Article IV — SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND

GIRLS*

---

*Note--Article IV, Airport Commission, renumbered by Ord. No. 3523 (N.S.), adopted 5-26-70, and repealed by Ord. No. 3784 (N.S.), adopted 11-2-71; a new Article IV, consisting of Sections 85 through 85.10, titled San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women, added by Ord. No. 4552 (N.S.), effective 9-4-75. Title changed to San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls by Ord. No. 10458 (N.S.), effective 2-9-17.

Cross reference(s) -- Definitions, § 20 et seq.; general rules, § 50 et seq.; affirmative action program. § 83 et seq.; affirmative action program for vendors, § 84 et seq.; affirmative action advisory board, § 84.50 et seq.; affirmative action program -- employment, § 84.70 et seq.; equal opportunity management office, § 305.

---

SEC. 85. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego declares that it is the policy of the County to take action to identify needs and problems of women and girls in the County that are affected by public policy decisions; and furthermore, to eliminate the practice of discrimination and prejudice on the basis of sex within the County. In order to promote this policy and to provide an open forum for discussion and action, there is hereby established a San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in the Chief Administrative Office.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77; amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87; amended by Ord. No. 10458 (N.S.), effective 2-9-17)

Cross reference(s) -- Chief administrative officer, § 120 et seq.

Each member of the Board of Supervisors shall appoint two members to the Commission, all of whom shall be residents of the County of San Diego.

The Commission shall have the authority to nominate up to three additional members for appointment by the Board of Supervisors, in order to assure comprehensive and balanced representation. These members are hereafter designated as ”at-large members.“

(Amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87)

Each Supervisor shall: 1) consider nominations made by interested community organizations or citizens if submitted at least two weeks prior to appointment, 2) attempt to reflect in Commission appointments comprehensive representation of age, socio-economic status, ethnic background and geographical distribution, 3) consider the prospective members' knowledge and awareness of the problems and rights of women and girls and their commitment to the betterment of the status of women and girls in San Diego County.

Public notice and publicity shall be given on intention to appoint members of the Commission. An application form shall be provided to the public. A record shall be kept of all applications filed for a period of one year.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10458 (N.S.), effective 2-9-17)

Cross reference(s) -- Appointment and removal, § 52.

Each Commissioner, except at-large appointees recommended by the Commission, shall serve a term which shall run

concurrently with the term of the member of the Board of Supervisors who appointed that Commissioner. The term shall expire on the date of expiration of the term of the appointing member of the Board of Supervisors, or at such time as he or she ceases to hold office, whichever first occurs. Any Commissioner whose term has expired hereunder shall continue to discharge his or her duties as a Commissioner until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified. The reelection of a member of the Board of Supervisors for a succeeding term shall not automatically extend the term of any member of the Commission.

At-large members shall serve a two-year term beginning April 1 and ending on March 31.

A Commission member shall be appointed for no more than two consecutive terms. For purposes of this limitation, a term shall include any appointment to fill a vacancy for one-half or more of a term.

Each member of the Commission shall represent the entire area and population of the County in performing the Commissioner’s duties.

(Section 85.3 repealed and new section added by Ord. No. 4627 (N.S.), effective 1-29-76; amended by Ord. No. 4787 (N.S.), effective 12-30-76; amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77; amended by Ord. No. 6433 (N.S.), effective 10-14-82; amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87)

A vacancy shall occur on the happening of any of the following events before the expiration of the term:

(1) The death of the incumbent,

(2) The resignation of the incumbent,

(3) The ceasing of the incumbent to be a resident of the County of San Diego, or

(4) Absence from more than one-third of the regular scheduled meetings in any 12-month period or three consecutive meetings.

When a vacancy occurs as the result of missing one-third of regular scheduled meetings in one 12-month period or three consecutive regular meetings both the member and the appointing Supervisor shall be notified. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing Supervisor when a vacancy occurs.

