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Council holds ordinance amending city code on departments; equity language and 'subdepartment' terms to be revised
Summary
An ordinance amending chapters 2 and 14 to reorganize departments and create several 'subdepartments' was discussed and put on unfinished business after questions about the label 'subdepartment,' reporting lines and equity language that legal said must be vetted to protect federal grants.
The Committee of the Whole on July 15 discussed an ordinance (25‑0516) proposing a reorganization of city departments and divisions, including dissolving the mayor’s Office of Community Affairs and creating several new subdepartments. The presenter said the city intends to move engagement and special events into other offices, create an Office of Sustainability Development and Business Opportunity, and transition Animal Care and Control into Community Services.
Legal review requested: staff said legal counsel is reviewing the ordinance’s equity language to ensure compliance with executive orders and to avoid jeopardizing federal grants. Committee members asked for clearer definitions of titles and purchasing authority for the heads of the proposed subdepartments; staff said subdepartment heads would possess purchasing authority comparable to department heads in some respects but would not carry the full responsibilities or compensation of chief‑level department heads.
Semantics and reporting lines: a number of aldermen raised concerns about the use of the phrase “subdepartment” (previously drafted as “quasi department”) and whether the Aldermen’s Office should be styled differently in the code. Staff and chief of staff said the ordinance already specifies reporting relationships (for example, the Office of the Aldermen reporting to the Rules, Administration and Procedure Committee) and that proposed language can be revised. Aldermen requested the legal department circulate alternatives and a corrected organizational diagram before the next council meeting.
Action: the item was put on unfinished business. Staff will work with legal to revise equity language as requested, clarify titles and purchasing authority for subdepartment heads, and circulate an updated diagram and draft ordinance to the council before the next meeting.
Ending: council members emphasized they wanted clear, consistent language that preserves the Aldermen’s Office autonomy and ensures the city remains eligible for federal grants; staff agreed to return with revised language and materials.
