Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 3.76 Community Health Commission

*Provisions pertaining to the Fair Campaign Practices Commission can be found in Title 2, Ch. 2.12.

Council finds as follows:

A. Berkeley residents on average enjoy excellent health status.

B. Berkeley, like other jurisdictions throughout the state and nation, has striking variations in health status by race and ethnicity, as well as by education, income, and geography.

C. These variations in health status are systematic and avoidable, and thus are inherently unjust and unfair--they are health inequities.

D. Health inequities are unacceptable and diminish the health of the entire community.

E. Berkeley has a responsibility to build on its long history of social justice and create a community in which all people have the opportunity to attain their full health potential: a community in which there is health equity. (Ord. 7520-NS § 1 (part), 2016)

There is hereby established a Community Health Commission. The commission shall consist of members selected by the City Council in accordance with the Fair Representation Ordinance, Berkeley Municipal Code Sections 2.04.030 through 2.04.130. Appointments to the commission shall honor the mission of achieving health equity by appointing members who have a deep understanding of the social determinants of health equity, through lived experience and/or through professional expertise.

A. Commissioners should include representatives of as many of the following as possible:

1. Communities most affected by health inequities;

2. Community organizers;

3. Community agency representatives;

4. Health care providers;

(a) Licensed clinicians such as nurses, physicians, etc.;

(b) Non-licensed providers (community health workers, health navigators, etc.);

5. Behavioral health care providers;

6. Educators;

7. College Students;

8. Youth serving organizations.

B. Diversity: Commissioners should include people of varying race/ethnicity, gender, age, income, class and ability. (Ord. 7808-NS § 1, 2022)

The City Council shall appoint one of its members to act as a liaison representative to the commission. The functions of such liaison representative are:

A. To attend the meeting of the commission;

B. To advise the council of the background, attitudes and reasons behind decisions and recommendations of said commission; and

C. On request of any member of said commission to advise the commission of policies, procedures and decisions of the council that may bear on matters under discussion by commission.

The council liaison representative shall have no power to vote and shall receive no additional compensation. (Ord. 7520-NS § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 6010-NS § 2, 1990)

A. The commission shall elect one of its members president and one of its members vice-president.

B. An officer or employee of the City designated by the City Manager shall serve as secretary of the commission.

C. The commission shall establish a regular place and time for meeting. All meetings shall be noticed as required by law and shall be scheduled in a way to allow for maximum input from the public. The frequency of meetings shall be as determined by City Council resolution. The scheduling of special meetings in addition to those established by City Council resolution, except special meetings that take the place of cancelled regular meetings, shall be subject to approval by the City Council. A request for a special meeting shall include the reason for the proposed meeting and should be expedited on the City Council’s agenda, or in the alternative, placed before the Agenda Committee for approval.

D. The commission may make and alter rules governing its organization and procedures which are not inconsistent with this chapter or any other applicable ordinance of the City.

E. A majority of the members appointed is required to take any action. The commission shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings and transactions and shall submit an annual report to the City Council with a copy to the City Manager. (Ord. 7520-NS § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 6900-NS § 1, 2006; Ord. 6010-NS § 3, 1990)

A. The function of the commission shall be as follows:

1. Advising, reviewing, analyzing, and reporting back to City Council on matters pertaining to achieving health equity in Berkeley, including policies or proposals under consideration by Council;

2. Advise Council of potential health equity impacts of policies or proposals under consideration by Council;

3. Contribute to priority-setting and strategic planning efforts in the City as they relate to health equity;

4. Hear presentations, at regularly scheduled commission meetings, by appropriate experts, including community residents and community groups, to provide pertinent information on matters affecting the health and safety of Berkeley residents, including from community groups concerned with health equity;

5. Perform such other functions and duties as may be directed by the City Council or prescribed or authorized by any ordinance of the City, and such other functions and duties not prohibited by City Council which the commission should decide are consistent with its overall function of promoting health equity.

B. In prescribing the above duties and functions of the commission, it is not the intent of the council to duplicate or overlap the functions, duties, or responsibilities heretofore or hereafter assigned to any other City board or commission or to a City department. As to such functions or responsibilities above set forth which are partially or wholly the responsibilities of another board or commission or of a department of the City, the commission will render such assistance and advice to such board, commission or department as may be requested. (Ord. 7808-NS § 2, 2022; Ord. 7520-NS § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 6010-NS § 4, 1990)