The city council hereby establishes a veterans commission, which shall act in an advisory capacity to the city council regarding the well-being of veterans within the city of Pico Rivera.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022)
The veterans 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. Members of the veterans commission shall be residents of the city who are veterans (provide a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), veterans auxiliary members, spouses and immediate family members of veterans. Nothing herein shall preclude the city council from reappointing a commissioner following the completion of their term.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022)
A. 
The veterans commission shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among its appointed members for a term of one year at its first regularly scheduled meeting each year following the reorganization of the city council. The veterans commission may also appoint such other officers as necessary for the administration of its business at the same time and for like terms. Such officers shall enter in the duties of their office at the first regularly scheduled meeting each year following the reorganization of the city council. The veterans 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. 1155 § 1, 2022)
The veterans commission shall meet regularly each quarter at such time and place as designated in the rules and regulations of the commission as necessary or as directed by the city council.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1175 § 1, 2023)
A. 
If a member of the veterans 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 receive attendance records of all commissioners annually.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022)
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, any member of the veterans commission may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of at least three members of the city council.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022)
The commission's powers and duties shall be advisory and not administrative, operational, or policy making legislative powers and duties. The commission shall have the following duties:
A. 
To promote a greater understanding of socio-economic matters of city of Pico Rivera veterans, their families and survivors;
B. 
To promote the establishment and maintenance of veteran assistance programs in and around our community such as the Veterans Resource Center;
C. 
To evaluate the effectiveness of current veteran programming, standards and practices, and to make recommendations as appropriate;
D. 
To establish exchange program through local residents, businesses, schools, churches, and similar entities and institutions to assist city staff in organizing, developing and executing effective and relevant Veterans and Memorial Day venues;
E. 
To study the availability of resources for veterans and their families that could be promoted to residents;
F. 
To conduct public meetings where the community has the opportunity to provide input regarding issues under the purview of the commission;
G. 
To keep the community informed concerning any projects and programs of the veterans commission;
H. 
To advise and serve as a resource to the city council concerning veterans' employment and job training opportunities as well as veteran-owned business opportunities;
I. 
To communicate the policies and functions of veterans commission objectives to the public and convey the needs of the veteran community to the city council;
J. 
To identify and promote events, resources and programs of veteran service organizations and veteran owned businesses in the city;
K. 
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; and
L. 
Such other advisory duties as may be assigned to it by the city council.
(Ord. 1155 § 1, 2022)
Members of the veterans 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, lodging, meals, 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. 1155 § 1, 2022)