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A RESOLUTION OF THE HICKORY CITY COUNCIL CREATING THE HICKORY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL; OUTLINING MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS,

AUTHORITY AND DUTIES THEREOF

WHEREAS, the City of Hickory is becoming an international community serving residents, businesses, and visitors from throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, international trade is expanding and communications technology is bringing the people of the world closer together; and

WHEREAS, the prosperity and quality of life in the City of Hickory are enhanced by its ethnic diversity and international connections; and

WHEREAS, a city that is well informed about international affairs, and the needs of its international businesses, visitors and residents will be more successful in integrating its business institutions into the world's economy; and.

WHEREAS, a city that promotes an international perspective, an appreciation of other cultures and the acceptance and integration of people of all nationalities, religions and ethnic backgrounds will provide a better quality of life and greater opportunity for all of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, a vehicle is needed to help the Hickory City Council receive input from the diverse groups dedicated to these purposes and to provide suggestions to the City Council for ways that the City of Hickory can improve awareness of Hickory as an international city, and promote an environment that welcomes and values international visitors, residents and businesses;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA, AS FOLLOWS:

1. Established.

There is hereby created and established the Hickory International Council.

2. Membership; Appointment; Terms; Compensation.

2.1 Appointment. The Hickory International Council shall be composed of Ten (10) to Twenty (20) members, nominated by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council.

2.2 Representation. It is the City Council's intent that the Hickory International Council shall be comprised of a broad cross-section of the community with international ties. While there are not specific representation requirements, the City Council shall at all times strive to appoint representatives of the following sectors:

2.2.1 Naturalized citizens

2.2.2 Immigrants who have been authorized to live, work, or study in the United States;

2.2.3 International businesses;

2.2.4 Domestic businesses engaged in international trade;

2.2.5 International organizations; and

2.2.6 Neighborhood associations.

2.3 Qualifications. Members shall represent diverse international interests, groups and cultures in the Hickory Metropolitan Statistical Area.

2.3.1 Members shall have an interest, experience or background in international issues including but not limited to international visitors and citizens, immigrants, international businesses, international economic development, education, and international organizations,

2.4 Diversity. Although no quotas are established, efforts shall be made to include a balanced mix of representatives including consideration of gender, race, national origin and minority status when making appointments.

3. Oaths; Compensation

3.1 Oaths of Public Officers. The original Hickory International Council Members and each successor in office shall be public officers and the oath of office of public officers shall be administered to all International Council Members, as a condition precedent to their becoming Hickory International Council members, by any person authorized to administer oaths in the State of North Carolina. The oath of office of the initial Hickory International Council Members and successor Members shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Hickory.

3.2 Compensation. Members of the Hickory International Council shall serve without pay but may be reimbursed for actual expenses incidental to the performance of their duties within the limits of funds available to the Hickory International Council and the policies of the City of Hickory.

4. Organization, Meetings

4.1 The City Manager shall assign a staff liaison to assist the Hickory International Council. The staff liaison will attend all meetings, prepare meeting notices, provide agendas and back-up materials, make sure minutes are taken and sent to the City Clerk, and provide professional guidance to the Hickory International Council during deliberations on policies, procedures, activities, and planning.

4.2 The Hickory International Council, within Ninety (90) days of its appointment, shall meet and elect a chair and a vice-chair.

4.3 The Hickory International Council shall maintain a record of its members' attendance, its actions, findings and recommendations, which record shall be open to the public. A staff liaison assigned by the City Manager shall be responsible for such records.

4.4 A quorum of Six (6) members shall be necessary to take any official action authorized or required by this resolution.

4.5 The Hickory International Council shall meet as it deems necessary, but at least one (1) time per year, after which it shall report its activities to the Hickory City Council.

4.6 All meetings shall be open to the public and conducted pursuant to the North Carolina Open Meetings Act.

5. Powers, duties.

5.1 The Hickory International Council shall not adopt bylaws to govern the conduct of its business, but shall be guided by the precepts established in this Resolution, which may not expand the scope or authority of the Hickory International Council beyond that expressly authorized in this Resolution.

5.2 The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and perform other duties designated by the Hickory International Council.

5.3 All recommendations by the Hickory International Council pursuant to the terms of the Hickory City Code shall be approved by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Hickory International Council members present and voting unless a greater percentage is required by law.

5.4 The Hickory International Council shall also elect a Vice-Chairman, who shall act in the place of the Chairman during the latter's absence or incapacity to act. In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, assuming a quorum exists at the meeting, the members shall chose a temporary chairman from among themselves to serve until the Chair or Vice-Chair shall again be in attendance.

5.5 All minutes, books and records are available for inspection and copying at the office of the City Clerk as provided by the North Carolina Open Records Act.

5.6 The Hickory International Council is not authorized to contract any indebtedness either in its own name or on behalf of the City of Hickory, nor may it enter into contracts either in its own name or on behalf of the City of Hickory. Additionally, no member or members of the Hickory International Council shall have the power or authority to bind or obligate any other members, or the City, in his or its capacity.

6. Purposes of the Hickory International Council.

The Hickory International Council is established to serve as a forum for the international community in Hickory and to advise the City Council regarding ways to improve Hickory as an international city that welcomes and values international visitors, residents and businesses. The Hickory International Council may act as an advocate in making recommendations to the City Council concerning the international communities, organizations and businesses in Hickory. The Hickory International Council shall work to facilitate effective communication between the City's international community and the municipal government. It shall work with the international community to identify and recommend opportunities to improve the City's delivery of services, quality of life and economy. The Hickory International Council shall have the following responsibilities, subject to the provisions and limitation otherwise provided by North Carolina General Statutes and the Hickory City Code:

6.1 To recommend to the City Council steps, processes, programs or procedures which will improve communication and foster positive interaction between the international community and municipal government.

6.1.1 The Hickory International Council will act in an advisory capacity and will not undertake implementation of activities.

6.1.2 The Hickory International Council will maintain communication with and avoid duplicating efforts of other international organizations within the Hickory community.

6.1.3 The Hickory International Council shall not become involved in the day-to-day administration of City activities and functions; and shall offer its advice in a positive vein for the continued improvement of the City.

6.2 To work to make Hickory better known as an international city and a city friendly to international visitors, businesses and residents.

6.3 To recommend actions to improve cultural understanding and tolerance within the community.

6.4 To work with the educational system, the City of Hickory and other organizations to promote the understanding of the international communities within Hickory and to teach the interconnectedness of the world today.

6.5 To recommend actions to promote both international investment in Hickory and the expansion of local businesses through exports and investment abroad.

6.6 To make referrals to other appropriate entities regarding the activities of individuals, agencies, and organizations, public and private, whose plans, activities and programs bear upon the international visitors, residents and businesses within the City of Hickory.

6.7 To make studies of conditions that affect the international community within the City.

7. Contributions

The Hickory International Council may not receive contributions, gifts or other remuneration from private agencies, foundations, organizations, individuals, state or federal government or any other source either individually, as a group or on behalf of the City of Hickory as a result of service on the Hickory International Council, but may advise the City Council of the existence of such items and recommend on the acceptance or rejection of the same.

8. Reports

The Hickory International Council shall report recommendations to the Hickory City Council not less frequently than one (1) time per calendar year. In its annual report the Hickory International Council shall recommend whether it should continue to exist or whether it should be dissolved by the City Council.

9. Effective Date

This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.

To leave a message for a member of the Hickory International Council call 828-326-0264.
For more information, contact:

Staff liaison Mary Sizemore at 828-304-0500 x7275 or by e-mail
Chair, Hani Nassar at 828-234-6330 or by e-mail.