HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008/03/18 Item 3
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STATEMENT
:s'Yf:.. CITY OF
-~ CHULA VISTA
,..,
March 18, 2008, Item~
SUBMITTED BY:
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING
CHAPTER 2.25 TO THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO GENERAL RULES GOVERNING
THE CITY'S BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA RESCINDING RESOLUTION NUMBERS
4880, 5654, 8149, 9542, 12112, AND 13906 AND CERTAIN
COUNCIL POLICIES AND MINUTE ACTIONS
PERTAINING TO BOARDS AND C$?~".MISSIONS
Donna Norris, Interim City Clerk P
Sharon Marshall, Senior Assistant City Attome;J9~
ITEM TITLE:
4/STHS VOTE: YES D NO ~
SUMMARY
A number of redundancies and inconsistencies were discovered in the rules governing the
City's boards and commissions. These rules are currently spread among the City Charter,
Municipal Code, Council Policy Manual, and Council minute actions. Adoption of the
ordinance and resolution is the first action needed to consolidate and clarify the general
operating procedures for the City's boards and commissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined
that the activity is not a "Project" as defmed under Section 15378 of the State CEQA
Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change to the environment; therefore,
pursuant to Section 15060( c )(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject
to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
RECOMMENDATION
Council place the ordinance on first reading and adopt the resolution.
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March 18,2008, Item 3
Page 2 on
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
The Legislative Subcommittee has reviewed and approved the proposed ordinance, as
well as the proposed rescission of the Council Policies.
All of the affected Boards and Commissions were notified, and some, as follows,
requested specific changes to the existing rules:
The Board of Library Trustees recommended increasing the number of members from
five to seven.
The Nature Center Board of Trustees recommended changing the number of members
from a minimum of five, maximum of nine to seven.
The Safety Commission voted in June 2006 to change its name from Safety Commission
to Traffic Safety Commission.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk is responsible for assisting the Mayor and Council in the appointment
process for all boards and commissions. The City Clerk also posts state-mandated
notices when vacancies occur, collects attendance and activity reports, and houses the
boards' and commissions' minutes and resolutions.
It became apparent that there is little consistency in the City's rules governing boards and
commissions. Rules are scattered throughout several sources: the City Charter,
Municipal Code, Council Policy Manual, and Council minutes. With slight but often
significant variations, the scattered rules create confusion among staff, elected officials,
the public, and among the persons most affected by the rules - the many volunteer
appointees to the boards and commissions.
In 2005, the former City Clerk, in conjunction with the Senior Assistant City Attorney
and a legislative consultant, launched a project to simplify the myriad of rules governing
boards and commissions. This has been an ongoing project, involving meetings between
the City Attorney's office and the City Clerk's office, as well as notification to and/or
meetings with the various boards and commissions.
The proposed general rules are drawn primarily from consolidating existing rules located
in Chula Vista Municipal Code chapters 2.26 through 2.46. Some rules are drawn from
existing Council Policies; others are repeated from Charter provisions governing boards
and commissions. The proposed general rules govern a broad range of topics that affect
boards and commissions.
Adoption of general rules and the rescission of Council Policies related to boards and
commissions are the next steps toward the completion of this project. Once these actions
have been taken, staff will bring forward approximately 22 ordinances amending
Municipal Code chapters 2.26 through 2.46 to remove individual board or commission
operating rules from each chapter. These ordinances will only include provisions for
Creation, Functions and Duties, Purpose and Intent, and Membership.
