Merced County Municipal Code Ch. 2.60 Commission on Status of Women

The Board of Supervisors of Merced County declares that in order to facilitate equality for all citizens of Merced County regardless of sex, a Merced County commission on the status of women is hereby established. The functions of this commission are to study, evaluate, and make recommendations to the board in areas affecting the lives of women in Merced County including, but not limited to, employment, housing, education, and community services.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

The commission shall consist of fifteen members, at least a majority of whom will be women. Each supervisor shall appoint three members and one alternate member. Members shall represent a broad spectrum of views and lifestyles. Commission members must be:

A. Sensitive to and supportive of the needs of women within Merced County;

B. Knowledgeable of the community which she or he represents and have the ability to speak for groups of women;

C. Representative of their communities' ethnic groups fields of employment, and income levels;

D. Interested in taking an active part in commission meetings and activities.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

Each commissioner shall have a term of four years, and until his/her respective successor is appointed and qualified, except that the terms of the first commissioners shall be staggered so that the term of three commissioners shall expire on July 1, 1978, the term of four commissioners shall expire on July 1, 1979, the term of four commissioners shall expire on July 1, 1980, and the term of four commissioners shall expire on July 1, 1981. Each alternate commissioner shall be appointed for a four year term, expiring July 1, 1981. The first appointees shall draw lots at the first meeting of the commission to determine the term of each initial commissioner. Commissioners shall not be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

In the event any commissioner shall resign or be unable to serve the full term, the board shall appoint a replacement for such commissioner. If such resignation or inability occurs within the last year of a term, the successor shall be eligible to reappointment for two consecutive terms.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

The commission may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants without salary as it may find necessary. Services of individuals as volunteer workers or consultants shall not be considered as service for, or employment by, the county.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

The commission shall organize itself within fifteen days from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. It shall prepare rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and, after approval of the Board of Supervisors, such rules shall govern the commission. The commission shall meet at least once a month. The commission shall elect one of its members to act as chairperson, and one of its members to act as vice-chairperson.

(Ord. 863, 1977)

The powers and duties of the commission are as follows:

A. To study by means of meetings, conferences or forums, conditions which demonstrate discrimination; and, other areas of concern pertaining to the needs and lives of women, and the effort to achieve equality of opportunity;

B. To maintain liaison with appropriate federal, state, city and other public and private agencies, including Merced County's affirmative action advisory committee with the intent that duplication of efforts should be avoided;

C. To maintain lists of federal, state, county, city and private services and make available such lists in the areas of employment, housing, education, credit, child care, medicine, law, counseling, welfare and related services;

D. To hear complaints of practices of discrimination against any person because of sex, and to refer such complaints to the proper agencies, including enforcement agencies. Such functions may be performed by the coordinator to the commission;

E. To maintain a list of women's groups in the county and make available to all persons information compiled by the commission. This commission shall also act as a liaison with women's organizations and obtain their views on subjects being studied;

F. To prepare and disseminate information concerning equality of opportunity and sex discrimination regarding women;

G. To recommend the necessary procedures, programs or legislation to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities;

H. To render to the Board of Supervisors, at least once each calendar year, a written report of its activities;

I. A quorum for the purpose of conducting business shall be a simple majority of the Commissioners appointed to act;

J. There shall be a coordinator to the commission. Such coordinator shall be selected by the county administrative officer and the administrator may choose such coordinator from a list of candidates submitted by an oral panel. The panel shall consist of at least one individual designated by the commission with the remainder of the panel to be selected after consultation with the commission. At least one individual designated by the commission shall assist in the screening process. The coordinator shall provide staff assistance to the commission and shall act as secretary to the commission. Compensation for such coordinator shall be as set by the board.

(Ord. 863, 1977; Ord. 987, 1980)