Chapter 2.16
PLANNING COMMISSION1
Sections:
2.16.010 Created – Membership.
2.16.040 Vacancy filling – Rules – Business transaction.
2.16.010 Created – Membership.
There is created and established a planning commission for the city. The commission shall consist of five members. Each councilmember shall nominate one planning commissioner for a term coinciding with the term of the councilmember making the appointment. If a vacancy occurs otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by nomination by the councilmember whose previous appointee has caused the vacancy to occur. The council shall select advisory members of the commission. The advisory members shall have no vote. Appointments shall coincide with the election cycles of the respective, nominating councilmembers. (Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014: Ord. 813 § 1, 2008: Ord. 274 § 1, 1979: Ord. 42 § 1, 1965).
2.16.015 Appointment process.
Appointments to the commission, including any mid-term appointments necessary due to vacancies, shall be filled by nomination from the responsible councilmember and ratification by a majority vote of the city council. City staff shall advertise commission vacancies by posting in accordance with Chapter 1.08, Posting Public Notices, by announcement at public forums or in public media, or a combination of these methods; collect application materials from interested parties; and make those materials available to the nominating councilmember. Upon notification from the responsible councilmember, City staff shall schedule the ratification for a public meeting before the council. (Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014).
2.16.020 Terms.
The terms of the commissioners shall coincide with the terms and be at the discretion of the councilmember who made the original nomination, except as provided under Section 2.21.020, Removal for absences. Terms shall begin on the date of the first meeting of the commission after appointment and shall end upon either removal or ratification of a replacement planning commissioner. (Ord. 900 § 2, 2021; Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014: Ord. 813 § 2, 2008: Ord. 42 § 2, 1965).
2.16.030 Removal – Vacancy.
A. Although a planning commission member shall be appointed for the term coinciding with the term of councilmember who made the nomination, the commissioner may be removed at the sole discretion of that councilmember, except as provided under subsection B of this section. If a commissioner is removed under the provisions of subsection B of this section, a new nomination shall be made by the councilmember who made the original nomination, and that commissioner shall serve at the sole discretion of that councilmember.
B. Any member of the planning commission who fails to attend three or more meetings under the circumstances described in Chapter 2.21 shall be subject to removal and the other consequences specified in Chapter 2.21. (Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014: Ord. 813 § 3, 2008: Ord. 806 § 1, 2007: Ord. 519 § 1, 1989: Ord. 42 § 3, 1965).
2.16.040 Vacancy filling – Rules – Business transaction.
The commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson from among the appointed members for a term of one year, and, subject to other provisions of law, may create and fill such other offices as it may determine necessary. The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep records of its business transactions, findings, and determinations, which records shall be public records. The commission may, with the approval of the city council, appoint such officers and employees as it may deem necessary for its work, whose appointment, promotion, demotion and removal shall be subject to the same provisions of law as govern other corresponding city employees. The commission may also recommend the employment of planning consultants and other specialists for such services as it may require. The planning commission shall perform such functions and duties and shall have such powers and duties as are prescribed by law, and in particular as are prescribed in Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Government Code of the state, and amendments thereto, and in addition the planning commission shall perform such other functions and duties with respect to zoning and other matters as the city council shall refer. (Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014: Ord. 42 § 4, 1965).
2.16.050 Qualifications.
Members of the planning commission shall reside within the city limits of the city of Cotati as shown on the Cotati General Plan. (Ord. 846 § 1 (part), 2014: Ord. 813 § 4, 2008: Ord. 261 § 1, 1978: Ord. 245 § 1, 1977: Ord. 243 § 1, 1977).
For statutory provisions regarding the establishment and duties of a city planning agency, see Gov. Code § 65100 et seq.; for the provisions regarding a city planning commission, see Gov. Code § 65150. For planning director duties as city manager, see Resolution 77-10.