American Canyon Municipal Code Ch. 2.28 Boards and Commissions Generally

(A) Unless otherwise provided by law, or by ordinance or resolution, or unless by the very nature of a situation the provisions of this chapter may not be made applicable, all members of boards and commissions of the city shall be appointed by the city council for four-year terms, commencing on January 1st following the year of appointment. Interim vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term of the member replaced. This rule shall not, however, apply in regard to a newly established board or commission to which initial appointments are made on a staggered-term basis, provided that the longest such term shall not exceed four years, commencing on January 1st following the appointment.

(B) Any member of a board or commission of this city may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the city council, except in cases where the mayor or city council are not the appointing authority (in which cases such regular appointing authority may exercise this power of removal).

(C) Commissioners and board members are expected to attend all meetings, regular and special. If a commissioner or board member cannot attend a regular or special meeting, he shall notify either the commission or board chair or the appropriate staff person assigned to support that commission or board. The full commission or board will make a determination to either excuse the absence or not excuse it.

(1) Whenever a commissioner or board member has more than three unexcused absences in a twelve-month period, then that commissioner or board member shall be removed from office. The commission or board chair shall be responsible for notifying the commissioner or board member. The chair shall also notify the city council regarding the removal and request the appointment of a replacement commissioner or board member. This rule of three unexcused absences shall apply to regular meetings only.

(2) In lieu of attending a regular or special meeting in person, a commissioner or board member may participate by telephonic means, subject to any state or federal laws or regulations.

(D) Unless otherwise provided by law, or by ordinance or resolution of the city council, all members of any board or commission shall be initially, and during their incumbencies, bona fide residents of the city. No such member shall, at or during his incumbency, be an employee of the city.

(E) Except in cases where the mayor or city council is not the appointing authority, the method of selecting any member of a board or commission shall be determined by the city council in open session. However, if an open recruitment is selected, the following procedures shall apply:

(1) A public notice announcing the opening shall be posted in the same areas as other public notices;

(2) A minimum of seven calendar days will be allowed for receiving applications;

(3) The public notice must include a date and certain time after which applications will no longer be accepted. This deadline will be strictly enforced;

(4) The city council may establish any other procedures for selecting among the eligible candidates.

Ord. 2005-05 § 1, 2005

Ord. 2001-04 § 1, 2001

(A) Unless otherwise provided by law, or by ordinance or resolution, each board and commission of the city shall annually at a public meeting held prior to December 31st, choose one of its number as chairperson and one as vice-chairperson. Each chairperson and vice-chairperson shall have authority and perform such duties as are commonly associated with their respective titles, or as may be specially prescribed by law or by the bylaws or other rules of the board or commission.

(B) Vacancies in either such position occurring prior to January 1st may be filled as in the first instance. A new chairperson or vice-chairperson may also be chosen at any time by the majority vote of all members of the board or commission.

Ord. 2001-04 § 1, 2001

(A) Any board or commission established under this section shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business, and shall keep a public record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations. Minutes of any board or commission shall be filed with the city clerk.

(B) A majority of commissioners or board members shall constitute a quorum.

Ord. 2001-04 § 1, 2001

(A) All actions taken by any commission shall be reported to the city clerk, and shall be placed on the next available agenda of the city council after receipt of the report by the city clerk. Actions taken by the commission shall not be considered final until the city council has heard and further considered the matter, or has determined that further consideration of the matter is not required. Exceptions shall be made for the planning commission, as may be set forth in state law, in which case the planning commission's actions are final, subject to appeal, pursuant to Section 2.32.025. When placed on the agenda of the city council, the city council may elect to consider the matter and may schedule the matter for a hearing or public hearing before the city council.

(B) Unless otherwise provided by law, or by ordinance or resolution, the city council shall consider any appeal of an action taken by any board or commission by an interested person or organization through the procedures set forth in Chapter 2.04 of this code. The decision of the city council, after considering or hearing the matter, shall be final.

Ord. 2001-04 § 1, 2001