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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem No. 02 Second Reading of Ordinance Amend LEMC Chpt 2.24 Page 1 of 2 REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council From:Jason Simpson, City Manager Prepared by:Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk Date:June 13, 2023 Subject:Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending and Restating LEMC Chapter 2.24 (Planning Commission) Recommendation 1) Adopt by title only and waive further reading of AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 2.24 (PLANNING COMMISSION) OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE. 2) Approve revision to City Council Policy No. 200-5A - Commission Appointments - to provide for selection of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair annually each January. Background/Discussion At its Regular meeting on May 23, 2023, the City Council introduced by title only and waived further reading of the Ordinance. The Ordinance updates the Municipal Code provisions governing the Planning Commission, including revising Planning Commission terms to align with the City Council District election cycle. Under the Ordinance, Planning Commissioners will be appointed by District for a four-year term commencing January 1 following the City Council District election. In order to sync City Council Policy No. 200-5A with the updated Planning Commission terms, Section G of the Policy should be amended to provide for selection of the Chair and Vice Chair each January instead of annually in July. No other changes are required. Planning Commission Terms Page 2 of 2 5 3 5 Attachments Attachment 1 – Ordinance Attachment 2 – Council Policy 200-5A ORDINANCE NO. 2023-1485 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING IN ITS ENTIRETY CHAPTER 2.24 (PLANNING COMMISSION) OF THE LAKE ELSINORE MUNICIPAL CODE Whereas, the City Planning Commission was established by the City Council under Chapter 2.24 of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code in accordance with state law; and Whereas, commencing in 2018, the City Council of the City transitioned from “at large” elections to election by Council district; and Whereas, on May 25, 2022, the City Council revised City Council Policy 200-5A to transition the appointment of Planning Commissioner from “at large” to by Council district; and Whereas, to implement the Council district appointment schedule, the City Council desires to amend Chapter 2.24 and adjust the terms of the existing Planning Commissioners; and Whereas, in order to sync the Planning Commission terms and appointments by district to the City Council election cycle as envisioned by City Council Policy and this Ordinance, the terms of Planning Commissioners presently serving through June 30, 2024 shall be extended to December 31, 2024 and the terms of Planning Commissioners serving through June 30, 2026 shall be extended to December 31, 2026; and Whereas, in order to sync the Planning Commission terms and appointments by district to the City Council election cycle as envisioned by City Council Policy and this Ordinance, the Planning Commissioner appointed from District 3 shall serve a 2-year term commencing December 31, 2024 and expiring December 31, 2026 and, thereafter, the Planning Commissioner appointed from District 3 shall serve a four-year term as set forth in Section 2.24.040 of the Code. NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 2.24 Planning Commission of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code is amended and restated in its entirety, as follows: Chapter 2.24 PLANNING COMMISSION Sections: 2.24.010 Created. 2.24.020 Membership. 2.24.030 Appointment – Removal. 2.24.040 Term of office. 2.24.050 Powers and duties. 2.24.060 Approval of obligations, expenses. 2.24.070 Compensation. Ord. No. 2023-1485 Page 2 of 3 3 1 4 1 6 2.24.010 Created. A City Planning Commission is created with membership, powers and duties as provided herein. Unless another official or body is designated to perform a function or make a particular decision as provided in Title 17 of this code, the Planning Commission shall serve as the City’s Planning Agency within the meaning of the California Planning and Zoning laws, Government Code Section 65100 et seq. 2.24.020 Membership. The Planning Commission shall consist of five members. Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, all members of the Planning Commission shall be at least 18 years of age and legally reside within the City limits at all times during their term. No member of any commission shall be a city employee or city official, nor shall any person be a member of more than one commission at any one time. 2.24.030 Appointment – Removal. Except as provided hereinbelow, the members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed by the City Council “by district” with one member appointed from each of the five City Council Districts. Planning Commission members must reside in the Council District from which they are appointed. In the event the representative Council Member determines that there is no qualified applicant from the Council Member’s District, that Council Member may nominate and the City Council may appoint a Planning Commission member from any remaining qualified applicants residing in the City but outside that Council District. All Planning Commission appointments and reappointments shall be made at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, and require an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Council present. Planning Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed by an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Council present at a regularly scheduled meeting. 