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March 18, 2008, ItemL
Page 3 of3
DECISION MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is
not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of
Regulations section 1 8704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the general fund.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance adding chapter 2.25 to the Chula Vista Municipal Code pertaining to general
rules governing the City's boards and commissions
Resolution rescinding certain resolutions and Council policies related to the City's boards
and commissions
Prepared by: Donna Norris, Interim City Clerk
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ORDINANCE NO. 2008-
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ADDING CHAPTER
2.25 TO THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO
GENERAL RULES GOVERNING THE CITY'S BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the City Clerk has identified redundancies and inconsistencies in the rules
governing operating procedures for the City's boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, these rules are currently spread among the City Charter, Municipal Code,
Council Policy Manual and City Council minutes, with some in conflict with one another; and
WHEREAS, consolidating rules in one location will eliminate confusion, increase staff
efficiency, and clarify the rules for the benefit of board and commission members, and the
general public; and
WHEREAS, clearly defmed rules that are consistent and equitable among the various
boards and commissions will allow for more consistent and effective training for board and
commission members; and
WHEREAS, all rules should conform with current City Charter provisions and not
conflict with each other; and
WHEREAS, to the extent that these general rules conflict with ordinances relating to
specific boards and commissions that have not been changed, the rules adopted by this ordinance
shall prevail; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby ordain as
follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2.25 is hereby added to the Chula Vista Municipal Code to read as
follows:
Chapter 2.25
GENERAL RULES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
2.25.010
Applicability.
Unless otherwise specially stated in this chapter or in the ordinance creating the particular
board or commission, CVMC chapter 2.25 applies to all boards and commissions, whether
created by City Charter, ordinance, state or other law. If there is a conflict between the Charter
and the Municipal Code, Charter provisions shall prevaiL
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2.25.020
Defmitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following words are defmed:
A. "Abandonment" means the intentional relinquishment of voting membership on a
board or commission without a formal resignation having been submitted to the City.
B. "Boards and Commissions" include: (I) Boards and commissions established by
the Chula Vista Charter: Board of Library Trustees, Civil Service Commission, Parks and
Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission; and (2) Boards and Commissions
established by the City Council: Access Appeals Board, Board of Appeals and Advisors, Board
of Ethics, Charter Review Commission, Child Care Commission, Commission on Aging,
Cultural Arts Commission, Design Review Board, Economic Development Commission, Growth
Management Oversight Commission, Housing Advisory Commission, Human Relations
Commission, International Friendship Commission, Mobilehome Rent Review Commission,
Nature Center Board of Trustees, Resource Conservation Commission, Traffic Safety
Commission, Veterans Advisory Coinmission, and other boards or commissions subsequently
created by City Charter or ordinance.
C. "Brown Act" means the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code section 54950 et
seq., commonly referred to as the Brown Act or the California Open Meeting Law.
D. "Cause" includes: (I) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
(2) absence from three regular, consecutive meetings of the board or commission, unless excused
by majority vote of its members, as expressed in its official minutes; (3) absence from more than
50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the board or commission in one calendar year,
whether or not excused by a majority vote of its members; (4) abandonment; (5) failure to attend
training sessions mandated by the City; or (6) violation of any City policies or City, state or
federal regulations that are the subject of mandatory training sessions.
E. "Entire voting membership" or "entire membership" means those individuals who
have been appointed to, have been sworn in to serve on, have not been removed from, have not
vacated their seat on, and who are eligible and entitled to vote as members of a board or
commission. It does not include ex-officio members and does not include seats specified in the
ordinance creating the board or commission but are not filled. The City Council intends that this
definition clarify the term "entire membership" as used in section 603 of the City Charter.
F. "Ex-officio members" means the individuals who are appointed by the City
Council to serve in an advisory capacity on a board or commission, but who are not entitled to
vote or to make motions. "Ex-officio members" do not include City staff who provide
information to or sit with a board or commission.
G. "Member" means an individual who has been appointed to, has been sworn in to
serve on, has not been removed from, and who has not vacated his or her seat on a board or
commission. "Members" includes voting members and ex-officio members.
H. "Registered voter" means an individual who is registered to vote in City of Chula
Vista elections.
1. "Resignation" means a formal renouncement or relinquishment of voting
membership on a board or commission.
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J. "Vacancy" or "event of vacancy" means any of the following events:
1. Expiration of a member's term of office;
2. The death of a member;
3. A member has been removed for cause by three affIrmative votes of the
City Council;
4. The disability of a member that renders the member incapable of
performing the duties of his or her office;
5. A member's conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
6. A member's abandonment of office;
7. A member's absence from three regular, consecutive meetings of the board
or commission, unless excused by majority vote of the members and
expressed in its official minutes;
8. A member's absence from 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings in one
calendar year, whether or not excused by majority vote of the board or
commission;
9. A member has submitted a resignation that has been accepted by the City
Council;
10. A member ceases to be a registered voter of the City when that criterion is
required for membership on a board or commission;
11. A member loses the status or classifIcation that qualifIed the individual to
become a member of a particular board or commission; or
12. A member becomes a salaried officer or employee ofthe City.
K. "Voting member" means an individual appointed by the City Council who is
entitled to vote and make motions in his or her capacity as a member of a board or commission.
2.25.030
Membership - Qualifications and eligibility as voting member.
This section implements City Charter section 602( d) and policies consistent with other
portions of the Charter pertaining to qualifications for voting membership and eligibility to serve
on boards and commissions.
A. Except as provided in subsection B, voting members of boards and commissions
shall be registered to vote in City of Chula Vista elections.
B. Voting members of boards and commissions who are advisory only and whose
duties involve regional issues are not required to be registered to vote in City of Chula Vista
elections; however, the appointment of individuals who are not registered voters must be
approved by four affirmative votes of the City Council.
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C. An individual is ineligible to be appointed to serve simultaneously on more tban
one Charter-created board or commission, specifically, tbe Board of Library Trustees, Civil
Service Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission.
D. An individual may be eligible to serve on one Charter-created board or
commission and one Council-created board or commission so long as tbe individual's service on
tbe two boards or commissions would not result in an incompatibility of office. The City
Attorney shall make tbe determination of whetber or not an incompatibility of office would result
from an individual's service on two boards or commissions.
E. A salaried officer or employee of tbe City is not eligible to be appointed to a
board or commission.
2.25.040
Membership - Qualifications and eligibility as ex-officio member.
The City Council may appoint ex-officio members to any board or commission because
of particular background or experience tbat tbe City Council deems will assist a particular board
or commission in handling a discrete set of issues. Ex -officio members are not required to be
registered voters, are not subject to term limits, and are not entitled to vote or to make motions.
2.25.050
Membership - Applications; interview, nomination and appointment
process.
A. The City Clerk shall maintain applications for prospective membership on boards
and commissions. The application shall provide a place for an individual to state the reasons he
or she seeks appointment to a particular board or commission and his or her qualifications for
service on a particular board or commission.
B. An individual who has submitted an application for appointment as a voting or
ex-officio member of any board or commission may be interviewed as part of the nomination
and selection process.
C. When a vacancy occurs on a board or commission, tbe City Clerk shall forward
applications received for tbe vacant position to tbe Mayor, who shall review tbe forwarded
applications, select applicants to be interviewed, interview selected applicants, and make
nominations for appointment, subject to tbe City Council's approval, for all boards and
commissions except for tbe Board of Ethics, Civil Service Commission, Mobilehome Rent
Review Commission, Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission.
D. The Mayor shall forward applications for membership on tbe Board of Ethics to a
panel consisting of at least two City Managers from cities in San Diego County, excluding Chula
Vista. The panel shall review tbe applications, interview applicants, and make a recommendation
to the City Council for appointment.
E. The Mayor and each Councilmember shall independently review forwarded
applications for positions on tbe Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission
and notify tbe City Clerk in writing of one or more applicants each wishes to nominate for an
interview. The City Clerk shall tally tbe nominations. The Mayor and City Council shall set a
time collectively to interview each applicant receiving two or more nominations. Following
interviews, tbe Mayor and City Council shall select one individual for each available position.
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F. The nomination and appointment process for the Civil Service Commission shall
be conducted in accordance with Charter section 609 and CVMC section 2.43.050.
G. The nomination and appointment process for the Mobilehome Rent Review
Commission shall be conducted in accordance with CVMC chapter 2.31 and this subsection.
I. The Mayor shall review applications for all ex-officio members and one
voting member, select applicants to be interviewed for those positions, interview selected
applicants, make nominations for appointment subject to the City Council's approval, and
schedule a vote on the nominations on the next available Council meeting's agenda.
2. The four remaining voting positions are tied to a particular Council seat.
When a vacancy occurs in one of the four positions, the City Clerk shall forward applications to
the Councilmember filling the corresponding Council seat. The Councilmember shall review the
applications, select applicants to be interviewed, and interview selected applicants. The
Councilmember shall then nominate an applicant for appointment to the available position and
request that the nomination be scheduled for vote on the next available Council meeting's
agenda.
H. Members of each board and commission shall be appointed by at least three
affirmative votes of the City Council.
2.25.060
Membership - Oath of office; effective date of taking office.
The City Clerk or his or her designee shall administer the oath of office to newly
appointed voting and ex-officio members. Newly appointed voting members must take the oath
of office before they may vote as a member of the board or commission to which they have been
appointed. Voting members assume their office on the date they take the oath of office.
2.25.070
Membership - Terms; Initial terms for new boards and commissions.
Initial terms of office for newly established boards or commissions shall be determined in
accordance with City Charter section 602(b).
2.25.080
Membership - Terms; Standard term of office; holdover office
A. The standard term of office for board and commission members is four years. The
standard term begins July I and ends June 30 four years later.
B. At the end of any voting member's term, he or she shall be permitted to continue
to exercise the privileges of his or her former office until the office is filled by the appointment
of a qualified successor.
2.25.090 Membership - Terms; Two-consecutive-term limit for voting members;
exceptions.
A. Members may be appointed to more than one four-year term, but are limited to
serving as voting members for a maximum of two consecutive terms, except as provided in
CVMC subsection 2.25.IOOC.
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B. An individual who has served two consecutive terms as a voting member may be
reappointed to the same board or commission after an interval of two years has passed.
2.25.100
Membership - Terms; Filling unexpired terms.
A. If a vacancy on any board or commission occurs prior to the expiration of a term
of office for a voting member, any appointment to fill the vacancy shall be for the remaining
unexpired term of office.
B. A voting member who currently sits on a particular board or commission may not
be appointed to fill the unexpired term of another voting member's vacated seat on that same
board or commission. An individual who currently sits as an ex-officio member of a board or
commission may be appointed to fill the unexpired term of a voting member's vacated seat on the
same board or commission if the ex -officio member meets the eligibility criteria for voting
membership. The appointment process shall be the same as provided for in CYMC section
2.25.050.
C. An unexpired term with fewer than two years remaining is not considered a
"term" for purposes of the two-consecutive-term limit set forth in CYMC section 2.25.090.
Therefore, an individual appointed to fill an unexpired term of less than two years may
subsequently be appointed to two full terms.
D. An unexpired term of two years or more is considered a "term" for purposes of
the two-consecutive-term limit set forth in CYMC section 2.25.090. Therefore, an individual
appointed to fill an unexpired term of two years or more may subsequently be appointed to only
one additional, consecutive term.
E. For purposes of determining whether the unexpired term of a vacated seat is less
than, more than, or equals two years, the starting date of the unexpired term shall be the date the
new appointee takes the oath of office, and the end date of the unexpired term shall be the
expiration date of the vacating member's term of office.
2.25.110
Attendance requirements; excused absences; removal for cause.
A. The City Council relies on advice of the City's boards and commissions that
grows from discussions among appointed members. The City Council anticipates that members
appointed to the City's boards and commissions will make every reasonable effort to attend all
regular meetings of their respective boards or commissions, to attend special meetings, and to be
prepared to discuss matters on their respective agendas.
B. The City Charter requires that any board or commission member who is absent
from three consecutive, regular meetings will be deemed to have vacated his or her membership
on the particular board or commission, unless his or her absence is excused by a majority vote of
the other members, as reflected in the official minutes of the board or commission.
C. Board and commission members, by a majority vote, may excuse a fellow board
or commission member's absence from meetings for any of the following reasons:
I.
of the member;
Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend
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2. Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of
the member at a meeting;
3. Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was
provided to the respective board or commission in advance of the meeting;
4. Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony,
wedding, or other similarly significant event; or
5. Other reason for which the member has given notice to the chair or
secretary of his or her unavailability 15 days in advance, as long as the unavailability is not
expected to last for longer than 30 days.
D. Members shall vote on excusing a member's absence from a regular meeting.
The vote shall be reflected in the official minutes for the meeting at which the vote was taken.
E. A Council subcommittee comprised of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor shall
monitor the attendance records of board and commission members submitted by board and
commission chairs pursuant to CYMC section 2.25.290. The subcommittee may make
recommendations to the full Council for a vote on the removal of a member for cause. A voting
or ex-officio member may be removed for cause by three affirmative votes of the City Council.
