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Prior ordinance history: Ord. 688 N.S., Ord. 488 N.S. The responsibilities of the natural resources committee (formerly set out in Chapter 3.32 PGMC) were relocated to this chapter by Ordinance No. 04-02. Section 1 of said ordinance amended the title of this chapter; Section 9 repealed former Chapter 3.32 PGMC.
The standards which should guide the beautification and natural resources commission in performing its duties and functions under this chapter are as follows:
(a) 
The city of Pacific Grove considers its natural resources to include water, air, forests, wetlands, vegetation, soils, streams, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources.
(b) 
The existing heritage of the city and its natural resources should be preserved for the benefit of future generations and be an integral part of the city.
(c) 
Not only should natural beauty be preserved, but that which has been damaged or destroyed should be replaced.
(d) 
Works of art appropriate to the city's heritage and culture should be preserved, fostered and encouraged.
(e) 
The decisions concerning the natural resources in the city should be part of city government in order to manage those assets within the city.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 04-02 § 2, 2004; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
A beautification and natural resources commission for the city of Pacific Grove is created. The commission shall consist of seven voting members appointed by the mayor and approved by the council.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 04-02 § 3, 2004; Ord. 05-003 § 1, 2005; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
The members of the commission shall be persons selected for their interest in city beautification, conservation and improvement of natural resources, and/or who have been identified with the arts, architectural, landscape designing, forestry, earth sciences, or protection of the natural environment.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 04-02 § 4, 2004; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
All appointees shall serve for a two-year term. Three of the commission members shall be appointed for terms ending on January 31st in even-numbered years, and four for terms ending on January 31st in odd-numbered years.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 1695 N.S. § 5, 1989; Ord. 96-13 § 3, 1996; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
Any member may be removed from the commission prior to the expiration of his or her term by the majority vote of the council, in the council's discretion. Any member who absents himself or herself from two consecutive regular meetings, without cause or approval by the commission, shall be automatically removed.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
The voting members of the commission shall select one of their members to be chairperson for a one-year term, the chairperson to be selected and the term to commence at the first meeting in February.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 1695 N.S. § 5, 1989; Ord. 96-13 § 4, 1996; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public. The commission shall meet no less frequently than once a month and shall establish its own rules for the frequency, time and place of meetings, and to govern its procedures. Notice of meetings shall be given in accord with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 04-02 § 5, 2004; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
The beautification and natural resources commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(a) 
To support, encourage, and facilitate conservation, restoration, beautification, and improvement of natural resources in the city through projects, programs, and activities;
(b) 
To develop, with the city arborist, forester or other persons knowledgeable in natural resources, management and public education and information programs for urban reforestation, preservation, and protection of trees, vegetation, wildlife habitat, water, and other natural resources to correlate with the city's general plan;
(c) 
To perform the functions prescribed for the beautification and natural resources commission under PGMC Title 12, Trees and the Urban Forest;
(d) 
To advise the city council and other boards and commissions on landscaping, beautification projects, design plans, maintenance for publicly owned property, facilities, parks, butterfly habitats, recreation trails, and shoreline areas;
(e) 
To advise the planning commission, architectural review board, and the city council on ordinances and amendments thereto that may be proposed relating to construction and development in the city regarding beautification, natural resources, and landscape designs;
(f) 
To make recommendations to the council regarding works of art, gifts and devises offered to, commissioned by, or purchased by the city and proposed to be placed, erected, or created outdoors on city property;
(g) 
To review and recommend to the council city positions on proposals in the city, within the city's sphere of influence, or within a wider area that may have a potential impact on the healthy natural environment of the city and the region, including recycling and reuse matters;
(h) 
To establish subcommittees to address specific areas of interest, including without limitation, restoration of monarch butterfly habitats and shoreline improvements;
(i) 
To advise on all matters concerning the Monarch Grove Sanctuary;
(j) 
To advise on matters concerning stormwater recycling and runoff quality.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 1923 N.S. § 2, 1994; Ord. 2006 N.S. § 1, 1995; Ord. 04-02 § 6, 2004; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
An affirmative vote of a majority of the total members of the beautification and natural resources commission shall be required for any action by the commission.
(Ord. 02-30 § 3, 2002; Ord. 04-02 § 7, 2004; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)
It is the policy of the city council not to accept works of art or memorials which are proposed or offered for placement on public property, where the primary purpose of the memorial or work of art is to memorialize or perpetuate the memory of any person, although works of art may be accepted if deemed worthy, where the name of the donor is conspicuously noted on the work.
(Ord. 840 N.S. § 1, 1975; Ord. 2006 N.S. § 4, 1995; Ord. 13-020 § 3, 2013)