Millbrae Municipal Code Art. IV Sister Cities Commission

A sister cities commission is created and shall consist of eleven members who shall be appointed by the city council and serve at the council's pleasure, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the city government. No commissioner may be appointed to or serve concurrently on more than one commission or committee established by resolution of the city council at the same time. Members shall serve for a term of four years commencing on July 1st and continuing until the city council fills the vacancy upon expiration of the term. The four-year terms of the commission members shall be staggered. In order to achieve staggered terms, half of the members first appointed to the commission shall be assigned by lot a term for two years and the other half of the commission members shall be assigned by lot a term for four years. Time served by a member after appointment to fill unexpired terms shall not be counted as a term. Former city council members may be appointed to the commission by majority vote of the city council without limit as to number of years following the expiration date of term of office. If a commissioner is appointed to another commission by the city council, his or her time of service on the first commission shall not be counted as cumulative service. All members must remain residents of the city while serving on the sister cities commission. The members shall not receive any compensation for their attendance at commission meetings or any other services rendered as a commission member; provided, however, that any actual and necessary expenses incurred by a commission member in the performance of his or her duties on the commission may be paid if funds are available in the budget approved by the city council and the individual expenses are approved by the city manager or designee. Any member may be removed from office prior to the expiration of his or her term, with or without cause by majority vote of the city council. Unauthorized absence of a commission member from meetings for a period of sixty days or more, three consecutive meetings, or greater than thirty percent of meetings held in the fiscal year may be deemed cause for removal as that term is used in this section. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term of office shall be filled by city council appointment for the unexpired portion of the term.

(Formerly 2.10.170; 1976 Code § 2-2.501; Ord. 761 §§ 5, 6; Ord. 727 § 2; Ord. 723 § 1; Amended by Ord. 719 § 4; Ord. 664-A § 1)

The sister cities commission shall have the following duties:

A. To promote a greater global understanding of other cultures and an international perspective for Millbrae in light of the significant changes happening throughout the world;

B. To grow relationships with sister cities and friendship cities;

C. To foster cultural and educational exchange programs, and identify and promote trade relationships;

D. To perform such other duties as may be assigned by the city council.

(Formerly 2.10.180; 1976 Code § 2-2.502; Ord. 761 §§ 5, 6; Amended by Ord. 727 § 2; Ord. 664-A § 1)

The sister cities commission shall hold at least one regular meeting at least bi-monthly (six regular meetings per year) at such time and place within the city as the commission may determine by resolution. Six members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority of the quorum present shall have the authority to act on any matter regularly coming before the commission. Meetings may be adjourned or special meetings called in compliance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (commencing with Government Code Section 54950) or as may hereafter be amended. At least one meeting annually shall be conducted during the budget cycle and shall focus on development of a work plan. The plan shall address activities the commission will pursue during the fiscal year to address city council priorities. At least once per year the commission chair shall report to the city council. If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. Meeting minutes shall be taken of each official meeting of the commission.

(Formerly 2.10.190; 1976 Code § 2-2.503; Ord. 761 §§ 5, 6; Ord. 727 § 2; Ord. 723 § 1; Amended by Ord. 719 § 4; Ord. 664-A § 1)

The sister cities commission by resolution may adopt rules for the transaction of business, and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which shall be a public record. The commission shall during the month of June each year appoint a chair and a vice-chair, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission for a period of one year or until their successors have been appointed. Such officers of such body shall be appointed from among those members then serving on such body.

(Formerly 2.10.200; 1976 Code § 2-2.504; Ord. 761 §§ 5, 6; Amended by Ord. 727 § 1; Ord. 664-A § 1)