There is created by this chapter a planning commission in and for the county, and all prior ordinances pertaining to the creation and government of a planning commission are declared revoked and rescinded on February 3, 1971.
(Ord. 188 § 1, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
The planning commission shall consist of seven members appointed as follows: One nominee shall be proposed by each supervisor from the citizens residing in his or her district and the chair shall appoint the nominees with the approval of the board of supervisors. The other two members shall be the county administrator or his or her designee and the director of public works or his or her designee. All members of the commission, except the county administrator and the director of public works or their designees, shall have the privilege of voting on all issues before the commission.
(Ord. 188 § 2, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
Of the members of the commission first appointed, two shall be appointed for a term of four years, one shall be appointed for a term of three years, one shall be appointed for the term of two years and one shall be appointed for the term of one year from and after their appointment respectively. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of four years. The county administrator and director of public works shall be members during their tenure in office. If a vacancy occurs otherwise than by the expiration of term it shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. Any member of the commission may be removed by the chair of the board of supervisors with the approval of the board, and a successor may be appointed to fill the vacancy. Any member of the commission who fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the commission shall be considered automatically removed and a vacancy shall be deemed to have occurred unless good cause is shown. The board of supervisors shall be the sole judge as to whether good cause is shown. A planning commissioner shall be considered a county officer within the meaning of Section 1770 of the Government Code of the state for determining when a vacancy occurs other than as above enumerated.
(Ord. 188 § 3, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
The five voting members of the planning commission shall not receive compensation except such traveling expenses and mileage usually allowed for the same in the county and an amount per diem meeting as authorized by the board of supervisors.
(Ord. 188 § 4, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
The planning commission shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from among the nominated members for a term of one year, and subject to other provisions of law may create and fill such other vacancies as it deems necessary. Special meetings of the planning commission may be called by the chair of the commission in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code Section 54950 et seq.), either upon his/her initiative, upon the direction of the commission, or upon the request of a person with business before the commission. In the latter case, the special meeting shall not be conducted unless the person requesting the meeting has paid the special meeting fee set forth in Chapter 3.60 of this code.
(Ord. 188 § 5, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1083 § 4, 2004)
The commission shall hold such regular meetings at such times and in such location as provided by the board of supervisors by resolution or board order. The commission may hold such additional and special meetings as may be called by the chair with written notice as required by California Government Code or county ordinance and sent by the secretary of the commission to each and every member of the commission.
(Ord. 188 § 6, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep records of its business transactions, findings and determinations which records shall be public records. The commission may, with the approval of the board of supervisors, appoint such other officers and employees as it deems necessary for its work, whose appointment, promotion, demotion and removal shall be subject to the same provisions of law as govern other corresponding county employees. The commission may also recommend the employment of planning consultants and other specialists for such services as it may require. Except as provided in Title 20, Section 20.08.120, the commission shall perform such functions and duties and shall have such power and duties as are prescribed by law, and in particular as are prescribed in Chapter 3 of Title VII of the Government Code of the state, and amendments thereto, and in addition the commission shall perform such other functions and duties with respect to county planning matters as the board of supervisors shall refer.
(Ord. 188 § 7, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994; Ord. 1158 § 4, 2010)
It shall be the duties of the members of the planning commission and members of its staff to inform them-selves on matters affecting the functions and duties of the commission and to that end they may attend planning conferences or meetings of planning executives, hearings on planning legislation, or matters affecting the master plan, county zoning ordinance, or any part thereof. Reimbursement for expenses incurred by virtue of attendance at such meetings shall be made only with the approval of the county board of supervisors.
(Ord. 188 § 8, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)
The expenditures of the planning commission shall be within the amount appropriated for that purpose by the board of supervisors which shall provide the funds, equipment and accommodations necessary for the commission's work.
(Ord. 188 § 9, 1971; Ord. 948 § 1, 1994)