(a) Creation of the Board. There is hereby created within the Community Investment for Families Department or a successor department a Commission to be known as the Commission on Community and Family Services ("Commission") that shall serve as an advisory body to the Mayor, Council, and General Manager of the Community Investment for Families Department of the City of Los Angeles (or a successor department) ("General Manager"). The Commission was previously within the Housing and Community Investment Department and Community Development Department.
(b) Purpose, Powers and Duties. The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, Council, and General Manager on poverty and the needs, concerns, and interests of children, youth, and their families, and on the administration of the Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan, including the fulfillment of all legal requirements for public participation related to the Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan. In addition, the Commission may:
(1) Enhance and coordinate the City's efforts to serve children, youth, and their families, and advocate for these constituencies within both the City government and the greater community of the City;
(2) Promote the use of resources and the establishment of collaborations with the City, the County of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District, other educational and governmental entities, national, state, and local associations and organizations, parents' groups, and community-based agencies concerned with poverty and the needs, concerns, and interests of children, youth, and their families;
(3) Review and recommend policies or legislation that address issues of poverty and serve the needs of children, youth, and their families;
(4) Perform other duties required by federal, state, and local law for public participation in the administration and expenditure of grants awarded to the City under the Housing and Community Development Act;
(5) Participate in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan to serve low-income communities; and
(6) Perform such other duties relating to poverty and children, youth, and their families as may be requested by the Mayor, Council, and General Manager.
(c) Membership. All members shall have demonstrated knowledge and experience in areas related to poverty and children, youth, and their families. The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. The provisions of Los Angeles City Charter Section 502 shall govern the appointment and removal of the Board members. Selection will be in accordance with Charter Section 501(d).
(d) Terms of Membership. Commission members shall have four-year, staggered terms beginning with the first day of July of the respective years. The initial term of each member of the Commission shall be designated in the appointment.
(e) Diversity Consideration. The Mayor, when submitting appointments to the Council for approval, shall state the specific area of expertise and the related qualifications and experience of the nominee. The Council shall review these qualifications as part of the confirmation process. The Mayor and Council shall also ensure that the membership of the Board represents the City's diversity of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, and neighborhoods, in addition to other diverse communities of interest such as business and not-for-profit organizations.
(f) Compensation. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(g) Officers. The Commission shall, at the beginning of each fiscal year, elect from its members a President and Vice-President. The elected officers shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected, unless their membership on the Commission expires sooner. The Commission may fill the unexpired terms of a vacancy occurring in office of the President or Vice-President.
(h) Committees. The Commission shall develop committees as it deems appropriate and necessary to carry out its work. Committee chairs and members shall be selected in accordance with rules and regulations established by the Commission.
(i) Rules and Regulations. At its first meeting or as soon thereafter as possible, the Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business.
(j) Meetings. The Commission shall designate the time and place for regular meetings, provided that it shall meet not less than one time within a calendar quarter.
(k) Cooperation and Coordination with Other Agencies.
(1) Whenever practical, the Commission shall coordinate its programs with Federal, State, and local agencies to avoid duplication of effort and ensure an effective working relationship between the City and other private or public agencies.
(2) All City departments and offices shall cooperate with the Commission to the fullest extent practicable and in a manner that would not conflict with the lawful and necessary conduct of their duties as provided by law.
(l) Solicitation of Funds. The Commission may solicit and accept donations of funds, which shall be placed in the Commission on Community and Family Services Trust Fund established under Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 5.564.
SECTION HISTORY
Article and Section Added by Ord. No. 187,122, Eff. 8-8-21.