(a) Definitions. The following words and phrases, whenever used in this Chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section:
(i) “Commission” means a committee comprised of members appointed by the Mayor, the City Council President, and the Chair of the ECCEJR Committee, as defined below, to advise the Mayor and the City Council, and therefore is not advisory to, and does not manage, a department or appointed office pursuant to City Charter Section 502(a).
(ii) “CalEnviroScreen” means a mapping tool that helps identify California communities that are most affected by many sources of pollution, and where people are often especially vulnerable to pollution’s effect, as prepared by Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), or such mapping tools created by the State as a successor or replacement to CalEnviroScreen.
(iii) “Small Business” means small, local business that qualifies under the provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 1 of Division 10 of this code, relating to the “Small Business Program”.
(iv) “ECCEJR Committee” means the Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and River Committee of the City Council or any successor to such committee having jurisdiction over the subject matter described herein.
(b) Establishment. A Climate Emergency Mobilization Commission is hereby created, which shall have the powers, duties, and responsibilities set forth in this chapter and elsewhere in the City Charter, Los Angeles Municipal Code, and Los Angeles Administrative Code. The Commission shall have 19 voting members.
(c) Appointment and Qualifications. The Mayor shall appoint 17 members in accordance with Charter Section 502, with qualifications, as follows:
(i) Three Indigenous members, with one from each of the following three historic local tribes: Gabrielino-Tongva, Fernandeno-Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, and Chumash.
(ii) Seven members representing geographically distinct communities in the top 10% score/segment on CalEnviroScreen.
(iii) One organized labor member.
(iv) Three members that are policy experts on climate change/air quality, toxics, and/or workforce.
(v) One member that is an owner of a Small Business.
(vi) Two youth members that are under the age of 24; provided, however, that their terms shall automatically expire and their seat shall become vacant upon turning 24 years old.
The President of the City Council shall appoint one member.
The Chair of the ECCEJR Committee shall appoint one member.
All members shall meet the additional qualification requirements in Charter Section 501(d).
(d) Removal. Members appointed by the Mayor may be removed in accordance with Charter Section 502. Members appointed by the President of the City Council may be removed by the President of the City Council subject to approval by the City Council by majority vote. Members appointed by the Chair of the ECCEJR Committee may be removed by the Chair of the ECCEJR Committee subject to approval by the City Council by majority vote.
(e) Terms of Office. Commissioner terms shall be governed by Section 501
, and shall be five years beginning on July 1; provided, however, that the original members shall have their respective initial terms staggered to commence on the member’s respective final approval date for the appointment and expire on June 30 after either a 5, 4, or 3-year initial term based on the following sequential schedule:
(i) 5 years – Indigenous Gabrielino-Tongva member.
(ii) 4 years – Indigenous Fernandeno-Tataviam Band of Mission Indians member.
(iii) 3 years – Indigenous Chumash member.
(iv) 5 years – First geographically distinct communities member.
(v) 4 years – Second geographically distinct communities member.
(vi) 3 years – Third geographically distinct communities member.
(vii) 5 years – Fourth geographically distinct communities member.
(viii) 4 years – Fifth geographically distinct communities member.
(ix) 3 years – Sixth geographically distinct communities member.
(x) 5 years – Seventh geographically distinct communities member.
(xi) 4 years – Organized labor member.
(xii) 3 years – First climate change/air quality, toxics, and/or workforce policy expert member.
(xiii) 5 years – Second climate change/air quality, toxics, and/or workforce policy expert member.
(xiv) 4 years – Third climate change/air quality, toxics, and/or workforce policy expert member.
(xv) 3 years – Small Business owner member.
(xvi) 5 years – First youth member.
(xvii) 4 years – Second youth member.
(xviii) 3 years – President of the City Council member.
(xix) 5 years – Chair of the ECCEJR Committee member.
For example, if the original member is appointed December 1, 2021, with a 4-year initial term, then the initial term would expire on June 30, 2026, and subsequent appointees to that member's seat would have 5-year terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, incumbent commissioners may continue to hold office beyond the expiration of their term until a successor’s appointment has been approved. An appointment to fill a vacant office of an unexpired term shall be for the period of the unexpired term.
(f) Departmental Advisors. The Mayor may appoint Assistant General Manager-level representatives from any department in the City to serve as non-voting members on, or as advisors to, the Commission.
SECTION HISTORY
Article and Section Added by Ord. No. 187,126, Eff. 8-8-21.
(a) The Commission will advise the Mayor and the City Council on issues related, directly or indirectly, to the following: climate emergency; toxic pollution; biodiversity; related environmental justice and health concerns, including job creation and a just transition for jobs related to the fossil fuel industry, a citywide mobilization to address the impacts of these issues upon the communities of the City and the global community. The Commission will also advise on the following: (i) integrating environmental justice considerations into City programs, policies, and activities to improve and mitigate negative environmental or public health impacts in communities and stakeholders disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks; (ii) addressing environmental justice by ensuring equitable and meaningful involvement in the City’s decision- making, building capacity in disproportionately burdened communities, and promoting collaborative problem-solving; (iii) strengthening partnerships between the City, communities, and organizations to address environmental justice and climate emergency issues; and (iv) increasing and enhancing research and assessment approaches related to these issues.
(b) Consistent with City Charter Section 502(a), the Commission will not be advisory to or manage the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office established to operate within the Department of Public Works under the Board of Public Works’ authority.
(c) The Commission will provide reports and recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council, which may include recommendations related to the following: climate emergency; resilience response efforts; integrating environmental justice and environmental equity metrics, such as in the reduction of greenhouse gas and toxic pollution emissions; preparing strategic implementation plans and timelines; emergency and non-emergency climate mitigation; resilience and adaptation programs; and, public education and outreach through community assemblies.
(d) The Commission will have the power to adopt administrative rules and procedures for the Commission to implement the provisions of this chapter, including establishing guiding principles, setting regular meetings, releasing agendas, and developing procedures.
SECTION HISTORY
Article and Section Added by Ord. No. 187,126, Eff. 8-8-21.
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