The purpose of this chapter is to protect, maintain, and promote the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza and the interests of the Norco veterans' community.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
There is established for the City a Veterans Commission of two members of the City Council and at least nine members appointed from the community. At least seven of the members must be honorably discharged veterans.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The initial members from the community shall serve either two- or four-year staggered terms, as determined by random drawing. Thereafter, appointments will be made for four-year terms. Terms will end on July 1st or until a qualified successor is appointed and seated. The City Clerk shall keep a record of dates of appointments and the terms of office of the members. Terms will be staggered every two years to provide continuity on the Commission.
Members of the City Council shall be appointed by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Mayor.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The City Council shall appoint Commission members, including the two representatives of the City Council. Following the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, any person who served on the former George A. Ingalls Veterans Executive Committee as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall automatically be appointed to serve on the Commission.
After this initial formation of the Commission, and as the original members' terms expire or original members otherwise leave the Commission, the Council shall appoint individuals to the Commission using the procedures determined by the City Council. The Commission shall consist of not fewer than nine members. Any member who forfeits their current seat on the Commission must reapply to be reappointed.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
All community members of the Veterans Commission shall be committed to representing Norco's veterans' community and shall meet the following requirements:
A. 
Be at least 18 years of age.
B. 
Be a citizen of the United States.
C. 
All veterans on the Commission must be honorably discharged.
D. 
Be a legal resident of Norco, be a stakeholder of the Veterans Memorial or the veterans' community as determined by the City Council.
E. 
Have taken and filed with the City Clerk the oath required by Section 36507 of the Government Code.
F. 
Have never been convicted of a felony.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
Persons appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whose vacancy they fill. No vacancies may be filled until or unless the Commission will be left with fewer than nine members.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
Members of the Commission shall be removed from office or have their office declared vacant in the following manner and for any one of the following reasons:
A. 
Failure to meet any one of the requirements for membership in Section 2.27.040, at which time the removal shall be automatic and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.
B. 
By a majority vote of the entire City Council.
C. 
Absence at three successive regular meetings without cause, or five meetings total in a 12-month period regardless of cause, at which time the secretary of the Commission shall immediately inform the City Council of such vacancy. A written notice to the secretary of the Commission on or before the day of the meeting stating there was an unavoidable absence or an absence due to illness shall be deemed an absence for cause.
D. 
At the end of the member's term of office, in which case the removal shall be automatic, and no action of the City Council is necessary, although the Commission member shall continue to serve until the successor's appointment.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The Commission shall elect a Chair and Vice Chair at its first meeting in July of each year.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The Commission shall hold not less than one regular meeting each quarter, such meetings' schedules and times to be established by the Commission. Adjourned and special meetings may be called, noticed, and held in the manner established by Section 54956 of the California Government Code.
All meetings of the Commission shall be open and public, and a majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A public record (minutes) shall be prepared, indicating all actions, findings, and determinations of the Commission. A written agenda shall be prepared and distributed to Commission members in advance of all regular meetings. Rules of conduct of the meetings shall be determined by the Commission but shall be in accordance with those rules adopted for the conduct of City Council meetings. The Commission constitutes a "legislative body" as described in the California Government Code.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The duties of the Commission shall be to review and make recommendations to the City Council and the professional staff concerning the protection and promotion of the George Alan Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza and the interests of the Norco veteran community. The Commission shall provide the City Council with proposals on new concepts, improvements, maintenance, priorities, and events. The Commission shall undertake any other action or activity directed by the City Council.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)
The Veterans Commission shall keep complete minutes, books, and accounts of its meetings on file in the City Clerk's office.
(Ord. 1095 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 1112 Sec. 1, 2024)