2.25.120
Attendance reports required annually.
The secretary for each board and commission shall prepare an annual written report of
attendance, noting the percentage of absences of members for the preceding fiscal year. The
report shall be delivered to the City Clerk no later than June 30th of each year. The City Clerk
shall forward the report to the Mayor, who may use this information in considering
reappointment to second terms.
2.25.130
Code of ethics.
Voting and ex-officio members of boards and commISSIOns are public officials and,
therefore, act as agents for the public's purpose and hold office for the public's benefit. As
public officials, they are bound to uphold the law, observe in their official acts a high standard of
morality and discharge faithfully the duties of their office, recognizing that the public interest
must be a primary concern. Members of boards and commissions are expected to conform to the
City's Code of Ethics, found in CVMC chapter 2.01. If a board or commission member is in
doubt about whether the Code of Ethics applies to a particular situation, the member may request
in writing an advisory opinion from the Board of Ethics.
2.25.140
Compensation and expenses; use of business cards.
A.
services.
Members of boards and commissions shall serve without compensation for their
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B. Members of boards and commissions may receive reimbursement for necessary
travel and other expenses incurred on official duty to the extent that appropriations for such
expenses have been provided by the City Council in approving the board or commission's
budget.
C. Members of boards and commISSIOns are authorized to use business cards
showing their affiliation with their particular board or commission only if:
1. Business cards are used in relation to the duties and functions of the
particular board or commission;
2. City funds are used to pay for the business cards; and,
3. Appropriations for such expenses have been provided by the City Council
in approving the budget for the particular board or commission.
2.25.150
Conflicts of interest; recusal from discussion and voting.
A. Voting and ex-officio members of certain boards and commissions may be
required to file statements of economic interest as determined in the City's Conflict of Interest
Code. The City Clerk will notifY members who are required to file the statements.
B. The state's Political Reform Act and the City's Conflict of Interest Code state that
no person shall make or participate in the making of a governmental decision that he or she
knows, or has reason to know, will have a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on
him or her distinguishable from its effect on the public generally. The Political Reform Act and
implementing regulations require a public official diligently to monitor his or her business
interests, real property, sources of income, gifts, and personal finances to ensure that he or she
does not participate in an action in which he or she has a conflict of interest.
C. When a member has a conflict of interest, or the appearance of a conflict of
interest, he or she must publicly state the nature of the conflict. Unless the item is on the consent
calendar, the member must step down from the dais or table and leave the room until
consideration of the particular item is finished. Additionally, the disqualified member may not
be counted toward achieving a quorum while the item is being discussed. A member may
consult the City Attorney if he or she has a question about whether or not a conflict exists and
whether or not he or she should disqualifY himself or herself from discussing or voting on an
Issue.
2.25.160
Mandatory training sessions.
A. Board and commission members are required to attend periodic training sessions
on ethics laws as specified in California Government Code 953234. Board and commission
members shall participate in mandatory training sessions in the first year of appointment to their
particular board or commission, and at least once every two years thereafter. The City Attorney
or his or her designee will provide sufficient opportunities to board and commission members to
allow them to fulfill this requirement. The City Attorney or his or her designee shall monitor
members' attendance at mandatory training sessions within the required time period. The City
Attorney or his or her designee shall notifY the City Clerk, who shall notifY the Mayor, if a
member fails to attend mandatory training sessions within the required time period.
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B. Board and commission members may be required to attend periodic additional
training sessions on the City's Code of Ethics, Brown Act requirements, sexual harassment laws
and policies, and other laws or City policies as may be determined.
C. The secretary of each board or commission shall be responsible for notifying
members in writing of dates, times and locations of training sessions.
D. The failure of a board or commission member to attend a mandatory training
session may be considered cause for removal from the particular board or commission to which
he or she has been appointed.
2.25.170
Operations - Bylaws may be adopted.
Boards and commissions may adopt bylaws governing the internal conduct of their
affairs. The bylaws must be consistent with the City Charter, the Municipal Code, and
applicable state law and shall include the method for their amendment. The original bylaws and
any amendments to the bylaws shall be delivered to the City Clerk for preservation.
2.25.180
Operations - Election of chair and vice chair.
