Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 2 Commissions

Commissions may be created only by resolution or ordinance of the City Council, and shall be terminated only by express ordinance of the City Council. They shall be continuing bodies operating in general areas of concern and having the power and duties designated by the City Council. They may be assigned more than one task concurrently, but the absence of one or more assigned tasks at any time (or the completion of and submission of a report regarding all their assigned tasks) shall not affect their continuing status.

(Code 1976, § I.F-201; Res. No. 396, § 3.1, 3-11-75)

The number of persons appointed from time-to-time to any commission shall be fixed by the City Council in the resolution or ordinance establishing the commission. Members of commissions shall be appointed at least ten days prior to the first regularly scheduled meeting of such commission of each calendar year. The commissioner shall be appointed as follows, unless otherwise provided in the ordinance or resolution establishing the commission:

A. Each member of the City Council shall appoint one commissioner who shall serve at the pleasure of the member of the City Council who appointed such commissioner; and

B. Such appointment shall be made by filing a written statement with the City Clerk setting forth:

1. The fact of such appointment;

2. The name of the person being appointed; and

3. The date as of which such appointment is to be effective.

If a commissioner is removed from the commission by the member of Council who appointed the commissioner, that appointing member of the Council shall appoint a new commissioner as soon as practical and in time to ensure the commission can function as intended.

(Code 1976, § I.F-202; Res. No. 396, § 3.2, 3-11-75; Ord. No. 236, § 3, 3-13-79; Ord. No. 92-17, § 10, 9-22-92; Ord. No. 24-20, § 2(Exh. A), 11-26-24)

Any Council member-appointed commissioner serves at the will of that Council member for a term expiring upon the expiration of the Council member's term; provided that a commissioner's term shall terminate on the date either that the commissioner resigns from office or that the Council member replaces the commissioner prior to the expiration of the commissioner's term.

(Code 1976, § I.F-203; Res. No. 396, § 3.3, 3-11-75; Ord. No. 99-06, § 1, 2-23-99)

A member of a commission may be discharged from his or her position and duties at any time, and without cause, by the member of the Council who appointed such commissioner by their filing with the City Clerk a written statement setting forth:

A. The facts of such removal;

B. The name of the person being removed; and

C. The date such removal is to be effective.

(Code 1976, § I.F-204; Res. No. 396, § 3.3, 3-11-75)

Each commission shall have a chair and vice-chair or chair pro tem, each of whom shall be a member of the commission. Such officers shall be elected by the membership of the commission at their first regular meeting of each calendar year. If necessary due to resignation or removal of an officer, an election for officers may be held as appropriate during the year to ensure the proper functioning of the commission. During any mid-year election, only the officer who was removed or resigned shall be replaced; no other officer shall be subject to a mid-year election.

(Code 1976, § I.F-205; Res. No. 396, § 3.4, 3-11-75; Ord. No. 83-19, § 1, 12-13-83; Ord. No. 92-17, § 11, 9-22-92; Ord. No. 24-20, § 2(Exh. A), 11-26-24)

The commission shall meet at such times as may be established by the City Council. All meetings shall be open to the public and shall conform to the provisions of the "Ralph M. Brown Act" (Government Code § 54950 et seq.) and to the extent such commission constitutes a local body under Section 1-15-103(C), it shall comply with the additional requirements of the Division 15 of Title 1. Special meetings may be called by the City Manager or designee or upon the written request of at least a majority of its members.

(Code 1976, § I.F-206; Res. No. 396, § 3.5, 3-11-75; Ord. No. 18-10, § 3, 11-13-18; Ord. No. 22-02, § 4, 4-12-22; Ord. No. 24-20, § 2(Exh. A), 11-26-24)

A. Unless otherwise specifically provided by law or elsewhere in the Code, including the provisions of Division 15 of Title 1, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the general conduct of meetings of commissions. The adoption of Robert's Rules of Order is for the purpose of establishing a procedural framework for the conduct of meetings only. Any failure to adhere thereto shall in no way affect the validity of any action taken by the commission.

B. It shall be the duty of each commissioner to take an active part in the commission's deliberation and to act in whatever capacity the commissioner may be called. Absence from three consecutive meetings without the formal consent of the commission shall be deemed to constitute the retirement of the commissioner, and the position shall automatically become vacant.

(Code 1976, § I.F-207; Res. No. 396, § 3.6, 3-11-75; Ord. No. 18-10, § 3, 11-13-18; Ord. No. 22-02, § 4, 4-12-22)

A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the members present at a duly constituted meeting shall be required to carry a motion, proposal, or resolution. All official members present shall vote on every question presented to the commission. Under no circumstances shall any member of the commission take any action or make any statement committing the commission as a whole unless expressly authorized to do so by vote of the commission.

(Code 1976, § I.F-208; Res. No. 396, § 3.7, 3-11-75)

Commissions shall from time-to-time receive specific assignments from the City Council. In addition, commissions may generate tasks, on their initiative, within their general areas of concern, subject to coordination with the City Manager, or his or her delegate, to avoid duplication of effort or jurisdiction with other commissions or committees and to confirm that the proposed task is, in fact, within the commission's area of concern. Where tasks are assigned to a commission by the City Council, a written report regarding the results thereof and recommendations, where appropriate, should be furnished, upon completion of such task, to the City Council.

(Code 1976, § I.F-209; Res. No. 396, § 3.8, 3-11-75)

Commissions shall have power to appoint subcommittees of their own members and to appoint committees (as hereinafter defined) to perform tasks within their respective general areas of concern, but only in conformity with the provisions of this division.

(Code 1976, § I.F-210; Res. No. 396, § 3.9, 3-11-75)

Commissions may adopt a resolution establishing additional regulations governing the conduct of its meetings provided such regulations are not in conflict with the rules and regulations herein established and further provided that such resolution shall be approved by the City Council.

(Code 1976, § I.F-211; Res. No. 396, § 3.10, 3-11-75)