Chapter 2.120 BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

All members of boards, commissions, and committees, except for members of the Youth Commission and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older and residents of the City. All members of boards and commissions established by City Charter (i.e., Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Civil Service Commission and Board of Library Trustees) shall also be qualified electors of the City. (Ord. 947; Ord. 1088; Ord. 1241 § 3, 4-13-71; Ord. 1276 § 1, 6-26-73; Ord. 1625 § 1, 7-16-91; Ord. 1673 § 1, 6-20-95; Ord. 1809 § 1, 9-26-06; Ord. 1908 § 1, 7-16-13; Ord. 2030 § 1, 8-17-21; Ord. 2040 § 1, 1-11-22; Ord. 2043 § 3, 4-5-22. Formerly § 2-90).

2.120.020 Powers and duties generally.

The boards and commissions of the City shall have the following general powers, duties and responsibilities in addition to those set forth in Article X of the Charter:

(a) To establish rules and regulations governing the election of their officers, the holding of meetings and the conduct of business.

(b) To utilize all appropriate techniques in crystallizing and testing public sentiment on major public issues in their respective fields.

(d) To hold official hearings as required by law or requested by the City Council.

(e) To advise and recommend on City policies and procedures pertinent to their respective activities and functions.

(f) To support and adhere to all City policies promulgated by the City Council and to establish needed interim policies in the absence of the same.

(g) To provide information and promote good public relations between the City and the general public.

(h) To receive at least two hours of training in general ethics principles and ethics laws relevant to their public service every two years, as required by state law and the City Council.

(i) To perform such other related functions as may be assigned to them by the City Council. (Ord. 947; Ord. 1837 § 1, 5-6-08. Formerly § 2-91).

2.120.030 Meetings.

Each board or commission of the City with members thereon appointed by the City Council shall hold regular meetings at the times and on the days indicated by resolution of the City Council except when such day falls on a City holiday, and shall hold such special meetings as it may require. The times and days for holding regular meetings are subject to amendment from time to time by resolution of the City Council. A copy of the applicable resolution(s) is and will be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk. (Ord. 1298 § 2, 10-15-74; Ord. 1300 § 1, 11-12-74; Ord. 1569 § 1, 5-26-87. Formerly § 2-91.1).

2.120.040 Utilization of City personnel.

The various boards and commissions may utilize the services of the appropriate City departmental personnel in carrying out their respective functions, subject to the administrative control of the City Manager. (Ord. 947. Formerly § 2-92).

Article II. Duties and Responsibilities Enumerated

2.120.050 Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission shall be primarily responsible for and have the following duties:

(a) The establishment, acceptance and continued supervision of a long-range master plan for the future development of the City.

(b) The proper application and preservation of the zoning and land use regulations of the City and recommending such revisions and amendments as may be deemed necessary.

(c) The processing of subdivision tract maps and property development applications in accordance with prescribed standards.

(d) Serve as a correlating agency for the capital improvement program of the City. (Ord. 947. Formerly § 2-93).

Stat. Ref.: For State law as to planning generally, see Gov. C.A. § 65000 et seq. For State law as to authority of City to establish Planning Commission, see Gov. C.A. § 65100.

Charter reference – Provisions as to powers and duties of Planning Commission, see Charter § 1007.

2.120.060 Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Parks and Recreation Commission shall be primarily responsible for the following:

(a) The establishment, acceptance and continued supervision of a long-range parks and recreational program for the City.

(b) Planning and implementing an annual program of recreational and cultural activities for all age groups.

(d) Serve as a correlating agency between the City and other units of government on recreational undertakings.

(e) The planning and supervision of the City cemetery. (Ord. 947. Formerly § 2-94).

Charter reference – Provisions establishing Parks and Recreation Commission and enumerating powers and duties of same, see Charter §§ 1008 and 1009.

2.120.070 Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service Commission shall be primarily responsible for the following:

(a) The establishment, acceptance and continued supervision of a well-rounded civil service program.

(b) The recruiting, examining and establishing of a list of eligibles for appointment to the City service in accordance with established merit principles.

Charter reference – Provisions relative to civil service, see Charter §§ 1100 to 1108. Provisions establishing Civil Service Commission and enumerating powers and duties of same, see Charter §§ 1010 and 1011.

2.120.080 Board of Library Trustees.

The Board of Library Trustees shall be primarily responsible for the following:

(a) Establishing, accepting and supervising a significant public library program.

(b) Providing for balanced library collections and services which represent the diverse perspectives of the community.

(c) Making recommendations to the City Council on library policies which ensure maximum public access to library collections and services.

(d) Serving as a central focus for citizen comment on library operations and materials and the provision of appropriate recommendations or response.

(e) Supporting educational, recreational and cultural activities for citizens of all age groups consistent with the mission of the library program.

(f) Representing the library program to the City, the community, other government agencies and organizations.

(g) Performing such other duties and exercising such powers as the City Council may impose or require. (Ord. 947; Ord. 1703 § 1, 10-14-97. Formerly § 2-96).