2.24.040 Term of office. The members of the Planning Commission shall be appointed for a term of four years. Commencing January 1, 2025, the term of the Planning Commissioners from City Council Districts 2, 3 and 5 shall expire December 31, 2028 and the term of the Planning Commissioners from City Council Districts 1 and 3 shall commence January 1, 2027 and shall expire December 31, 2030. 2.24.050 Powers and duties. The Planning Commission shall have the powers and duties set forth in Title 7, Chapters 3 and 4 of the California Government Code and such additional duties, powers and functions as the City Council may from time to time provide. 2.24.060 Rules of procedure and administrative matters. Procedural rules and administrative matters regarding Commission appointments, vacancies, meetings, obligations and expenses shall be governed by polices adopted by City Council resolution. 2.24.070 Compensation. The City Council shall from time to time, by resolution, fix the compensation of Planning Commissioners. Ord. No. 2023-1485 Page 3 of 3 3 1 4 1 6 Section 2. CEQA. This Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act in accordance with Section 15061(b) (3) there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment. Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, sections, or applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end each phrase, section, sentence, or word is declared to be severable. Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the thirty-first (31st) day after the date of adoption. Section 5. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause a synopsis of the same to be published according to law. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, on this 13th day of June 2023. Natasha Johnson Mayor Attest: Candice Alvarez, MMC City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE ) I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. 2023-1485 was introduced by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, at its Regular meeting of May 23, 2023 and adopted at its Regular meeting of June 13, 2023 and that the same was adopted by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Candice Alvarez, MMC City Clerk CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Effective Date: 11/03/04 Revised: 9/12/06; 12/08/20 Page No. 1 of 12 DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Policy, the term “Commission” shall have the meaning set forth below: A “Commission” shall be a regular, ongoing committee, board or commission consisting of members appointed by the City Council. The City Council shall establish by ordinance all Commissions which shall advise the City Council and perform such other functions and duties as prescribed by the City Council. BACKGROUND The City of Lake Elsinore currently has three standing Commissions: the Planning Commission, the Public Safety Advisory Commission and the Measure Z Citizen Committee. The Planning Commission was established pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 and the Public Safety Commission was established pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 2.26. Within specific areas of responsibility, each Commission serves as an advisory body to the City Council on policy matters or reviewing specific issues as directed by the City Council or prescribed by law. The Planning Commission is both advisory and regulatory and organized according to the City Code (Ch. 2.24) and State statute (Government Code Section 65100 et seq. and Sections 65300-65401). The Measure Z Citizen Committee was established by Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 3.30, Section 3.30.160, following approval of Measure Z “City of Lake Elsinore Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance” by a majority of the Lake Elsinore voters in the November 3, 2020 General Municipal Election. The Measure Z Citizen Committee serves an advisory role to the City Council regarding the expenditure of revenues generated by the transactions and use tax. The City has adopted a City Council Policy Manual which includes City Council Policy Nos. 100-2 (Code of Ethics), 100-3 (Anti-Discrimination), 200-2 (Open Meetings – Brown Act), and 200-3 (Conflict of Interest) which specified policies are also applicable to all advisory bodies. A copy of these Policies shall be provided to all appointed Commission members. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 2 of 12 PURPOSE To define policies and procedures for the appointment by the City Council of members of Commissions. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO COMMISSIONS A. General; Methods of Selection 1. General. The City Council shall establish a Commission by ordinance which clearly defines the extent of the Commission’s authority and the nature of the Council’s review of the Commission’s action (e.g. de novo or on the record). Appointments shall be discussed and made in open session. 