Livingston Municipal Code Ch. 1 Policies for Entities Created by the City Council

The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules, regulations, policies and procedures to govern city boards, commissions, committees, councils, foundations or agencies created by the City Council.

(Ord. 561, passed 11-20-2007)

Unless otherwise provided by federal law, state law or city ordinances, the following rules shall apply to all city boards, commissions, committees, councils, foundations or agencies created by the City Council, all of which are hereinafter referred to as a “committee”.

(A) Each committee shall be only an advisory board to the City Council, unless otherwise provided for by city ordinance.

(B) Each committee shall consist of a number of members as the City Council shall provide by ordinance or resolution.

(C) Committee members shall be appointed by resolution of the City Council. The City Council may also appoint alternates to any committee, who shall participate in all committee meetings, and may vote in the absence of a regularly appointed committee member. In the case of an absence by a regularly appointed committee member, alternates shall fill in for the absent member based on their seniority.

(D) Committee members may be removed from office prior to the expiration of their term with or without cause by majority vote of the City Council. A committee member’s seat shall automatically be deemed vacant for failing to attend any three meetings in any 12-month period, unless the absence is the result of illness or family emergency, or removal of the committee member from office would otherwise be prohibited by law. In the event that a committee member is unable to attend a meeting due to illness or family emergency, the committee member shall inform the City Manager or the department head working with the committee at the earliest opportunity before the meeting in order for the absence to be excused. The committee shall immediately inform the City Council of such vacancy. Vacancies on the committee from whatever cause shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired term.

(E) Committee members receive no compensation for their services, unless otherwise approved by the City Council by resolution. However, they may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(F) Citizens generally may serve on only one advisory committee in order to allow more people to be involved in city government.

(G) Each committee may adopt reasonable rules by which it conducts its business.

(H) The City Manager will assign a staff member to each committee.

(Ord. 561, passed 11-20-2007; Ord. 579, passed 2-17-2009)

The City Council shall, by resolution, appoint a Chairperson for each committee or provide for the committee to elect its own Chairperson.

(Ord. 561, passed 11-20-2007)

Meetings of each committee may be called by the Chairperson, a majority of the members of the committee, the City Council, City Manager or staff member assigned to work with the committee.

(Ord. 561, passed 11-20-2007)

Each committee may receive funds by an annual appropriation in the city budget, by government, corporate or private grants or donations, and from the proceeds of city approved functions. All such funds shall be held and managed as the City Council or City Manager may direct.

(Ord. 561, passed 11-20-2007)