Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 3.42 Los Angeles City-County Native American Indian Commission

There is created a Los Angeles City-County Native American Indian Commission.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21010, 1942.)

A.

The primary purpose of the commission is to increase the acquisition and application of federal funding resources to the socioeconomic problems of American Indians in Los Angeles City and County.

B.

In performing this function, the commission will represent the special interest and concerns of American Indians of all tribal and cultural backgrounds, religious convictions, and social circumstances.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21011, 1942.)

A.

The commission shall have 15 positions. Five members of the commission shall be appointed to a vacant position by, and serve at the pleasure of, the board of supervisors of the county of Los Angeles which shall be referred to in this chapter as the "board." Five members shall be appointed to a vacant position on the commission by the city of Los Angeles. Five members shall be selected by the Los Angeles Indian community pursuant to elections conducted by the commission.

B.

Each person who is a member of the commission on the effective date of the amendment codified in this section shall serve at the pleasure of his or her appointing authority for the remainder of his or her term of three years.

(Ord. 90-0086 § 16(a), 1990; Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21012, 1942.)

In appointing members to the commission, the appointing agencies shall, insofar as possible, appoint individuals based on the following criteria:

A.

Members should be reflective of the diversity of American Indians in the city and county, and consideration should be given to various tribal backgrounds, age groups and lifestyles;

B.

Members should have demonstrated capabilities of effective leadership within a specific area of community activity;

C.

Members should have demonstrated knowledge or ability in an area which has a significant bearing upon the problems of urban American Indians.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21013, 1942.)

The provisions of this section shall become applicable to a position on the commission at the expiration of the term of the member occupying that position on the effective date of the amendment codified in this section.

A.

Each member of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of his or her appointing authority. Each position on the commission shall become vacant every four years from the date the amendment codified in this section becomes applicable to each position.

B.

No member of the commission may serve more than two consecutive full periods of service as specified in subsection A of this section. The board may, by order, extend this length of service or waive this limit for individuals or the commission as a whole.

C.

A member's position on the commission shall become vacant upon his or her death, resignation, or removal by his or her appointing authority. In the case of such a vacancy, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor to serve until the position next becomes vacant under subsection A of this section.

D.

Sections 5.12.050, 5.12.060 and 5.12.090 of this code, and their successors, shall not apply to the commission.

(Ord. 90-0086 § 16(b), 1990; Ord. 12299 § 2, 1981; Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21014, 1942.)

The compensation of members of the commission shall be as provided from time to time in the current salary ordinance of the county of Los Angeles.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21017, 1942.)

The staff of the commission shall be those individuals designated in the current salary ordinances of the County of Los Angeles. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the position of executive director of the commission, the commission, pursuant to civil service provisions, may fill said vacancy. Subject to the supervision of the commission, and pursuant to appropriate civil service provisions, the executive director of the commission is responsible, as the administrative head of the commission staff, for implementing and executing the policy and program of the commission. Whenever in any Board order or resolution, ordinance (other than this Chapter), contract, or document, any reference is made to the executive assistant of the commission, such reference shall be deemed to mean the executive director of the commission.

(Ord. 2022-0019 § 7, 2022; Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21018, 1942.)

The commission shall prepare and adopt by a majority vote rules and regulations for the internal government of its business and designate the time and place of holding its meetings, provided that such rules and regulations are not inconsistent with Ordinance 4099 or any other county ordinance or statute. Fifty percent plus one of the appointed members present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum.

(Ord. 2017-0058 § 1, 2017; Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21019, 1942.)

The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson, and such other commission officers as may be necessary. The term of office of each such officer shall be for the calendar year or for that portion of the calendar year remaining after his or her election.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21020, 1942.)

A.

In order to meet its primary purpose of increasing the acquisition and local application of federal funds, the commission shall have the following duties:

To promote the development of programs and funding resources to serve urban American Indians and American Indian organizations; to advocate legislation and policy favorable to urban American Indians; and to serve as a sounding board for the American Indian community on issues and problems of furthering participation of urban American Indians in the mainstream of social and economic activities;

To work with existing federal, state and local agencies in researching, preparing and disseminating information in the field of American Indian affairs, so as to avoid duplication of effort, particularly with the county's human relations commission, in terms of the mandate of its ordinance;

To provide a coordinating function with respect to the activities of the many community groups and organizations working for the special concerns of American Indian people;

To serve as a catalyst and coordinating agency between federal, state, county, city and private agencies and with American Indian communities; and to foster pride in and an awareness of American Indian culture among all Americans;

To study and/or investigate, by means of meetings, conferences, public hearings or forums, conditions which adversely affect the welfare and socioeconomic status of American Indians; and to develop recommendations to the board of supervisors, mayor and city council on steps to be taken to correct these conditions;

To advise the residents of the city and county of Los Angeles, the board of supervisors, the mayor and city council, and the departments and agencies of these respective governments or other organizations and institutions, on matters involving the needs of American Indians; and to render to the board of supervisors, mayor and city council, and American Indian community, at least once each calendar year a report of its activities.

B.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as vesting in the Native American Indian commission any power or duty assigned by Charter, law or ordinance to any other county officer, commission or department, or as authorizing the commission to engage in any activity or to provide any service which the county is not authorized to conduct or perform. The commission shall not duplicate any service or activity provided by any other county officer or department. The commission shall coordinate its activities with those of related county officers and departments to achieve maximum effectiveness and service to the public.

(Ord. 11409 § 1 (part), 1976; Ord. 4099 Art. 113 § 21016, 1942.)