Chapter 2.46
PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.46.020 Creation of a Public Safety Advisory Commission.
2.46.040 Appointment and removal of Commissioners.
2.46.060 Duties and responsibilities.
2.46.080 Obligations and expenses.
2.46.090 Termination of the Commission.
Prior legislation: Ords. 720 and 787.
2.46.010 Definition.
“Public safety” is that which is related to traffic and pedestrian safety, lake safety, code enforcement, animal control and emergency services within the City of Lake Elsinore. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.020 Creation of a Public Safety Advisory Commission.
A Public Safety Advisory Commission is established. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.030 Membership.
The Public Safety Advisory Commission shall consist of five members. No officers or employees of the City or a person under an employment contract, subject to the jurisdiction of the City Council, shall be members of such Commission. A member of the Public Safety Advisory Commission shall be at least 18 years old and either: (A) reside within the City of Lake Elsinore, or (B) be an owner of a business that is established and currently licensed within the City of Lake Elsinore. Members shall be subject to a routine background check to be administered by the Police Department. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1176 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.040 Appointment and removal of Commissioners.
A subcommittee of the City Council shall recommend candidates to the City Council to serve as members of the Public Safety Advisory Commission. Appointment to the Public Safety Advisory Commission shall be approved by a majority of the City Council. Individual Commissioners can be removed at the pleasure of a majority of the City Council without notice or hearing.
Upon appointment to the Public Safety Advisory Commission, Commissioners shall complete an orientation regarding their role and responsibilities, the Brown Act, City organization and the City code of conduct. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1176 § 2, 2006; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.050 Term of office.
Members of the Public Safety Advisory Commission shall be appointed for a term of no more than four years. Each term shall commence on July 1st of the respective year in which appointed. Terms shall be staggered such that the terms of no more than three Commissioners expire within a two-year period. If a Commissioner resigns prior to the end of their term, a replacement will be appointed to serve out the remainder of that term. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1176 § 3, 2006; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.060 Duties and responsibilities.
The Public Safety Advisory Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. The Commission shall serve as a conduit of information for City residents and businesses to express their concerns regarding traffic and pedestrian safety, lake safety, code enforcement, animal control and emergency services. The Commission shall hear these concerns, communicate them to the designated staff administrator for the Commission, and report back to citizens within a reasonable amount of time.
B. Investigate, review and analyze traffic and pedestrian safety, lake safety, code enforcement, animal control and emergency services issues including parking, pedestrian rights-of-way, traffic condition reviews, stop sign placements, traffic signals, road modifications, pavement markings, safety devices, posted speed limits, signage and engineering.
C. Assist in developing traffic, pedestrian and lake safety programs that will help reduce and/or prevent accidents, injuries and deaths on the lake and roadways within the City.
D. The Commission shall gather additional input by maintaining an ongoing dialogue with various community organizations including, but not limited to, the Animal Friends of the Valleys, Citizens Corps, Lake Elsinore Marine Search and Rescue, neighborhood watch groups, homeowners’ associations, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Merchants Association, etc.
E. Review and suggest disaster planning, preparedness and crisis management programs and resources for further consideration by the City Council and/or staff.
F. Attend training regarding compliance with the City’s code of ethics and conflict of interest policies.
G. Provide a written report to the City Manager’s office on a quarterly basis to be forwarded to the City Council for review.
While the Commission may propose assignments and activities, assignments and activities other than specific duties and responsibilities of the Commission shall be undertaken by direction of the City Council or the City Manager. All Commissioner communications and requests of City staff must be made via the City Manager’s office including responses back through the City Manager’s office to all Commissioners to allow for better tracking and follow-up on requests. Recommendations of the Commission shall be undertaken by direction of the City Council or City Manager. Commission recommendations shall be made to the City Council at the discretion of the City Manager’s office. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1231 §§ 1, 2, 2007; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.070 Meetings.
A. The Commission shall be subject to the laws governing public agencies and a quorum must be present in order to hold a meeting or take any action.
B. Printed agendas and backup material shall be prepared for each meeting.
C. Minutes of each meeting shall be prepared and distributed to all City Councilmembers and available upon request for public review at City Hall or on the City’s website.
D. If a Commissioner cannot attend a meeting or is going to be late, he/she shall contact the City Manager’s office. Failure to be present at four regularly scheduled meetings in any one calendar year may be cause for removal from the Commission pursuant to LEMC 2.46.040.
E. The Commission shall be authorized to meet as often as twice a month, but not less than once a quarter.
F. The City Manager shall ensure adequate staff is allocated to provide necessary technical and clerical assistance for Commission meetings.
G. The Commission shall confine its business at Commission meetings to addressing general public safety issues as provided in this chapter and shall not engage in discussions or address issues that relate to the internal operations of the City. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.075 Compensation.
Members of the Public Safety Advisory Commission shall each receive compensation for their services in the sum of $100.00 per meeting attended, with a maximum of one meeting per month. [Ord. 1391 § 1, 20181].
2.46.080 Obligations and expenses.
The Public Safety Advisory Commission shall incur no obligations or expenses of any kind, without obtaining prior written authorization and approval by the City Manager. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
2.46.090 Termination of the Commission.
The Public Safety Advisory Commission may be terminated at any time at the pleasure of a majority of the City Council. [Ord. 1317 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1137, 2005; Ord. 1116, 2004].
Code reviser’s note: Section 4 of Ord. 1391 states: “This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after the date of adoption; and, the compensation increase will become effective on January 1, 2019.”