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(A) There shall be in the City a Commission, known as the Emergency Shelter Commission, which shall be under the charge of a Board consisting of the Director of Public Facilities, or his or her designee, the Commissioner of Health and Hospitals, or his or her designee, and three Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor, at least one of whom shall be affiliated with an organization or Agency which, as a principal activity, provides emergency shelter to homeless individuals, and at least one of whom shall have demonstrated experience in assisting members of families disrupted by intrafamily violence.
(B) Each Commissioner shall serve a term of three years; provided, however, that of the members first appointed to the Commission one shall be appointed to a term of one year, one shall be appointed to a term of two years and one shall be appointed to a term of three years. Thereafter, the Mayor shall appoint each successor to a term of three years. Any vacancy in Office of a Commissioner shall be filled in like manner for the unexpired term.
(C) The Commission shall elect one of its members as Chairperson to serve in that capacity for a term of one year.
(D) The Commission shall be authorized to hire a Director and such other staff as, from time to time, is deemed necessary by the Commission.
(E) The Commissioners shall serve without compensation and shall be deemed special municipal employees for the purposes of M.G.L. Chapter 268A.
(Ord. 1983 c. 4; CBC 1985 10-4.1)
The Commission shall create and maintain an Assistance Information Center in conjunction with appropriate public and private Agencies and organizations which provide information and assistance to homeless people; shall work with appropriate public and private Agencies or organizations which provide food and shelter to homeless people to coordinate the efforts of such Agencies or organizations; shall operate a 24 hour telephone information service to disseminate information among such shelter providers; shall keep daily up-to-date lists of beds available in crisis or family shelters; shall keep up-to-date lists of transitional housing opportunities, detoxification centers, lodging houses and the location of food pantries; shall work in conjunction with City Departments, Agencies and other commissions to effectuate the use of vacant public buildings or tax-foreclosed buildings as temporary shelter for homeless individuals and families; shall submit quarterly written reports to the Mayor and Boston City Council regarding the sheltering of homeless individuals and families, services provided by private and public Agencies or organizations to homeless individuals and families and the development of increased shelter during weather or other emergencies.
(Ord. 1983 c. 4; Ord. 1985 c. 14; CBC 1985 10-4.2)
The provisions of this Section are severable and if any provision shall be held to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions of this Section, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. 1983 c. 4; CBC 1985 10-4.3)
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