Los Angeles County Municipal Code Ch. 3.65 Youth Climate Commission

There is created the Los Angeles County Youth Climate Commission, hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the "Commission."

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

The purpose of the Commission is to offer recommendations, ideas, and advice on County goals, plans, actions, and policies related to climate mitigation and adaptation.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

The Commission shall have twenty-five voting members. Each member of the Board of Supervisors (Board) shall nominate five candidates for Commissioner positions. Each Commission member shall be at least eighteen years of age when initially appointed. Commission members shall be referred to as "Commissioners."

B.

All Commissioners shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Board.

C.

The Commission may, by majority vote, establish subcommittees, as necessary, to carry out its work. Subcommittees may only be comprised of appointed members of the Commission. Subcommittees may consult with subject-matter experts as authorized by law.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

To create staggered tenures of Commissioners, after the first Commission meeting, Commissioners shall divide themselves, or if necessary be divided by Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) staff into two groups (Groups A and B, in equal numbers, or with one more Commissioner in Group B if there is an odd number of total appointed Commissioners). Group A will serve an initial term of one year and will be eligible to serve one additional two-year term. Group B will serve an initial term of two years and will be eligible to serve one additional two-year term. Thereafter, each new Commissioner appointed to the Commission shall serve a two-year term.

B.

A Commissioner may serve a maximum of two consecutive full two-year terms, except as provided in section A, and section C below for Commissioners appointed to complete a partial term created by a vacancy, plus one additional two-year term. The Board may extend this length of service or waive this limit for individual Commissioners or the Commission as a whole.

C.

A member's position on the Commission shall become vacant upon the member's death, resignation or removal by the Board. In the case of such a vacancy, a successor shall be appointed by the Board to serve until the position next becomes vacant pursuant to subsection A of this section. Commissioners appointed to fill vacancies shall be selected by a Supervisor of the same Supervisorial District that selected the Commissioner for the position that became vacant.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

Each member of the Commission shall be entitled to receive compensation, to be set from time to time by the Board, for each regular and special meeting of the Commission attended, up to a maximum per member of $5,000 per fiscal year. Each member shall also be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in performing duties in accordance with County policies regulating reimbursement to County officers and employees (including parking and transportation to attend meetings of the Commission).

B.

Each member of the Commission may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in participating in activities that are pre-approved in writing by CSO staff and for which funding is available.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

A quorum of the Commission must be present to conduct business. A majority of the appointed members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business. For purposes of voting, decisions of the commission shall be made by a majority vote of the quorum. Once quorum is established, decisions of the Commission shall be made by a majority vote of the members present. Only Commission members may vote at meetings of the body. Proxy votes are prohibited.

B.

The Commission shall adopt the bylaws, by a vote of not less than a quorum present, addressing the frequency, time and place of meetings, participation requirements, election and term of chairs and vice chairs, and such other matters deemed necessary for the Commission's operation, provided that they are not inconsistent with this ordinance or any other law.

C.

The Commission may amend the bylaws as needed and consistent with this ordinance and any other law. Amendments must be approved at a meeting by a vote of not less than a quorum present. Notice of proposed amendments must be provided to all Commissioners at least thirty calendar days before such meeting.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

The Commission shall meet quarterly.

B.

Commission meetings shall be chaired by the Commission chair or vice-chair, with the support of CSO staff.

C.

Commission meetings shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act and follow Robert's Rules of Order.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

A CSO staff person will provide support and guidance to the Commission.

B.

The Executive Office of the Board will be responsible for the Commission's administrative management.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

For administrative purposes, supplies, and all other costs and expenses of the Commission shall be allocated to the Executive Office of the Board.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

A.

The Commissioners shall elect a chair and vice-chair.

B.

The term of each chair or vice-chair, shall be for one calendar year after their election, except that they may relinquish such position before completing their term.

C.

Elections of successor chairs shall take place in a timely manner to provide for uninterrupted Commission leadership.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

The Commission shall carry out the following duties, seeking and obtaining information and operating only as permitted by law:

A.

Provide recommendations to the Board, CSO, and County departments regarding new or existing County policies, practices, priorities, and initiatives related to climate mitigation and adaptation; and provide input and feedback on the development of near-term OurCounty priorities and funding strategies, the release of annual updates on OurCounty progress, and the development of sustainability guidance/input for the County legislative agenda.

B.

Provide recommendations on existing or proposed legislation, policy, or initiatives to the Board regarding the County's progress on its climate-related commitments, especially regarding its impact on youth.

C.

Provide an annual report to the Board apprising it of the Commission's activities and achievements during the year.

D.

Work collaboratively with other County commissions, boards, and committees, including those with similar purpose and responsibilities, to avoid redundancy.

E.

Develop outreach and consistent communication with youth under 18 in order to obtain their input, voices and experiences.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

In compliance with applicable law, County policies, and confidentiality and privacy regulations, the Commission shall have the authority to:

A.

Make recommendations on the County's climate-related initiatives and progress toward the County's climate-related goals, including recommendations for new or stronger actions that the County should consider implementing.

B.

Gather input from community stakeholders regarding the County's climate-related initiatives.

C.

Promote awareness of and participation in climate-related County events and initiatives.

D.

Participate in the implementation of local climate-related initiatives.

E.

Partner with youth-based climate movements in other jurisdictions.

F.

Report back to the Board when requested to do so regarding the Commission's scope, activities, and future plans.

G.

Share Commission experiences and lessons learned through talks and presentations at climate conferences and other relevant events.

H.

Should the Commission receive confidential information, inadvertently or otherwise, Commissioners shall abide by all confidentiality laws and maintain the confidentiality of such information by not disclosing any portion to any person unless further disclosure is specifically authorized by court order or State or federal law.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)

The sunset review date for the Commission shall be five years from the effective date of this ordinance.

(Ord. 2022-0022 § 1, 2022.)