San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 1 Generally

(a) The city council shall have the authority to appoint individuals to city commissions.

(b) Appointed members of boards and commissions serve at the pleasure of the city council, pursuant to Government Code Section 36506.

(c) For purposes of this Division 1, "commissions" shall include, but not be limited to, city commissions, boards, committees, and other bodies comprised of members appointed by the city council.

(Ord. No. 1648, § 3, 12-7-2015)

Unless otherwise specified in this code, each city councilmember will be assigned a position that will correlate to a position on each commission. That councilmember will have the authority to nominate an individual to serve in the assigned position on the commission. Each such nomination shall require ratification by a majority of the city council.

(Ord. No. 1648, § 3, 12-7-2015)

(a) All commissioners serve at the pleasure of the city council and any commissioner may be removed, with or without cause, either by a majority of the entire membership of the city council or by the councilmember who individually appointed such commissioner.

(b) If vacancies in any commission occur, other than by expiration of the term, such vacancies shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. The city council member who nominated the vacating commission member shall nominate a replacement commissioner, subject to ratification by a majority of the city council.

(Ord. No. 1648, § 3, 12-7-2015)

The term of office for each commission member shall be one year; however, each member shall continue in the position beyond one year until replaced by the assigned city councilmember or until the member resigns.

(Ord. No. 1648, § 3, 12-7-2015)

(a) Decorum and order—Commissioners.

(1) Commissioners shall accord the utmost courtesy to each other, to city employees, and to the public appearing before the commission and shall refrain at all times from rude and derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive comments, and statements as to motives and personalities.

(2) Every commissioner desiring to speak shall address the chair of the commission and, upon recognition by such chair, shall confine discussion to the question under debate.

(3) Every commissioner desiring to question administrative staff should address questions to the city manager who may answer the inquiry directly or designate the appropriate staff member to timely respond to such inquiry.

(4) A commissioner, once recognized, shall not be interrupted while speaking, unless called to order by the chair of the commission, or a point of order is raised by another commissioner, or the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another commissioner.

(5) Any commissioner may move to require the chair of the commission to enforce the rules. A majority of the commission shall require enforcement of the rules if the chair of the commission has refused.

(b) Decorum and order—Employees. Members of administrative staff and city employees shall observe the same rules of procedure and decorum applicable to members of commissions. The city manager shall ensure that all city employees observe such decorum. Any staff member, including the city manager, desiring to address the commission or members of the public shall first be recognized by the chair of the commission. All remarks should be addressed to the chair of the commission and not to any one individual commissioner or member of the public.

(c) Decorum and order—Public. Members of the public attending commission meetings shall observe the same rules of order and decorum applicable to the commission. Each person who addresses the commission shall not make personal, impertinent, slanderous or profane remarks to any member of the commission, staff or general public. Any person who makes such remarks, or who utters loud, threatening, personal or abusive language, or engages in any other disorderly conduct which disrupts, disturbs or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of the commission meeting shall, at the discretion of the chair of the commission or a majority of the commission, be barred from further audience before commission during that meeting.

(d) Personal interest. No commissioner disqualified from participation under state or local law shall remain at the commission dais during the debate or vote on such matter. The commissioner shall publicly state the grounds for disqualification on the record and, upon acceptance by the chair of the commission, leave the dais during the debate or vote on the issue.

(e) Limitations on debate. No commissioner shall be allowed to speak more than once upon any one subject until every commissioner choosing to speak has spoken. Merely asking a question, or making a suggestion, is not considered speaking.

(f) Dissents and protests. Any commissioner shall have the right to express dissent from, or protest to, any action of the commission and request that the reason be entered into the minutes.

(g) Procedures in absence of rules. In the absence of a rule to govern a point or procedure, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern.

(Ord. No. 1648, § 3, 12-7-2015)