Chapter 2.20
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.010 Established—Number of members.
2.20.030 Appointment of members.
2.20.040 Requirements for membership.
2.20.090 Duties—Limitations on authority.
2.20.010 Established—Number of members.
There is established for the city a Planning Commission of five members appointed from the community. (Ord. 28 Sec. 1, 1965)
2.20.020 Terms of office.
Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for a four-year term beginning July 1 or until a qualified successor is appointed. The City Clerk shall keep a record of dates of appointments and the terms of office of the members. Terms will be staggered every two years to provide continuity on the Commission. (Ord. 67 Sec. 1, 1967: Ord. 28 Sec. 2, 1965)
2.20.030 Appointment of members.
The process for making appointments to the Commission shall be included in an Administrative Policy. (Ord. 67 Sec. 2, 1967: Ord. 28 Sec. 3, 1965)
2.20.040 Requirements for membership.
All members of the Planning Commission shall meet the following requirements:
A. Be a citizen of the United States.
B. Be at least 18 years of age.
C. Be a permanent resident of the City.
D. Have taken and filed with the City Clerk the oath required by Section 36507 of the Government Code.
E. Have never been convicted of a felony. (Ord. 928 Sec. 1, 2011; Ord. 28 Sec. 4, 1965)
2.20.050 Vacancies.
Persons appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whose vacancy they fill. (Ord. 28 Sec. 5, 1965)
2.20.060 Removal from office.
Members of the Commission shall be removed from office or their office declared vacant in the following manner and for any one of the following reasons:
(1) Failure to meet any one of the requirements for membership in Section 2.20.040, at which time the removal shall be automatic and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.
(2) By a majority vote of the entire City Council.
(3) The office of any member of the Commission, who misses three successive regular meetings without cause, or five meetings in a 12-month period, including adjourned and special meetings, shall be deemed to be vacant. The secretary of the Commission shall immediately inform the City Council of such vacancy. A written notice to the secretary of the Commission on or before the day of the meeting stating there was an unavoidable absence or an absence due to illness shall be deemed absence for cause.
(4) At the end of the member’s term of office, in which event the removal shall be automatic and no action of the City Council is necessary, except that a Commissioner shall continue to serve until the successor’s appointment. (Ord. 67 Sec. 3, 1967: Ord. 28 Sec. 6, 1965)
2.20.070 Organization.
The Commission shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman at their first meeting in July of each year. (Ord. 28 Sec. 7, 1965)
2.20.080 Conduct of meetings.
The Commission shall hold not less than one regular meeting each calendar month, such meeting schedules and times to be established by the Commission. The Planning Commission meetings shall be held not more than 10 days prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meetings. Adjourned and special meetings may be called, noticed and held in the manner established by Section 54956 of the California Government Code.
All meetings of the Commission shall be open and public and a majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A public record (minutes) shall be prepared indicating all actions, findings and determinations of the Commission. A written agenda shall be prepared and distributed to Commission members in advance of all regular meetings. Rules of conduct of the meetings shall be determined by the Commission but shall be in accordance with those rules adopted for the conduct of City Council meetings. The Commission constitutes a “legislative body” as described in the California Government Code. (Ord. 478 Sec. 1, 1982: Ord. 28 Sec. 8, 1965)
2.20.090 Duties—Limitations on authority.
The Planning Commission shall have the following duties, responsibilities, authority and limitations as to its authority:
(1) The Commission’s responsibilities and authority shall be in accordance with the conservation and planning laws as related to general law cities, except as may be otherwise authorized by and set forth in specific City ordinances.
(2) The Commission shall receive and expeditiously act on all special project assignments made by the City Council and shall submit reports and recommendations to the City Council on these assignments.
(3) The Commission may submit recommended City projects to the City Council for possible assignment by the Council.
(4) The Commission as a whole shall conduct all actions and business of the Commission, unless a representative or subcommittee is formally appointed by the Commission to act on its behalf.
(5) Expenditure of budgeted funds shall require the approval of the City Manager. Proposed expenditures not budgeted for in the annual budget shall be presented to the City Council with a recommendation for a special appropriation.
(6) It shall be the responsibility of the Commission to be represented at the meetings of the City Council and other Commissions when matters of joint concern are to be discussed, and to advise Chairmen of other Commissions of Planning Commission matters of concern. (Ord. 28 Sec. 9, 1965)
2.20.100 Compensation
All members of a Commission shall be compensated as provided by resolution.
2.20.110 Records
The Planning Commission shall keep complete minutes, books and accounts of their meetings on file in the office of the Community Development Department.