At the first regular board or commission meeting following July 1 of every year, or as
soon as practicable thereafter, each board or commission shall elect a chair from among its
voting members. Each board and commission may also elect a vice chair from among its voting
members. The chair and any vice chair thus selected shall serve for a period of one year. The
secretary shall notify the City Clerk whenever there is a change in chair or vice chair.
2.25.190
Operations - Duties of chair, vice chair and chair pro-tem.
The chair shall serve as presiding officer at meetings. In the absence of the chair, the
vice chair, if any, shall serve as presiding officer. In the absence of the chair and the vice chair,
if any, the secretary shall call the meeting to order, and the voting members shall select a chair
pro-tem from any of the board or commission's voting members for purposes of conducting
business at that meeting.
2.25.200 Operations - Regular meetings required; special meetings allowed; time and
location to be established by resolution; Brown Act requirements.
A. As required by the City Charter, boards and commissions shall hold regular
meetings. Except as otherwise stated in this section, each board or commission shall hold its
regular meetings at least monthly. Each board or commission shall establish the day, time and
location for its regular meetings by written resolution. A board or commission may change its
regular meeting day, time or location only by a written resolution.
1. The Access Appeals Board shall meet on an as-needed basis, as determined by
the filing of disabled access complaints, but shall hold no more than one meeting each month at a
time designated by the chair, or at 4:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, immediately
prior to the meeting of the Board of Appeals and Advisors.
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2. The Board of Ethics shall hold meetings at the call of the chair or a
majority of its members. The Board shall hold at least one meeting annually.
3. The Charter Review Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting
annually. Additionally, during years when regularly scheduled General Municipal Elections are
held, the commission shall meet no later than the frrst Wednesday of the seventh month
preceding the next regularly scheduled general municipal election. By written resolution, the
commission may establish other regular meeting times.
4. The Growth Management Oversight Commission shall hold meetings at
the call of the chair and shall meet no later than the frrst week of January of each year. By
written resolution, the commission may establish other regular meeting times.
5. The Nature Center Board of Trustees shall meet every other month. By
written resolution, the board may establish other regular meeting times.
B. In addition to regular meetings, boards and commissions are authorized to call
and hold any special meetings they deem necessary, as long as the meetings are properly noticed.
No written resolution is required to call a special meeting.
C. As a general rule, boards and commissions shall hold their regular and special
meetings at a City facility. Boards and commissions may hold their meetings from time to time
in other locations within the City, as long as meetings are properly noticed.
D. All board and commission meetings shall be noticed and held in accordance with
the requirements of the Brown Act.
2.25.210
Operations - Agenda preparation, posting, and availability.
A. Agendas must be prepared for all meetings in accordance with Brown Act
requirements. Items may be placed on the agenda by the chair, by majority vote of the members,
or by City staff. The secretary for each board or commission shall prepare meeting agendas in
consultation with the chair. The secretary shall forward the agenda and supporting documents
and materials to members in sufficient time in advance of a meeting to allow them to review the
materials prior to the meeting. Agendas and supporting documents shall be made available to the
public at the same time they are provided to the board or commission.
B. The board or commission secretary shall post agendas for regular meetings at
least 72 hours prior to the meeting in a place visible and accessible to the public 24 hours each
day. The secretary shall post agendas for special meetings at least 24 hours prior to the meeting
in a place visible and accessible to the public 24 hours each day.
C. The board or commission secretary shall forward agendas to the Mayor, City
Council, City staff designated to assist a particular board or commission, and individuals who
have submitted a written request for meeting information, at least 72 hours in advance of regular
meetings and at least 24 hours in advance of special meetings. Agendas shall be made available
to the public at least 72 hours in advance of regular meetings, and at least 24 hours in advance of
special meetings, and at all meetings.
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D. The agenda for each board or commission meeting shall provide time for the
public to comment on each item on the agenda. The agenda shall also include a section for public
comments on matters not listed on the agenda but within the jurisdiction of the particular board
or commission.
2.25.220
Operations - Meeting cancellation; notice required.
A. A meeting may be cancelled because of a lack of a quorum of voting members or
the lack of agenda items.
B. If the board or commission secretary has advance notice that a meeting will not be
held, the secretary shall post a notice of cancellation in lieu of posting or mailing an agenda for
the meeting.
