There is a Baltimore City Hispanic Commission. The Commission comprises 13 voting members, 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>. 1 of the voting members shall be a member of the City Council, nominated by the City Council President. At least 7 of the voting members shall be representatives of the Hispanic community in Baltimore City. The following non-voting members also serve on the Commission:a representative of the Mayor’s Office; the Director of the Department of Public Works, or the Director’s designee; the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development, or the Commissioner’s designee; the Director of the Department of Health, or the Director’s designee; and the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, or the CEO’s designee. Ord. 07-620 Ord. 12-048

The Hispanic Commission is dedicated to: Identifying and defining issues concerning the rights and needs of Baltimore’s Hispanic Community. Advising the Mayor and City agencies on the development of relevant policies, plans, and programs that affect Hispanics. Advising the City Council on issues of concern to the City’s Hispanic community. Establishing and maintaining relationships with city agencies and members of the private sector. Creating a central source of information for Baltimore’s Hispanic Community. Reviewing and commenting on any proposed legislation, regulation, policy, or program that affects the Hispanic population. Ord. 07-620

Commission members appointed by the Mayor serve for a term of 4 years, concurrent with the term of the Mayor. The member appointed from the City Council serves for a term concurrent with that member’s term on the City Council. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The members of the Commission:serve without compensation; but are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. A member appointed to fill a vacancy must meet the same qualifications for appointment as the member being succeeded. 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. Ord. 07-620 Ord. 16-503

The Mayor shall designate a voting member of the Commission to serve as the Chair of the Commission. Members of the Commission shall by majority vote select any other officers they consider necessary or appropriate. The Chair may appoint committees to assist the Commission in carrying out its functions and duties. Ord. 07-620

The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair as frequently as required to perform its duties. A majority of the voting members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. An affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is needed for any official action. The Commission may adopt rules of procedure to govern its meetings and operations. If any member is absent from regularly scheduled meetings more than 3 times in 1 year, not counting absences excused by the Chair:the member is considered to have resigned; and the Chair shall request the Mayor to fill the resultant vacancy. Ord. 07-620

The Commission may appoint a properly qualified person as the Executive Director of the Commission, to serve for a term of 4 years concurrent with the term of the Mayor. The Executive Director is entitled to a salary, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. The Executive Director shall perform the duties that the Commission prescribes. The Executive Director may employ a staff as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. Staff members shall be members of the classified service. The Commission may engage the services of volunteer workers and consultants, without salary, as it considers necessary from time to time. The Commission may expend funds as authorized in the Ordinance of Estimates. Ord. 07-620

The Commission shall assist Hispanics who reside in the City in matters relating to:education or workforce training; health and medical services; special rights and privileges provided by federal, state, and local laws and regulations; employment; and any other matters. The Commission shall serve as a resource for information relating to issues affecting Baltimore Hispanics. The Commission shall:conduct research, policy analysis, and public information and education programs on issues affecting Hispanics; and institute and conduct other programs, meetings, and conferences to promote equal rights and opportunities for Hispanics The Commission shall:review and monitor the conditions of Hispanics in the workforce in Baltimore City; and direct attention to the problems facing Hispanics in the workforce. The Commission shall: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 recommend programs and legislation it considers necessary and proper. The Commission shall review and evaluate the impact of existing and proposed policies, programs, and legislation affecting Hispanics. The Commission shall act as a representative of the Mayor and City Council in dealing with the private sector and with other governments in an effort to develop additional private and public resources to provide better programs for the Hispanic community. Ord. 07-620

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, to the extent that the officials and agencies are able to do so given their personnel and budgets as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates. Ord. 07-620

The Commission shall submit to the Mayor an annual report on its activities. Ord. 07-620