• Official WWW Site

Under the proposed reorganization, the Bayfront Conservancy Trust is proposing to dissolve as a non-profit organization and become an advisory board of the City. The Environmental Legacy Fund would continue as the Nature Center's fundraising organization in a modified form. In order to retain individuals with the same qualifications on a City-created board, it would be necessary to give the Council the ability to appoint non-residents when required. This change may also address the desires of the Library Board of Trustees to include members from surrounding communities as appropriate. The Charter Review Commission unanimously recommended this change.

JOHN DORSO, Chairman Charter Review Commission

The portions of the charter to be added are underlined and the portions to be deleted are printed in strike out type.

ARTICLE VI. APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

Sec. 600. In General.

There shall be the boards and commissions enumerated in this article which shall have the powers and duties set forth in this Charter. In addition, the City Council, may create, by ordinance, such boards or commissions as, in its judgment, are required and may grant to them such powers and duties as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter. Such boards and commissions shall consult with and advise the Mayor, Council or City Manager as may be provided herein or in the ordinances establishing such boards and commissions, but they shall have no authority to direct the conduct of any department.

Sec. 601. Appropriations and Compensation.

(a) Appropriations. The City Council shall include in its annual budget such appropriations of funds as in its opinion shall be sufficient for the efficient and proper functioning of such boards and commissions.

(b) Compensation. The members of boards and commissions shall serve without compensation for their services as such, but may receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and other expenses incurred on official duty when such expenditures have received authorization by the City Council.

Sec. 602. Appointments; Terms and Vacancies.

(a) Appointments and Terms. The members of each of such boards or commissions shall be appointed, and shall be subject to removal, by motion of the City Council adopted by at least three affirmative votes. The members thereof shall serve for a term of four (4) years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. Members of such boards and commissions shall be limited to a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms and an interval of two (2) years must pass before a person who has served two (2) consecutive terms may be reappointed to the body upon which the member had served; provided, further, that for the purpose of this section, an appointment to fill an initial term or an unexpired term of less than two (2) years in duration shall not be considered as a term; however, any appointment to fill an initial term or an unexpired term in excess of two (2) years shall be considered to be a full term.

(b) Initial Classification of Appointees. The members first appointed to such boards and commissions shall so classify themselves by lot so that each succeeding July 1st the term of one (1) of their number shall expire. If the total number of members of such body to be appointed exceeds four (4), the classification by lot shall provide for the grouping of terms to such an extent as is necessary in order that the term of at least one (1) member shall expire on each succeeding July 1st.

(c) Vacancies. Vacancies in any board or commission, from whatever cause arising, shall be filled by appointment by the City Council. Upon a vacancy occurring leaving an unexpired portion of a term, any appointment to fill such vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of such term. If a member of a board or commission is absent from three (3) regular meetings of such body consecutively, unless by permission of such board or commission expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector of the City, the office shall become vacant and shall be so declared by the City Council.

(d) Eligibility. All members of boards and commissions shall be qualified electors in the City of Chula Vista with the exception of Youth Commissioners who need only be residents of the City of Chula Vista. The City Council may appoint non-electors of the City of Chula Vista to those boards and commissions which are advisory only and whose duties involve regional issues. Appointment of non-electors must be passed by at least four affirmative votes. No person may be appointed nor shall serve on more than one of the Charter-created boards or commissions simultaneously.

Sec. 603. Meetings; Chairman.

As soon as practicable, following the first day of July of every year, each of such boards and commissions shall organize by electing one of its members to serve as presiding officer for the ensuing year. Each board or commission shall hold regular meetings as required by ordinance of the City Council, and such special meetings as such board or commission may require. All proceedings shall be open to the public.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership of such board or commission shall be necessary for it to take any action except to adjourn.

The City Manager shall designate a secretary for the recording of minutes for each such board and commission, who shall keep a record of its proceedings and transactions. Each board or commission may prescribe its own rules and regulations which shall be consistent with this Charter and copies of which shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk where they shall be available for public inspection. Each shall have the same power as the City Council to compel the attendance of witnesses, to examine them under oath and to compel the production of evidence before it.

Sec. 604. Oaths; Affirmations.

Each member of any such board or commission shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations in any investigations or proceedings pending before such board or commission.

Sec. 605. Planning Commission.

There shall be a City Planning Commission consisting of seven (7) members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government. The number of members to comprise the commission may be changed by ordinance of the City Council to not less than five (5) nor more than nine (9) members.

The services of the Director of Public Works, City Attorney and Director of Building and Housing shall be made available to such commission.

Sec. 606. Planning Commission; Powers and Duties.

The Planning Commission shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Recommend to the City Council, after a public hearing thereon, the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a Master Plan or any part thereof for the physical development of the City; and

(b) Exercise such functions with respect to land subdivisions, planning and zoning as may be prescribed by ordinance.

Sec. 607. Board of Library Trustees.

There shall be a Board of Library Trustees consisting of at least five (5) members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City and no member of said board shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government. The number of members to comprise the Board may be changed by ordinance of the City Council.

Sec. 608. Board of Library Trustees; Powers and Duties.

The Board of Library Trustees shall have the power and duty to:

(a) Act in any advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to City libraries; and

(b) Recommend to the City Council the adoption of such bylaws, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and protection of City libraries.