The chair will notify at-large members of their removal from the Commission after absences from three consecutive regular meetings or more than one-third of the regular scheduled meetings in a 12-month period. The Commission is then authorized to nominate an additional member for appointment by the Board of Supervisors.

If a midterm vacancy occurs, a new appointee shall serve for the unexpired term of the member being replaced.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77; amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87)

(a) Officers. The Commission shall select annually from its membership a Chair and no more than three (3) Vice Chairs.

(b) Rules. The Commission shall prepare and adopt the necessary rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.

(c) Quorum. A majority of members currently appointed to the Commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority of members in attendance shall be required to carry any motion or proposal.

(d) Minutes. The Commission shall keep written minutes of its meetings, a copy of which shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.

(e) Meetings. The Commission shall establish a regular meeting schedule and shall give public notice of the time and place of meetings. All meetings of the Commission, including any ad hoc committees or other committees appointed by the Commission, shall be open and public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meetings of the Commission, including any ad hoc committees or other committees appointed by the Commission.

(Amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87)

(a) Ad Hoc Committees. The Commission may appoint committees for the purpose of carrying out the functions and duties of the Commission. Any committee appointed shall consist of not fewer than three members, including at least one Commission member. The actions and recommendations of committees shall not be deemed the action of the Commission and shall in no way bind the Commission or its members. The committee shall cease to exist on completion of its assignment.

(b) Volunteer and Consultant Services. The Commission shall engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants without salary as it may find necessary from time to time. Service of an individual as a volunteer worker or as a consultant shall not be considered as service for or employment by the County.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77)

Members of the Commission shall be compensated as provided by ordinance.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77)

The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Study and evaluate County Charter provisions, ordinances, policies and proposed policies, and their implementation to determine if there are instances of discrimination against any person because of sex.

(b) Cooperate with Federal, State, County, City and other public agencies and refer to the respective agencies any matters, disputes, or controversies already in the jurisdiction of their existing powers, with the intent that duplication of efforts should be avoided. The Commission may initiate investigations of such matters and make recommendations to such agencies.

(c) Study areas of possible discrimination as they pertain to women's and girls’ lives and needs. These may include, but not be limited to:

(1) Employment opportunities

(2) Education opportunities

(3) Medical and health services

(4) Legal services

(5) Credit and loan policies

(6) Criminal justice policies and procedures

(7) Housing and transportation facilities

(8) Child care needs

(9) Human care services

(d) Conduct workshops for County personnel and community groups to explore specific subject areas and improve relationships.

(e) Conduct public hearings dealing with matters before the Commission.

(f) Utilize County resources and facilities to accumulate information for the purpose of furthering the objectives of this Commission.

(g) Prepare and disseminate information on matters related to sexual discrimination and prejudice.

(h) Formulate programs or legislation to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities for all women.

(i) Provide liaison and assistance to citizen groups interested in the problems facing women.

(j) Apply for and administer grants from all levels of government and private sources for carrying out the functions of the Commission.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77; amended by Ord. No. 10458 (N.S.), effective 2-9-17)

Cross reference(s) -- Powers and duties of officers, boards, and commissions, § 51.

The Commission shall make available to the Board of Supervisors its findings and recommendations and submit, at least once each calendar year, a report of its activities.

The Chief Administrative Officer shall appoint the administrative and clerical staff of the Commission, subject to the concurrence of the Commission.

(Amended by Ord. No. 4840 (N.S.), effective 3-3-79; amended by Ord. No. 5476 (N.S.), effective 5-3-79; amended by Ord. No. 7308 (N.S.), effective 7-2-87)

Cross reference(s) -- Chief administrative officer, § 120 et seq.

Any proposed change in the provisions of this Article IV of the Administrative Code shall be submitted to the Commission for review and comment prior to said proposed change being considered by the Board of Supervisors.

(Added by Ord. No. 4907 (N.S.), effective 6-16-77)