Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 2.19 Veterans' Affairs Commission

There is hereby established a veterans' affairs commission which shall act as an advisory body to the city council in all matters pertaining to veterans' affairs. Said veterans' affairs commission may be known and referred to as the "Hawthorne veterans' affairs commission" or the "veterans' affairs commission." The veterans' affairs commission shall provide advocacy and support for better communication, planning, and cooperation among entities for veterans and their families, homeless individuals and those at risk of becoming homeless in the city of Hawthorne. The veterans' affairs commission shall also endeavor to aid veterans in coordinating services with the programs of governmental agencies, public service agencies and volunteer organizations.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)

A. The veterans' affairs commission shall be composed of five members who are residents of the city. All members shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of a majority of the city council. Members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed from office without cause, notice or hearing, by a majority vote of the city council.

B. The members of the commission shall not serve more than one term of four consecutive years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. This section shall apply regardless of whether the member's term has commenced or occurred prior to the effective date of the ordinance imposing this one term of four consecutive years. The removal of the members whose term has expired shall be in the order of the longest serving member's removal before other members whose term has expired.

C. The members of the commission who have served one term of four consecutive years may be reappointed pursuant to subsection A of this section after ceasing to be members of the commission for more than ninety consecutive days. If such member of the commission is reappointed pursuant to subsection A of this section, the one term of four consecutive years begins anew.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2238 § 5, 2023; Ord. 2246, 12/12/2023)

The veterans' affairs commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson by majority vote from among its members. The term of office of the chairperson and the vice chairperson shall be for the calendar year, or for that portion of the calendar year remaining after he or she is designated or elected. After the initially elected chairperson and vice chairperson have served the term specified herein, the vice chairperson shall become the chairperson and the remaining members shall elect a new vice chairperson. The previous chairperson shall not be eligible to be a vice chairperson. This rotation of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall repeat after each one-year term. The members are not required to serve as a chairperson or vice chairperson and may decline to take such position, in which case, the position would go to the member yet to serve as the chair or vice chair.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2238 § 5, 2023)

To aid and assist the veterans' affairs commission in its deliberations, two ex officio members are appointed. Said ex officio members shall be without vote. The two ex officio members shall be comprised of: (1) the city attorney or designee; and (2) the city manager or designee.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)

The veterans' affairs commission shall adopt rules and regulations to govern procedure and shall by vote set a time for regular meeting which shall be held at least once each month. Special meetings may be held provided notice is given in accordance with the provisions contained in the Government Code. A majority of the regular members shall constitute a quorum. All meetings shall be held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. All meetings of the commission and all hearings required to be held by the commission shall be open to the public.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)

The city manager shall appoint a secretary to the commission who shall maintain accurate minutes of the activities of the commission. Minutes shall include the following subject matter:

A. The time and place of each meeting of the commission;

B. The names of the commissioners present;

C. All official acts of the commission;

D. The votes given by commissioners except when the action is unanimous;

E. A summary of all proceedings before the commission. All minutes shall be reduced to writing and presented to the commission at its next regular meeting for approval, amendment or correction. The minutes or true copies thereof shall be open to public inspection.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)

A vacancy shall automatically occur under any one of the following circumstances:

A. A commissioner without excuse fails to attend three consecutive commission meetings.

B. A commissioner files or causes to be filed or consents to the filing of nomination papers nominating the commissioner for an elective office of the city.

C. A commissioner moves his or her place of residence outside of the city limits.

D. A commissioner ceases to be an elector of the city.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)

Members of the veterans' affairs commission shall receive their actual and necessary expenses, including traveling expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties. They may receive such other compensation as the city council shall determine and prescribe from time to time.

(Ord. 2046 § 1, 2013)