C. If a quorum of voting members cannot be assembled on the date and at the time a
meeting is scheduled to be held, the secretary shall declare the meeting cancelled and post a
notice of cancellation of the meeting on the door of the room where the meeting was to be held.
2.25.230
Operations - Minutes required; form and content; retention of recordings.
A. The board or commission secretary shall prepare minutes for all meetings. The
secretary shall present the minutes at a subsequent meeting for approval by the board or
commission members. The secretary shall transmit the original minutes to the City Clerk for
permanent preservation immediately after the board or commission has approved the minutes.
The secretary shall transmit copies of minutes of all meetings to the City Council within ten days
of approval.
B. Minutes shall contain a record of each particular type of business transacted, set
off in paragraphs with proper subheadings. The secretary shall be required to make a record only
of the business actually passed upon by a vote of the board or commission members and shall not
be required to make a verbatim transcript of the proceedings. A record shall be made of the
name and city of residence of persons addressing the board or commission, the title of the subj ect
to which their remarks related, and whether they spoke in support of or in opposition to the
matter.
C. The board or commission secretary shall retain recordings of meetings, if any are
made, only for the purpose of accurately preparing minutes. When the board or commission
formally approves the minutes of a particular meeting, the secretary shall cause the recording for
that meeting to be erased without further Council authorization; except that recordings for a
meeting involving a public hearing shall be kept for one year from the date of the public hearing.
The secretary shall cause the tapes for that meeting to be erased without further Council
authorization.
2.25.240
Operations - Quorum and voting requirements.
Unless otherwise required by state law or this chapter, the affmnative vote of a majority
of the entire voting membership of any board or commission shall be necessary for it to take any
action except to adjourn. This provision is intended to meet the requirements of City Charter
section 603.
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2.25.250
Operations - Appointment of subcommittees.
A. Boards and commissions may appoint subcommittees that they deem appropriate
to provide advice on any matter within the jurisdiction of the particular board or commission.
B. Subcommittees may be composed of board or commission members, as well as
other residents appointed by the particular board or commission. The chair of any subcommittee
shall be a voting member of the board or commission that established the subcommittee.
C. Subcommittees may be standing committees or ad hoc committees.
D. Brown Act requirements pertaining to notices of meetings, agendas and public
comment shall apply to meetings of any standing subcommittee of whatever composition, and to
any subcommittee that is composed of a quorum of members of the board or commission.
Subcommittees may not hold closed sessions.
E. The role of any subcommittee is to provide expertise and advice to board and
commission members only. Subcommittee members do not advise the City Council directly.
Subcommittee members do not represent the City. Subcommittee members should make every
effort to ensure that recommendations and advice are directed to the board or commission that
established the subcommittee. Subcommittee members may not speak on behalf of the board or
commission without prior approval of a majority of the members of the board or commission.
2.25.260
Operations - Staff support.
A. Pursuant to City Charter section 603, the City Manager shall appoint a staff
person to serve as secretary to each board and commission. In addition to other duties specified
in this chapter, the secretary is responsible for finalizing resolutions and performing other
administrative duties, as necessary.
B. Pursuant to City Charter section 605, the services of the Director of Public
Works, the City Attorney, and the Director of Building and Housing (now known as the Director
of Planning and Building) shall be made available to the Planning Commission.
C. The City Manager may make available other staff and clerical support as
requested by a board or commission to fulfill its functions and duties, provided such staff and
clerical support are available.
D. Staff persons assigned to assist boards and commissions shall not be considered
voting or ex-officio members of those boards and commissions.
2.25.270
Operations - Gifts, grants and contracts; Council approval required.
A board or commission may not accept gifts or grants from any source absent approval
from the City Council. A board or commission may not commit or attempt to commit the City to
any contract or other agreement without first obtaining authority from the City Council to do so.
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2.25.280
Operations - Annual activity report required; other reports and
recommendations; individual communications by members.
A. By July I of every year, each board and commission shall prepare and submit to
the City Clerk a written report of its activities. The City Clerk shall forward copies of each
report to the City Council. The annual report shall also contain other specific information or
findings required by the ordinance creating a particular board or commission.
