San Bernardino Municipal Code Art. VI Boards, Commissions and Committees

Each board, commission and committee established prior to the adoption of this Charter shall continue to exist, exercise the powers and perform the duties assigned to it upon adoption of this Charter. However, the Council may alter the structure, membership, powers and duties of boards, commissions and committees. The Council also may abolish or create particular boards, commissions and committees, provided that the Council may not abolish the Commissions or Boards specifically provided for in this Charter. The Council may grant powers and duties to boards, commissions and committees that are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

Except as provided elsewhere in this Charter, the appointment, removal, and terms of office of boards, commissions, committees and their members and the rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of board, commission or committee business shall be as prescribed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, as provided in section 304(b) of this Charter. Members of boards, commissions and committees shall be residents of the City, unless exempted by ordinance or State law.

A Library Board of Trustees consisting of five (5) members shall be appointed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, as provided in section 304(b) to serve without compensation. The Mayor and entire Council may remove Trustees in the same manner. The Board shall:

a. Be responsible for providing adequate library services;

b. Appoint a Library Director;

c. Administer the Library budget allocated by the Council;

d. Make and enforce all rules and regulations applicable to library services; and

e Administer such additional matters as may be determined by ordinance.

A Water Board of five (5) Commissioners shall be appointed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, as provided in section 304(b). Commissioners shall serve terms of six (6) years each, staggered in the same manner as at the time of the adoption of this Charter. Any one or more of these Commissioners may be removed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council. The Board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

a. Be responsible to oversee and manage the City’s water supply, recycled water, wastewater collection and treatment (“Water and Wastewater Systems”) functions in accordance with State law.

b. Employ such persons, including a general manager, as may be needed for proper administration of the City’s Water and Wastewater Systems.

c. Set and collect all rates, fees and charges for operation of the Water and Wastewater Systems.

d. Allocate all receipts and expenditures to separate, independent, Water and Sewer Funds in accordance with State law.

e. Provide for an annual, independent audit of all water and wastewater accounts, and may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Copies of all auditors’ reports shall be filed with the City Clerk and Council.

f. Compensate members of the Water Board in accordance with actions of the Water Board following public hearing.

g. Collaborate with the Council, Mayor and City Manager concerning the City’s Water and Wastewater Systems. In this regard, the Council shall take such actions as may be appropriate to enforce rules and regulations of the Board.

h. Establish and periodically review and revise such rules and regulations as may be appropriate for managing the City’s Water and Wastewater Systems.

A Personnel Commission consisting of five (5) members shall be appointed by a vote of the Mayor and entire Council, as provided for in section 304(b) of this Charter, to serve without compensation. The Mayor and entire Council may remove Commissioners in the same manner. The Commission’s sole responsibility shall be to hear appeals of disciplinary action by City employees, subject to the provisions of adopted labor agreements. Decisions of the Commission shall be final without further review within the City.