Bell Municipal Code Ch. 2.40 Community Services Commission

The community services commission of the City of Bell is hereby created.

(Prior code § 2430; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

The community services commission shall consist of five members. Three of the members shall be adults 18 years of age or older (the "adult commissioners") residing in the City of Bell. Two of the members shall be freshmen to senior level high school students (the "student commissioners") residing in the City of Bell with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.

(Prior code § 2431; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

The three councilmembers other than the mayor and vice mayor shall each nominate an adult commissioner, and if approved by a majority of the council, the nominee shall be appointed to the commission. If a nominee does not receive the support of a majority of the council, then the nominating councilmember shall make further nominations until a candidate is appointed by the council. The mayor and vice mayor will each be responsible for appointing a student commissioner, who need not be approved by the council.

(Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

Except for the initial terms, adult commissioners of the community services commission shall serve two-year terms. Student commissioners of the community services commission shall serve one-year terms. The term of any member who is a senior level high school student shall automatically terminate upon graduation. Terms shall end 60 days following the municipal election but members shall serve until their successor is appointed.

(Prior code § 2432; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

Commissioners are not subject to removal by their nominating councilmember but may be removed at any time by a majority of the members of the city council. Any vacancy would be filled as provided in Section 2.40.030, after compliance with the provisions of the Maddy Act in Govt. Code Section 54974.

(Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

The community services commission shall perform the following duties:

A. Act in an advisory capacity to the city council in all matters pertaining to parks, activities and public recreation, including playgrounds, parks, and beautification;

B. Assist in the development of recreation in the city, stimulate public interest in recreational programs and cooperate with schools located in the city for summer recreation and swimming pool programs and all other agencies relating to securing and developing an adequate recreational program;

C. Assist in the acquisition, development and maintenance of park and recreation facilities in the city;

D. Assist and plan a program for roadside and park landscaping and beautification including the design and location of signs and fences and the dissemination of information concerning beautification in the city;

E. Exercise such other powers and duties as may be assigned by order of the city council.

(Prior code § 2433; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

As provided in Section 2.32.080, the community services commission shall hold regular monthly meetings at a time and location established by resolution of the community services commission.

(Prior code § 2431; Ord. 1127, 1997; Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

A. It shall be the obligation of members of the community services commission to attend all meetings, whether regular or special, of the community services commission, except for good cause. If a commissioner knows he or she will be unable to attend a meeting of the commission, the commissioner must contact the chair of the commission or the staff member assigned to the commission prior to the time established for commencement of the meeting. The commissioner must explain his or her reasons for being absent. At the beginning of the commission meeting, the chair shall inform the commission of the reason for the absence of any commissioner, and the commission shall determine whether such absence stems from good cause and whether such absence is excused or unexcused. Failure by any commissioner to make said contact prior to the commencement of the commission meeting shall automatically be deemed an unexcused absence.

B. In the event that any commissioner arrives at a meeting after the commission determines that the commissioner's absence is unexcused, the commissioner may give his or her reasons for being late, and the commission may then rescind its prior action and find such absence to be excused, but otherwise the late arrival shall be deemed an unexcused absence.

C. Any commissioner who has accumulated three successive unexcused absences from regular meetings of the commission shall be deemed to be automatically removed from the commission, and their office shall be deemed vacated by operation of law. The city clerk shall declare such vacancy.

D. A commissioner who misses any regular commission meeting due to an unexcused absence, shall not be entitled to receive that portion of their regular monthly salary, if any, for such meeting, except that if any additional regular or special meeting is held that month and the commissioner attends such meeting, then the commissioner shall be entitled to their regular monthly salary, without deduction.

(Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)

Unless otherwise provided herein, the provisions of Chapter 2.32 (City Commissions Generally) of the Bell Municipal Code shall apply to the community services commission. In the case of any conflict between this Chapter 2.40 and Chapter 2.32, the provisions of this Chapter 2.40 shall govern.

(Ord. 1238 § 1, 2018)