[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Rahway 8-10-2020 by Ord. No. O-19-20. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Mayor and Council hereby create the City of Rahway Social Justice Commission.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor, all of whom shall be residents of the City of Rahway. The members shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one member to serve as Chairperson and presiding officer of the Commission. The Mayor shall also designate one member to serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Commission. The terms of office of the Commissioners shall be for one year. The five members shall commence on January 1, 2023. Thereafter, all subsequent terms will begin on January 1 following their respective appointments.
[Amended 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. O-54-22]
B. 
The Mayor may appoint not more than two alternate members.
[Amended 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. O-54-22]
(1) 
Alternate members are to be designated "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
(2) 
The terms of the alternate members shall be for one year, with an initial term expiring on December 31, 2023. Thereafter, all subsequent terms will begin on January 1 following their respective appointments.
(3) 
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired term only.
(4) 
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings, but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
C. 
The Mayor or governing body may remove any member of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member and after the hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring otherwise than expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
D. 
The Mayor may request that City Council select and appoint a Council member as liaison between City Council and the Commission. The term of office for the Council liaison and their successors shall be for one year beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of each year.
[Added 12-12-2022 by Ord. No. O-54-22]
A member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in which they have either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest.
The Commission is established for the protection and promotion of social justice within the territorial limits of the City, with a focus on ensuring equal rights, equity, access, and participation for all members of the City's population. The Commission shall have the power to conduct research in these areas and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, plans, and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its purposes.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and make an annual report to the governing body.
The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees and incur such expenses as it may from time to time require, providing the same shall be within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the governing body or otherwise available to it.
The Social Justice Commission shall have power to study and make recommendations to the Mayor and governing body concerning equal rights, equity, access, and participation for all members of the City's population.