Bishop Municipal Code Ch. 2.24 Planning Commission

The city has created a planning commission for the city.

(Prior Code, § 2-15; Code 1985, § 2.24.010)

The commission shall consist of five members who reside in the city limits of Bishop. Members shall be appointed by the city council on the basis of nominations submitted pursuant to the policy manual of the city.

(Prior Code, § 2-16, Code 1985, § 2.24.020; Ord. No. 539, § 3, 4-23-2012; Ord. No. 594, § 1, 5-12-2025)

Of the members of the commission first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of one year, one shall be appointed for a term of three years, and three shall be appointed for a term of four years, from and after the date of their appointment, respectively. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of four years. If a vacancy occurs otherwise than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment by the mayor with the approval of the city council for the unexpired portion of the term. Any member of the planning commission who fails to attend two consecutive, or a total of four, regular meetings in any 12-month period, without a prior leave of absence having been sought and granted by the chairperson or chairperson pro tem, shall be deemed to have resigned from the commission and the vacancy thereby created. Any appointee member of such commission may be removed by the mayor with the approval of a majority vote of the city council.

(Prior Code, § 2-17; Code 1985, § 2.24.030)

Commissioners shall receive $50.00 per calendar month in which a commission meeting is held and attended; however, no commissioner shall receive more than $50.00 in any calendar month. Any necessary expense incurred by a member while acting in an official capacity will be reimbursed subject to prior city council approval.

(Prior Code, § 2-18; Code 1985, § 2.24.040; Ord. No. 522, § 1, 8-11-2008)

The planning commission shall elect a chairperson from the seven appointed members for a term of one year and subject to other provisions of law, may create and fill such other offices as such commission may deem necessary. The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting each quarter per calendar year. Such commission may hold such additional and special meetings as may be called by the chairperson thereof by notice in writing to each member of the commission. The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business.

(Prior Code, § 2-19; Code 1985, § 2.24.050)

The city planning commission shall keep records of its business transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall be public records. The city planning commission may, with the approval of the city council, appoint such officers and employees as it may deem necessary for its work. The city planning commission may also recommend to the city council the employment of planning consultants and other specialists for such services as it may require. The city planning commission shall perform such functions and duties and shall have such powers and duties as are prescribed by law and in particular as prescribed in Government Code § 65100 et seq. The city planning commission shall perform such other functions and duties with respect to city planning matters as the city council shall refer.

(Prior Code, § 2-20; Code 1985, § 2.24.060)

It is the duty of the members of the city planning commission to inform themselves on matters affecting the functions and duties of the city planning commission, and to that end, when authorized by the city planning commission, with approval of the city council, may attend planning conferences or meetings of planning executives, hearings on planning legislation or other matters affecting the work of the city planning commission or any part thereof.

(Prior Code, § 2-21; Code 1985, § 2.24.070)

Any expenditures of the city planning commission shall be within the amount appropriated for that purpose by the city council, which city council shall provide the funds, equipment and accommodations necessary for the city planning commission's work.

(Prior Code, § 2-22; Code 1985, § 2.24.080)