Chapter 2.20
COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
Sections:
2.20.020 Purpose and objectives.
2.20.030 Members – Appointments – Terms.
2.20.040 Officers – Selection.
2.20.080 Powers and duties of the commission.
2.20.010 Created – Defined.
The community and environment commission is created and established. The term “commission” shall refer to the community and environment commission. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985).
2.20.020 Purpose and objectives.
The general purpose of the commission is to encourage the development of a planned and orderly approach to the delivery of community services and to promote environmental awareness and practices within the city. Objectives of the commission are as follows:
A. To serve in an advisory capacity to the city council to foster community participation, appreciation and pride through the production of cultural and environmental events and projects that celebrate and honor our shared and diverse heritage and habitat. To promote the recognition of individuals in the community that have voluntarily rendered valuable services by nominating them to be honored in a city-run civic participation awards program; and
B. To serve in an advisory capacity to the city council on all matters pertaining to public recreation and entertainment, including assessing the needs of the community and the means of meeting such needs, and promoting participation in activities, events and programs that reflect those needs; and
C. From time to time as required by the city council, to serve in an advisory capacity to the city council in the planning, development, management and care of Cotati’s system of parks, playgrounds, creek areas, and trails, and to promote citizen participation in programs and projects that preserve, restore, manage and/or develop them, as appropriate; and
D. To serve in an advisory capacity to the city council on matters affecting the environment in general, and to promote sustainable practices through education, programs, events and projects through the use of ad hoc committees organized under the auspices of the commission as directed by the city council. These activities may include encouragement and support to the city in actions to model environmental practices for its citizens. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 739 § 1, 2002).
2.20.030 Members – Appointments – Terms.
A. The commission shall consist of nine members appointed by the mayor, subject to approval by a majority of the city council.
B. The terms of office of members of the commission shall be overlapping. Each member of the commission shall hold office for a term of two years, or until such time as a successor is appointed, except that the terms of the initial appointees shall expire as designated by the mayor at the time of appointment in order to create overlapping terms.
C. All terms of office shall commence on the first day of the month following the appointment. Vacancies in the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner in which regular appointments are otherwise made.
D. Insofar as possible, the membership shall reflect the racial, ethnic, economic and sexual composition of the community. Every effort will be made to insure that a wide cross-section of social, recreational and artistic services, interests and viewpoints, including providers, recipients and professionally related occupations are represented. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 563 § 1, 1991; Ord. 444 § 1, 1986: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 739 § 2, 2002).
2.20.040 Officers – Selection.
A. The chair of the commission shall be elected by a majority vote of commission members in February of each year. A vice-chair, to serve in the absence of the chair, shall likewise be elected. A secretary to record official meeting minutes shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the commission.
B. The chair shall preside at all meetings and provide for periodic reports to the city council on all recommendations of the commission. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 739 § 3, 2002).
2.20.060 Meetings.
A. The commission shall meet regularly once each month on the second Monday of each month. Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chair or by five members of the commission in accordance with state law.
B. A majority of appointed commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
C. All meetings shall be open to the public. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 739 § 4, 2002).
2.20.070 Removal from office.
Any of the commission members may be removed at any time, either by the mayor subject to the approval of the city council, or by majority vote of the city council. If a member of the commission does not attend seventy-five percent of regular meetings in any twelve-month period, his/her membership shall automatically be terminated, and his/her successor shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council to serve the unexpired term. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 519 § 2, 1989: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985).
2.20.080 Powers and duties of the commission.
A. Parks and Recreation
1. To participate in the planning of recreation programs and promote and stimulate public interest therein, and to that end solicit to the fullest possible extent the cooperation of special authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein;
2. To the extent possible, study present and future needs of the city with regard to recreation and park facilities, programs and events;
3. To recommend to the commission and city council rules and regulations concerning the use of city recreational areas and facilities;
4. To the extent possible, recommend establishment of programs relative to the use of recreational facilities, including, but not limited to, intramural sports, lectures, concerts, community fairs, exhibits, child care centers and others;
5. To investigate and provide written and oral reports city council on various questions concerning recreational aspects of the city at the discretion of the commission and/or city council.
B. Cultural Arts and Community Events.
1. To recommend ways to maintain and increase the artistic and cultural resources of the city;
2. To propose methods to encourage private initiative in the fields of art and culture;
3. To advise and consult with public and private groups, schools, the city, any state or federal, cultural and art commissions interested in, or having knowledge or experience in the field of art and culture of the city;
4. To develop methods by which to coordinate existing resources and facilities, and to foster artistic and cultural endeavors, and the use of the arts both locally and outside of the city to promote the best interests of the city;
5. To recommend the allocation of funds donated to cultural activities, advise upon the physical development of projects and participate in the organization and production of cultural activities and events;
6. To recommend the use of various facilities as the city council shall designate; and
7. To perform such other related duties and functions as the commission or city council may from time to time direct, or otherwise appoint a committee to administer or coordinate on behalf of the city.
C. Civic Participation Awards Program.
1. To recommend means of maintaining and increasing civic pride and volunteerism in the community by nominating involved citizens for recognition in a city-run awards programs;
2. To develop and recommend methods by which citizens can be encouraged to participate in the maintenance and beautification of the community;
3. To develop and recommend methods by which citizens can be involved in maintaining and participating in community cultural activities and events;
4. To recommend the allocation of funds to support a civic participation awards program;
5. To perform such other related duties and functions as the commission or city council may from time to time direct, or otherwise appoint a committee to administer or coordinate on behalf of the city.
D. Matters Affecting the Environment.
1. To recommend projects and programs related to the encouragement of sustainable environmental practices.
2. To organize public participation in matters affecting the environment as recommended by the commission and/or the city council;
3. To recommend the allocation of funds to promote education, projects and programs that encourage sustainable environmental practices.
4. To appoint other persons to assist the commission in performing these duties;
5. To continue implementing AB 939. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985: Ord. 739 § 5, 2002).
2.20.090 Staffing.
A. All departments of the city, through the office of the city manager, shall furnish necessary existing public information, data and records, and provide technical assistance and advice as required, within reason, as an aid to the commission and its committees in the performance of designated duties.
B. The city manager shall provide or cause to be provided adequate staff, clerical help and maintain files and records for the commission. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 425 § 1(part), 1985).
2.20.100 Qualifications.
At all times, not more than one member of the community services and environmental advisory commission can reside outside the city limits, and then, only as long as she/he resides in the sphere of influence area as shown on the general plan area map. (Ord. 672 § 2(part), 1998: Ord. 460 § 1, 1987).