Chapter 8.40
SACRAMENTO ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Sections:
8.40.010 Establishment of Sacramento Environmental Commission.
8.40.030 Functions and responsibilities.
8.40.040 Appointment and removal of members.
8.40.050 Term of office—First appointment—Eligibility for reappointment.
8.40.070 Vacancies, absences from meetings.
8.40.010 Establishment of Sacramento Environmental Commission.
There is established the Sacramento Environmental Commission (“Commission”). (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following words have the following meanings:
“Appointing authority” means the board of supervisors of Sacramento County and the city councils of Sacramento, Folsom, Isleton or Galt.
“Commission” means the Sacramento Environmental Commission.
“Department” means the environmental management department.
“Member” means a person appointed as a member of the commission. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.030 Functions and responsibilities.
The commission shall have the following powers and duties:
A. To provide information and analyses and to advise the Sacramento County board of supervisors and the city councils of Sacramento County for the purpose of implementing an effective comprehensive environmental protection and management program for Sacramento County.
B. To assist and advise the department in the formulation and implementation of its programs, including, but not limited to air quality control, environmental quality control, and hazardous and toxic material issues.
C. Upon request, to aid, advise and recommend to county departments and city departments within Sacramento County, information, programs and measures which will promote air quality, environmental health and hazardous materials control.
D. To assess, analyze, and recommend for approval, appropriate local measures and other action in accordance with federal, state and local regulations including program elements administered by the department in accordance with city/county policies established by the board of supervisors and city councils.
E. To review and recommend for approval ordinances, rules and regulations proposed by the department, including review and approval of the city/county air quality, environmental health, and the hazardous materials and air quality general plan element.
F. As deemed necessary, to initiate investigations regarding matters within the commission’s powers and duties including private and public activities for purposes of advising the department and the board of supervisors or city councils.
G. As appropriate and in accordance with federal and state law including local ordinances, the commission may be empowered by such city or county ordinance to act as the reviewing body concerning decisions rendered by the department in its role as the environmental enforcement agency pursuant to such ordinance.
H. To provide ongoing policy and program advice on such other environmental management program matters as the board and/or city councils may refer to the commission.
I. The commission may as deemed necessary, call before it, qualified individuals so that they may provide their opinion and recommendation to the commission regarding particular environmental issues in the absence of such expertise within the membership of the commission. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.040 Appointment and removal of members.
The commission shall consist of nine members who shall be appointed as follows:
A. Five members to be appointed by the board of supervisors.
B. Three members to be appointed by the Mayor of Sacramento with the approval of the Sacramento City Council.
C. One member appointed jointly by the Cities of Folsom, Isleton and Galt.
D. Members may be removed by the appointing authority at any time and shall serve at the pleasure of the respective appointing authority.
E. In appointing members to the commission, the appointing authorities shall strive to provide for appointment of members from the following vocational disciplines or areas of interest or experience:
Health services profession, legal services profession, industry, engineering, transportation planning, environmental group, toxics/hazardous materials, environmental health, industrial hygiene, water quality, waste disposal, land use planning, vector control, chemical reuse/recycling and the general public, and such other disciplines or area of interest and experience as may be recommended by the commission.
F. When vacancies occur, the commission shall recommend to the appointing body, the disciplines to be appointed, and shall provide, advise and comment with regards to qualifications of applicants for the vacant positions.
G. Elected officials and full time salaried employees of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, city councils, special districts, or the regulatory agencies of Sacramento County shall not be eligible for membership on the commission.
H. All appointees to the commission shall be required to file statements disclosing financial interests pursuant to a conflict of interest code adopted for the commission. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.050 Term of office—First appointment—Eligibility for reappointment.
A. Each member shall serve for a term of three years.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, the members first appointed to the commission shall serve from the date on which the commission holds its first meeting for the following terms:
1. The county board of supervisors shall appoint one member for a two year term, two members for a one year term and two members for a three year term.
2. The City Council of Sacramento shall appoint one member for a one year term, and two members for a two year term.
3. The cities of Folsom, Isleton and Galt shall mutually agree upon one appointment. This appointment shall be for 3 years.
C. Members in good standing shall be eligible for consideration to be reappointed. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.060 Organization.
A. Within 15 days after the appointment of the members of the commission, they shall meet and organize by electing from their members a chairman and vice-chairman who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission.
B. The commission annually shall elect a chair and vice-chair. The chair, or in the chair’s absence the vice-chair, shall preside at all meetings of the commission.
C. The commission shall hold regular meetings at least once a month. The commission may, by resolution, adopt a schedule of regular meetings. The commission shall establish, by a vote of at least 5 members, a meeting location. Special meetings may be called by the chair or by a majority of the commission members.
D. The commission shall establish procedures for the conduct of its meetings. Five members shall constitute a quorum. At least 5 affirmative votes shall be required to take any action except to adjourn. Voting by proxy or designee shall not be permitted.
E. Members of the commission shall be paid $50 per meeting attended, not to exceed 2 meetings in any month. For purposes of this section, subcommittee meetings shall be considered meetings eligible for compensation. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.070 Vacancies, absences from meetings.
A. The respective appointing authorities shall have the sole authority to fill vacancies with respect to their appointed members.
B. The position of any member who fails to attend 2 or more consecutive monthly meetings in 1 year, unless excused by the commission, shall automatically become vacant.
C. Vacancies resulting from removal, death, incapacity or any other cause shall be immediately appointed by the respective appointing authority and said appointee shall serve the remainder of said term. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)
8.40.080 Open meetings.
All commission meetings shall be held in accordance with the open meeting requirements contained in the provisions of the Government Code commencing with Section 54950 and any subsequent amendments thereto. (Ord. 623 § 1, 1988)