Orange Municipal Code Ch. 10.06 City Traffic Commission

A City Traffic Commission is created consisting of seven residents of the City, appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. The Chief of Police, or designee, and the City Traffic Engineer, or designee, shall serve as city staff representatives to the City Traffic Commission. The City Traffic Engineer shall serve as secretary to the Commission.

(Ord. 19-82; Ord. 14-95; Ord. 01-23, 2023)

A. The terms of office for each member of the Traffic Commission shall be four years. The terms of office for each member of the Traffic Commission shall continue to and include June 30th of the year in which the term shall expire, and thereafter until a successor for the member whose term is expiring has been appointed.

B. At the first meeting after June 30th of every other year, the Traffic Commission shall select from their membership a chairperson and a vice-chairperson to serve two year terms.

(Ord. 19-82; Ord. 11-02)

Commissioners shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office at any time by a majority of the Council. If a resident commissioner ceases to reside within the City limits, his or her appointment on the Commission shall automatically terminate. Any commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his or her predecessor was appointed shall be deemed to be appointed for the remainder of such term.

(Ord. 19-82)

A. Four members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the quorum present shall be required for all commission actions. Failure to achieve a majority vote of members present shall constitute a denial of the proposed action.

B. The regular meetings of the Traffic Commission shall be held in the City Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.

C. The Traffic Commission shall meet in regular session on dates and at times to be determined from time to time by resolution of the City Council.

(Ord. 19-82; Ord. 14-95; Ord. 10-02; Ord. 01-23, 2023)

All commissioners shall serve without regular compensation. Incidental expenses incurred in connection with the performance of duties may be reimbursed.

(Ord. 19-82)

Commissioners are expected to diligently attend and participate in all meetings of the Commission. Any commissioner who is absent from two consecutive regular meetings of the Commission without the approval of the Commission or who is absent in excess of 25% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Commission during any anniversary year of his or her membership shall, upon the occurrence of such absences, be deemed to have resigned from the Commission, and the chairperson shall so notify the City Council.

(Ord. 19-82)

All meeting notices shall be in such manner and form as is required by appropriate state law and this municipal code. In addition, individuals requesting actions that are included on the City Traffic Commission agenda shall be sent a copy of the agenda prior to the meeting.

(Ord. 19-82)

A. The City Traffic Commission is hereby authorized:

1. To review and act as specified in the context of this chapter in matters of traffic and transportation planning. Review, as stated, includes review and consideration of public input, traffic surveys, and recommendations and opinions from the Traffic Engineer's office, Orange Police Department and the Orange Unified School District.

2. To review all requests for speed limit increases or decreases and traffic control signals. A public hearing concerning all specific traffic control changes must be held at all times.

3. To initiate special studies on any unsafe or malfunctioning traffic conditions.

4. To assist the staff, Planning Commission, and City Council in short and long range transportation planning within the City, including the review of streets and highways master planning and designation of truck routes.

5. To review and answer all complaints concerning traffic safety conditions.

6. To perform such other functions as the City Council may request from time to time.

7. To act as the local authority as that term is used in the State Vehicle Code for the approval of certain traffic regulations.

B. Action taken by the City Traffic Commission shall be considered final unless appealed to the City Council in accordance with the procedures established Section 10.06.085. Additionally, the following actions shall be advisory to the City Council and as such for these items, the Commission shall make a report together with recommendations for action to the City Council:

1. Action involving a matter for which state law requires a decision by the City Council.

2. Action involving traffic improvements which have not been previously budgeted.

3. Action involving traffic-related modifications to a larger geographic area, as opposed to a single location-specific item.

(Ord. 19-82; Ord. 14-95; Ord. 2-97; Ord. 6-03)

All acts and determinations of the Traffic Commission are directly reviewable by the City Council which may affirm, reverse or modify any such act or determination as it deems in the best interests of the City.

A. An appeal from a decision or requirement of the Traffic Commission may be made by an interested party;

B. Any appeal from the decision of the Traffic Commission shall be made within 15 calendar days following the date of the decision of the Commission;

C. Appeals shall be in writing;

D. The written application for appeal shall state the ground for appeal;

E. The original of the appeal shall be filed in duplicate with the Department of Public Works;

F. If an appeal is requested, the same shall be heard in the same manner as prescribed for a public hearing before the Traffic Commission upon notice.

(Ord. 14-95; Ord. 2-97)

In the event of disbandment of the City Traffic Commission, such duties mentioned in this chapter will automatically be assumed by the Council.

(Ord. 19-82)