Firebaugh Municipal Code § 2-5 Planning and Zoning Commission

[Ord. #80-4, S1A]

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Firebaugh is hereby established.

[Ord. #80-4, S2A; Ord. #99-04, S1]

a. The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City shall be composed of a total of five members. At least three members shall be residents of the City and reside within the corporate limits of the City at all times during their terms. Two of the members need not reside within the corporate limits of the City, but at all times during their terms either shall reside within the then-current boundaries of the City's established sphere of influence, or shall on a regular basis own, conduct, carry on or manage any business, occupation, trade, calling or profession in the City within the meaning of Chapter 4 of this code. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the City Council. These appointments shall be for a period of three years each, with the terms of members so staggered that the terms of no more than three members shall expire in any one year. In the event of death or resignation of a member, the vacancy may be filled for the unexpired term. The term of all members shall extend until their successors are qualified; provided that three successive unexcused or unexplained absences from any meetings shall be in effect a resignation for which a successor may forthwith be appointed.

b. All members shall serve without pay. However, members of the Commission may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with their duties upon authorization or ratification by the Commission and approval of such expenditures by the Council.

c. Notwithstanding paragraph a hereof, any member of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Firebaugh, California, may be removed by a majority vote of the Council, upon motion of any member of the Council.

[Ord. #80-4, S3A]

The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from among its own members, each of whom shall serve for one year and until his successor is elected and qualified. The chairman shall preside at all meetings and exercise all the usual rights, duties and prerogatives of the head of any similar organization. The chairman shall have the power to administer oaths and to take evidence. The vice chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in the absence or disability of the chairman. Vacancies created by any cause shall be filled for the unexpired term by a new election.

[Ord. #80-4, S4A]

It is the duty of the Commission to formulate, create and administer any lawful plan duly adopted by the governing body for the present and future growth of the City pertaining to the use of land and buildings for any purpose, together with all incidental activities usually associated therewith and commonly known as "planning and zoning;" to make or cause to be made a commonly known continuous study of the best present and future use to which land and buildings shall be put within the City and in cooperation with adjacent areas; to recommend to the governing body revisions in such plans which, in the opinion of the Commission, are for the best interest of the citizens of the City; to promulgate rules of procedure and to supervise the enforcement of rules so promulgated by the Commission and approved by the Council.

[Ord. #80-4, S5A]

a. The Commission shall provide in its rules for its meetings; provided, that special meetings may be called by the chairman, or in his absence, the vice chairman. Any three members of the Commission may make written request to the chairman for a special meeting and in the event such meeting is not called, such members may call such special meeting in such manner and form as may be provided in the Commission rules.

b. Three members shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of members present at any meeting shall be required for passage of any matter before the Commission at such meeting. The minutes of the meetings shall reflect the "ayes" and "noes" cast on a particular measure and shall reflect the vote of each member present. A member may abstain from voting only upon a declaration that he has a conflict of interest, in which case such member shall take no part in the deliberations on the matter in question. The vote of any member who fails to declare his vote shall be recorded as an "aye" vote, provided that he is not exempt from voting by reason of a declared conflict of interest.

c. Minutes of all meetings will be furnished to the Manager to be included with the next succeeding City Council packet following the Board or Commission meeting.

[Ord. #80-4, S6A]

The Commission may establish a uniform schedule of fees for services with all receipts to be paid into the general fund of the City. Such fee schedules shall become effective upon approval of the Council.