Chapter 2.24
COMMISSIONS

Sections:

2.24.010    Creation of commissions.

2.24.020    Membership.

2.24.030    Appointment—Removal—Vacancies.

2.24.040    Terms of office.

2.24.041    Terms of office—Planning Commission.

2.24.050    Terms of present members.

2.24.060    Length of service.

2.24.070    Terms of existing commissioners.

2.24.080    Meetings—Frequency.

2.24.090    Meetings—Quorum.

2.24.100    Appointment of officers.

2.24.110    Secretary—Duties.

2.24.120    Expenses—Clerical support.

2.24.130    Rules of procedure.

2.24.140    Planning Commission—Powers and duties.

2.24.150    Planning Commission—Delegation of authority.

2.24.155    Residential Design Review Committee—Powers and duties.

2.24.160    Parks and Recreation Commission—Powers and duties.

2.24.180    San Carlos Arts and Culture Commission—Powers and duties.

2.24.260    Economic Development Advisory Commission.

2.24.300    Transportation and Circulation Commission.

2.24.010 Creation of commissions.

There are established the following commissions and boards in the City:

A.    Planning Commission;

B.    Parks and Recreation Commission;

C.    Traffic and Transportation Commission;

D.    San Carlos Art and Culture;

E.    Youth Advisory Council;

F.    Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee;

G.    Economic Development Advisory Commission. (Ord. 1404 § 1 (part), 2009; Ord. 1369 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1339 § 1(a), 2004; Ord. 1308 § 1(a), 2002; Ord. 921 § 1, 1983; Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.020 Membership.

Each commission or board established in Section 2.24.010 of this chapter shall have five members unless otherwise designated in this chapter or in the resolution or ordinance establishing the commission. The term “commission” shall include commissions, boards and committees. All commission members shall be residents living in the incorporated area of the City of San Carlos unless otherwise specified by the City Council in the ordinance or resolution establishing the commission. (Ord. 1369 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1292 § 1 (part), 2001; Ord. 1152 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1139 § 1(A), 1993; Ord. 930 § 1, 1984: Ord. 902 § 1, 1981: Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.030 Appointment—Removal—Vacancies.

Commission and board members shall be appointed by majority vote of the City Council. Any commission or board member may be removed from office prior to the expiration of his or her term, with or without cause by majority vote of the City Council. Vacancies on any commission or board shall be filled by majority vote of the City Council. A member appointed to fill a vacancy prior to expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall serve for such unexpired term. Unauthorized absence of a commission or board member from meetings for a period of sixty days or more, or three consecutive meetings, shall be deemed cause for removal as the term is used in this section. (Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.040 Terms of office.

A commissioner shall hold office for a term of three years. At the initial appointment of commission members, two shall be appointed for a term of two years and three shall be appointed for a term of three years. Determination of which of the first five members appointed shall be for the two-year term and of the three-year term shall be determined by lot. The original appointee shall determine by chance the length of the original terms of each appointee. (Ord. 1404 § 1 (part), 2009; Ord. 907 § 1, 1981: Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.041 Terms of office—Planning Commission.

A.    Effective June 1, 1994, there shall be five members on the Planning Commission.

B.    Vacancies that occur prior to June 1, 1994, shall not be filled until the number of Commissioners is reduced to five members.

C.    The term of a Planning Commission member shall be for three years.

D.    Terms of office for Planning Commissioners, on the adoption of the ordinance codified in this section, shall continue, subject to the provisions of this chapter, until they expire.

E.    Effective June 1, 1994, two Commissioners shall be appointed by the City Council to three-year terms.

F.    Effective June 1, 1995, two Commissioners shall be appointed by the City Council to three-year terms.

G.    Effective June 1, 1996, one Commissioner shall be appointed by the City Council to a three-year term. (Ord. 1139 § 1(B), 1993)

2.24.050 Terms of present members.

The present members of each commission covered by this chapter shall continue to hold office after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter until the expiration date of the term for which they were originally appointed, unless, prior to such expiration date, they voluntarily resign or are removed from office in the manner prescribed in Section 2.24.030. Upon the expiration date of the term of office of each such present member of each commission, the duly appointed successor to each such office shall hold for a period of three years, and until their successors are appointed and qualified. In any case in which the number of members of a commission is reduced by this chapter from the number of persons previously on a commission, vacancies shall not be filled until the number of commissioners is reduced to the new number. The original appointee shall determine by chance the length of the original terms of each appointee. (Ord. 1404 § 1 (part), 2009; Ord. 907 § 2, 1981: Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part) 1987)

