(a) There is hereby created the Massillon Fair Housing Commission to consist of seven members who shall serve without compensation, not more than four of whom shall be of the same political party, to be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of Council. Commission members shall serve for terms of four years or until their successors are appointed, with the terms being staggered such that two members shall be appointed every year, except that on every fourth year only one member shall be appointed.
(b) The Commission members shall comprise a cross section of the community at large. Members must be residents of the City or be employed or have their principal place of business within the City. While members are to be representative of any racial, religious, civic, business, labor and private groups, they should be independent of these groups and selected only after consultation with persons broadly representing the community interest. All Commission members shall be committed to the philosophy of equal opportunity and fair treatment of all people, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, familial status, ancestry or military status.
(c) A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business thereof. A vacancy in the Commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all the powers of the Commission. Any vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Mayor within sixty days of such vacancy with the advice and consent of Council. Each member shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. No person shall serve more than two successive terms. The chairman of the Commission shall be the Law Director for the City and shall be a voting member of such Commission.
(d) Any member of the Commission who is absent from three consecutive meetings may be removed by a majority vote of the Commission. Any member of the Commission may be removed by the chairman for inefficiency, neglect of duty, misconduct or malfeasance in office after being given a written statement of the charges against him and an opportunity to be heard publicly thereon.
(e) The Commission shall hold quarterly meetings and may hold special meetings upon the call of the chairman or any two members of the Commission. No special meeting shall be held unless written notice of such meeting is served personally or delivered to the members' regular place of residence at least twenty-four hours in advance of such meetings.
(f) The Commission shall determine its own internal organization, elect its own officers, adopt its own rules and bylaws and otherwise determine its own administration and procedure. The Commission may organize into committees and subcommittees and assign responsibilities. Organizational structure may vary according to the powers and functions delegated by this chapter. To increase its effectiveness, the Commission shall encourage residents' participation in its programs and the Commission may establish ad hoc advisory committees for the purpose of securing the services of highly competent people who normally cannot accept long-term responsibility.
(Ord. 52-2019. Passed 4-15-19.)