La Mesa Municipal Code Ch. 2.73 Community Relations and Veterans Commission

There is hereby created the community relations and veterans commission of the city of La Mesa. The commission shall consist of seven appointed members. One member shall represent senior adults and shall not be less than fifty-five years of age at the time of appointment. One member shall be disabled or represent the disabled members of the community, three members shall be at large and two members shall represent veterans. These two members must meet one of the following criteria: 1) be an honorably discharged veteran of the United States armed forces; 2) be an active duty armed forces member serving in a civilian capacity; or 3) be a member of a veterans service organization based within the La Mesa city limits which is federally chartered and/or recognized by the department of veterans affairs for claim representation. If these particular appointments cannot be made and consequently vacancies occur, the remaining vacancies may be appointed at large. All seven members shall be resident electors of the city. Each member is entitled to vote on matters before the commission.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016; Ord. 2022-2902, § 1, December 13, 2022)

The mayor shall appoint all members of the commission with approval of the city council.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

The term of office for each appointed member shall be four years which shall commence on July 1 and terminate on June 30 four years thereafter. Members' terms shall be maintained so that not more than three terms expire in any given year; therefore, initially three members shall be appointed for a two-year term, three members shall be appointed for a three-year term, and three members shall be appointed for a four-year term.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

Each vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term vacated in the manner set forth in Section 2.73.020.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

The city manager shall designate the department to provide clerical and administrative services as required.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

Three consecutive absences shall constitute resignation of the member unless permission is secured before the third meeting or absence granted by the vote of not less than five members of the commission. Commission members shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed at the discretion of the city council by a majority vote.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

(a) The mission of the community relations and veterans commission is to address the needs and concerns of senior adults, the disabled, veterans, and the community-at-large, and develop activities which promote positive community relations in the city of La Mesa.

(b) The commission shall have the following duties and functions:

(1) Provide a forum for discussion by the commission and the community on senior adult, disabled, veterans, and human relations issues;

(2) Plan, participate in, and/or help sponsor events dealing with senior adult, the disabled, veterans, and human relations issues, which promote positive relations within the community; and

(3) Consult with other community organizations, senior groups, veteran-related associations, and organizations serving the disabled community to best coordinate the activities of the commission.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)

The commission shall meet at least ten times per year and shall adopt by majority vote such rules as it shall deem expedient for the conduct of business not contrary to other provisions and policies heretofore adopted by the city council. The commission shall, in January of each year, elect one of its members as chairperson, who shall hold office for one year.

(Ord. 2016-2851 § 1; December 13, 2016)