Chapter 3.70
HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
Sections:
3.70.010 Definition.
3.70.020 Human services commission.
3.70.030 Membership—Appointment.
3.70.040 Eligibility—Term.
3.70.050 Attendance.
3.70.060 Vacancies.
3.70.070 Meetings and quorum.
3.70.080 Officers.
3.70.090 Duties and powers.
3.70.100 Staff support.
3.70.010 Definition.
Human services are those services provided specifically to individuals and families to meet basic human needs for survival, for finding and retaining gainful employment, for support in times of personal and family crisis, for assistance in overcoming family or individual problems, and for help in gaining access to available and appropriate services. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.020 Human services commission.
The human services commission, hereinafter called the commission, is hereby created to involve residents of the city in advising the city council and city manager on matters related to the provision of human services. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.030 Membership—Appointment.
The commission shall consist of eight commissioners, who shall be appointed by majority vote of the city council. One member shall be a youth who, at time of appointment, shall be at least sixteen but not yet eighteen years of age. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.040 Eligibility—Term.
(a) Members of the commission shall be residents of the city of Kirkland.
(b) Commission members shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation.
(c) Initial terms of the first commissioners appointed under this chapter shall be staggered as follows: four members shall be appointed for initial terms of four years, and three members shall be appointed for initial terms of two years. The initial youth commissioner shall also be appointed for a term of two years.
(d) A subsequent term shall be for four years, except that a subsequent term for the youth member shall be for two years. Term limitations for commissioners shall adhere to adopted city council policies and procedures. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.050 Attendance.
A commissioner will be expected to attend no less than eighty percent of all meetings in any twelve-month period for which there is no prearranged absence. City council may waive the eighty percent attendance requirement; however, no less than sixty percent of all meetings shall be attended. A commissioner may be removed by majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.060 Vacancies.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.070 Meetings and quorum.
(a) A meeting of the commission shall be held usually at least once a month and shall be open to the public.
(b) Five members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and five affirmative votes shall be necessary to carry any proposition. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.080 Officers.
The commission shall elect from its members a chairperson and vice-chairperson. The chair and vice-chair shall be elected annually to serve a twelve-month term. A member may serve as chair multiple times, but not for more than two consecutive terms. It shall be the duty of the chair to preside at all meetings of the commission. In the chair’s absence, the vice-chair shall preside. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.090 Duties and powers.
The commission shall have the power and responsibility to perform the following functions:
(a) The commission is directed by the city council to advise the parks and community services department, city manager, and city council in leading the city’s efforts to support a socially sustainable community through health and human services and programs that fulfill the basic needs of all people and enhance the quality of life in our city now and into the future.
(b) To fulfill its mission, the commission will work with the parks and community services department to establish an annual work plan approved by the city council which proactively explores, investigates, analyzes, prioritizes, develops, and recommends solutions and actions to the city manager and city council.
(c) The commission’s work shall be governed by human services policies adopted by the city council. The commission shall advise the city council as to changes or refinements to these policies as needed.
(d) The commission shall provide the public opportunities to be involved in the commission’s activities.
(e) The commission shall review requests for grant funding of human services according to guidelines contained in the human services policies and make recommendations to the city council.
(f) The commission shall develop recommendations on priorities for the allocation of city resources to meet identified needs.
(g) The commission shall actively pursue the goal of regional cooperation in the planning, funding and delivery of human services.
(h) At the direction of the city council the commission shall study and provide recommendations to the city council on emerging issues and concerns in the area of human services.
(i) The commission may review and make comment on city actions which may affect the availability of human services in the city.
(j) The commission shall perform such other advisory functions as directed by resolution or motion of the city council. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)
3.70.100 Staff support.
The parks and community services department shall provide technical and clerical support for the commission. (Ord. 4568 § 1 (part), 2017)