In accordance with the provisions of § 6D-1 of the Charter of the city, there shall be a Human Services Commission.
(A) Membership. The Human Services Commission shall consist of seven members, no more than four of whom shall be members of the same political party. One member shall be a member of the Board of Aldermen, for a term corresponding to the member's immediate term as an Alderman.
(B) Appointments; term of office. No later than July 1, 2004, the Mayor shall appoint three members whose terms shall expire on December 31, 2007, and three members whose terms shall expire on December 31, 2005. At the expiration of their respective terms, their successors shall be appointed for a term of four years.
(C) No compensation. Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within the limitations of appropriations.
(D) Organization of the Human Services Commission. During July 2004, and January of each even-numbered year thereafter, the Commission shall select from among its members a chair and such other officers as it may desire.
(1) Secretary and record keeping. The Commission shall appoint a secretary to be responsible for all correspondence and record keeping. The Secretary shall forward copies of all goings on of the Commission to the City Clerk.
(2) Meeting schedule. The Commission shall meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
(3) Authority and actions of members. No member shall have any authority to act on behalf of the Commission except pursuant to an order regularly made at a meeting of the Commission.
(4) Quorum and voting requirements. Four members shall constitute a quorum and a concurrent vote of no fewer than four members shall be necessary for the transaction of business.
(5) Public meetings and public participation. All meetings, except executive sessions, as defined in the State Freedom of Information Act or any successor thereto, shall be public. At the start of each regularly scheduled public meeting, the Commission shall allot a minimum of 15 minutes for public speaking, with a minimum of three minutes per speaker.
(6) Bylaws. The Commission shall have the power to adopt its own bylaws for the conduct of its business in accordance with the foregoing.
(E) Powers and duties.
(1) The Commission shall determine the areas of need within the city for persons with disabilities and shall make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor for the purpose of correcting deficiencies in the city which prevent persons with disabilities from functioning fully as citizens of this community and shall join with others to create conditions under which all persons with disabilities can:
(a) Experience presence and participation in their community;
(b) Maximize opportunities to make choices in the pursuit of a personal future; and
(c) Enjoy good relationships with all members of the community with the proper respect and dignity.
(2) The Commission shall study the conditions and needs of elderly persons in the community, in relation to housing, economics, employment, health, recreational needs and other matters. It shall analyze the services for the aged provided in the community, both by public and private agencies, and shall make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen regarding the development of such programs and the integration of the same with the services available by the state.
(Ord. passed 4-20-2004)