop, implement and evaluate culturally competent programming aimed at fostering a sense of belonging in the city among diverse cultural communities;
   (B)   Connect with City Departments, community leaders and cultural organizations to curate events or find resources and opportunities for constituents. Enhance the accessibility of city programs, benefits and services to the historically excluded cultural communities represented by this Office by establishing outreach programs in conjunction with other City Agencies and Departments to inform and educate those communities of relevant city programs, benefits and services;
   (C)   Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and advocate for policies that address the unique needs and challenges of various cultural communities and perform policy analysis and program evaluation to ensure the social, emotional and financial well-being of these cultural communities;
   (D)   Solicit community and stakeholder input regarding programming and policies to ensure that the priorities of underrepresented communities are properly considered in city decision making;
   (E)   Manage a staff of Cultural Advisors responsible for leading the above functions for specific historically excluded cultural communities in the city: historically excluded cultural communities will be defined as groups of city residents:
      (1)   With common ethnic ancestry, country of origin, language spoken and/or region of the world;
      (2)   With significant populations in the city; and
      (3)   Who, as a whole or with a subgroup, have economic, health or civic indicators demonstrating an insufficient ability to benefit from the city’s resources.
   (F)   Cultural advisors will develop a midyear progress report and end of year review on current lessons learned, community priorities and policy recommendations to better serve the residents within each cultural community;
   (G)   Advise the Mayor on challenges faced by historically underrepresented residents, including, but not limited to, obstacles to accessing city programs, benefits and services, and on socio-economic trends related to such persons;
   (H)   Identify model policies, practices, and programs within City Departments or Agencies, as well as in other municipalities across the United States, that effectively support historically excluded residents that can be adopted or adapted across the city; and
   (I)   Perform such other duties and functions as may be appropriate to pursue the policies set forth in this Section.
(Ord. 2023 c. 8)
12-20.4   Reporting Requirements.
   The Office shall provide to the City Council a midyear progress report and end of year review on current lessons learned, community priorities and policy recommendations to better serve the residents within each cultural community developed by the Cultural Advisors.
(Ord. 2023 c. 8)