Marin County Municipal Code Ch. 2.43 The Marin Women's Commission

The board of supervisors of the county declares that it is the policy of the county to take affirmative action to eliminate the practice of discrimination and prejudice on account of sex in the areas of housing, education, community services, employment and related fields. In order to promote this policy there is hereby established, pursuant to and in accordance with county code requirements for the county a Marin Women's Commission.

(Ord. 3168 § 1(B), 1994: Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

The Marin Women's Commission is established.

(Ord. 3168 § 1(C), 1994: Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

This chapter shall apply throughout the unincorporated areas of Marin County. Nothing herein shall create any rights, powers or duties in conflict with any state, federal or municipal law.

(Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

The commission shall consist of twelve members. Each supervisor shall appoint two members who shall be residents of the supervisorial district, and two members at large shall be appointed by the entire board. Each commissioner shall have a term of three years, except that the terms of the first commissioners shall be staggered so that the term of five commissioners shall expire in one year, and the term of six commissioners shall expire in two years. The first appointees shall draw lots at the first meeting of the commission to determine the term of each initial commissioner. Any vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

A vacancy shall exist and shall be reported to the board of supervisors whenever a commissioner fails to attend more than three consecutive regular meetings of the commission without good cause entered on its minutes. (Ord. 3168 § 1(D), 1994: Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

(Ord. No. 3503, § I, 2008; Ord. No. 3517, § I, 2009; Ord. No. 3822, § 2, 2024)

The commission shall meet at least once each calendar month at a regularly established time and place. All meetings shall be public.

Notification of any change in the time or place of meetings shall be given three days in advance to the board of supervisors and to all representatives of communications media who have filed written request therefor.

(Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

Commissioners shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses incurred on official duty in accord with established county policy.

(Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

The powers and duties of the commission shall be as follows:

(1) To study and investigate by means of meetings, conferences or public hearings, conditions which demonstrate discrimination or prejudice because of sex;

(2) To consult and cooperate with the board of supervisors, the human rights commission, and federal, state, city and other public agencies and to refer, if requested, to the proper governmental agencies any matters, disputes or controversies already in the jurisdiction of their existing powers, with the intent that duplication of efforts should be avoided;

(3) To prepare and disseminate information in the field of sex discrimination and prejudice and to advise and counsel the residents of the county, board of supervisors, the county administrator and departments and agencies of the county, state, and federal governments on matters involving the needs of women and relating to discrimination and prejudice on account of sex;

(4) To investigate complaints on the needs and problems of women, or to initiate its own investigations, of practices of discrimination and instances of prejudice against any person because of sex, and to seek to resolve such matters through consultation, conciliation and advice;

(5) To conduct public hearings within the scope and function of the commission;

(6) To act as conciliator and mediator upon the request of any party to a dispute or controversy within the scope and purposes of the commission;

(7) To recommend necessary procedures, programs, or legislation to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities for all women;

(8) To render to the board of supervisors, at least once each calendar year, a report or reports of its activities;

(9) Subject to the approval of the county administrator, to request of any county department information, services, facilities, and any other assistance for the purposes of furthering the objectives of this chapter.

(Ord. 2078 § 1 (part), 1974)

The women's commission shall sunset (expire) on August 15, 2018, and may be extended every four years thereafter by resolution of the board of supervisors. The board of supervisors may take action to either continue or discontinue the commission prior to this date or any future sunset date established by resolution.

(Ord. 3461 § 2 (part), 2006)

(Ord. No. 3547, § II, 2010; Ord. No. 3617, § II, 2014)