Division 2. Boards and Commissions
Chapter 2.60
ADVISORY BODIES
Sections:
2.60.040 Appointments, reappointments, and vacancies.
2.60.120 Statement of economic interest.
2.60.010 Purpose.
Boards, committees and commissions (hereinafter referred to as “advisory bodies”) play an important role in city government by obtaining community input, developing recommendations and providing information to the city council. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1).
2.60.020 Eligibility.
All advisory body members must be residents of the city unless otherwise noted. The city council or state or federal law may establish additional requirements. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1).
2.60.030 Term of office.
A. The term of office for members of an advisory body is four years, unless otherwise noted. Each member serves until his or her successor is appointed and qualifies. A full term shall begin on August 1st and conclude four years after on July 31st.
B. The following term limits are exceptions to the limits specified above:
1. Library Board of Trustees. The term of office for members of the library board of trustees is three years.1
2. Repealed by Ord. 24-06.
3. Repealed by Ord. 13-08.
4. Sustainability Commission. The term of office for the student member is one year with the option of a second term at the recommendation of the Commission and reappointment in accordance with BMC 2.60.040.
C. Unless otherwise noted, there are no term limits for serving on an advisory body.
D. Staggered Terms. Terms of office for all new boards and commissions will be staggered. The terms of office shall be based on the number of members of the board or commission. For a five-member board or commission, the first appointment shall be for one year. The second appointment shall be for two years. The third appointment shall be for three years. All subsequent appointments shall be for four years. For a seven-member board or commission, the first appointment shall be for one year. The second and third appointments shall be for two years. The third and fourth appointments shall be for three years. All subsequent appointments shall be for four years unless otherwise noted. (Ord. 24-06 § 2; Ord. 23-02; Ord. 13-08 § 2; Ord. 10-01 § 1; Ord. 09-17 § 1; Ord. 08-05 § 1).
2.60.040 Appointments, reappointments, and vacancies.
Appointments shall be made in accordance with the city council’s rules and procedures for appointments. Reappointments of eligible advisory body members shall be made in accordance with the city council’s rules and procedures for appointments. Whenever a vacancy occurs within an advisory body, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the city council’s rules and procedures for appointments. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1).
2.60.050 Attendance.
A. All members must be active participants in order for an advisory body to function effectively and accomplish its goals. This means all members must be present unless excused from attending a meeting by the chair. If a member is absent without cause from three successive regular meetings, the office becomes automatically vacant. The chair shall immediately notify the city council of the vacancy.
B. A member is not absent without cause if his or her absence is:
1. Due to illness; or
2. Unavoidable, and the member gives the secretary of the advisory body written notice before the day of the meeting that he or she will be absent and gives the reason for the absence. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1).
2.60.060 Size of membership.
Advisory bodies shall consist of a voting membership of no less than three members and no more than seven members. If an existing advisory body had a membership of more than seven members at time of this amendment, then the longest vacant or expired term that has not been reappointed shall be terminated upon 30 days after adoption of this amendment. The membership size of a respective advisory body shall be set by the city council with the enabling ordinance of said advisory body. (Ord. 23-02).
2.60.070 Quorum.
A majority of the entire membership of the advisory body constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. For example, if the body has five members, three members are a quorum. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.060).
2.60.080 Rules of procedure.
Each advisory body must maintain rules of procedure that are in accordance with the Brown Act, the open government ordinance (BMC Title 4) and the council’s code of conduct (Ord. 08-05 § 1). Additionally, each body shall set forth their meeting schedule which shall be adopted each year at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the calendar year. The time, day and location of the meeting may be determined by each body with coordination with city staff and in accordance with the Brown Act, the open government ordinance (BMC Title 4). (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.070).
2.60.090 Officers.
A. Each advisory body shall select officers from its body, unless otherwise noted. The officers of the advisory body shall be:
1. Chair: who shall preside at all the meetings of the advisory body, coordinate with city staff to call special meetings, appoint committees, and perform other proper duties of a presiding officer.
2. Vice Chair: who shall perform the duties of the chair in the absence or incapacity of the chair; and, in case of the resignation or other permanent absence of the chair, the vice chair shall perform such duties as are imposed on the chair until such time as the advisory body selects a new chair.
3. Secretary: who shall keep written records by way of action minutes of all regular and special meetings of the advisory body. The secretary shall see to it that the minutes of the advisory body are performed and submitted to city staff in accordance with the Brown Act, the open government ordinance (BMC Title 4).
a. The role of secretary for the planning commission shall be assigned to a city staff designee.
B. Officers of an advisory body shall serve for a period of one year commencing on January 1st and concluding on December 31st.
C. Elections for officers shall occur at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the calendar year. (Ord. 23-02).
2.60.100 Support staff.
Staff support and assistance is provided, but advisory bodies do not have supervisory authority over city employees. Staff members remain responsible to their immediate supervisors and ultimately to the city manager and council. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.080).
2.60.110 Compensation.
Except as otherwise provided, advisory bodies do not receive compensation or city benefits for their service. Reimbursement for expenses in accordance with adopted city policy is allowed with prior approval. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.090).
2.60.120 Statement of economic interest.
Certain advisory body members may be required to file statements of economic interest (also known as conflict of interest forms) upon taking office. Determination of the need to file such forms is made in accordance with the council’s conflict of interest code. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.100).
2.60.130 Removal.
A member of an advisory body may be removed for cause by four affirmative votes of the council. (Ord. 23-02; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.110).
2.60.140 Formation.
An advisory body shall be formed by an enabling ordinance of the city council. An ad-hoc advisory body may be formed by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 23-02).
2.60.150 Application.
This chapter applies to the following advisory bodies:
A. Library board of trustees;
B. Repealed by Ord. 24-06;
C. Repealed by Ord. 13-09;
D. Repealed by Ord. 24-06;
E. Planning commission;
F. Historic preservation review commission;
G. Repealed by Ord. 13-08;
H. Repealed by Ord. 13-07;
I. Building board of appeals;
J. Economic development board;
K. Arts and culture commission;
L. Sustainability commission;
M. Open government commission;
N. Repealed by Ord. 24-06;
O. Ad-hoc advisory bodies established by resolution of the city council;
P. Community services commission;
Q. Local tax oversight board. (Ord. 24-06 §§ 2, 3; Ord. 23-02; Ord. 13-09 § 2; Ord. 13-08 § 2; Ord. 13-07 § 2; Ord. 10-01 § 2; Ord. 09-17 § 2; Ord. 09-16 § 1; Ord. 09-15 § 1; Ord. 08-05 § 1. Formerly 2.60.120).
The term of the library board of trustees is three years per Section 18911 of the California Education Code which governs municipal libraries.