Chapter 31 — ORGANIZATIONS

A Planning Commission for the city is hereby created.

(Prior Code, § 2400) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

Said Planning Commission shall consist of five members who shall be qualified electors of the city, and who shall be appointed for terms of four years, or for such lesser term as may be specified in the appointment. (Prior Code, § 2401) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

(A) If a member of the Planning Commission shall be absent from three successive regular meetings of said Commission, without cause, the office of such member shall be deemed to be vacant and the term of such member ipso facto terminated, and the Planning Commission shall immediately inform the City Council of such termination. (Prior Code, § 2402)

(B) An absence due to illness or an unavoidable absence from the city and written notice thereof to the Planning Commission on or before the day of any regular meeting by the said Commission shall be deemed absence for cause. (Prior Code, § 2403)

(Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

A regular meeting as provided for by law or by rule of the Planning Commission or any regularly advertised public hearing shall be deemed a regular meeting.

(Prior Code, § 2404) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

(A) The Planning Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from among its appointed members for a term of one year and, subject to applicable provisions of law and City Council approval, may create and fill such other offices as it may determine.

(B) The Planning Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a record of the resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations, which record shall be a public record. Any bylaws created for use by the Planning Commission shall be promulgated and approved by City Council.

(Prior Code, § 2405) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

Said City Planning Commission shall perform the duties and shall have all the rights, powers, and privileges specified and provided by municipal ordinance or resolution or by state law.

(Prior Code, § 2406) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

Said City Planning Commission shall be entitled to compensation for all necessary and proper expenses incurred in connection with their meetings.

(Prior Code, § 2407) (Ord. 2-A, passed 2-3-1960)

When a term expires before a new appointment is made, the incumbent shall continue to serve on the Commission until reappointed or replaced. When a vacancy occurs for reasons other than term expiration, the City Council shall appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired portion of the term. However, if the unexpired term is for a period of less than one year, the City Council may appoint a member to serve both the unexpired term and an additional full four-year term. All appointments require a majority vote of the City Council following applicant interviews conducted at a regular or special City Council meeting.

(Prior Code, § 2409) (Ord. 94-7, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 97-3, passed 3-17-1997; Ord. 25-06, passed 9-22-2025)

PARKS, RECREATION, AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION

There is created a Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission composed of five members. (Prior Code, § 2500) (Ord. 170, passed - -; Ord. 76-11, passed 10-25-1976; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 98-9, passed 11-2-1998; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005; Ord. 07-07, passed 8-20-2007)

The regular members of the Commission shall be qualified electors of the city and shall serve without compensation. The members of the Commission shall hold no other public office in the city.

(Prior Code, § 2501) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 76-11, passed 10-25-1976; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005)

Members of the Commission shall serve for a period of four years. Vacancies in the Commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled in a manner hereinafter set forth for appointments. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council.

(Prior Code, § 2502) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 98-9, passed 11-2-1998; Ord. 0201, passed 2-19-2002; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005)

When a term expires before a new appointment is made, the incumbent shall continue to serve on the Commission until reappointed or replaced. When a vacancy occurs for reasons other than term expiration , the City Council shall appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired portion of the term. However, if the unexpired term is for a period of

less than one year, the City Council may appoint a member to serve both the unexpired term and an additional full four-year term. All appointments require a majority vote of the City Council following applicant interviews conducted at a regular or special City Council meeting.

(Prior Code, § 2503) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 94-7, passed 9-6-1994; Ord. 97-3, passed 3-17-1997; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005; Ord. 25-06, passed 9-22-2025)

(A) At its first regular meeting following February of each year, the members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, who shall hold office for one year.

(B) The Chairperson shall preside over meetings, appoint appropriate committees, sign resolutions, direct the affairs, and establish the meeting agenda of the Commission.

(C) In the absence of the Chairperson, the duties of this office shall be performed by the Vice Chairperson. (Prior Code, § 2504) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005)

The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations to govern procedure and shall set a time for regular meetings which will be held at least once on a bi-monthly basis.

(Prior Code, § 2505) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005; Ord. 2403, passed 3-28-2024)

(A) Absence of a member from three consecutive meetings, or five meetings in any calendar year period, without advance approval of the Commission, constitutes the voluntary resignation of such absent member.

(B) The position shall be considered vacated automatically and a replacement shall be appointed in accordance with § 31.23 after the member’s third consecutive absence or fifth absence within a calendar year. (Prior Code, § 2507) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005)

The duties and responsibilities of the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission shall be to:

(A) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks and public recreation, and to cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of sound park and recreation planning and programming;

(B) Formulate policies on recreation services for approval by the City Council;

(C) Recommend to the City Council the development of recreation areas, parks, facilities, programs, and improved recreation services;

(D) Recommend to the City Council the adoption of standards concerning parks and recreation community events and beautification in respect to organization, personnel, areas and facilities, park maintenance, program, and financial support;

(E) Assist in coordinating recreation services with the programs of governmental agencies and voluntary organizations, and assist in beautification activities for the purpose of encouraging residential beautification efforts;

(F) Advise the Parks and Recreation Manager in the preparation of the annual park maintenance, park improvement and recreation budgets, and long range park and recreation facilities improvements; and

(G) Hold public hearings and meetings to conduct investigations and surveys for the purpose of securing facts and data concerning any matters listed in this section.

(Prior Code, § 2508) (Ord. 107, passed 8-4-1969; Ord. 92-2, passed 5-4-1992; Ord. 05-02, passed 2-7-2005)