2.24.060 Length of service.

No member shall serve a consecutive term longer than six years on City Council appointed commissions, committees and boards (hereafter “commissions”). Time of service upon any of the commissions mentioned in Section 2.24.010 of this chapter shall not exceed six years of consecutive service. If a commissioner is appointed to another commission by the City Council, their time of service on the first commission shall not be counted as cumulative service. Former commission members who have not served for one year or more shall be eligible for appointment to a commission, subject to a new limitation of six years of consecutive service. (Ord. 1425 § 2 (part), 2010: Ord. 1378 § 1, 2006: Ord. 973 § 1 (part), 1987)

2.24.070 Terms of existing commissioners.

Commissioners who have served six consecutive years or more at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section and Section 2.24.060 shall be eligible to continue to serve until the end of their current term. (Ord. 1425 § 2 (part), 2010: Ord. 973 § 1 (part), 1987)

2.24.080 Meetings—Frequency.

Each commission or board shall hold regular meetings, not less than one each month, at the Council chambers of the City Hall of San Carlos or at such other place as may be convenient and necessary. The time and day of such meetings shall be as set from time to time by each commission or board. Each commission or board shall hold such additional meetings as it deems advisable. If at any time any regular meetings falls on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. The Parks and Recreation Commission and the Arts and Culture Commission shall be required to meet only quarterly. (Ord. 1404 § 2, 2009; Ord. 921 § 2, 1982; Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 881 § 1, 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.090 Meetings—Quorum.

A majority of the members of a commission or board shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting the business of that commission or board. (Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.100 Appointment of officers.

Each commission or board shall during the month of May of each year appoint a chair, and a secretary thereof, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission or board for a period of one year or until their successors have been appointed. Such officers of such body shall be appointed from among those members then serving on such body. Upon creation of a board or commission, it shall choose at the first meeting a chair and a secretary, whose terms shall expire the following May. (Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.110 Secretary—Duties.

The secretary of each commission or board shall keep a record of all proceedings, resolutions, findings, determinations and transactions of the commission or board, which shall be a public record. A copy of the record shall be filed with the City Clerk. (Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.120 Expenses—Clerical support.

The City Manager may make available to the commissions adequate facilities and necessary clerical help for the fulfillment of their duties. The commissions shall not incur, allow or permit to accrue any debt or liability, or expend any funds except as provided for in the budget theretofore approved by the City Council. (Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.130 Rules of procedure.

Each commission may adopt, by resolution, rules for the election and terms of its officers, and for the transaction of business. (Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.140 Planning Commission—Powers and duties.

The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A.    Prepare and recommend a comprehensive General Plan for the future development of the City, and, from time to time, review the provisions of such plan and make a report of its findings and recommendations to the City Council;

B.    Initiate, from time to time, a review of the zoning ordinances codified in Title 18 of this Code and make a report of its findings and recommendations to the City Council;

C.    Receive and act upon applications authorized and specified in Title 18 of this Code;

D.    Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by any City official in the interpretation and enforcement of Title 18 of this Code;

E.    Appoint one member to serve on the Residential Design Review Committee;

F.    Perform such other duties as are now or may hereafter be designated by State statutes or this Code;

G.    At the initial meeting of the Planning Commission, and yearly thereafter, the members shall elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent. In the event of a vacancy in the Chairperson’s position, the Vice Chairperson shall succeed as Chairperson for the balance of the Chairperson’s term and the Commission shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy of the Vice Chairperson. The Commission shall also annually appoint one member of the Planning Commission as a member of the Residential Design Review Committee, who shall serve as Chair of the Committee;

H.    The Planning Commission is subject to the California Brown Act (Government Code Section 56900, et seq.), and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as provided by law. All meetings of a quorum of the Commission must be held pursuant to the noticing provisions of the Brown Act, and are open to the public. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Meeting minutes shall be taken of each official meeting of the Commission. (Ord. 1431 § 2 (part), 2011: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.150 Planning Commission—Delegation of authority.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as delegating to the Planning Commission any function or authority not delegated or authorized by State law pursuant to Title 7 of Chapter 3 of the Government Code, beginning at Section 65100 as it may be amended. (Ord. 892 § 2 (part), 1981: Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.155 Residential Design Review Committee—Powers and duties.

The Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC) shall have the following powers and duties:

A.    The Residential Design Review Committee is established to conduct design review of proposed residential development pursuant to Title 18 of this Code and any adopted residential design review guidelines.

B.    Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting or curtailing any of the powers of the City Council, or as delegation to the Committee of any of the authority or discretionary powers vested and imposed by law in the City Council. The City Council declares that the public interest, convenience, welfare and necessity require the appointment of a Residential Design Review Committee to act in an advisory capacity to the Planning Commission for the purposes enumerated in this section.

C.    The Residential Design Review Committee shall consist of three members: (1) a Planning Commissioner, who shall be the Chairperson, appointed annually by the Planning Commission; (2) a citizen volunteer, appointed by the City Council; and (3) an architect or design professional appointed by the City Council. No member shall serve a consecutive term longer than six years. The provisions of Section 2.24.070 as to maximum consecutive years of service shall apply to Residential Design Review Committee members.

D.    The Residential Design Review Committee is subject to the California Brown Act (Government Code Section 56900, et seq.), and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as provided by law. All meetings of a quorum of the Committee must be held pursuant to the noticing provisions of the Brown Act, and are open to the public. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Meeting minutes shall be taken of each official meeting of the Committee. (Ord. 1431 § 2 (part), 2011)

2.24.160 Parks and Recreation Commission—Powers and duties.

A.    The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have the power, and it shall be the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the City Council and to advise the Council in all matters pertaining to the establishment, operation, maintenance, management and control of the public recreation activities of the City and of the parks and other properties owned and controlled, or which may hereafter be owned and controlled, by the City for such purposes. It shall be the further duty of the Commission to advise and recommend to the City Council concerning the use of acquisition of such other properties, not now owned or controlled by the City, that in its judgment may be suitable for public parks and recreational activities.

B.    Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as restricting or curtailing any of the powers of the City Council, or as delegation to the Commission of any of the authority or discretionary powers vested and imposed by law in the City Council. The City Council declares that the public interest, convenience, welfare and necessity require the appointment of a Parks and Recreation Commission to act in an advisory capacity to the City Council for the purposes enumerated in this section.

C.    The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have the authority to act as an advisory body to any committee or group in the City that is engaged in supervision and promotion of recreation for the general welfare. (Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.180 San Carlos Arts and Culture Commission—Powers and duties.

The functions of the Commission shall include the following powers and duties:

A.    To advise the City Council on all matters affecting the historical, artistic and scientific affairs of San Carlos and its environs;

B.    To establish a liaison between the City and historical, cultural, artistic and scientific groups;

C.    To review all activities in the community that relate to history, arts and science and establish a calendar and the same shall be disseminated to the public;

D.    To undertake necessary steps to promote and otherwise advertise historical, artistic and scientific activities of the San Carlos area;

E.    Serve in an advisory capacity and provide assistance to groups in the fields of history, arts and science of the area;

F.    Undertake and carry out all functions reasonably necessary to accomplish the objective and to discharge the functions of the Commission and to exercise such other functions as may be prescribed by the City Council. Members appointed to the Commission shall possess training, experience or skill in one or more of the historical, artistic or scientific fields, or shall possess a profound interest or appreciation of a broad range in the fields of history, art or science. (Ord. 1339 § 1(b), 2004; Ord. 864 (part), 1980)

2.24.260 Economic Development Advisory Commission.

A.    The City Council establishes the Economic Development Advisory Commission (hereinafter EDAC) to advise the City Council and other City agencies on economic development strategies within the City of San Carlos including the following:

1.    Ensure City-wide economic development sustainability.

2.    Maintain a successful business climate.

3.    Ensure a diverse job base.

4.    Ensure adequate range of housing for employees.

5.    Such other matters as the City Council assigns to EDAC for review.

B.    EDAC shall consist of nine Commissioners who shall each hold office for a term of three years. At the initial appointment of Commission members, three shall be appointed for a term of one year and three shall be appointed for a term of two years and three shall be appointed for a term of three years. Determination of who shall serve which length of term shall be determined by lot. The provisions of Section 2.24.070 as to maximum consecutive years of service shall apply to Commissioners. In the selection of Commissioners, the City Council should seek to have a majority of the Commissioners be San Carlos business owners, who need not be residents of the City of San Carlos.

