The general provisions of this chapter apply to all boards and commissions, except as otherwise specifically provided in the Charter or in the ordinance or resolution authorizing a specific board or commission. In the event of an inconsistency between the general provisions contained in this ordinance and the provisions contained in a specific enabling ordinance or resolution, the specific ordinance or resolution shall control.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
A. 
Each board or commission shall have the functions, powers, and duties as are granted to or bestowed upon it by this chapter, by ordinance or by resolution of the City Council.
B. 
The City Council may, at any time, change the powers, functions and duties of any board or commission in any manner and to any extent as the City Council deems necessary.
C. 
Each board or commission shall provide to the City Council for its approval an annual work plan of activities to be undertaken and a subsequent report of its accomplishments. If any board or commission seeks to amend its work plan prior to the annual approval date, then the board or commission may vote to submit the amendment to the City Council for approval and may also request a joint meeting if the board or commission deems it necessary to discuss the proposed amendments.
D. 
Each board or commission will provide periodic written reports to the City Council which should include:
1. 
Recent activities of the board or commission;
2. 
Attendance at the board or commission's meetings;
3. 
Any ad hoc subcommittees which the board or commission has formed;
4. 
Any proposed amendments to the board or commission's work plan; and
5. 
Any matters which the board or commission wishes to bring to the attention of the City Council or to have placed on a future City Council agenda.
E. 
Each board or commission may organize ad hoc subcommittees of a limited duration to advise the board or commission concerning its functions and duties.
F. 
Each board or commission shall do such other things as may from time to time be requested or approved by the City Council.
G. 
Each board or commission shall meet in accordance with its approved regular meeting schedule, unless a meeting(s) is cancelled by the chair or the majority of the board or commission for a lack of agenda items, and each board or commission shall be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code Section 54950 et seq.
H. 
All board or commission meetings shall be held in the City Council Chambers unless another public meeting room has been approved by the City Clerk.
I. 
The City Manager shall designate a city employee as a liaison for each board or commission.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
A. 
In addition to any qualifications or limitations imposed by law or contained in the authorizing ordinance or resolution for any specific board or commission, members of the boards and commission must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. 
Resident of the City of Carlsbad and a registered voter.
2. 
Not currently an officer of or employed by the City of Carlsbad.
3. 
Not currently a sole proprietor under contract with the city, or a consultant or employee of an entity under contract with the city, performing work that relates to the powers or duties of the board or commission.
4. 
Not currently an officer, director, owner or principal of an entity under contract with the City of Carlsbad to perform work that relates to the powers or duties of the board or commission.
5. 
Appointment would not violate any term limits applicable to the position sought.
B. 
The City Council may consider, in its discretion, the following additional criteria in appointing members to the boards and commission:
1. 
Prior participation in the Citizen's Academy.
2. 
Recent experience and/or understanding of municipal government.
3. 
Knowledge of subject matter governed by the board or commission.
4. 
Ability to fairly and impartially represent community interests.
5. 
Experience on other boards, commissions or committees.
6. 
Geographical diversity of the membership of the board or commission.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018; Ord. CS-442 § 2, 2022)
A. 
Appointments to the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Community-Police Engagement Commission, Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission and Environmental Sustainability Commission shall be made by the following process:
1. 
The Mayor and each Council Member shall nominate one individual to serve on each of the commissions for a term coinciding with the term of the Council Member making the appointment. The Mayor shall nominate two additional individuals to serve on each of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission, and Environmental Sustainability Commission. All nominations shall be subject to ratification by a majority vote of the City Council. If a nominee is not approved by a majority vote of the City Council, the Council Member making the nomination may nominate another individual at the same or a subsequent meeting. In the event that a member of the City Council does not make any nomination within 45 days of the date the Council Member is sworn into office or within 60 days of the occurrence of a vacancy, the appointment will be made by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council.
2. 
Although each member of the City Council elected by a district shall use his or her best efforts to appoint individuals residing in that district to these commissions, members of the City Council may appoint individuals not residing in their districts in their discretion in order to ensure that the most interested and qualified individuals serve on the commissions.
B. 
Appointments to the Investment Review Board shall be made by the City Treasurer with the approval of the City Council. Appointments to all other city boards and commissions shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018; Ord. CS-342 § 2, 2018; Ord. CS-356 § 2, 2019; Ord. CS-441 § 2, 2022; Ord. CS-451 § 2, 2023; Ord. CS-490, 5/13/2025; Ord. CS-496, 6/24/2025)
A. 
Members of boards or commissions shall serve for a term of four years, unless otherwise specified in this chapter. Such members shall be eligible for reappointment at the expiration of their first term for one additional four-year term. The City Council will specify the effective date of the appointment.
B. 
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, members who are appointed to serve unexpired terms due to an unplanned vacancy shall serve to the end of the former incumbent's term.
C. 
Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, a member may be appointed to serve a term of less than four years if the council determines that it is in the best interest of the board or commission that a member serve a shorter term in order to provide for appropriate staggered terms to preserve a continuity of membership on the board or commission.
D. 
Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, if a member has been appointed to serve a term of less than two years, the member may be reappointed to serve on the same board or commission for up to two consecutive additional terms.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
A. 
Members of the city's boards, commissions and committees shall serve until reappointed or until the member's successor has been appointed, qualified and seated. If a vacancy occurs other than by the expiration of a term, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
B. 
Appointees to all of the city's boards and commissions shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Any member of a city board or commission may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of three members of the City Council.
C. 
Any member of a city board or commission will forfeit their seat on the board or commission if the member no longer meets the qualifications specified in Section 2.15.030(A)(1)–(4).
D. 
To assure participation of board and commission members, attendance by the members of the boards and commissions at all regularly scheduled and special meetings of the boards and commissions shall be recorded, and such record shall be provided annually to the City Council for review. A board or commission member may be removed by the affirmative vote of three members of the City Council due to the member's absence from three consecutive regular meetings or from 25% of the duly scheduled meetings of the board or commission within any fiscal year, except in the case of absences due to illness or by permission of the board or commission as documented by the board or commission liaison.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018; Ord. CS-442 § 3, 2022)
A. 
Each board or commission shall appoint one of its members as chair to serve for a term of one year.
B. 
The chair shall preside at all meetings of the board or commission.
C. 
Each board or commission may also appoint one of its members as a vice chair to serve in the place and stead of the chair during the chair's absence.
D. 
The chair and vice chair shall be subject to removal at any time, for any or no reason, by a majority vote of the board or commission.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
All boards and commissions shall conduct their meetings pursuant to the rules contained in Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 1.20 and any additional rules and regulations developed by the City Clerk working in conjunction with the board or commission.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, a majority of the total number of members of the board or commission shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for a board or commission to take action.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
So far as is practicable, and subject to approval of the City Manager, the services of the various city departments shall be made available by the heads of each department to the board or commission, to the extent it is necessary to enable it to perform its functions, powers, and duties.
Staff liaisons are generally responsible for accurate meeting notices and record keeping, communicating between the board or commission and other city staff, assisting the committee in executing the council approved work plan, gathering public input, assisting the board or commission in staying focused on noticed agenda items and maintaining a positive work relationship with the board or commission.
The liaisons do not work "for" or "at the direction" of the board or commission. Instead, the liaisons are professionals who work for the City Manager and with the boards and commissions to develop information and recommendations for the City Council within the scope of an approved work plan.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)
Unless specifically appropriated and approved by the City Council, all members of the city's boards, commissions and committees shall serve without compensation.
(Ord. CS-337 § 3, 2018)