Downey Municipal Code Art. IX Appointive Boards and Commissions

There shall be advisory boards and commissions named in this Article which shall have the powers and duties herein stated. In addition, the City Council may create by ordinance 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.

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.

Each of the boards or commissions shall consist of not less than five members, at least one of whom shall be appointed from each of the five Council districts. The members of each of such boards or commissions shall be appointed by the City Council from voters of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government. They shall be subject to 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 which shall commence with the commencement of the term of the Council member from whose district the member was appointed and shall end upon the end of the term of the Council member from whose district the member was appointed or upon a vacancy in that council district. The members shall serve so long as they continue to be domiciled within the district from which they were appointed during their term, and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. The Council shall have the authority to extend or shorten the terms of the incumbent members of boards or commissions to implement the terms of this Section. A vacancy occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

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 terms of any members of any board or commission are altered by this Charter, the terms shall be adjusted accordingly to comply with the provisions of this Charter.

As soon as practicable, following the first day of July of every year, each board and commission shall organize by electing one of its members to serve as presiding officer at the pleasure of the board or commission. Meetings of all 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 for purposes authorized by law.

The City Manager may designate a secretary for each board and commission 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.

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 proceeding pending before such board or commission.

There shall be a Planning Commission which shall have the power and be required to:

(a) After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council the adoption, amendment or repeal of Master, General or Precise Plans, or any part thereof, for 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) Make recommendations to the City Council concerning proposed public works and for the clearance, conservation and rehabilitation of any areas within the City.

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

There shall be a Personnel Advisory Board, none of the members of which while a member of said board or for a period of one year after the member has ceased for any reason to be a member, shall occupy or be eligible for appointment to any salaried office or employment in the service of the City. The Personnel Advisory Board shall have the power and be required to:

(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council and City Manager on personnel administration.

(b) After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council, the adoption, amendment or repeal of personnel rules and regulations.

(c) Make any investigation upon request of the City Council concerning the administration of personnel in the municipal service and report its findings to the City Council and City Manager.

(d) Hear appeals of any officer or employee under the Personnel System who is suspended, demoted or removed, and report in writing to the appointing power and City Council, its findings, conclusions and recommendations. The Personnel Advisory Board may elect to conduct the appeal hearing through an impartial hearing officer who shall hear the evidence, prepare or cause a record of the proceedings to be made, and make recommendations for findings of fact and a disposition of the appeal, as may be more specifically provided for by ordinance or resolution of the City Council.

(e) Exercise such functions with respect to personnel or the Personnel System, not inconsistent herewith, as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution or as requested by the City Council.

There shall be a Library Advisory Board 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 bylaws for the administration and protection of City libraries.

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

(d) Recommend to the City Council the purchase or lease of personal property for library purposes.

(e) Recommend to the City Council purchase or lease of real property and the rental or provision for adequate buildings or rooms for library purposes.

(f) Within 60 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 Advisory Board.

(g) Exercise such other functions not inconsistent with this Charter as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution.