The city council hereby establishes a sister city commission, which shall act in an advisory capacity to the city council to study and review those matters of public interest referred to it by the city council.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)
The sister city commission shall be composed of five members who shall be appointed in the manner set forth by resolution of the city council to serve at the will of the city council. Four members of the sister city commission shall be residents of the city. A member may be either a resident, employee of the city, or own a business in the city. Nothing herein shall preclude the city council from reappointing a commissioner following the completion of his or her term.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1176 § 1, 2023)
A. 
The sister city commission shall establish by resolution for the election of a chairperson and vice-chairperson for a period of one year. The election shall occur within thirty days of the reorganization of the city council. The sister city commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business, and shall keep a record of all its minutes, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations.
B. 
The city manager shall designate an ex officio staff person as liaison, and a secretary to the regular meetings of the commission. Interim officers shall be elected at the first meeting of the commission to serve until the election of the regular officers.
C. 
The liaison will be responsible for ensuring the proper and necessary recording of the minutes of regular and special meetings, administer to the correspondence, and provide notification of meetings.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1046 § 4, 2008)
The sister city commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month at such time and place as designated in the rules and regulations of the commission.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)
A. 
If a member of the sister city commission is absent from two successive regular meetings, which absences are not excused by the majority vote of the commission, or is absent for any reason, excused or unexcused, for more than three regular meetings in a twelve-month period, the city manager shall immediately notify the city council. Upon such notification, the city council shall review the status of such member as to continuation of appointment.
B. 
Commissioners may only be excused from regular meetings by a majority vote of the commission itself, based on the following criteria:
1. 
Personal illness;
2. 
Death or serious illness in the family;
3. 
Occasional employment-related requirements;
4. 
Council-authorized city business;
5. 
Vacations; or
6. 
Any other reason deemed by the commission to be of equal justification.
C. 
In addition to the above, the city council shall review attendance records of all commissioners annually.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, any member of the sister city commission may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of at least three members of the city council.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)
The commission's powers and duties shall be advisory and not administrative, operational, or policy making legislative powers and duties and shall have the following duties:
A. 
To promote a greater global understanding of other cultures and an international perspective for the citizens of Pico Rivera;
B. 
To promote the goals of international understanding and friendship by the establishment and maintenance of programs of cultural exchange;
C. 
To establish exchange programs through local residents, businesses, schools, churches, and similar entities and institutions to develop a program consisting of projects, exhibits, contacts and exchanges of all types to foster and promote the goals of the commission;
D. 
To conduct public meetings where the community has the opportunity to provide input regarding issues under the prevue of the commission;
E. 
To keep the community informed concerning the sister city program;
F. 
To advise the city council on matters pertaining to the sister city commission;
G. 
To interpret the policies and function of sister city objectives to the public and interpret the needs of the community to the city council;
H. 
To recommend to the city council specific matters for the commission's study and recommendation, but shall not commence a study, review or investigation of any matter without the authorization of the city council;
I. 
Such other advisory duties as may be assigned to it by the city council.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)
Members of the sister city commission shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary reasonable expenses incurred incidental to attendance at meetings outside of the city, and where authorized and directed by the city council to so attend. "Expenses," as used in this section, means those incurred by reason of traveling, living, registration and other necessary fees and charges imposed. In addition, members of the commission shall receive compensation for their attendance at the meetings of the commission in the amount specified and determined by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1037 § 1, 2007)