Carson Municipal Code Art. T . Women's Issues Commission

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Code reviser's note: Ordinance No. 02-1246 added these provisions as Subchapter R, §§ 27104.1 through 27104.8. They have been renumbered to avoid duplication.

There is hereby established a Women's Issues Commission. Said Women's Issues Commission may be known and referred to as the "Carson Women's Issues Commission" or the "Women's Issues Commission."

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)

The Women's Issues Commission shall consist of nine (9) members, and three (3) alternate members who shall be called upon, when necessary, in the order of their appointments as Alternate 1, 2 or 3, to substitute for any absent commissioner, each of whom shall have the qualifications hereinafter set forth. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. The tenure of any member of the Commission and any Alternate shall be terminable at will, and without cause, by removal on the motion of any member of the Council, duly seconded, and with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. Subject to the provisions of this Section, the tenure of Commission members appointed on or after April 18, 2002, shall expire at midnight on the last day of the calendar month in which the next general municipal election after the member's appointment is held for seats on the Carson City Council. Each Commission member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor, and has qualified unless the City Council declares the position to be vacant. Should any vacancy exist on the Commission, an appointment shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. All appointments shall be made in an open meeting of the City Council.

(Ord. 13-1523 § 1; Ord. 13-1519 § 1; Ord. 04-1330 § 15; Ord. 02-1246 § 1; Ord. 04-1325 § 15)

The Women's Issues Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among its members, for terms of one (1) year, at its first regular meeting and thereafter at its first regular meeting in July of each year. The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Commission in a fair and impartial manner. The Commission may also appoint such other officers as may be necessary or convenient for the administration of its business, at the same time and for like terms. Said officers shall enter in the duties of their office at the first regular meeting in July of each year. The Commission shall adopt Bylaws for the transaction of its business. The Bylaws, or any amendments thereto, shall become effective only upon approval by the City Council. The Commission shall keep a record of all its minutes, resolutions, actions, findings and determinations, all of which shall be filed with the City Clerk. Minutes, resolutions, and recommendations shall be filed with both the City Clerk and the City Manager.

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)

The Women's Issues Commission shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting in each month at such time and place as designated in the Bylaws of the Commission. Regular meetings may be adjourned by public announcement to a specified date, time, and place, and any such adjourned meeting shall be deemed a regular meeting. All meetings shall be open to the public. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)

If a member of the Women's Issues Commission is absent from three (3) successive regular meetings without being excused by the Commission, or is absent for any reason for more than six (6) regular meetings in any twelve (12) month period, the office of such member shall be vacated and the Chair shall immediately notify the City Manager, who shall notify the City Council that said office is vacant. Upon such notification, a successor for the remainder of the term of such member shall be appointed by the appointing authority for the member whose position is vacated.

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)

The Carson Women's Issues Commission shall have the following authority and duties:

(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager with respect to issues affecting women and families in the City of Carson including domestic violence, equality in employment, educational equality, women's empowerment, self-esteem, teen-dating abuse, women's health, unwed motherhood, parenting, child care, social service resources available to women, and other issues of particular concern to women and families.

(b) Recommend to the Council educational programs and events which promote public understanding and awareness of women's issues and social services available for women and families.

(c) Assist the City Council in the implementation of educational programs and events on women's issues and social services available to women and families as may be authorized by the City Council.

(d) Review and recommend Council support of or opposition to legislation or programs of other agencies which affect women and families.

(e) Compile information on counseling, legal, medical, educational, employment, and housing resources available to women and families in need; provided, that the Commission shall not provide such services to women and families unless specifically authorized by the City Council.

(f) The Women's Issues Commission shall have no responsibility or authority to direct or interfere with the operations and management of any public or private agency or contractor, nor shall any individual member of the Women's Issues Commission at any time attempt to direct, interfere with, or participate in the operations or management of any public or private agency or contractor or their personnel.

(g) The Women's Issues Commission shall have no responsibility or authority to review, evaluate, investigate, or comment upon matters which are within the duties and functions of City employees or any other City of Carson Commission.

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)

Each member and alternate member of the Women's Issues Commission shall receive compensation at the rate of $35.00 for each meeting of the Commission attended by such member, not to exceed a total compensation of $70.00 in any one (1) month. Such compensation shall be paid on the first register of the month. The Secretary of the Commission shall submit to the Finance Officer at the end of each calendar month a statement showing the number of meetings of the Commission attended by each member during such month. No additional compensation shall be paid for expenses incurred by the members of the Commission in the performance of their duties, except that the City Council may, from time to time, authorize in advance expenditures for attendance at seminars, institutes or other meetings which the City Council finds beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interest of the City. Claims for such expenditures shall be filed with the Finance Officer and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council.

(Ord. 13-1519 § 1; Ord. 02-1246 § 1; Ord. 06-1368 § 14)

Each member of the Women's Issues Commission shall be a resident of the City of Carson or work in the City of Carson during their tenure on the Commission and shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the member's appointment.

(Ord. 02-1246 § 1)