The Bell Gardens senior citizen commission is hereby established and shall have the power and required duty to:
A. 
Engage in consultation and study with local groups on the needs of the aged and evaluate available resources.
B. 
Collect and study factual information relative to various aspects of aging.
C. 
Advise the city council on the special needs and concerns of seniors of all ages, religions, races, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and economic and social circumstances, including such matters as housing and recreational programs.
D. 
Serve as a liaison between the senior citizen community, the city council, the city's department of recreation and community services, and organizations and governmental agencies that work with the aged and have an interest in aging adults.
E. 
Promote and encourage community interest and responsibility to correct and prevent problems associated with aging.
F. 
Submit annual progress reports to the city council for review.
G. 
Assist the city council on other matters relating to senior citizen programs as requested.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
The commission shall consist of five members, one each to be appointed by each member of the city council at a duly noticed meeting of the city council. Each such member shall serve a term of office that coincides with the term of the councilmember responsible for the appointment. Any member appointed to a commission may be removed at any regularly scheduled city council meeting by the councilmember responsible for making the initial appointment, subject to a majority vote of the members of the city council. The replacement commissioner shall be appointed by the councilmember responsible for making the initial appointment, at a duly noticed meeting of the city council. All members shall be eligible for reappointment, subject to their retaining all qualifications required by this chapter.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
Members of a commission shall be residents of the city. No person previously convicted of a felony in this state or elsewhere shall be permitted to serve on any city board or commission. Before assuming the duties of a board or commissioner, each person appointed shall take and file with the city clerk the same constitutional oath of office required of members of the city council. Any member of a commission shall be deemed to have resigned from the commission, and his or her office as a member of the commission shall be automatically vacated, in the event the member ceases to be a resident of the city or is convicted of a felony.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
No member of the legislative body of the city nor any person employed by the city, on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis or as an independent contractor, shall be eligible for or hold membership on any city board or commission.
(Formerly 2.22.100; Ord. 753 § 1, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
Commission members may be compensated in such amounts as the city council may determine by resolution and, in addition thereto, may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with the official business of the commission to the extent authorized by the city council.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
A commission shall elect its chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members for a term of one year and, subject to other provisions of law, may create and fill such other offices within its membership as it may determine are necessary and convenient. A commission may appoint a secretary who may, but need not be, a member of the commission. Such officers shall hold their respective positions and status at the pleasure of a majority of the commission.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
If a member of a commission is absent from three consecutive regular commission meetings without cause and without having been excused by the commission, or is absent from five or more regular meetings within one calendar year, the office of such member shall be deemed to be vacant and the term of such member shall expire. An excused absence will only be made if the majority of the members vote to excuse such absence, and the vote is recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
Vacancies occurring on a commission by expiration of term, resignation or otherwise shall be filled by appointment of the city council, subject to the provisions and consistent with the process outlined in BGMC § 2.22.020. Such appointee is to serve for the full term, or for the remainder of the unexpired term of the commissioner whom such appointee is appointed to succeed, as the case may be.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
Three members of a commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of commission business. Any decision or action taken by a commission shall require a motioned vote of a majority of a quorum.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)
A commission shall have and is granted authority to, with city council approval, adopt lawful rules and regulations for its own organization and government under the provisions of this chapter in order to efficiently conduct its business. It shall keep a record of its transactions, findings and determinations, and such record shall be open for public inspection.
(Ord. 745 § 2, 2002; Ord. 818 § 2, 2009; Ord. 825 § 2, 2009)