Chapter 2.30
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.30.020 Membership – Appointment term.
2.30.030 Appointments – Requirements.
2.30.010 Purpose.
There shall be a planning commission to provide advice and make recommendations on the comprehensive plan, zoning and development codes.
The commission serves as a review and advisory body to the city council and performs duties assigned annually by the council by way of a work plan, which may include but not be limited to those duties set forth in NMC 2.30.070. (Ord. 06-333 § 1; Ord. 97-148 § 1).
2.30.020 Membership – Appointment term.
There shall be seven members of the commission. The term of office shall be for four years. For the first planning commission two terms shall be for two years, two terms shall be for three years, and three terms shall be for four years. Terms shall expire on July 31st. A commission member whose term has expired shall continue to hold office until a successor is qualified. (Ord. 2001-248 § 1; Ord. 97-148 § 2).
2.30.030 Appointments – Requirements.
Commission members shall be appointed by the recommendation of the mayor and ratification by the city council. Commission members shall reside within the city or its potential annexation areas as set forth in the comprehensive plan. Commission members shall be selected without respect to political affiliation and shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 97-148 § 3).
2.30.040 Removal.
Commission members may be removed by a majority vote of all members of the city council. The decision of the city council shall be final and there shall be no appeal therefrom. (Ord. 97-148 § 4).
2.30.050 Vacancies.
Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as for an original appointment. (Ord. 97-148 § 5).
2.30.060 Meetings.
A. The planning commission shall elect from among its members a chair who shall preside at all meetings and a vice chair who shall preside in the absence of the chair. A majority of the planning commission members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a majority vote of those present shall be necessary to carry any motion.
B. The planning commission shall conduct its business in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the city council by resolution, to the extent the rules can be applied to the planning commission. Any changes to these rules of procedure must first be approved by the city council.
C. The commission members shall sign the “Code of Ethics” at time of their installation as a commission member. (Ord. 99-187 § 1; Ord. 97-148 § 6).
2.30.070 Duties.
A. The planning commission shall be an advisory body to the city council, and shall have the following duties:
1. Review of and recommendations on amendments to the comprehensive plan; provided, that the planning commission shall follow the process set forth in subsection (B) of this section to add an item to the comprehensive plan docketing process;
2. Review of and recommendations on amendments to the zoning map, the zoning code and other development codes; and
3. Such other duties as may be assigned by the city council.
B. The city council will develop an annual work plan for the planning commission. The planning commission may recommend additional items for the annual work plan by way of a majority vote of the commission. The city council must approve the addition of the recommended item on the annual work plan prior to review and consideration by the planning commission.
C. Final commission work plans can be amended by the council at any time during the year to take into consideration needs that were not foreseen at the time the work plans were first developed. By a majority vote, a commission can recommend a work plan amendment for consideration by the council. The city manager shall promulgate a protocol for addressing such issues.
D. The commission shall have no administrative or supervisory powers not available to the city council. (Ord. 06-333 § 2; Ord. 97-148 § 7).
2.30.080 Staff support.
The director of community development shall appoint a staff liaison coordinator to support the work of the planning commission and shall hire consultants to support the technical needs of the planning commission, as authorized by budget appropriations. (Ord. 06-333 § 3; Ord. 97-148 § 8).