Chapter 2.4 Commissions and Other Committees
2.4.10 Purpose of this Chapter
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for the establishment, organization, and conduct of City commissions and committees.
2.4.20 Planning Commission
The City of La Habra Heights Planning Commission is established in accordance with the Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws (PZDL) of the State of California.
A. Responsibilities of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall exercise all of the powers, duties, rights, privileges and authorities provided in this Chapter.
B. Organization of the Planning Commission. The City Council shall select the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission may appoint from among its members other officers as may be necessary for the administration of Planning Commission business. The Planning Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business and shall keep a record of minutes, resolutions, actions, findings, and determinations that shall be filed with the City Clerk.
C. Planning Commission Members and Appointments. The Planning Commission shall be comprised of five (5) members and one (1) alternate who must be residents of the City. The alternate shall serve as an active member of the Planning Commission but shall not vote unless one (1) regular member is absent or abstains from voting, in which case, the alternate shall have the same voting power as a regular member. Each member of the City Council shall appoint one Planning Commission member. The City Council as a whole shall appoint the alternate. Appointments of Planning Commission members shall be announced and appointments of an alternate shall be made at a regular City Council meeting typically following the general City Council election. No Planning Commissioner shall hold any paid position in the City of La Habra Heights or otherwise be employed by the City.
D. Planning Commission Terms of Office. Planning Commission members shall be appointed after the appointing City Council member takes office. Members shall hold office until a successor has been appointed. Should a Planning Commission vacancy occur for any reason, an appointment shall be made for the un-expired portion of the term.
E. Planning Commission Removal from Office. A Planning Commissioner may be removed by the appointing City Council member or by any successor to that Council member at any time. Any Planning Commission member may also be removed, with or without cause, by an action of the City Council by a four-fifths (4/5) vote. The Alternate may be removed with or without cause by an action of the City Council by a quorum vote. Any Planning Commissioner or alternate who is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Planning Commission, unless excused by the Presiding Officer, shall automatically forfeit the position as a Planning Commission member.
F. Planning Commission Meetings. The location, day and time of regular meetings of the Planning Commission shall be set by resolution of the City Council.
G. City Staff Attendance at Planning Commission Meetings. The following City staff are required to attend Planning Commission meetings:
1. The Community Development Director, unless excused, shall attend all Planning Commission meetings.
2. The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney, unless excused, shall attend all meetings of the Planning Commission and shall, upon request, give opinions either written or oral on questions of law and shall act as the Commission’s parliamentarian.
3. The Planning Commission Secretary, unless excused, shall attend all meetings of the Commission and record, prepare, and maintain the minutes of the Planning Commission and perform other related duties.
4. Department heads and other City employees, as directed by the City Manager, shall attend Planning Commission meetings.
H. Other Rules. Other applicable rules of conduct for Planning Commission meetings are identified in Chapter 2.5. (Ord. 2014-02 § 1)
2.4.30 Special Advisory Committees
The City Manager may establish special advisory committees. In certain instances, the City Council may establish a special committee. These special committees will be established for a specific purpose and for a specified period of time. Other requirements governing the establishment and conduct of these special committees include the following.
A. Duties of Committees. Special committees shall be established as advisory bodies to assist the City and City Manager in fact-finding and for the purpose of recommending or implementing City policy.
B. Organization of the Committees. The composition of committee membership will be determined by the City Manager unless established by the City Council.
C. Terms of Office and Removal. Any vacancies in the committee shall be filled by appointment by the City Manager.
D. Meetings. The committee, with the approval of the City Manager, will be responsible for the time and location of the committee meetings.