B. In addition to the annual report, a board or commission may make other reports to
the City Council, either orally or in writing, at a public session of the City Council. Minority
reports, if any, shall be submitted in writing concurrent with the majority reports.
C. Boards and comrrusslOns shall forward proposals, suggestions, or
recommendations to the City Council, after formal board or commission action has been taken,
within ten working days of the meeting at which the action was taken. Board and commission
policy positions should be formulated and stated in such a way as to ensure understanding by the
public that the stated positions are not the official policy of the City until recommended to, and
adopted by, the City Council.
D. Individual board or commission members may speak on behalf of their respective
board or commission only after a vote of the particular board or commission. Individual
members making recommendations or expressing views that have not been officially voted on by
a majority of the body shall indicate that they are expressing themselves as private citizens, not
as representatives of their respective board or commission.
2.25.290
Vacancies - Written notification from chair required.
A. The chair of each board or commission shall notify the City Clerk in writing, or
cause the City Clerk to be notified in writing, if a voting member appears to have abandoned his
or her office on the board or commission; if a voting member misses three regular, consecutive
meetings of the board or commission without being excused by a majority vote of the board or
commission as expressed in its official minutes; or if a voting or ex -officio member misses more
than 50% of the board or commission's regularly scheduled meetings in one calendar year,
whether or not excused by the other members.
B. The City Clerk shall notify the Mayor in writing of reported abandonment or
missed meetings, or when a member has failed to attend mandatory training sessions.
2.25.300
Vacancies - Posting required.
A. In accordance with the Maddy Act, Government Code Section 54970, et seq., on
or before December 31 of each year, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the City Clerk shall post
a notice of vacancies that are anticipated to occur during the ensuing calendar year due to the
expiration of voting members' terms of office.
B. If an unexpected vacancy occurs for a reason set forth in CVMC 2.25.020 under
the definition of the term "vacancy," the City Clerk shall post a notice of vacancy and notify the
City Council so that action can be taken to fill the vacancy.
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SECTION II: This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty days from its adoption.
Submitted by
Approved as to form by
~'f~\f\u~"'\
Ann Moore
City Attorney
Donna Norris
Interim City Clerk
~~... ~ ~\
("~'-':>X(1'(\ Q " '10.
Sharon Marshall
Senior Assistant City Attorney
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RESOLUTION NO. 2008-
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA RESCINDING RESOLUTION NUMBERS
4880, 5654, 8149, 9542, 12112, AND 13906 AND CERTAIN
COUNCIL POLICIES AND MINUTE ACTIONS PERTAINING
TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
WHEREAS, the rules and regulations governing boards and commissions are currently
contained in the Municipal Code, Charter, Council policies, and City Council minutes; and
WHEREAS, inconsistencies and redundancies have been identified in the resolutions,
Council Policies, and certain minute actions pertaining to boards and commissions, resulting in
inefficiency in the administration of the boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted an ordinance creating general rules to govern
all the City's boards and commissions, consolidating rules found in the Charter, Council policies,
Council minutes, and the Municipal Code chapters creating individual boards and commissions;
and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to rescind the Council policies and implementing resolutions
and minute actions that have been consolidated into the general rules and that are inconsistent
with, redundant, or duplicative of the general rules adopted by the Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council of the City ofChula
Vista does hereby rescind the following Council policies, implementing resolutions, and minute
actions:
110-01
11 0-02
110-03
11 0-04
110-06
11 0-08
110-10
11 0-11
11 0-13
110-14
Adopted bv
Resolution 8149
Resolution 5654
Minute action, 08/27/83
Minute action, 11/08/94
Resolution 9542
Minute actions, 09/28/76, 05/05/87
Resolution 4880
Resolution 12112
Resolution 13906
Minute action, 08/06/91
Minute action, 04/19/79
Subiect
Appointment of members
Selection of members
Appointment of members
Absences
Term limits
Communications
Planning Commission meetings
International Friendship reception funds
Meeting tapes
Business cards
Annual activity reports
Council Policv
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Submitted by
Approved as to form by
Donna Norris
Interim City Clerk
~{~\'f\y~'N\
Ann Moore
City Attorney
~,\{,~~\f\Q~~\\
Sharon Marshall
Senior Assistant City Attorney
3-19