Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 2.28 Planning Commission

Pursuant to the provisions of the Government Code of the state, there is created, continued and established a zoning and planning commission composed of five members.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

The mayor shall nominate a commissioner from the citizens at large, and such nominations shall be ratified and confirmed by a majority vote of the city council. Members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed from office without cause, notice or hearing, by a majority vote of the city council. A vacancy shall automatically occur in the office of any member who files or caused to be filed, or who consents to the filing of nomination papers nominating such officer for an elective office of the city, or who without excuse fails to attend three consecutive commission meetings. All members of the commission shall be qualified electors of the city.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

To aid and assist the commission in its deliberations, two ex officio members are appointed. Said ex officio members shall be without vote, and they are designated as the city attorney or any deputy from his or her office, and the director of planning.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

The members of the zoning and planning commission shall be compensated in an amount as established by resolution or budget of the city council.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

The planning commission shall elect by majority vote one of its members to serve as chairperson and another member as vice chairperson for a period of one calendar year, or for that portion of the calendar year remaining after he or she is designated or elected. After the chairperson and vice chairperson have served the term specified herein, the vice chairperson shall become the chairperson and the remaining members shall elect a new vice chairperson. The previous chairperson shall not be eligible to be a vice chairperson. This rotation of the chairperson and vice chairperson shall repeat after each one-year term. The members are not required to serve as a chairperson or vice chairperson and may decline to take such positions, in which case, the position would go to the next member yet to serve as the chair or vice chair.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015; Ord. 2238 § 8, 2023)

The commission shall adopt rules and regulations to govern procedure and shall by vote set a time for regular meetings which shall be held at least twice each month. Special meetings may be held providing notice is given according to provisions contained in the Government Code of the state. A majority of the regular members shall constitute a quorum. All meetings shall be held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall. All meetings of the commission and all hearings required to be held by the commission shall be public.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

The city manager shall appoint a secretary to the commission who shall maintain accurate minutes of the activities of the commission. Minutes shall include the following subject matter:

A. The time and place of each meeting of the commission;

B. The names of the commissioners present;

C. All official acts of the commission;

D. The votes given by commissioners except when the action is unanimous;

E. A summary of all proceedings before the commission. All minutes shall be reduced to writing and presented to the commission at its next regular meeting for approval, amendment or correction. The minutes or true copies thereof shall be open to public inspection. Copies of the minutes shall be furnished to the city council, members of this commission, and any other public official requiring them.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

The duties and responsibilities of this commission shall be as provided in this code or by the Government Code of the state. Said commission shall have all the rights, powers and privileges specified and provided for therein.

(Ord. 2097 § 2, 2015)

A. The members of the commission shall not serve more than one term of four consecutive years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. This section shall apply regardless of whether the member's term has commenced or occurred prior to the effective date of the ordinance imposing this one term of four consecutive years. The removal of the members whose term has expired shall be in the order of the longest serving member's removal before other members whose term has expired.

B. The members of the commission who have served one term of four consecutive years may be reappointed pursuant to Section 2.28.020 of this chapter after ceasing to be a member of the commission for more than ninety consecutive days. If such member of the commission is thereafter reappointed pursuant to Section 2.28.020, the one term of four consecutive years begins anew.

(Ord. 2238 § 8, 2023; Ord. 2246, 12/12/2023)