[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
It is the purpose of this division to establish minimum training, attendance and continuing education hourly requirements for members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission.
(b) 
It is the purpose of this division to ensure that the complex and diverse process of administering local land use laws, where decisions have a profound effect on the character of the City and the wellbeing of its citizens, is conducted by a well-trained and knowledgeable body of Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission members.
(c) 
It is the intent of this division to ensure that Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission members obtain training to enhance their ability to carry out their duties under law and to regularly attend the meetings held by the Board to which they are appointed.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
All members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission shall be required to attend a minimum of seven of 12 meetings, or approximately 60% of the meetings held, within each year from the year of their initial appointment to such board. Members are further prohibited from missing four consecutive meetings.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
All members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission shall be required to attend a minimum of four hours of relevant training courses within each year from the year of their initial appointment to such board.
(b) 
Suitable training in excess of four hours per year may be accumulated and carried over into the succeeding year for the purpose of satisfying the training requirements for the following calendar year. However, no more than four hours may be carried for more than one year. All members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission must not go more than two calendar years without completing additional training hours.
(c) 
The training requirement may be satisfied by educational activities substantially devoted to planning, zoning or other land use issues, such as attending conferences, seminars or workshops; participating in online training or tutorials; attending college courses; reading journal articles or books; any other educational activities considered acceptable by the Commissioner of Urban and Economic Development. Training may be offered by a municipality, regional or county planning office or commission, county, regional or state planning federation, state agency, statewide municipal association, college or university or other similar entity.
(d) 
A record of annual completion of training shall be maintained by the Commissioner of Urban and Economic Development and a copy provided to the Mayor prior to considering a Planning Board or Zoning Board member for reappointment. Eligibility for reappointment to these boards shall be conditioned upon completion of required training.
(e) 
Noncompliance with minimum requirements relating to training hours shall be deemed a proper cause for removal from position on either board.
(f) 
The costs of such seminars, workshops or continuing education courses so designated shall be reimbursed by the City upon successful completion. Such training sessions shall be approved in advance by the Commissioner of Urban and Economic Development, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
(a) 
The Commissioner of Urban and Economic Development shall notify the Mayor in writing, on or about May 1 in any year of any member who fails to comply with the minimum requirements for training and attendance in any calendar year. In the event that a member of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission has failed to comply, then the Mayor may remove such member for cause as provided herein. Such member shall be mailed a written notice, by certified mail, return receipt requested, specifying the nature of the failure of such member to meet the minimum training and attendance requirements.
(b) 
Action by the Mayor. Following the issuance of a written notification and upon a finding that such member has not met the minimum training and attendance requirements established by this division, the Mayor, within 30 days of such finding, may:
(1) 
Remove such member from the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission; or
(2) 
Issue a written reprimand to such member without removing such member from such Board; or
(3) 
If the Mayor shall find that the reasons for failing to meet the minimum training and attendance requirements are excusable because of illness, injury or other good and sufficient cause, the Mayor may elect to take no action.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of a member of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Scenic Historic Preservation Commission to obtain such training shall not affect said person’s ability to entertain applications, to vote on such applications or the validity of such member’s actions while still an appointed member of the respective Board.
[Ord. No. 4, 2-3-2021]
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the Mayor’s authority to remove a member from the Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board, Scenic and Historic Preservation Commission for cause (i.e., for other than the reasons enumerated herein).