San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 2.28 Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission

There is established a Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission which shall consist of nine San Clemente citizens appointed by the City Council. At least three of the members shall have a background or technical experience in coastal issues.

(Prior code § 2A-3.1; Ord. 1178 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. No. 1528, § 1, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023; Ord. No. 1761, § 1(Exh. A), 10-17-2023; Ord. No. 1789, § 1(Exh. A), 4-15-2025)

The Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission's functions and duties are to:

A. Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, beaches, recreation, parkways, and coastal issues as identified by the City Council;

B. Make recommendations to the City Council and advise the City Council in matters pertaining to the creation, operation, maintenance, management, and control of community recreation programs, playgrounds, and indoor and outdoor recreations, activities, and facilities;

C. Provide feedback on projects to be considered during the annual budget for parks, beaches, recreation, and parkways during the preparation of the annual budget and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council and the City Manager;

D. Assist in the planning of parks and support the coordination of recreation programs for the public, promote and stimulate public interests therein, and to that end solicit, to the fullest extent possible, the cooperation of all public and private agencies interested therein;

E. Evaluate and review park development plans of the City;

F. Serve as a sounding board for citizen input on matters relating to coastal areas adjacent to, or having the ability to affect, the City of San Clemente;

G. Participate in the Social Services Grant Subcommittee by appointing one member of the Commission, by majority vote, no later than December 31 of each year;

H. Develop an annual work plan with specific goals and objectives for the coming year. The work plan, with recommendations, shall be submitted to the City Council no later than October 1 of each year. The plan shall be submitted in written form for approval at a City Council meeting. Any amendments to the work plan shall require Council approval;

I. Limit meetings to three hours unless otherwise approved by a majority vote of the Commission plus the concurrence of the primary staff support to the Commission; and

J. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the City Council.

(Prior code § 2A-3.7; Ord. No. 1528, § 2, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023; Ord. No. 1761, § 1(Exh. A), 10-17-2023; Ord. No. 1789, § 1(Exh. A), 4-15-2025)

The terms of office of members of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall be for two years from July 1st to June 30th of the second following year, and with such terms staggered so that four Commissioners are appointed in even-numbered years and five Commissioners are appointed in odd-numbered years. Annually, at the first meeting after the newly appointed Commission members assume office in July, the Commission shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its members, No less than 60 days prior to the expiration of terms, the City Clerk shall notify the City Council of the forthcoming vacancies and the City Council shall make the necessary appointments prior to the expiration of the terms. In the event the City Council does not make the necessary appointments prior to the expiration of the terms, existing members with expiring terms shall continue to serve as Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commissioners until successors are appointed by the City Council and assume office.

(Prior code § 2A-3.2; Ord. 1178 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. No. 1528, § 3, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1697, § 1, 5-19-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023; Ord. No. 1789, § 1(Exh. A), 4-15-2025)

The Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall hold meetings bi-monthly (every two months) in accordance with the rules of procedure to be enacted and recorded in a book of official proceedings. The location, dates, time and organization of Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission meetings shall be established by resolution of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission. Any member of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission who is absent from two consecutive regular meetings of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission, without furnishing to the City Clerk a certificate of illness from a duly practicing physician, or without the authorization of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission to be absent from two consecutive regular meetings for good cause, shall, as a result, surrender his or her office on the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission and the office shall be considered vacant.

(Prior code § 2A-3.3)

(Ord. No. 1528, § 4, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023)

Any vacancy occurring in the office of a member of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, and a successor shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of his or her predecessor. Each member of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed from office with or without cause during his or her term in office by a majority vote of all members of the City Council.

(Prior code § 2A-3.4)

(Ord. No. 1528, § 5, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023)

The members of the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall each have one vote on any matter pending before the commission.

(Prior code § 2A-3.5)

(Ord. No. 1528, § 6, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023)

The Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission shall be subject to the rules and regulations regarding the conduct of meetings under state and city law and to the provisions of this Code and any other ordinance of the City.

(Prior code § 2A-3.6)

(Ord. No. 1528, § 7, 12-7-2010; Ord. No. 1684, § 1(Exh. A), 2-4-2020; Ord. No. 1713, §§ 1—3, 5-4-2021; Ord. No. 1714, § 1(Exh. A), 6-15-2021; Ord. No. 1756, § 1(Exh. A), 8-15-2023)

Effective July 1, 2026, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commissioners shall be subject to a term limit of four full two-year terms (eight years total). Appointments mid-term shall not count toward such limit. Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commissioners members must reapply for their seat at the end of each two-year term, regardless of the implementation of term limits. Commission and Committee members may serve on only one Commission or Committee at a time. The City Council may exercise its discretion to waive any of the foregoing limitations if there is a lack of applicants or for other cause.

(Ord. No. 1790, § 1(Exh. A), 6-3-2025)