San Diego County Municipal Code Art. XLVIII San Diego County Military and Veterans Advisory Council

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*Note -- A new Article XLVIII, San Diego County Veterans Advisory Council, Sections 820--820.12, added by Ord. No. 7294 (N.S.), effective 6-4-87. Title changed to San Diego County Military and Veterans Advisory Council by Ord. No. 10582 (N.S.), effective 1-10-19.

Cross reference(s) -- Definitions, § 20 et seq.; general rules, § 50 et seq.; chief administrative officer, § 120 et seq.; powers and duties of officers, boards, and commissions, § 51; appointment and removal, § 52.

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The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego declares that it is the policy of the County to take the leadership role in identifying and addressing the needs of military veterans. In order to fulfill the tasks related to this policy, there is hereby established a San Diego County Military and Veterans Advisory Council. The Council shall function as an independent body in carrying out its duties and responsibilities, reporting directly to the Board of Supervisors as well as the Chief Administrative Officer.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12; amended by Ord. No. 10582 (N.S.), effective 1-10-19)

Cross reference(s) -- Chief administrative officer, § 120 et seq.; board of supervisors, § 500 et seq.

The Council shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:

(a) Five members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors with each Supervisor nominating one Council Member from their respective District.

(b) Four members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors as Members-at-Large.

(Amended by Ord. No. 8054 (N.S.), effective 5-14-92; amended by Ord. No. 9771 (N.S.), effective 6-8-06; amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12; amended by Ord. No. 10582 (N.S.), effective 1-10-19)

Persons appointed to the Council other than the Commander, Navy Region Southwest or a designated representative, must meet the following requirements:

(1) Be a resident of San Diego County; and

(2) Be an honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States of America; and

(3) Demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of issues relating to the needs of veterans.

In addition, in selecting the members to the Council, the Board of Supervisors shall attempt to reflect in Council appointments comprehensive representation of age, socio-economic status, ethnic background, military experience, and geographical distribution.

(Amended by Ord. No. 8054 (N.S.), effective 5-14-92; amended by Ord. No. 9771 (N.S.), effective 6-8-06; amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

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

Those members nominated by a Supervisor shall serve a term which shall run concurrent with the term of the Supervisor. The term shall expire on the date of expiration of the term of the nominating Supervisor, or at such time as he or she ceases to hold office, whichever occurs first. Any member whose term has expired hereunder shall continue his or her duties until his or her successor has been appointed. The reelection of a member of the Board of Supervisors shall not automatically extend the term of any member of the Council.

Those members nominated as Members-at-Large shall serve a term of office of four (4) years.

(Amended by Ord. No. 8054 (N.S.), effective 5-14-92; amended by Ord. No. 9771 (N.S.), effective 6-8-06; amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

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

(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.

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

When a vacancy occurs as the result of unexcused absences as designated in (4) above, both the member and the nominating authority shall be notified of the vacancy by the Council Chairperson. If a vacancy occurs in mid-term, the new appointee shall serve for the unexpired term of the member being replaced.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

(a) Officers. The Council shall elect from its memberships a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary.

(b) Rules. The Council 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 Council shall constitute a quorum. A majority of members in attendance shall be required to carry any motion or approval.

(d) Minutes. The Council 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 Council shall establish a regular meeting schedule and shall give public notice of the time and place of meetings in compliance with the requirements of the Brown Act. All meetings of the Council shall be open to the public and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meetings of the Council.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

(a) Ad Hoc Committees. The Council may appoint committees for the purpose of carrying out the functions and duties of the Council. Any committee appointed shall consist of not fewer than three members, including at least one Council member. The actions and recommendations of committees shall not be deemed the action of the Council or its members. Committees shall cease to exist on completion of their assignments.

(b) Volunteer and Consultant Services. The Council 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. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

Members of the Council shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for expenses, other than mileage reimbursement incurred in performing their duties under this Article. Members of the Council are hereby designated eligible to receive mileage reimbursement.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

The Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To serve as an information resource to the Board of Supervisors on issues related to military veterans.

(b) To promote coordinated efforts of public and private sector organizations engaged in services to military veterans and to facilitate a regional approach to the provision of veterans services.

(c) To develop and make policy recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer and Board of Supervisors regarding veterans issues and services.

(d) To provide a regional public forum for the discussion of issues relating to military veterans.

(e) To respond to requests from the Board of Supervisors to review issues relating to military veterans.

(f) To assist appropriate departments in the development of plans for services to military veterans.

(g) To assist appropriate departments in reviewing legislation relating to military veterans.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

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

The Council shall make available to the Board of Supervisors its findings and recommendations, and submit an annual report of its activities to the Board of Supervisors prior to the end of each fiscal year.

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

The Director of the Health and Human Services Agency shall provide staff assistance to the Council, with the County Military and Veterans Affairs Officer acting as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Council.

(Amended by Ord. No. 8835 (N.S.), effective 11-6-97; amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12; amended by Ord. No. 10392 (N.S.), effective 10-29-15)

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

(Amended by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)

(Repealed by Ord. No. 10209 (N.S.), effective 5-3-12)