ORD 1017ORDINANCE NO. 1017
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT,
., CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 2.20, 2.34, 2.60, AND 2.64 OF THE PALM
DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE (AMENDING ORDINANCE NOS. 99, 390, 553, 861,
875, and 899), RELATIVE TO COMMITTEE/COMMISSION MEMBER
REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 899 on January 14, 1999,
establishing uniform criteria for members, including appointment dates, terms of office, and
absences; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined it is desirable to further define certain
aspects of Committee or Commission Member service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California, that the following sections of the Palm Desert Municipal Code are hereby amended,
as follows:
Section 1. Planning Commission - Section 2.20
"Section 2.20.020 Terms of office.
The Planning Commission shall consist of five (5) members to be appointed
by the City Council by a minimum of three (3) affirmative votes, each of
whom shall serve a term of four (4) years, or until his or her successor is
appointed. The terms of appointment shall be as provided for in
Section 2.34.010."
Section 2. "Section 2.34.010 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 January 1 and the ending date will
be December 31, 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, 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
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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.
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. 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." 00ft
Section 3. "Section 2.34.020 Excused absence defined.
An `excused absence' may be granted if the member is hospitalized due to
illness, serving on jury duty, serving in the military, or has suffered a death
in the family (spouse, parent/step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister,
mother in-law, father in-law, child, grandchild, or any member of the
immediate household)."
Section 4. Public Safety Commission - Section 2.60
"Section 2.60.030 Secretary to the public safety commission.
The Assistant City Manager for Community Services shall be an ex-officio
member of the Commission as well as the official secretary to said
Commission for the maintenance of all records of their proceedings. In
addition, staff members will be the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief, and the
Risk Manager. Other ex-officio members shall be two members of the
City Council, at least one of whom is a sitting member of the
Cove Communities Services Commission."
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Section 5. Housing Commission - Section 2.64
"Section 2.64.050 Term
Each member of the Housing Commission shall serve a four-year term and
shall otherwise be subject to the terms of membership pursuant to
Section 2.34.010."
Section 6. "Section 2.64.070 Absence from meetings.
Absences from Housing Commission Meetings shall be recorded pursuant
to Sections 2.34.010(D) and 2.34.020."
Section 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this ordinance
and shall cause the same to be published once in the Desert Sun, a
newspaper of general circulation, printed and published within the County
of Riverside, and circulated within said City.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that adoption of this ordinance shall effectively supersede
any provision for terms of office or policy for absences that may otherwise be currently in
existence for any City Committee or Commission.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Palm Desert,
California, at its regular meeting held this 8" day of May, 2003, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
CRITES, FERGUSON, KELLY, SPIEGEL, and BENSON
NONE
NONE
NONE
RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
. BENSON,`MAYOR
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