TITLE: Title
Authorization for Town Staff to Move Forward with Update of the Town Code to Include Gender Neutral Language
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to receive authorization from the Board of Aldermen for staff to move forward with a comprehensive review of the Town Code and inclusion of gender neutral language.
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DEPARTMENT: Town Clerk
CONTACT INFORMATION: Cathy Dorando
INFORMATION: At the request of Mayor Lavelle, staff discussed making revisions to the Town Code related to gendered language. As we reviewed the Code, we determined that it is time for a comprehensive review of the entire document. If the Board authorizes this project, Town staff intends to have this completed in October 2020. The Code will be updated to reflect gender-neutral language and to remove codified inconsistencies with internal practices.
This compressive review will not change the fact that various ordinance amendments will still need to be brought to the Board of Aldermen in the interim, on an as needed basis.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: This project will take various levels of review by each department. It is estimated that the Town Clerk’s department will spend 300+ hours on this project. It is also anticipated that each department will spend around 10 hours of review of the Code.
RECOMMENDATION:r It is recommended that the Board of Aldermen authorize staff to begin this project and comment, if desired.