Carson Municipal Code Art. M Senior Citizens Advisory Commission

There is hereby established a Senior Citizens Advisory Commission. Said Senior Citizens Advisory Commission may be known and referred to as the "Carson Senior Citizens Advisory Commission" or the "Senior Citizens Advisory Commission."

(Ord. 97-1119 § 1)

The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission shall consist of eleven (11) 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 be and remain a resident of the City of Carson and be at least fifty (50) years of age. 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 1, 1997, 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. 13-1520 § 1; Ord. 04-1330 § 8; Ord. 04-1325 § 8; Ord. 97-1119 § 1; Ord. 97-1126 § 1)

The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, and a Corresponding Secretary from among its members, for terms of one (1) year, at its first regular meeting in July of each year. 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. 97-1119 § 1)

The Senior Citizens Advisory 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. 97-1119 § 1)

If a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory 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. 97-1119 § 1)

The Carson Senior Citizens Advisory Commission shall have the following authority and duties:

(a) To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, City Council subcommittee or City department concerned with senior citizens' problems concerning, but not limited to, social service programs for seniors (case management and in-home supportive services including the Stroke Activity Center, housing security/personal safety, transportation, recreation, therapeutics, economics and other governmental concerns which can impact the seniors of Carson).

(b) To assist City staff in establishing goals and objectives. Developing financial support networks and delivery of services to seniors.

(c) To assemble information on problems and their solutions for older Americans through all available means including public hearings.

(d) To be empowered on its own initiative to make recommendations to senior citizens service agencies on matters within its purview.

(e) To act to facilitate coordination between existing and proposed programs for the elderly.

(f) To carry out such studies as may be assigned to it by City Council.

(g) To officially represent the City before State, local and national organizations and agencies when directed by the City Council.

(h) To report to the Mayor and City Council its findings on a regular basis.

(Ord. 97-1119 § 1)

Each member and alternate member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission shall receive compensation at the rate of $35.00 for each meeting of the Senior Citizens Advisory 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. 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 may find to be beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interests of the City. Claims for such expenses shall be filed with the Finance Officer and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council.

(Ord. 13-1520 § 2; Ord. 97-1119 § 1; Ord. 06-1368 § 7)