HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 1364ORDINANCE NO. 1364
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
2.34.010, TO RESTRICT RELATIVES OF CITY STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM SERVING ON ANY CITY COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE IF IT
COULD ENTAIL REVIEWING ONE ANOTHER'S WORK
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert has undergone a comprehensive review of its
commissions and committees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council previously approved a recommendation in concept to
adopt an appointment policy that limits applicants with real or perceived conflict of interests
from consideration on commissions and committees; and
WHEREAS, City staff will incorporate all approved revisions into the bylaws, which will
be presented for City Council consideration at the conclusion of the comprehensive review.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California, does
hereby ordain, as follows:
That Section 2.34.010 of the Municipal Code of the City of Palm Desert, California, is
hereby amended to add subsection "J" as follows:
"Terms of appointment —Residency requirement—Unexcused absences —Term length.
A. The beginning date for all terms of appointment to any city committee or commission
will be July 1 and the ending date will be June 30, with the exception of appointments
made to fill unexpired terms of office, or appointments made to fill new positions
created during the year, but which will all be ultimately based upon the calendar year
thereafter. Following expiration of the term of office, and if requested by city council,
each member shall continue to serve until either he or she is reappointed or his or her
successor is qualified and appointed.
B. All terms of office for city committee and commission members will be four years,
unless otherwise specified in the establishing ordinance, resolution, or bylaws
therefor. Each member of a committee or commission shall be eligible for
reappointment at the discretion of the city council, recognizing, however, that it is the
city's goal to allow as many qualified and willing individuals as possible an opportunity
to serve their community.
C. Residency within the city limits of Palm Desert shall be a requirement for appointment
to a city committee or commission except in cases where the city council deems it
appropriate to appoint a nonresident to a board that has need of a specific .expertise
offered by a nonresident.
D. Three unexcused absences from regular meetings in any one year (January 1—
December 31) shall constitute an automatic resignation of members holding office on
boards that meet monthly.
ORDINANCE NO. 1364
E. Six unexcused absences from regular meetings in any one year (January 1—
December 31) shall constitute an automatic resignation of members holding office on
boards that meet twice monthly.
F. Two unexcused absences from regular meetings in any one year (January 1—
December 31) shall constitute an automatic resignation of members holding office on
boards that meet bimonthly.
G. One unexcused absence from regular meetings in any one year (January 1—
December 31) shall constitute an automatic resignation of members holding office on
boards that meet quarterly.
H. Upon written request by a member, the mayor may excuse an otherwise unexcused
absence.
I. Any or all members of any city committee or commission may be removed at any time,
with or without cause, by a vote of the city council. (Ord. 1334 § 2, 2018; Ord. 1017 §
2, 2003; Ord. 899, 1999)
J. A relative of city staff or city council shall not serve on any city commission or
committee if it could entail reviewing one another's work.
1. "Relative" includes mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, domestic partner,
daughter, son, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-
in-law, son-in-law, grandmother, grandfather, granddaughter, grandson, aunt,
uncle, first cousin, nieces, and nephews.
2. "Review" does not mean and include the routine sending of recommendations from
city commissions and committees to the city council."
PASSED AND APPROVED, by the City Council of Palm Desert, California, at its
Regular meeting held on the 25th day of March, 2021, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: HARNIK, QUINTANILLA, and KELLY
NOES: JONATHAN and NESTANDE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
(ajn l Kathleen Iy, Mar c(
ATTEST:
A-.7-
Giface L. Rocha ccting City Clerk
City of Palm -Desert, California