C.    At the initial meeting of EDAC, and yearly thereafter, the Commissioners shall elect the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and other such officers as deemed necessary by the Commissioners. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of EDAC. The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent. In the event of a vacancy in the Chairperson’s position, the Vice Chairperson shall succeed as Chairperson for the balance of the Chairperson’s term and the Commission shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy of the Vice Chairperson. The Secretary shall take action minutes at each meeting for which there is a quorum.

D.    EDAC shall establish rules and regulations for its own procedures and shall meet a minimum of four times per year, and whenever else it determines to be necessary. During any consecutive twelve-month period, members will be expected to attend at least seventy-five percent of the scheduled meetings and not have more than three consecutive absences. If the number of absences exceeds these limits, the Committee Chair may declare the seat vacant.

E.    EDAC is subject to the California Brown Act (Government Code Section 56900, et seq.), and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as provided by law. All meetings of a quorum of the Commission must be held pursuant to the noticing provisions of the Brown Act, and are open to the public. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Meeting minutes shall be taken of each official meeting of the Commission. (Ord. 1359 § 1, 2005)

2.24.300 Transportation and Circulation Commission.

A.    The City of San Carlos establishes a Transportation and Circulation Commission to advise the City Council and other City agencies on motorized and nonmotorized transportation matters consistent with this section.

B.    Commission Composition. The Transportation and Circulation Commission shall consist of seven voting members approved by the City Council. At least two members of the Transportation and Circulation Commission shall be bicyclists and at least one other member who understands the range of transportation needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. A majority of the members shall be San Carlos residents, preferably from varying San Carlos neighborhoods. All members have one vote.

C.    Organization and Terms of Office.

1.    At the initial meeting of the Transportation and Circulation Commission, and yearly thereafter, the members shall elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent. In the event of a vacancy in the Chairperson’s position, the Vice Chairperson shall succeed as Chairperson for the balance of the Chairperson’s term and the Commission shall elect a successor to fill the vacancy of the Vice Chairperson.

2.    The Transportation and Circulation Commission shall establish rules and regulations for its own procedures and shall meet when necessary as determined by the Commission. The Transportation and Circulation Commission shall meet a minimum of four times per year. All meetings shall, except as provided by law, be open to the public. During any consecutive twelve-month period, members will be expected to attend at least seventy-five percent of the scheduled meetings and not have more than three consecutive absences. If the number of absences exceeds these limits, the Chairperson may declare the seat vacant.

3.    The Transportation and Circulation Commission is subject to the California Brown Act. All meetings of a quorum of the Commission must be held pursuant to the noticing provisions of the Brown Act, and are open to the public. A majority of the total members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. Meeting minutes shall be taken at each meeting of the Commission.

4.    The terms of each member of the Transportation and Circulation Commission shall be three years for a maximum of three terms. Initial appointments will be staggered, by lot, so that three members serve a three-year term, three members serve a two-year term, two members serve a two-year term and two members will serve a one-year term. Thereafter, all subsequent appointments will be for a three-year term.

D.    Purpose. The Transportation and Circulation Commission shall advise and act on the following:

1.    Receive and evaluate complaints and other matters having to do with traffic and circulation, including pedestrian and bicycling matters.

2.    Recommend to the City Council and staff ways and means for improving traffic and circulation conditions, including bicycle and pedestrian conditions, and reducing the use of motorized transportation in the City.

3.    Periodically review and advise the City Council and Planning Commission and staff on matters related to the Circulation Element of the City’s General Plan.

4.    Advise the City Council, Planning Commission and staff with respect to specific development projects which are referred to the Transportation and Circulation Commission for review, on traffic and circulation matters including bicycle and pedestrian conditions.

5.    Review and comment on preliminary plans for all Capital Improvement Programs related to any and all modes of transportation. (Ord. 1383 § 3, 2007)