San Mateo Municipal Code Ch. 2.21 Community Relations Commission

Although not controlling, for statutory provisions pertaining to human relation commissions, see Cal. Gov. C.A. § 50260 et seq.

The Community Relations Commission of the City shall consist of no more than six members appointed by the Council until no later than June 10, 2014, and thereafter shall have five members. In making appointments, the Council shall insure that the persons appointed are representative of the neighborhoods and ethnic communities to be served by the Commission as hereinafter provided.Each member of the Community Relations Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and for a term of four years, or until the appointment and qualification of a successor. No member shall be eligible for reappointment after serving two consecutive four-year terms.

prior code § 10.5.01

The Community Relations Commission shall meet within a month of its formation and establish itself by electing a chair and vice-chair to serve at the pleasure of the Commission. The Commission may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. A regular time and place of meetings shall be established and adhered to in the manner of holding public meetings for legislative bodies in the state. All meetings shall be open to the public unless by law otherwise provided.

prior code § 10.5.02

The Community Relations Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To conduct public hearings pursuant to Chapter 7.16.

(b) To hear appeals from any notice and order or any action of the building official issued pursuant to Chapter 7.14.

(c) To hear requests from the building official, zoning administrator, or senior code enforcement officer for orders to abate violations of Title 25 or Title 27, as provided in Chapter 7.16.

(d) To hear appeals for administrative citations pursuant to Section 1.10.060.

(e) To study, investigate, mediate and hold public hearings on community-wide problems arising in this City, especially those which may result in intergroup tensions or discrimination because of race, religion, color, ancestry or place of birth.

(f) To provide oversight of Federal, State or other grant programs that implement public service, housing, and community development programs, and make recommendations on those programs which may be assigned to them by the Council.

(g) To work with organizations of similar intent formulated by public agencies having jurisdiction within the City and with the Human Relations Commission of the County. To this end, a member shall be assigned as liaison to each group and shall attend the meetings thereof and report thereon to the Commission. Any person assigned as liaison from the County Commission, or other such group, to this Community Relations Commission shall be an ex officio member but shall have no vote.

(h) Such other powers and duties as maybe prescribed from time to time by ordinance or resolution of the Council.

The Community Relations Commission shall make recommendations to the Council to correct, reduce or eliminate existing inequalities and disadvantages and prepare, encourage and coordinate programs of voluntary affirmative action to insure the complete utilization of the human resources of this community for the betterment of all its inhabitants.

prior code § 10.5.03

It is the intent of the Council that the activities of the Community Relations Commission shall not conflict with areas which are the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal government, the State, or any of its political subdivisions as established by statute.

prior code § 10.5.04

Decisions of the Community Relations Commission regarding violations of the ordinances on housing maintenance and public nuisances may be appealed to the City Council as set forth in Chapter 7.16.