EXPLANATION: CAPITALS indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Mitchell
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Title
Baltimore City Hispanic Commission
FOR the purpose of establishing the Baltimore City Hispanic Commission; providing for the appointment, terms, powers, and duties of the Commission; providing for staff to the Commission; and generally relating to assisting the City's Hispanic population.
Body
BY adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Section(s) 52-1 through 52-8, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle,
"Subtitle 52. Baltimore City Hispanic Commission"
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
SECTION 1. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, and Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 52. Baltimore City Hispanic Commission
§ 52-1. COMMISSION ESTABLISHED.
(A) IN GENERAL.
THERE IS A BALTIMORE CITY HISPANIC COMMISSION.
(B) COMPOSITION.
THE COMMISSION COMPRISES 9 MEMBERS, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE IV, § 6 OF THE CITY CHARTER.
§ 52-2. PURPOSE.
THE HISPANIC COMMISSION IS DEDICATED TO:
(1) IDENTIFYING AND DEFINING ISSUES CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AND NEEDS OF BALTIMORE'S HISPANIC COMMUNITY.
(2) ADVISING THE MAYOR AND CITY AGENCIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELEVANT POLICIES, PLANS, AND PROGRAMS THAT AFFECT HISPANICS.
(3) ADVISING THE CITY COUNCIL ON ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE CITY'S HISPANIC COMMUNITY.
(4) ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CITY AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
§ 52-3. TERMS, COMPENSATION, VACANCIES.
(A) TERMS OF OFFICE.
(1) COMMISSION MEMBERS SERVE FOR A TERM OF 4 YEARS, CONCURRENT WITH THE TERMS OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL.
(2) AT THE END OF A TERM, A MEMBER CONTINUES TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AND QUALIFIES.
(B) COMPENSATION; EXPENSES.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION:
(1) ARE NOT ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES; BUT
(2) ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES INCURRED, AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE OF ESTIMATES.
(C) VACANCIES.
A MEMBER APPOINTED TO FILL A VACANCY IN AN UNEXPIRED TERM OR TO SUCCEED A MEMBER WHO IS HOLDING OVER SERVES ONLY FOR THE REMAINDER OF THAT TERM.
§ 52-4. OFFICERS; COMMITTEES.
(A) OFFICERS.
(1) THE MAYOR SHALL DESIGNATE A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION TO SERVE AS ITS CHAIR.
(2) MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY SELECT ANY OTHER OFFICERS THEY CONSIDER NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE.
(B) COMMITTEES.
THE CHAIR MAY APPOINT COMMITTEES TO ASSIST THE COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES.
§ 52-5. MEETINGS; QUORUM.
(A) IN GENERAL.
(1) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIR AS FREQUENTLY AS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ITS DUTIES.
(2) A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION CONSTITUTES A QUORUM FOR THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS.
(3) AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE BY THE MAJORITY OF A QUORUM IS NEEDED FOR ANY OFFICIAL ACTION.
(B) RULES OF PROCEDURE.
THE COMMISSION MAY ADOPT RULES OF PROCEDURE TO GOVERN ITS MEETINGS AND OPERATIONS.
(C) FAILURE TO ATTEND MEETINGS.
IF ANY MEMBER IS ABSENT FROM REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS MORE THAN 3 TIMES IN 1 YEAR, NOT COUNTING ABSENCES EXCUSED BY THE CHAIR:
(1) THE MEMBER IS CONSIDERED TO HAVE RESIGNED; AND
(2) THE CHAIR SHALL REQUEST THE MAYOR TO FILL THE RESULTANT VACANCY.
§ 52-6. PERSONNEL; BUDGET.
(A) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
(1) THE COMMISSION MAY APPOINT A PROPERLY QUALIFIED PERSON AS ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
(2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS ENTITLED TO A SALARY, AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE OF ESTIMATES.
(3) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL PERFORM THE DUTIES THAT THE COMMISSION PRESCRIBES.
(B) STAFF.
(1) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAY EMPLOY A STAFF AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE OF ESTIMATES.
(2) STAFF MEMBERS SHALL BE MEMBERS OF THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
(C) VOLUNTEERS.
THE COMMISSION MAY ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF VOLUNTEER WORKERS AND CONSULTANTS, WITHOUT SALARY, AS IT CONSIDERS NECESSARY FROM TIME TO TIME.
(D) BUDGET.
THE COMMISSION MAY EXPEND FUNDS AS AUTHORIZED IN THE ORDINANCE OF ESTIMATES.
§ 52-7. POWERS AND DUTIES.
(A) ASSISTANCE TO HISPANIC POPULATION.
THE COMMISSION SHALL ASSIST HISPANICS WHO RESIDE IN THE CITY IN MATTERS RELATING TO:
(1) EDUCATION OR WORKFORCE TRAINING;
(2) HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES;
(3) SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES PROVIDED BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS;
(4) EMPLOYMENT; AND
(5) ANY OTHER MATTERS.
(B) INFORMATION RESOURCE.
THE COMMISSION SHALL SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO ISSUES AFFECTING BALTIMORE HISPANICS.
(C) RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
THE COMMISSION SHALL:
(1) CONDUCT RESEARCH, POLICY ANALYSIS, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON ISSUES AFFECTING HISPANICS; AND
(2) INSTITUTE AND CONDUCT OTHER PROGRAMS, MEETINGS, AND CONFERENCES TO PROMOTE EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HISPANICS
(D) MONITOR WORKFORCE.
THE COMMISSION SHALL:
(1) REVIEW AND MONITOR THE CONDITIONS OF HISPANICS IN THE WORKFORCE IN BALTIMORE CITY; AND
(2) DIRECT ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEMS FACING HISPANICS IN THE WORKFORCE.
(E) ADVISE AND COUNSEL.
THE COMMISSION SHALL:
(1) ADVISE AND COUNSEL THE MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL, AND THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES OF THE CITY ON ALL ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY; AND
(2) RECOMMEND PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION IT CONSIDERS NECESSARY AND PROPER.
(F) EVALUATE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.
THE COMMISSION SHALL REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND LEGISLATION AFFECTING HISPANICS.
§ 52-8. AGENCY COOPERATION.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMISSION, ALL CITY OFFICIALS AND AGENCIES SHALL COOPERATE WITH THE COMMISSION AND EXTEND THE SERVICES AND FACILITIES THAT THE COMMISSION REQUIRES.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That the catchlines contained in this Ordinance are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as a part of this or any prior Ordinance.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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