Sec. 2-104. - Powers and duties.

The powers and duties of the commission shall be as follows:

(a)

To study and research by means of meetings, conferences, public hearings, or other appropriate means, conditions which demonstrate discrimination or prejudice because of gender;

(b)

To consult and cooperate with the board of supervisors, and federal, state, city and other public agencies; and to refer, if requested to the proper governmental agencies any matters already in the jurisdiction of their existing powers, with the intent that duplication of efforts should be avoided; provided however, that the commission shall not engage in lobbying or advocacy activities before any branch of the federal or state governments without the prior advice and consent of the board of supervisors;

(c)

To prepare and disseminate information in the field of gender discrimination and prejudice and to advise and counsel the residents of the county, the board of supervisors, the county executive and departments and agencies of the county, state and federal governments on matters involving the needs of women and relating to discrimination and prejudice on account of gender;

(d)

To initiate its own inquiries into the needs and problems of women, and of practices of discrimination and instances of prejudice against any person because of gender, and to seek to resolve such matters through consultation, conciliation and advice; provided, however that the commission shall not investigate or adjudicate individual complaints of gender discrimination;

(e)

To recommend to the board of supervisors necessary procedures, programs or legislation to promote and insure equal rights and opportunities for women;

(f)

To provide to the board of supervisors minutes of all commission meetings and, upon reqluest, reports of its activities; and

(g)

Subject to the approval of the county executive, to request of any county department information, services, facilities and any other assistance for the purposes of furthering the objective of this chapter;

(h)

With the consent of the board of supervisors, to solicit and accept funding support as well as donations of funds and/or services from any source in order to carry out the powers and duties outlined herein, as permitted by law. The commission shall use the standard county budget process.

(i)

The commission is authorized to enter into contracts for goods and/or services consistent with the commission's work plan and budget. The commission shall use the standard county purchasing procedure(s), and the director of human resources (or his/her designee) shall have the authority to sign such documents on behalf of the commission.

(Ord. No. 6467, § X, 4-16-2024; Ord. No. 5871, § I, 12-15-2009; Ord. No. 5723 § 1, 2007: Ord. Nos. 1850 § I, 3180 § I.)