Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 05, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN INFORMATIONAL UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF CARSON WOMEN'S ISSUES COMMISSION (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The City of Carson Women’s Issues Commission (the “Commission”) is responsible for promoting the health and wellbeing of women and girls in the Carson community. This item provides an informational update to the City Council from the Commission on its current and planned activities.
Upon approval by the City Council, the Commission was reinstated and met on July 26, 2021 after a pause since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this meeting the Commission received an orientation and Brown Act training from the City Attorney’s Office consistent with City Council direction, elected a Chair and Vice Chair from its members for one-year terms in accordance with the City’s Municipal Code, discussed the 2021 “It’s All About Me” Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo, and identified two areas of focus for developing a Work Plan for the 2021-2022 year.
The Commission most recently met on September 27, 2021 after voting in favor to cancel its meeting for August 23 2021 consistent with past practice. At the September meeting the Commission received an update from staff regarding the ongoing efforts related to the 2021 Women’s Health Conference, discussed its advertisement placement for the Women’s Health Conference, and continued its discussion of potential Work Plan items for the 2021-2022 year.
The current focus of the Commission is planning for the Women’s Health Conference. The Conference will be held virtually and is scheduled for October 15, 2021. The Commission will then continue its discussion of other Work Plan items for 2021-2022 at its upcoming meeting on October 26, 2021.
Informational updates regarding the activities of the Commission will be provided to the City Council periodically.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
RECEIVE and FILE this informational update from the Commission.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action deemed appropriate by the City Council and consistent with applicable law.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Commission is responsible for addressing a variety of topics related to promoting the health and wellbeing of women and girls in the Carson community. The authority and duties of the Commission as outlined in the Municipal Code are listed below.
At its July 26, 2021 meeting, the Commission identified items “a” and “c” as key focus areas for the 2021-2022 year (marked with an asterisk below) and is currently developing a Work Plan based on these focus areas.
*(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager with respect to issues affecting women and families in the City of Carson including domestic violence, equality in employment, educational equality, women’s empowerment, self-esteem, teen-dating abuse, women’s health, unwed motherhood, parenting, childcare, social service resources available to women, and other issues of particular concern to women and families.
(b) Recommend to the Council educational programs and events which promote public understanding and awareness of women’s issues and social services available for women and families.
*(c) Assist the City Council in the implementation of educational programs and events on women’s issues and social services available to women and families as may be authorized by the City Council.
(d) Review and recommend Council support of or opposition to legislation or programs of other agencies which affect women and families.
(e) Compile information on counseling, legal, medical, educational, employment, and housing resources available to women and families in need; provided, that the Commission shall not provide such services to women and families unless specifically authorized by the City Council.
(f) The Women’s Issues Commission shall have no responsibility or authority to direct or interfere with the operations and management of any public or private agency or contractor, nor shall any individual member of the Women’s Issues Commission at any time attempt to direct, interfere with, or participate in the operations or management of any public or private agency or contractor or their personnel.
(g) The Women’s Issues Commission shall have no responsibility or authority to review, evaluate, investigate, or comment upon matters which are within the duties and functions of City employees or any other City of Carson Commission. (Ord. 02-1246, § 1)
The Commission will continue to study topics within its focus areas, develop Work Plan items, and provide updates to the City Council.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this report.
VI. EXHIBITS
None.
Prepared by: Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager