Ventura Municipal Code § 2.415.030 Duties

11 Editor’s note(s): Ord. No. 2019-007, adopted August 5, 2019, amended Chapter 2.415 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Chapter 2.415 pertained to the same subject matter, consisted of Sections 2.415.010 through 2.415.030, and derived from Ord. No. 2008-011, adopted July 28, 2008.

Cross reference(s) – Zoning regulations, Title 24; subdivision regulations, Title 26.

A. The planning commission, established by Section 2.410.120, shall consist of seven members. Each member of the city council shall have the right to appoint one member of the planning commission, which shall be effectuated by the nomination by a city councilmember which nomination shall be approved and appointed by the city council.

B. Individual planning commissioners serve at the pleasure of their appointing city councilmember and may be removed by such city councilmember at any time without cause.

C. Planning commissioners during their incumbency shall be and remain a registered voter and a resident in fact of the city.

D. Planning commissioners may be appointed by a city councilmember with residency anywhere in the city. As such, a city councilmember shall not be limited in their selection to only residents of their district.

E. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a planning commissioner’s term shall be for four years and co-terminus with the tenure of the city councilmember who appointed them.

1. In the event a planning commissioner’s appointing city councilmember is no longer on the city council, the planning commissioner shall serve until such time as the matter has been brought before the city council for a decision as to the continuing service of such planning commissioner. If the city council determines not to permit the continuing service, the city council can determine to fill the vacancy until a new city councilmember is seated and appoints a planning commissioner or can determine to leave the seat vacant.

2. Following a city council election where there is a change in membership of the city council, those members of the planning commission who were appointed by a member no longer on the city council shall continue to serve until they are replaced by the appointee of such new city councilmembers.

F. All planning commissioners shall comply with Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700 filing requirements. All planning commissioners shall receive filing obligation emails from the city clerk’s office. Failure to comply with filing obligation emails will be cause for removal of a planning commissioner as set forth herein.

G. All planning commissioners shall comply with the city’s requirement to complete two hours of approved ethics training one year from assuming office and every two years thereafter. All planning commissioners shall receive ethics training notifications from the city clerk’s office. Failure to comply and complete two hours of approved ethics training will be cause for removal and will be reported to the city council. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19)

A. Should a member of the planning commission fail to attend meetings for a period of 60 days, unless excused in advance for cause by the chairperson, that planning commissioner’s office shall be deemed vacant and their term ended. The planning commission secretary shall immediately notify the city council and city clerk of such termination.

B. If a vacancy occurs other than term expiration, notice shall be given to the city councilmember who appointed the planning commissioner and the city clerk. The appointing city councilmember shall appoint a new planning commissioner in accordance with this chapter for the remaining portion of the city councilmember’s term. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19)

A majority of the total membership of the planning commission shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting business. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19)

The city council may, by resolution, determine whether, and in what amount, compensation will be provided for members of the planning commission. Without a city council resolution establishing compensation, it shall be conclusively presumed that no compensation is to be provided. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19)

The director of community development, or designee, shall serve as the planning commission secretary and custodian of its records but shall have no vote. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19)

A. Each January, the planning commission shall organize and elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from its membership for a one-year term. In the chairperson’s or vice-chairperson’s absence or disability, the planning commission may designate a chairperson or vice-chairperson pro tempore who shall serve until the chairperson or vice-chairperson returns.

B. Regular meetings shall be held on the day and time established by resolution of the planning commission as amended from time to time.

C. The planning commission shall establish meeting procedures and other reasonable rules and regulations for conducting business consistent with those adopted by the city council. This will assist the public in understanding the rules applicable to appearing before or interacting with any city body. As such, any changes or deviations from the city council’s adopted procedures by the planning commission must be approved by the city council before being implemented. Action minutes shall be kept of all meetings and the planning commission secretary shall deliver copies of minutes to the city manager and city clerk for filing and distribution to city councilmembers. The planning commission secretary shall also post the action minutes on the city website, once approved.

D. The planning commission may adopt application requirements, processes, and procedures to conduct their business. However, before any application requirement, process, or procedure which is not otherwise required by this code is implemented, the same shall be set forth in writing, reviewed and approved by the planning commission, and adopted by the city council.

E. The planning commission may designate a subcommittee, composed of not more than three members, to study, review, consider, or make recommendations concerning any matter within the planning commission’s purview with the prior approval being obtained from the city council.

F. In February through June of each year, the planning commission shall develop an annual work plan detailing projects to be undertaken to support the city council’s priorities for the next fiscal year and any other matters to be undertaken. Such annual work plans shall be submitted to the city clerk by July who shall have the same scheduled for review and approval by the city council.

G. In December of each year, the planning commission shall transmit to the city council through the city clerk an annual report reflecting accomplishments during the year. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19; Ord. No. 2020-023, § 3, 9-28-20; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 1, 12-13-21)

The planning commission shall have the power and it shall be its duty to:

A. Review the annual and five-year capital improvement programs for consistency with the general plan and any applicable specific plans;

B. Advise and make recommendations to the city council on the development and maintenance of, and other matters which relate to, the general and specific plans;

C. Advise and make recommendations to the city council on the approval, disapproval, or modification of all applications for changes of zone, development agreements, and all amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance or subdivision ordinance, and associated environmental determinations;

D. Hear, review, and act on applications and associated environmental determinations as provided under the city’s zoning ordinance or subdivision ordinance, as either of those ordinances may be amended from time to time; and

E. Review, advise, recommend, or act on other planning or land use-related matters as the city council may direct. (Ord. No. 2019-007, § 1, 8-5-19; Ord. No. 2021-017, § 1, 12-13-21)