Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 3.03 Commissions and Agencies

Section

General Provisions

Civil Service Commission

Cultural Affairs Commission

Parks, Recreation And Community Services Commission

Planning Commission

Redevelopment Agency

GENERAL PROVISIONS

There shall be a Civil Service Commission, Cultural Affairs Commission, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission, and Planning Commission, each consisting of five (5) members to be appointed by the City Council. Commissioners shall be residents of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City Government. Minors, age sixteen (16) or older, are eligible to apply with parental or legal guardian consent. No person may serve on more than one (1) Commission at the same time. Compensation of Commissioners, if any, may be established by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2020-004 § 2 (part))

Members of the Commissions shall generally serve for a term of four (4) years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. The terms of at least one (1) and not more than two (2) members shall expire on July 1 of each succeeding odd-numbered year, and any appointment to fill an unexpired term shall be for such unexpired period only. The City Council may determine to appoint persons to the Commissions for terms less than four (4) years for purposes of creating staggered terms or for any other reason determined by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. No person shall serve more than two consecutive full terms as Commissioner on any one (1) Commission. If a person serves a partial term in excess of two (2) years, it shall be considered a full term for the purpose of this provision.

B. Nothing in this provision shall act as a bar to service as a Commissioner on the same Commission after at least two (2) years have elapsed from the last full term as Commissioner.

C. A Commissioner who has served two (2) consecutive full terms as a Commissioner on one (1) Commission may serve on a different Commission without waiting the required two (2) year period provided for in this section.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the Council.

B. The grounds for forfeiture of the seat of a Commissioner are the following:

1. The Commissioner is convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; or

2. The Commissioner ceases to be a resident and lawfully registered voter of the city.

C. Upon request of the affected Commissioner whose seat has been forfeited, the City Council shall hold a public hearing during which the City Council shall consider declaring the seat vacant. The conclusion of the City Council shall be at the City Council's sole discretion and shall be final. In the absence of such a request and notwithstanding the provisions of § 3.03.005 hereof, after the occurrence of any of the foregoing events, the seat of the Commissioner may be declared vacant by the City Council by a vote of at least three (3) of its members.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. Meetings. Each Commission shall meet on an as-needed basis as determined in the sole discretion of the City Manager or duly authorized designee. Meetings shall at all times be open to the public and shall be held in the Council Chambers except when such Chambers are required for any meeting of the City Council or when the Commission determines that a meeting should be held in a different location due to the subject matter being considered, in which case another room or public place within the City limits may be used.

B. Change of meeting place. Notice of change in meeting place shall be posted on the front door of the Council Chambers.

C. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.

D. Minutes. Commission minutes shall be kept in accordance with City Council policy.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

Commissioners shall comply with all applicable laws and City Council policies.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

Unless prohibited by applicable federal or state law or the City Charter, notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, or where final decision making authority has been delegated by the City Council to another person or body, the City Council retains jurisdiction on all items which may otherwise be considered by the various Commissions. Either the City Council or the City Manager, in their sole discretion, may determine to have any item heard directly by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

It shall be the policy of the City Council that each Commission shall ensure that its programs, policies and activities provide equal access and opportunities to all persons.

(Ord. No. 2020-004 § 2 (part))

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

The Civil Service Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to the Civil Service System;

B. Hear appeals or grievances of any officer or employee under the Civil Service System who is suspended, demoted or removed and report in writing its findings and conclusions;

C. Examine witnesses under oath and compel their attendance or the production of evidence before it by subpoenas issued in the name of the City and attested by the City Clerk; and

D. Recommend new or amended Civil Service Rules consistent with the City Charter and Civil Service System, holding public hearings thereon before presentation to City Council for approval.

E. Periodically, at the discretion of the City Council, make a study of salaries being paid by other public and private agencies, in order to ascertain whether the salaries being paid City employees for similar work are comparable, fair and reasonable and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council;

F. Perform such other duties with respect to the Civil Service System, not inconsistent with the City Charter or this Code, as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution, City Council policy or other City Council action.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION

The Cultural Affairs Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters pertaining to the enrichment of the community through fine arts, visual arts, performing arts, arts education, historic preservation and cultural issues;

B. Serve as an advocate for cultural activities and programs within the City;

C. Serve as an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in cultural activities and programs within the City;

D. Implement the City's Public Art Program, and encourage the integration of cultural affairs into the social and economic fabric of the City to improve the quality of life for City residents; and

E. Perform such other duties, not inconsistent with the City Charter or this Code, as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution, City Council policy or other City Council action.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2020-004 § 3; Ord. No. 2023-007 § 1)

PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION

The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager on matters pertaining to public recreation, parks, recreation/community center facilities, open space and tree programs, where such trees are located in parks and open space, playgrounds, and music and entertainment as may from time to time be performed in the City's parks;

B. At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, assist staff assigned to review the requirements of the City for facilities relating to the functions set forth in division A., and to make recommendations related to the adoption and updating of City master plans relating to parks, recreation, and open space;

C. At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, recommend and support program policies relating to various community service functions of the City, including, but not limited to, programs for youth, teens, seniors, and people with special needs;

D. At the direction of the City Council or the City Manager, balance program and project recommendations by applying realistic expectations of budgetary and staffing resources, environmental sustainability, neighborhood compatibility, and other relevant factors; and

E. Perform such other duties, not inconsistent with the City Charter or this Code, as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution, City Council policy or other City Council action.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2020-004 § 4)

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

A. After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council the adoption, amendment or repeal of the General Plan, or any part thereof, for the physical development of the City.

B. Exercise such control over zoning, land subdivisions and building as is granted to it by the City Council and by the laws of the State of California;

C. Make recommendations concerning proposed public works and for the clearance and rebuilding of blighted or substandard areas within the City and public improvement in general;

D. Upon the direction of the City Council, issue Orders to Show Cause why use permits, exceptions or variances granted should not be revoked for violation and to hold necessary hearings, transmitting findings and recommendations to City Council. A person aggrieved by the action of the Commission may appeal to the City Council by filing a notice of appeal in accordance with the appeal procedures and within the time limits set forth in Chapter 17.640 of this Code; and

E. Perform such other duties, not inconsistent with the City Charter or this Code, as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution, City Council Policy or other City Council action.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. The Planning Commission shall appoint two of its members to act as a Board of Zoning Adjustment. The duties of said Board shall include the following:

1. To hear appeals involving error in any order, requirement, or determination by any City official in the administration , of Title 17 of this Code (the "Zoning Code").

2. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by ordinance, resolution or City Council policy.

B. In the event any applicant, City official or interested person is aggrieved by a determination of the Board of Zoning Adjustment an appeal therefrom may be taken, in writing, to the Planning Commission as a whole, in accordance with the appeal procedures and within the time limits set forth in Chapter 17.640 of the Zoning Code. The Board may refer such matters to the Planning Commission, as a whole, as it deems advisable.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

It is hereby found and declared, pursuant to Section 33101 of the Community Redevelopment Law, that there is a need for the redevelopment agency created by Section 33100 of said Law to function in the City of Culver City and said agency is hereby authorized to transact business and exercise its powers under the Community Redevelopment Law.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

The City Council of the City of Culver City, California hereby declares itself to be the redevelopment agency to be known as Culver City Redevelopment Agency and that all rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities vested by the Community Redevelopment Law in such agency shall be, and are, vested in this body.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms on the Redevelopment Agency. If a person serves a partial term in excess of two (2) years, it shall be considered a full term for the purpose of this provision.

B. Nothing in this provision shall act as a bar to service on the Redevelopment Agency after at least two (2) years have elapsed from the last full term.

(Ord. No. 2011-005 § 1 (part))

A. Authorization to Continue Agency. Subject to Subsections C. and D. herein, the City hereby commits to comply with and make the remittances required by Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9, and authorize the continuation of the Agency. Any remittance payments required to be paid by the City pursuant to Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9, shall be paid solely from Agency funds and/or assets transferred to the City in accordance with Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9.

B. Reservation of Rights. It is the position of the City that certain or all provisions of Assembly Bill 26 and Assembly Bill 27 (AB26/AB27) violate the Laws, as referenced in the recitals in Ordinance No. 2011-008, and are invalid and unenforceable. Neither the enactment of this section, nor the acknowledgment of or references to any provisions of AB 26/AB 27, nor the City's payment of any remittances contemplated by AB 27 shall be deemed to be, nor are they intended as, an acknowledgment of the validity of AB 26/AB 27, and the City reserves all rights in its sole discretion to challenge the validity of any or all provisions of AB 26/AB 27 in any administrative or judicial proceeding and/or repeal this section, without prejudice to the City's right to recover any amounts remitted under Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9.

C. Enactment. This section shall be deemed as “enacted” within the meaning of Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9 upon the adoption of this section.

D. Authorization of Implementing Actions. The City Manager is hereby authorized to take any actions necessary to implement this section and comply with Cal. Health & Safety Code, Div. 24, Part 1.9, including without limitation, providing required notices to the County Auditor-Controller, the State Controller, and the State's Department of Finance; entering into any agreements with the Agency to make the remittance payments; or making any remittance payments.

(Ord. No. 2011-008 §§ 1-4)