The McAlester City Council approved an ordinance establishing a 13‑member Community Advisory Board to advise the council on matters affecting community well‑being, including coordination among local nonprofits and service providers.

The ordinance, advanced with an emergency clause, requires a designated staff member to provide administrative support and sets rolling terms for membership. Councilors said the larger membership is intended to include representatives from social service providers, business owners and other community stakeholders so that the advisory panel does not become one‑sided.

Council discussion focused on the board’s size and quorum rules. Supporters said 13 seats will help ensure diverse representation from organizations such as Compassion 365, Humanity 918, Hope House and other local nonprofits, and reduce the risk of an unworkable, too‑small committee. Some councilors stressed that the board should be advisory only and not authorize city spending.

The measure received a roll‑call vote and carried unanimously. The ordinance text specifies the creation of the advisory board within Macalester city code Title 2 and requires a staff liaison; the council directed staff to finalize references in the printed ordinance to reflect 13 members.

The council characterized the board as a forum for information sharing, referrals among service providers and input on policy questions — including homelessness, under‑housing and resource coordination — rather than a grant‑making body.