Mountain View Municipal Code Art. IX Appointive Boards and Commissions

There shall be the boards and commissions enumerated in this article which shall have the powers and duties herein stated. Unless otherwise provided by this Charter, the number of members to comprise any commission shall be determined by ordinance or resolution of the council. No member of any board or commission shall hold any paid office or employment in the city government. In order to be eligible for any appointment to any board or commission, a person shall be a qualified elector of the city. In addition to those herein provided, the council may create by ordinance or resolution such boards or commissions as in its judgment are required and may grant to them such powers and duties as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

The council shall include in the annual budget such appropriations of funds as in its opinion shall be sufficient for the efficient and proper functioning of such boards and commissions.

The members of each of such boards or commissions shall be appointed by the council. They shall be subject to removal by motion of the council adopted by at least four affirmative votes. Unless otherwise provided by this Charter, the members thereof shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.

The members first appointed to such boards and commissions shall so classify themselves by lot that each succeeding January first the term of one of their numbers shall expire. If the total number of members of a board or commission to be appointed exceeds four the classification by lot shall provide for the grouping of terms to such an extent as is necessary in order that the term of at least one member shall expire on each succeeding January first, and that the number of terms expiring in any year does not exceed by more than one the number expiring in any other.

As soon as practicable, following the first day of January of every year, each of such boards and commissions shall organize by electing one of its members to serve as presiding officer at the pleasure of such board or commission. Each board or commission shall hold such regular and special meetings as such board or commission may require. All proceedings shall be open to the public.

The affirmative or negative vote of a majority of the entire membership of such board or commission shall be necessary for it to take any action, except to adjourn.

The city manager shall designate a secretary for the recording of minutes for each of such boards and commissions, who shall keep a record of its proceedings and transactions. Each board or commission may prescribe its own rules and regulations which shall be consistent with this Charter and copies of which shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk where they shall be available for public inspection. Each shall have the same power as the council to compel the attendance of witnesses, to examine them under oath and to compel the production of evidence before it.

The members of the boards and commissions shall serve without compensation for their services as such, but may receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred on official duty when such expenditures have received authorization by the council. Any vacancies on any board or commission, from whatever cause arising, shall be filled by appointment by the council. Upon a vacancy occurring, leaving an unexpired portion of a term, any appointment to fill such vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of such term. If a member of a board or commission is absent from three regular meetings of such board or commission, consecutively, or within a calendar quarter, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector and resident of the city, that office shall become vacant upon the declaration of council. The council may, for good cause, determine that a vacancy has not been created.

(As amended by election June 3, 1980; November 3, 1998.)

There shall be a planning commission consisting of at least seven members, the number of which membership shall be established, from time to time, by ordinance. The planning commission shall have the power to:

(a) Recommend to the council, after a public hearing thereon, the adoption, amendment or repeal of a master plan or any part thereof for the physical development of the city.

(b) Exercise such functions with respect to land subdivisions, planning and zoning as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution.

(c) Exercise such functions regarding the environmental quality of the community as may, from time to time, be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. A special membership for the planning commission when exercising functions pursuant to this subsection may also be established by ordinance or resolution. (As amended November 3, 1970.)

There shall be a recreation and parks commission consisting of five members. In the event that the council contracts with other agencies interested in recreation and parks for the joint exercise of any of such functions, such contract may provide for representation on the commission of nominees of such agencies during the existence of such contract or extensions thereof.

The recreation and parks commission shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Act in advisory capacity to the council in all matters pertaining to recreation and parks.

(b) Consider provisions of the annual budget for recreation and park purposes during the process of the preparation of the budget and make recommendations with respect thereto to the city manager and the council.

(c) Assist in the planning of a recreation program for the inhabitants of the city, promote and stimulate public interest therein, and to that end, solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.

(d) Accept money, personal property or real estate donated to the city for recreational or park purposes, subject to the approval of the council.

There shall be a board of library trustees consisting of five (5) members. The board of library trustees shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and protection of the city library.

(b) Act in an advisory capacity to the council in all matters pertaining to the city library.

(c) Consider provisions of the annual budget for library purposes during the process of the preparation of the budget, and make recommendations with respect thereto to the city manager and the council.

(d) Assist in the planning of the library program for the inhabitants of the city, and promote and stimulate public interest therein.

(e) Accept money, personal property, or real estate donated to the city for library purposes, subject to the approval of the council.

(f) Contract with school, county or other government agencies to render or receive library services or facilities subject to the approval of the council.

(As amended, April 12, 1960.)