Charter reference – Provisions establishing Board of Library Trustees and enumerating powers and duties of same, see Charter §§ 1012 and 1013.

2.120.090 Cultural Advisory Commission.

Repealed by Ord. 1908. (Ord. 1276 § 2, 6-26-73. Formerly § 2-97).

2.120.100 Historical and Landmarks Commission.

The Historical and Landmarks Commission shall consist of seven members, whose members shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City government, and shall have power and be required to do the following:

(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to historical landmarks, names and renaming of streets, museums and the establishment thereof in the City, and the marking and preservation of historical landmarks and places.

(b) Exercise such other functions as it may be required to perform by the City Council. (Ord. 912; Ord. 1241 § 4, 4-3-71; Ord. 1276 § 2, 6-26-73. Formerly § 2-98).

2.120.110 Senior Advisory Commission.

The Senior Advisory Commission shall consist of seven members who shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City government, and shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) Study, review, evaluate and make recommendations to the City Council relative to any and all matters affecting elderly people in the City of Santa Clara.

(b) Make such studies and submit to the Council such reports or recommendations respecting matters affecting elderly people, and such matters as the Council may from time to time request. (Ord. 1088; Ord. 1276 § 2, 6-26-73; Ord. 1809 § 2, 9-26-06. Formerly § 2-99).

2.120.120 International Exchange Commission.

Repealed by Ord. 1908. (Ord. 1625 § 2, 7-16-91; Ord. 1699 § 1, 6-24-97. Formerly § 2-100).

2.120.130 Youth Commission.

The Youth Commission shall consist of no more than fifteen (15) youth members who shall be residents of the City and be primarily responsible for the following:

(a) To act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the youth and teen population within Santa Clara, especially as related to municipal programs and projects of the City.

(b) To perform such other related functions as may be assigned to them by the City Council.

Additional powers and duties of the Youth Commission shall be as determined by the City Council, by resolution, and may be amended, from time to time, to properly reflect changes in qualifications, composition and responsibilities of the Youth Commission as the City Council deems necessary. (Ord. 1673 § 2, 6-20-95. Formerly § 2-101).

2.120.140 Cultural Commission.

The Cultural Commission shall consist of seven members, who shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City government and shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) Act in advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to cultural enrichment and beautification of the City.

(b) Encourage the beautification of the City and programs for the cultural enrichment of the City.

(c) Foster cultural events, activities, and displays that celebrate the City’s native and historic cultures and present diversity.

(d) Perform other such duties and exercise such powers as the City Council may impose or require. (Ord. 1908 § 4, 7-16-13; Ord. 2030 § 2, 8-17-21).

2.120.150 International Exchange Commission.

The International Exchange Commission shall consist of seven members, who shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City government and shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) Act in advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to sister city relationships and international exchanges.

(b) Assist in the planning and supervision of international exchange activities with our sister cities sharing friendship, skills, and concerns.

(d) Encourage educational, cultural, sports, technical and governmental exchanges to help acquaint citizens of Santa Clara with cultural and political diversity abroad.

(e) Perform other such duties and exercise such powers as the City Council may impose or require. (Ord. 2030 § 3, 8-17-21).

2.120.160 Housing Commission.

The Housing Commission shall consist of five members, who shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City government and shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) Study and advance the needs of Santa Clara’s unhoused populations, including providing recommendations to the City Council regarding the implementation of recommendations approved by the County Board of Supervisors to address homelessness in Santa Clara County.

(b) Review proposed funding and grant applications by eligible public service agencies and make recommendations to City Council for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and/or other available funds for public services and/or housing projects and help form funding recommendations to the City Council. Activities may include: (1) reading proposals, (2) developing questions for agencies, (3) interviewing agencies and (4) making funding recommendations.

(c) Review and make recommendations on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Plans and Annual Action Plans to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding the content of those plans, including oversight of the City’s Neighborhood Conservation and Investment Program (NCIP) and the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA).

(d) Perform other such duties and exercise such powers as the City Council may impose or require. (Ord. 2037 § 1, 12-7-21).

2.120.170 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.¹

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee shall consist of seven members. Members shall not hold any paid office or employment in the City. All members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee shall be eighteen (18) years of age or older and residents of, or employed within, the City. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

(a) Act in an advisory capacity to Council on matters pertaining to modifying, expanding, and maintaining the City’s public bicycle and pedestrian transportation systems.

(b) Recommend to Council on the priority of bicycle and pedestrian projects for which the City will seek funding under Article 3 of the Transportation Development Act, and other state, federal, and local funding programs.

(d) Recommend complete streets features be incorporated into relevant transportation projects consistent with the City’s Complete Streets policy.

(e) Support educational, encouragement, recreational, and cultural activities for bicyclists and pedestrians. (Ord. 2043 § 4, 4-5-22).

Ordinance 2043, codified in this section, shall take effect on July 1, 2025.