Costa Mesa Municipal Code Ch. III Parks and Community Services Commission

There is hereby established as a part of the government of the city, a parks and community services commission, which shall:

(a) Consider and provide advice regarding matters that may be referred to it by the city council, the city manager, the director of parks and community services, or the director of public works;

(b) By its own motion, conduct studies and investigations and hold public hearings as it may deem necessary for the formulation of policies, plans, and procedures relating to parks, recreation, senior programs, recreation facilities, community facilities, and parkways, or to determine the wisdom and efficacy of such policies, plans and procedures, or to determine an action plan to pursue in implementing the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and report its findings and recommendations to the city council, the city manager, the director of parks and community services, and/or the director of public works;

(c) Recommend to the city council approval of concept plans for development and/or modification of parks, recreation, community, and open space facilities;

(d) Solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies concerned with the parks, recreation, recreation facilities, community facilities, and parkways of the city;

(e) Make recommendations and findings on the necessity for removal of parkway trees and the necessity for terms and conditions for retention of trees in accordance with Chapter V of Title 15 of this Code, which decisions shall be final notwithstanding section 2-303;

(f) Set the fees to be charged to participants in recreation and community programs and classes in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the city council;

(g) In its discretion, review the annual budget as presented to the city council and advise it on the current operational needs and long-range plans for capital improvements;

(h) Periodically visit parks, recreation and community facilities in the city to review established programs and facilities, and to monitor needs in accordance with the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan;

(i) On behalf of the city, actively encourage programs for the cultural enrichment of the community;

(j) Solicit partnerships with senior organizations which share the common goal to serve Costa Mesa's senior population; and

(k) Seek out and recommend to the city council, city manager or director of parks and community services possible public and private funding opportunities available to implement new or enhance existing senior programs and services.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 2, 4-2-19; Ord. No. 22-05, § 2, 7-19-22)

The commission shall operate under the following rules and regulations:

(a) Chairperson, vice-chairperson. The election of the chairperson will precede that of the vice-chairperson nominations. Elections of officers shall take place annually to coincide as closely as possible with the appointment terms of the commissioners. The commission, in event of a vacancy in either office, shall elect one of its members for the unexpired term.

(b) Meetings. The commission shall meet at City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, on the times and dates set forth by resolution of the city council. In the event the regular meeting day falls on a holiday, the regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. A regular or adjourned meeting may be adjourned to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Special meetings may be called at any time by the chairperson, or in the absence of the chairperson, by the vice-chairperson, by the city manager, the mayor, or by the majority of the members of the commission, by notice delivered to each available member of the commission, at least 24 hours previous to the meeting. A regularly scheduled meeting may be cancelled or rescheduled by a majority vote of the commission, with proper notice as required by law.

(c) Quorum. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No action shall be taken by the commission unless it is concurred in and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members present. The powers conferred to the commission shall be exercised by motion of resolution and recorded in the minutes. Upon request of any member of the commission a roll call of the vote shall be conducted, and the results thereof recorded in the minutes.

(d) Secretary. The secretary shall be designated jointly by the director of public services and the director of parks and community services. The secretary shall record the minutes of the commission and shall maintain the records of its proceedings and transactions.

(Ord. No. 90-13, § 1, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 99-8, § 20, 6-7-99; Ord. No. 02-10, § 1, 5-20-02; Ord. No. 07-1, § 1, 1-16-07; Ord. No. 19-06, § 3, 4-2-19)

(a) All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public.

(b) Matters brought before the commission by the public, director of parks and community services or director of public services of the city, or their designees, shall be considered by the commission and it shall report its actions, findings and recommendations to the city council, the city manager, the director of parks and community services, or the director of public services.

(Ord. No. 90-13, § 1, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 99-8, § 21, 6-7-99; Ord. No. 02-10, § 1, 5-20-02; Ord. No. 07-1, § 1, 1-16-07; Ord. No. 19-06, § 4, 4-2-19)

(a) Commission. The parks and community services commission shall consist of seven members.

(b) Appointment and removal of commissioners. Each council member shall appoint a commission member, subject to approval by a majority vote of the entire city council. Commission members appointed by district representatives shall be for a term of four years, except as otherwise provided in this section. The commissioner appointed by the mayor shall be for a two year term, except as otherwise provided in this section. Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the city council. A member may be removed prior to the expiration of his or her term by a majority vote of the entire city council. Additional details for the appointment procedures and member qualifications, terms and compensation may be set by city council policy.

(c) Residency. Each member of the commission must be a resident of the city. If any member of the commission ceases to be a resident of the city, that member's appointment will automatically terminate. The commission secretary shall immediately inform the city council of any such termination.

(d) Term. The term of each commission member shall expire on the date on which the second regular meeting in January is held immediately following expiration of the term of the council member or mayor who appointed that member, or until he or she is reappointed or replaced.

(e) Senior liaison. If the mayor does not assign the liaison position, the members of the commission shall designate one member of the commission to serve as the liaison for the senior center.

(Ord. No. 19-06, § 5, 4-2-19; Ord. No. 21-01, § 1, 2-2-21; Ord. No. 22-05, §§ 3-6, 7-19-22)