La Habra Heights Municipal Code Ch. 2.4 Commissions and Other Committees

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide for the establishment, organization, and conduct of City commissions and committees.

The City of La Habra Heights Planning Commission is established in accordance with the Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws (PZDL) of the State of California.

A. Responsibilities of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall exercise
all of the powers, duties, rights, privileges and authorities provided in this Chapter.

B. Organization of the Planning Commission. The City Council shall select the Chairperson
and the Vice-Chairperson of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission may
appoint from among its members other officers as may be necessary for the administration
of Planning Commission business. The Planning Commission shall adopt rules and
regulations for the conduct of its business and shall keep a record of minutes, resolutions,
actions, findings, and determinations that shall be filed with the City Clerk.

C. Planning Commission Members and Appointments. The Planning Commission shall be
comprised of five (5) members and one (1) alternate who must be residents of the City. The
alternate shall serve as an active member of the Planning Commission but shall not vote
unless one (1) regular member is absent or abstains from voting, in which case, the alternate
shall have the same voting power as a regular member. Each member of the City Council
shall appoint one Planning Commission member. The City Council as a whole shall appoint
the alternate. Appointments of Planning Commission members shall be announced and
appointments of an alternate shall be made at a regular City Council meeting typically
following the general City Council election. No Planning Commissioner shall hold any
paid position in the City of La Habra Heights or otherwise be employed by the City.

D. Planning Commission Terms of Office. Planning Commission members shall be
appointed after the appointing City Council member takes office. Members shall hold
office until a successor has been appointed. Should a Planning Commission vacancy occur
for any reason, an appointment shall be made for the un-expired portion of the term.

E. Planning Commission Removal from Office. A Planning Commissioner may be removed
by the appointing City Council member or by any successor to that Council member at any
time. Any Planning Commission member may also be removed, with or without cause, by
an action of the City Council by a four-fifths (4/5) vote. The Alternate may be removed
with or without cause by an action of the City Council by a quorum vote. Any Planning
Commissioner or alternate who is absent from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the
Planning Commission, unless excused by the Presiding Officer, shall automatically forfeit
the position as a Planning Commission member.

F. Planning Commission Meetings. The location, day and time of regular meetings of the
Planning Commission shall be set by resolution of the City Council.

G. City Staff Attendance at Planning Commission Meetings. The following City staff are required to attend Planning Commission meetings:

1. The Community Development Director, unless excused, shall attend all Planning
Commission meetings.

2. The City Attorney or Assistant City Attorney, unless excused, shall attend all
meetings of the Planning Commission and shall, upon request, give opinions either
written or oral on questions of law and shall act as the Commission’s parliamentarian.

3. The Planning Commission Secretary, unless excused, shall attend all meetings of the
Commission and record, prepare, and maintain the minutes of the Planning
Commission and perform other related duties.

4. Department heads and other City employees, as directed by the City Manager, shall
attend Planning Commission meetings.

H. Other Rules. Other applicable rules of conduct for Planning Commission meetings are
identified in Chapter 2.5.
(Ord. 2014-02 § 1)

The City Manager may establish special advisory committees. In certain instances, the City Council may establish a special committee. These special committees will be established for a specific purpose and for a specified period of time. Other requirements governing the establishment and conduct of these special committees include the following.

A. Duties of Committees. Special committees shall be established as advisory bodies to assist
the City and City Manager in fact-finding and for the purpose of recommending or
implementing City policy.

B. Organization of the Committees. The composition of committee membership will be
determined by the City Manager unless established by the City Council.

C. Terms of Office and Removal. Any vacancies in the committee shall be filled by
appointment by the City Manager.

D. Meetings. The committee, with the approval of the City Manager, will be responsible for
the time and location of the committee meetings.