El Monte Municipal Code Ch. 2.26 Human Relations Commission

There is hereby created a Human Relations Commission ("Commission") for the city, consisting of seven (7) members, to be known as Human Relations Commissioners ("Commissioners"), who shall serve without monetary or non-monetary compensation of any kind whatsoever.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

A. Purpose. The purpose of the Commission is to advance and advocate for equity, access, diversity, social justice, safety, mutual appreciation, increased cultural competency, positive inter-group relations and respect for all members of the El Monte community ("Purpose").

B. Scope. The Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council and report directly to the City Council to assess and recommend policies, procedures and activities in the city government to advance the Commission's purpose. It is not intended for the Commission to be a quasi-judicial body, an oversight board nor a body whose primary function is to receive or investigate individual incidents or complaints. The Commission may request and obtain information with respect to individual incidents, or complaints, but only to the extent necessary to make policy, procedure or activity recommendations to the City Council.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

A. Composition. The Commission shall be composed of seven (7) members who shall serve staggard two-year terms of office. Each Commissioner shall be appointed in the manner provided under Government Code Section 40605. Members of the Commission may be appointed for a maximum of three (3) two-year terms of office. To achieve staggering the initial term of three (3) of the initially appointed commissioners shall be for an abbreviated term of one year and thereafter any reappointment shall be for a term of two (2) years. The one-year abbreviated term shall count toward the maximum of three (3), two-year term of office limit on service on the Commission.

B. Residency. At least five (5) of the appointed members shall be residents of the city at the time of their appointment and for the duration of their respective terms ("resident Commissioners"). At least two (2) of the resident Commissioners shall also be junior, sophomore or freshman of a public high school located in the City of El Monte at the time of their initial appointment and must remain students in a public high school in El Monte for the entirety of their term(s). In addition, the City Council may appoint up to two (2) Commissioners who are not residents of the city ("non-resident Commissioners").

1. Resident Commissioners. If a resident Commissioner intends to resign or ceases to be a resident of the city, such resident Commissioner shall provide notice to the City Council of such resignation or non-residency as soon as reasonably practicable and his or her term shall terminate immediately upon receipt of such notice.

2. Non-Resident Commissioners. In deciding whether to appoint a person to serve as a non-resident Commission, consideration shall be given to candidates affiliated with academia; faith-based institutions or groups; nonprofit or community organizations; businesses operating in the city; other government agencies, committees or commissions that also address issues of concern to the Commission; or other fields or industries as my be directed by the City Council from time to time. If a non-resident Commissioner intends to resign, such non-resident Commissioner shall provide notice to the City Council of such resignation and such resignation shall be effective upon the receipt of such written notice.

C. Qualifications. All members shall have an expressed interest and/or demonstrated leadership, education, experience, expertise, training, skills or knowledge related to the Commission's purpose. Persons who serve on the Commission (1) shall be fair-minded, reasonable and committed to addressing issues of equity, diversity, social justice, safety, mutual appreciation and respect in the El Monte community; (2) will work with others in a meaningful, open, productive, professional, tolerant, cordial and collaborative manner; and (3) should represent a cross-section of the city including, but limited to, diversity of economic status, race, ancestry, religion, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, other protected status, immigration status and geographic area within the city.

D. Removal. Commissioners may be removed from the Commission in accordance provisions of Section 2.25.040 of Chapter 2.25 (City Commissions (Non-Planning) of the El Monte Municipal Code. Except as otherwise provided under this chapter, tenure of Commissioners shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.25.040. Provisions of Section 2.25.040 relating to the filling of vacancies shall not apply to this chapter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of Section 2.25.040, the provisions of this chapter shall govern and control.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

A. Time. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly at such time and date established by written resolution of the City Council. Special meetings of the Commission may be called from time to time, provided, however, that no more than two (2) special meetings may be scheduled per year without the prior written approval of the City Manager and subject to the availability of support staff.

B. Place. Regular meetings shall be held at El Monte City Hall.

C. Open to the Public. All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public and be noticed and held in compliance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act.

D. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

A. Officers. Members of the Commission shall select a presiding officer from among their ranks to serve for a one-year term as chairperson. The members shall also appoint a vice-chairperson. In the absence of the chairperson and vice-chairperson, the members of the Commission present shall select one member to serve as acting chairperson.

B. Absences. If a member of the Commission fails to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Commission or fails to attend fifty (50) percent or more of the regular meetings of the Commission during a calendar year. In such event, the City Council may declare such member's seat vacant and appoint a new member to serve the balance of the member's unexpired term. The foregoing notwithstanding, each Commissioner shall be permitted one absence per calendar year which will not count toward the three (3) consecutive absence limit.

C. Minutes. The Commission shall cause a proper record to be kept of its proceedings.

D. Policies. The Commission shall establish written policies to ensure efficient organization and management of its affair, which policies shall be subject to review and approval by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

No expense of any kind shall be incurred by the Commission unless first approved by the City Council in writing.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

The Human Relations Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. The Commission shall develop and submit to the City Council for its approval an annual workplan (the "annual workplan") to further its purpose. Upon inception and prior to the beginning of each calendar year, the Commission shall develop and submit it's annual workplan prior to commencing any work for the upcoming or remainder of the then current calendar year. The City Council shall consult with the Commission to discuss each annual workplan but may approve or revise any annual workplan in its sole discretion.

B. The Commission may, as it deems necessary and with the City Council approval, hold public meetings and forums to educate the public, disseminate information, provide access to resources or promote any issues related to its purpose.

C. The Commission may, as it deems necessary to further its purpose establish and maintain active liaisons with City Council; City Commissions and departments; other governmental or public entities; or community agencies, partners, groups, organizations and individuals.

D. The Commission may, as it deems necessary to further its purpose, assist the general public by providing general information regarding the appropriate process to file a complaint concerning actual or perceived discriminatory interactions between city employees and the public. Nothing in this section, however, shall confer upon the Commission the power to investigate complaints, review personnel or disciplinary records or make recommendations on the disposition of any specific complaint.

E. The Commission shall prepare and submit to the City Council an annual report (the "annual report") that summarizes its progress toward achieving its purpose to include without limitation, an update of current and future projects, programs and activities and an update on its performance and implementation of its annual workplan for the immediately preceding calendar year. The Commission shall use its best efforts to prepare and submit each annual report prior to the end of each calendar year and in conjunction with its annual workplan for the next calendar year.

F. The Commission shall perform such other tasks as may at any time be designated by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)

A. The City Manager's Office shall provide all administrative support to the Commission, including the scheduling and staffing of meetings.

B. Staff shall provide reasonable and necessary data, information and materials, in a timely manner, as may be required for the Commission to carry out its purpose to the extent permitted by law. The Commission shall not be entitled to records of the city which are not otherwise available for inspection or copying by members of the public. Assignments and tasks requiring a substantial amount of staff time to prepare must be approved by the City Manager or otherwise directed by the full City Council.

(Ord. No. 3016, § 2, 10-18-2022)