Article IX — APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Section 900. IN GENERAL.

There shall be the following named advisory boards and commissions which shall have the powers and duties herein stated. In addition, the City Council may create by ordinance such additional advisory boards or commissions as in its judgment are required, and may grant to them such powers and duties as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

Section 901. APPROPRIATIONS.

The City Council shall include in its annual budget such appropriations of funds as in its opinion shall be sufficient for the efficient and proper functioning of such boards and commissions.

Section 902. APPOINTMENTS. TERMS.

The members of each of the boards or commissions hereinafter named in this Article shall be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government. They shall be subject to the removal by motion of the City Council adopted by the affirmative votes of a majority of the total membership thereof. The members thereof shall serve for terms of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. The terms shall be staggered so that the number of terms on any such board or commission expiring in any year shall not differ by more than one from the number of terms expiring in any other year. Such terms shall expire on the dates established by resolution or ordinance of the City Council. A vacancy occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. (Amended June 3, 2014, filed by Secretary of State September 3, 2014.)

Section 903. EXISTING BOARDS.

The members of the boards and commissions holding office when this Charter takes effect shall continue to hold office thereafter until their respective terms of office shall expire and until their successors shall be appointed and qualified. If the membership of any board or commission is reduced by this Charter, the members to be eliminated shall be determined by the City Council. The terms of the members of any existing board or commission shall be adjusted, if necessary, to comply with the provisions of this Charter.

Section 904. MEETINGS. CHAIRMAN.

As soon as practicable, following the first day of July of every year, each of such boards and commissions shall organize by electing one of its members to serve as presiding officer at the pleasure of the board or commission. All meetings of said boards and commissions shall be open to the public and all persons shall be permitted to attend such meetings, except that the provisions of this sentence shall not apply to closed sessions authorized pursuant to any provision of law.

The City Manager shall designate a secretary for each of such boards and commissions who need not be a member of such board or commission, and who shall keep a record of its proceedings and transactions. Each board or commission may prescribe its own rules and regulations, which shall be consistent with this Charter and shall be subject to the approval of the City Council. Copies of such rules shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk where they shall be available for public inspection. (Amended November 3, 1992, filed by Secretary of State, December 21, 1992.)

Section 905. OATHS. AFFIRMATIONS.

Each member of any such board or commission, and the secretary thereof, shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations in any investigation or proceedings pending before such board or commission.

Section 906. PLANNING COMMISSION. POWERS AND DUTIES.

There shall be a Planning Commission consisting of seven members. The Planning Commission shall have the power and be required to:

(a) Recommend to the City Council after a public hearing thereon, the adoption, amendment or repeal of a General Plan, or any part thereof, for guidance in the physical development of the City.

(b) Exercise such functions with respect to land subdivisions as shall be provided by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter.

(c) Exercise such functions with respect to zoning, building, land use and related matters as may be prescribed by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter.

(d) Perform such other functions not inconsistent with this Charter as may be delegated to it by the City Council.

Section 907. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION. POWERS AND DUTIES.

There shall be a Park and Recreation Commission consisting of seven members. The Park and Recreation Commission shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation.

(b) Consider the annual budget for park and recreation purposes during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council and the City Manager.

(c) Advise in the planning of parks and recreation programs for the inhabitants of the City, promote and stimulate public interest therein, and to that end solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.

(d) Recommend policies for the acquisition, development and improvement of parks and playgrounds and for the planting, care and removal of trees and shrubs in all parks and playgrounds, subject to the rights and powers of the City Council.

(e) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter.

Section 908. LIBRARY BOARD. POWERS AND DUTIES.

There shall be a Library Board consisting of five members which shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Make recommendations to the City Council for the operation and conduct of City libraries.

(b) Recommend to the City Council rules and regulations and by-laws for the administration and protection of City libraries.

(c) Recommend to the City Council the duties and qualifications of the librarian and other officers and employees of the libraries.

(d) Make recommendations concerning the acquisition of library materials.

(e) Make recommendations concerning the purchase or lease of real property and the rental or provision for adequate buildings or rooms for library purposes.

(f) Make recommendations concerning the borrowing of library materials from and lending library materials to and exchanging library materials with other libraries subject to any costs and expenses approved by the City Council.

(g) Consider the annual budget for library purposes during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council and the City Manager.

(h) Within sixty days after the close of each fiscal year, report to the City Council on the condition of the libraries for the preceding fiscal year and on such other matters deemed expedient by the Library Board.

(i) Stimulate community interest in library activities. Encourage individual and citizen groups to donate funds, property and services for the development and operation of library facilities and programs.

(j) Exercise such other functions not inconsistent with this Charter as may be prescribed by ordinance. (Amended June 3, 2014, filed by Secretary of State September 3, 2014.)

Section 909. PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD. POWERS AND DUTIES.

There shall be a Public Utilities Board consisting of seven members. The Public Utilities Board shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Make recommendations to the City Council for the operation and conduct of the water and electric utilities.

(b) Make recommendations to the City Council concerning the establishment of rates, rules and regulations for the operation of the water and electric utilities.

(c) Conduct all public hearings for the water and electric utilities including those for the consideration of utility rates, and make appropriate recommendations to City Council on the adoption, amendment, or repeal of water and electric rates.

(d) Make recommendations to the City Council concerning financial matters including the issuance of bonds for the water and electric utilities.

(e) Consider and review the annual budget for the water and electric utilities during the process of their preparation and make recommendations concerning it to the City Council and the City Manager.

(f) Consider and review the acquisition, reliability, improvements, extension, enlargement, diminution, or curtailment of all or any part of the water and electric utilities, and make appropriate recommendations to the City Council.

(g) Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution of the City Council not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter. (Added June 3, 2014, filed by Secretary of State September 3. 2014.)