Signal Hill Municipal Code Ch. 2.32 Parks and Recreation Commission

A parks and recreation commission is created and established to be known as the parks and recreation commission of the city of Signal Hill.

(Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.010)

The parks and recreation commission shall consist of five members who shall be electors of the city, and two ex officio nonvoting members selected as follows: one from school grades below the ninth grade, and one from school grades above the ninth grade, both students of the city.

(Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.020)

The parks and recreation commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the council and the administrative officer. It shall interpret to public officials and the general public the leisure-time needs, facilities, and services of the citizens of Signal Hill, in order that adequate support may be obtained for programs therefor. It shall recommend general policies concerning all parks and recreation properties, facilities, plans, programs, and activities. It may evaluate suggestions, criticisms, and comments in light of such policies. It may recommend a long-range program for the improvement, acquisition, and development of parks and recreation facilities and for the extension of services. The commission shall perform such additional duties as may be designated by the council by ordinance or resolution.

(Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.030)

The members of the parks and recreation commission shall be appointed by not less than three-fifths vote of all the members of the city council, after the provision of notice of the availability of the office pursuant to Government Code Section 54970, et seq. No person who holds office in the city government or who is employed by the city shall be appointed to the parks and recreation commission or serve thereon, and the members of the commission shall be qualified electors of the city for the duration of their tenure of office, and for at least thirty days prior to appointment. In the event that a parks and recreation commissioner changes his or her residence to one outside the city, he or she shall become ineligible to serve on the parks and recreation commission.

(Ord. 94-06-1180 § 1)

The offices of the members of the parks and recreation commission shall be designated as offices one, two, three, four and five. The city council shall appoint a commissioner to fill each office. As of June 1, 1994, three parks and recreation commissioner terms are scheduled to expire on July 1, 1996, and two terms are scheduled to expire on July 1, 1997. The terms scheduled to expire on July 1, 1996, are shortened to expire on September 30, 1994 and are designated as offices one, two, and three. The terms scheduled to expire on July 1, 1997, are shortened to September 30, 1996 and are designated as offices four and five. On or about October 1, 1994, new appointments will be made by the council to fill offices one, two, and three. The initial terms of offices one and two shall be until May 31, 1999. The initial term of office three shall be until May 31, 1997. Thereafter, the succeeding terms shall be four years for each office. Each member of the commission shall serve until his/her successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies on the commission arising from any cause whatsoever shall be filled by appointment by the city council for the unexpired term. The ex-officio members shall serve for a term of one year.

(Ord. 94-09-1185 § 1: Ord. 94-06-1180 § 2)

A. Any member of the parks and recreation commission may be removed prior to the expiration of his or her term of office, with or without cause, by an affirmative vote of at least three members of the city council. No prior notice needs to be given to any commissioner that the city council intends to take such action nor does the city council need to provide any statement of its reasons for taking such action. The city council may remove any commissioner for inadequate attendance in accordance with Section 2.32.090.

B. Prior to filling any vacancy created on the commission by the removal of any member pursuant to this section, the city council shall comply with Government Code Section 54974 and provide for the posting of notice of the vacancy and not make any final appointment for at least ten working days following posting of the notice in the clerk's office.

(Ord. 88-09-1014 § 2 (part))

The council shall include in its annual budget such appropriation of funds as, in its opinion, shall be sufficient for the efficient and proper functioning of the parks and recreation commission.

(Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.060)

The members of the parks and recreation commission shall receive such monthly compensation for their services as the city council may establish from time to time by resolution. This compensation shall be in addition to any funds paid and reimbursement for reasonable and actual costs and expenses.

(Ord. 95-06-1194 § 1: Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.070)

The parks and recreation commission shall determine the order of business for the conduct of its meetings, and transmit regularly as so required by its rules and regulations, or on call of the chairman, or to members of the commission. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(Ord. 70-6-661 § 1 (part): prior code § 2.33.080)

A. It shall be the obligation of members of the parks and recreation commission to attend all meetings, whether regular or special, of the parks and recreation commission, except for good cause. If a commissioner knows he or she will be unable to attend a meeting of the commission, the commissioner must contact the chairperson of the commission or the staff member assigned to the commission prior to the time established for commencement of the meeting. The commissioner must explain his or her reasons for being absent. At the beginning of the commission meeting, the chairperson shall inform the commission of the reason for the absence of any commissioner, and the commission shall determine whether such absence stems from good cause and whether such absence is excused or unexcused. Failure by any commissioner to make said contact prior to the commencement of the commission meeting shall automatically be deemed an unexcused absence.

B. In the event that any commissioner arrives at a meeting after the commission determines that the commissioner's absence is unexcused, the commissioner may give his or her reasons for being late, and the commission may then rescind its prior action and find such absence to be excused, but otherwise, the late arrival shall be deemed an unexcused absence.

C. After a commissioner has accumulated three unexcused absences in any calendar year, and upon the occurrence of the next unexcused absence, the commissioner shall be deemed to be automatically removed from the commission, and their office shall be deemed vacated by operation of law.

D. A commissioner who misses any regular commission meeting due to an unexcused absence shall not be entitled to receive compensation for such meeting. Attending ad hoc or committee meetings on behalf of the city is on a volunteer basis and commissioners shall not receive any compensation for attending such meetings. (Ord. 2016-11-1943 § 2; Ord. 88-09-1014 § 2 (part))