Pasadena Municipal Code Ch. 2.140 Environmental Advisory Commission

This chapter shall be known as the "Environmental Advisory Commission Ordinance."

(Ord. 7082 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

There is created and established a commission of the city to be known as environmental advisory commission and hereinafter called the "commission."

(Ord. 7082 § 1 (part), 2007: Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The commission shall consist of 9 members, who shall be appointed as follows:

1. Each of the 7 councilmembers and the mayor shall nominate 1 member for a total of 8 members.

2. The mayor shall nominate the remaining 1 member from persons recommended by the 7 councilmembers.

3. All appointments are subject to ratification by the city council.

B. Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, and shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms. A term of less than 1 year shall not be considered a full term. Terms expire on June 30th of the applicable years. A member shall continue in office for the term for which he/she was appointed or until his/her successor is appointed. No member who has served 2 consecutive terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the commission prior to the passage of a 2-year interval.

C. If a member ceases to reside in the city prior to the expiration of a term, the member may complete the term only upon approval by the city council pursuant to Section 2.45.020.

D. Any member of the commission may be removed by the city council at its pleasure.

(Ord. 6820 §§ 41, 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

All members shall be residents of the city; provided, however, that a person nominated by a councilmember need not reside in the councilmember's district. Members should have experience in at least one of the areas subject to commission purview under Section 2.140.110 or have professional experience in disciplines relating to the environmental sciences.

(Ord. 7082 § 2, 2007: Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. In the event a member has 3 consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of the commission, the city council may declare the office of such member vacant. The staff to the committee shall advise the administrative assistant to the mayor of any such member with 3 consecutive unexcused absences. The chair of the commission may excuse absences.

B. Vacancies, whether scheduled or unscheduled, shall be filled by the person who nominated the members to the vacant office, or by his/her successor, in the same manner as set forth in Section 2.140.030.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 3, 8-2-2021)

At the first meeting of the commission, and thereafter at its first meeting of each subsequent year, the members shall elect a chair and a vice chair. In the absence or incapacity of the chair and vice chair, the commission may designate a temporary chair.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7378, § 4, 8-2-2021)

A. The commission shall meet at least once a month. All its meetings shall be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and shall be open to the public except as provided by law. Special meetings may be called by the chair or a majority of the commission.

B. A quorum shall be a majority of the commission seats filled by the city council. A seat is deemed to be filled after a nominee has been sworn in by the city clerk. No action of the commission shall be valid without the affirmative vote of at least three members.

(Ord. 6675 § 2 (part), 1996; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The commission shall adopt and amend, by the affirmative vote of 5 members, rules and regulations for the conduct of the commission's business, consistent with this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be submitted to the city council and shall not become effective until approved and ordered filed by the council.

(Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

The commission shall submit an annual report and workplan to the city council no later than September 1st of each year. The annual report shall comment on the city's progress and compliance with environmental policies and goals as established by the city council. Attendance records of members shall be included as part of the annual report.

(Ord. 7082 § 3, 2007: Ord. 6930 § 19, 2003: Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

Members of the commission shall be required to file annual statements of economic interest pursuant to the city's conflict of interest code.

(Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

A. The purpose of the commission is to provide policy advice to the city council for promoting environmental stewardship and urban sustainability in accordance with the city's adopted environmental charter, the city's adopted climate action plan, and such other related environmental policies as adopted by the city council.

B. The purpose of the commission is also to advise the city council on environmental policy matters related to:

1. Energy;

2. Waste reduction;

3. Urban design;

4. Preservation and enhancement of urban natural areas;

5. Transportation;

6. Environmental health; and

7. Water.

Consistent with the Charter, the commission shall not have authority over the daily operations of city departments.

C. In addition to those matters set forth in subsections A and B of this section, the commission shall advise and make recommendations to the city council as directed by the city council.

D. The commission shall consider environmental matters which have citywide impacts but shall not, unless directed by the city council, consider environmental matters relating to specific projects or developments, including without limitation, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.

E. The commission shall consult and cooperate with other commissions and public bodies on matters relevant to the commission's purposes consistent with provisions in Section 2.45.060.

F. In carrying out its functions and duties, the commission may:

1. Study and examine through the conduct of meetings conferences, public hearings or other appropriate methods those matters it is charged with;

2. Conduct outreach and education to the public, business and industry regarding environmental matters of city-wide impact.

(Ord. 7082 § 4, 2007: Ord. 6924 § 1, 2003; Ord. 6820 § 45 (part), 2000; Ord. 6229 § 2 (part), 1987)

(Ord. No. 7319, § 1, 4-9-2018)