Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 2.20 Senior Citizens' Commission

There is hereby established a senior citizens' commission composed of five members who are residents of the city. Each member shall be at least fifty years of age.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

The senior citizens' commission shall act as an advisory body to the city council in all matters pertaining to the needs, concerns and quality of life of all seniors in the city of Hawthorne. The senior citizens' commission shall: (1) analyze and evaluate the needs of seniors; (2) coordinate the available resources for senior form public agencies, nonprofits and volunteer organizations; (3) provide input in any new plans for programs, activities and events for seniors; and (4) reach out publish, educate and/or disseminate relevant information pertaining to seniors. The commission shall have the discretion to make studies, investigations, reports and recommendations to the city manager or to the city council with regard to the (1) to (4) above, and such other matters as may be referred to the commission by the city council from time to time.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

The mayor shall appoint a commissioner from the citizens at large, and such appointment shall be ratified and confirmed by a majority vote 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 of hearing, by a majority vote of the city council.

(Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

A. 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.

B. The members of the commission who have served one term of four consecutive years may be reappointed pursuant to Section 2.20.030 of this chapter after ceasing to be a member of the commission for more than ninety consecutive days. If such member of the commission is thereafter reappointed pursuant to Section 2.20.030, the one term of four consecutive years begins anew.

(Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021; Ord. 2238 § 6, 2023; Ord. 2246, 12/12/2023)

The senior citizens' 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 initial elected chairperson and a 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. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021; Ord. 2238 § 6, 2023)

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

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

The senior citizens' 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 of the commission and all hearings required to be held by the commission shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

The city manager shall appoint a secretary to the senior citizens' 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. Copies of the minutes shall be furnished to the city council, members of this commission, and any other public official requiring them.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

A vacancy shall automatically occur in the office of any commissioner who without excuse fails to attend three consecutive commission meetings, who files or causes to be filed or who consents to the filing of nomination papers nominating such commissioner for an elective office of the city, or who moves his or her place of residence outside of the city limits or who ceases to be an elector of the city.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)

The members of the commission shall be compensated in an amount as established by resolution or budget of the city council.

(Ord. 2047 § 1, 2013; Ord. 2222 § 3, 2021)