La Mirada Municipal Code Ch. 2.52 Planning Commission

A city planning commission, heretofore created and established under authority of the California Government Code, is recreated and reestablished.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).

The city planning commission shall consist of five members. Each member of the city planning commission shall be nominated for appointment by one member of the city council and shall be appointed to the city planning commission by the mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the city council. No person shall be appointed to a position on the city planning commission unless such person is a qualified elector of the city. Each such person appointed to the city planning commission shall, as soon as is practicable after such appointment, take and file with the city clerk the oath required pursuant to Chapter 2.40 of this code.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).

Planning commissioners shall have a term of office of four years. The term of office shall commence upon approval by the City Council and shall expire on June 30 of the same year of the expiration of the term of their nominating Councilmember.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982; Ord. 668 § 1, 2014; Ord. 708 § 1, 2019).

If a vacancy occurs, other than by expiration of a term, it shall be filled by appointment by the mayor, with the approval of a majority of the city council, for the unexpired portion of the term. Further, all appointments to fill vacancies in the city planning commission shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.52.020.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).

A member may be removed from office, prior to the expiration of the member’s term, upon expiration of the term of their appointing Councilmember where the commission member’s term would otherwise automatically expire the following June without action of the City Council.

Any member of the commission shall be removed from office or that office shall be declared vacant, in the following manner and for the following reasons:

(a) By order of the mayor, subject to the approval of a majority of the City Council.

(b) By a majority vote of the entire City Council.

(c) If a member of the commission ceases to be a qualified elector of the city, such member’s office shall be deemed vacant and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.

(d) If a member of the commission shall be absent from three consecutive regular meetings of the commission, such member’s office shall be deemed vacant and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.

(e) If a member of the commission shall be absent from three regular meetings of the commission in any eight-month period, such member’s office shall be deemed vacant and no further action by the City Council shall be necessary.

(f) If a member of the commission shall fail to comply with the provisions of Chapter 2.4 of this code, such member’s office shall be deemed vacant and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.

(g) At five p.m. on the date specified as the expiration date for the term of office of any member of the commission, said office shall be deemed vacant and no action by the City Council shall be necessary.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part) , 1982; Ord. 668 § 2, 2014; Ord. 708 § 2, 2019).

The city planning commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its appointed members for a term of twelve months, and subject to other provisions of law, may create and fill such other offices as it may determine. The election of officers shall occur at the first regular meeting in June of each year. The city planning commission may appoint, from among its appointed members, such subcommittees as are deemed necessary or convenient.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).

The city planning commission shall observe the following rules in the conduct of its meetings and business:

(a) The times and places of all city planning commission meetings shall be set by resolution of the city council.

(b) All meetings of the city planning commission shall be open to the public.

(c) City council members and the city administrator, when in attendance, shall have the right to be heard on all matters; however, they shall have no vote as to any commission action to be taken.

(d) The city planning commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business which rules may be modified from time to time as the city planning commission deems necessary or convenient.

(e) The city planning commission shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall, during all regular business office hours, be open for public inspection.

(f) A written agenda shall be prepared and circulated to all city planning commission members in advance of all meetings and a copy of such written agenda shall be provided to any member of the public requesting such a copy.

(Ord. 392 § 1, 1987; Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).

The city planning commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) The city planning commission's responsibilities and authorities shall be in accordance with the provisions of California law, except as may be otherwise authorized by and set forth in specific ordinances.

(b) The city planning commission shall receive and expeditiously act on all special project assignments made by the city council and shall submit reports and recommendations to the city council on such assignment.

(c) The city planning commission may submit recommended city projects to the city council for possible assignment by the city council.

(d) All actions and business of the city planning commission shall be conducted by the commission as a whole, unless a representative or subcommittee is appointed by the city planning commission to act on its behalf.

(e) Expenditure of any budgeted funds by the city planning commission shall require the prior approval of the city administrator. Proposed expenditures not budgeted in the annual budget shall be presented to the city council with a recommendation from the city planning commission for a special appropriation.

(f) It shall be the responsibility of the city planning commission to be represented at the meetings of the city council and other commissions when matters of joint concern are to be discussed, and to advise chairmen of other commissions of city planning commission matters of concern to such commissions which are to be discussed by the city planning commission.

(g) No decision of the city planning commission shall be final and binding on the city unless approved by the city council, or unless authority for such decision's finality has been granted to the city planning commission by provision of some city ordinance.

(Ord. 322 § 1 (part), 1982).