In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
“Commission” means the Baltimore City Commission on Aging, Resources, and Empowerment, formerly named the Baltimore City Commission on the Aging and Retirement.
“Director” means the Director of the Baltimore City Office of Older Adult Affairs and Advocacy.
“Office” means the Baltimore City Office of Older Adult Affairs and Advocacy.
“Older individual” means an individual who is 60 years of age or older.
There is a Baltimore City Office of Older Adult Affairs and Advocacy.
In general.
The Director is responsible for the administration and oversight of the Office.
Appointment.
The Director is appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">Article IV, § 6 of the City Charter</cite>.
Salary.
The Director shall receive such salary as may be provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
The Office shall:
evaluate the service needs of older individuals in the City;
determine the extent to which existing public and private programs meet the needs of older individuals;
establish priorities for meeting the needs of older individuals;
evaluate services and programs that support older adults in Baltimore City;
educate older adults, their families, and advocates about the services and programs described in paragraph (4) of this subsection;
recommend to the Mayor, City Council, and applicable State and federal officials changes and improvements in City, State, and federal services and programs that address the following needs of older individuals:financial health;
safety;
public health;
behavioral health;
insurance coverage;
housing;
employment;
recreation;
volunteerism;
lifelong learning;
transportation;
in-home care services;
caregiver support; and
institutional and community-based long-term care;
coordinate a Citywide planning process with the goal of transforming Baltimore City into an age-friendly city that supports older individuals as they live their lives with choices, independence, and dignity;
facilitate communication between the City, the Maryland Department of Aging, and the State Commission on Aging; and
perform other functions as may be assigned by the Mayor.
The Office may employ staff in accordance with the Ordinance of Estimates.
The Office may expend funds authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates or any supplemental appropriations.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Director must adopt rules and regulations to carry out this subtitle.
On or before June 30 of each year, the Office must submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council detailing:
the activities of the Office; and
the trainings, exercises, and community outreach activities the Office conducted during the previous year.
There is a Baltimore City Commission on Aging, Resources, and Empowerment.
The Commission shall consist of 29 members, 18 of whom are appointed by the Mayor in accordance with Article IV, § 6 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter">the Baltimore City Charter</cite>, and 11 of whom are ex-officio members.
The Mayor shall appoint commission members to represent the diversity of people and ideas within the City’s older individuals community with regard to equity, socioeconomic status, religion, race, ethnicity, gender identification, and family composition.
Of the 18 members to be appointed by the Mayor:at least 3 shall be over 65 years of age and reside in Baltimore City;
1 shall be a member of the City Council;
2 shall be physical or behavioral healthcare practitioners;
1 shall be experienced with business, labor, or workforce development;
1 shall be a representative of a faith-based organization;
1 shall be a representative from a consumer education organization;
2 shall represent a voluntary organization or voluntary advocacy organization that provides services to older adults; and
4 shall have a general interest in providing services to older adults in the following fields:legal services;
housing; and
academic research.
The 11 ex-officio members of the Commission are the following, or their designated representatives:the Commissioner of Health;
the Director of the Department of Social Services;
the Director of the Department of Planning;
the Police Commissioner;
the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development;
the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks;
the Chief of the Fire Department;
the Director of the Baltimore Behavioral Health Bureau or a similar organization;
the Director of the Department of Public Works;
the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success; and
the Director of the Department of Transportation.
Appointed members serve a term of 4 years, concurrent with the terms of the Mayor and the City Council, and at the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.
The Mayor shall designate at least 1 but no more than 2 of the appointed members to serve as Chairs of the Commission.
If there is a vacancy in the membership of the Commission, the member appointed by the Mayor to fill the vacancy must meet the same qualifications for appointment as the member being succeeded and shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services on the Commission, but shall be reimbursed for the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
The Commission shall meet at least 10 times a year.
A majority of the members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
Any appointed member of the Commission who fails to attend 4 consecutive meetings without good cause as determined by the Mayor shall be deemed to have resigned.
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of assisting the Office of Aging and other units of City government in the coordination of an effective program of services to and opportunities for older individuals.
In coordination and consultation with the Office, the Commission shall:review and propose improvements to existing City programs;
research and recommend new programs; and
evaluate current programs and proposed legislation to determine their impact on older individuals.
The Commission shall routinely brief the Director on programs and policies concerning older individuals as reflected in:the Ordinance of Estimates;
other ordinances; or
administrative policies of the Office and other units of City government.
As appropriate, the Commission shall hold hearing and undertake surveys and studies to:evaluate existing municipal programs for older individuals; and
make recommendations for the improvement of existing municipal programs to the Director.
The Commission shall:evaluate the methods by which information concerning available municipal programs for older individuals is disseminated; and
recommend communication improvements to the Director.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council on its activities.
Ord. 23-264