2. Method of Selection. i. Annual List. A list of all regular and ongoing boards, commissions, and committees whose members serve at the pleasure of the City Council shall be posted on or before December 31 of each year. This list shall be known as the “Local Appointments List.” The list shall contain the following information: a) a list of all appointive terms which will expire during the next calendar year, b) the name of the incumbent appointee, c) the date of appointment, d) the date the term expires, and e) the necessary qualifications for the position. ii. Posting of Annual List. The Local Appointments List shall be posted at City Hall and copies shall be available to members of the public for a reasonable fee which shall not exceed actual cost. The Local Appointments List shall also be provided to and posted in the Lake Elsinore Branch of the Riverside County Library located at 600 W. Graham Avenue. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 3 of 12 B. Qualifications; Compensation; Elective Office 1. Qualifications i. The Ordinance establishing the Commission shall specify that members shall be at least 18 years of age and such other qualifications as the City Council deems necessary and appropriate. (LEMC Chapter 2.24) ii. Members of the City Council or any City Commission are disqualified for membership in any other Commission. No person shall be a concurrent member of more than one Commission. iii. Members of the Planning Commission, Public Safety Advisory Commission and Measure Z Citizen Committee shall be appointed “by district” with one member appointed from each of the five City Council Districts. Except as provided hereinbelow, each Commission/ Committee member must reside in the Council District from which he or she is appointed. In the event the representative Council Member determines that there is no qualified applicant from his or her District, that Council Member may nominate and the City Council may appoint a Commission/Committee member from any remaining qualified applicants residing in the City but outside that Council District. 2. Compensation. The City Council shall fix the compensation of all appointive Commission members by ordinance or by resolution. 3. Elective Office. Commission members shall be permitted to retain membership while seeking any elective office. However, members shall not use the meetings, functions or activities of such bodies for purposes of campaigning for elective office. Commission members who are running or who have run for elective office shall comply with the provisions of California Government Code Section 84308 concerning the prohibition against solicitation and acceptance of certain campaign contributions, the disclosure of CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 4 of 12 certain campaign contributions and the disqualification from participating in decisions in which the person making the campaign contribution has a financial interest. C. Application/Selection Process 1. A current list of applicants is established each year. Applications may be submitted to the City Clerk at any time between January 1 and December 31. These applications may be considered for various vacancies throughout the year; however, on December 31, any remaining applications of these persons not appointed will be void. In order to be considered in the following year, new applications will need to be submitted starting January 1. During the year, the application process begins for a particular opening when a vacancy occurs due to term expiration, resignation, removal or death of a member. 2. The application period will normally run for a period of four weeks from the date the vacancy occurs. Applications are available from the City Clerk’s office and shall be posted on the City’s website. A copy of this Policy No. 200-5A shall be provided to all applicants. 3. Applicants are required to complete and return a separate application for each Commission they desire to serve on by the established deadline and in accordance with the posted instructions. The City Clerk shall compile a list of applicants from the applications received (the “List of Applicants”). 4. Incumbents seeking a reappointment are required to complete and file an updated application with the City Clerk by the application deadline. 5. . Each City Council Member shall nominate one Commission/Committee Member from his/her Council District from the List of Applicants (as defined above) in accordance with Section B.1.iii, above. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 5 of 12 6. After the application deadline, the individual Council Members shall evaluate the applications received and may schedule or waive interviews, or extend the application process in the event insufficient applications are received. 7. After consideration of the foregoing, each Council Member shall select the candidate(s) it wishes to recommend to the City Council to serve on the Planning Commission, Public Safety Advisory Commission and/or Measure Z Citizen Committee, as the caser may be) and shall submit a written report to the City Council citing its reasons for selecting the candidate(s) recommended. Applications submitted by the finalists will be provided to the City Council and made a part of the Council agenda packet for its review and consideration. 8. All Commission/Committee appointments and reappointments shall be made at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, and require an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Council present. 9. Following a Council appointment, the City Clerk shall notify successful and unsuccessful applicants, as applicable, in writing. 10. An orientation will be scheduled by support staff following an appointment (but before taking office). D. Term of Office 1. The term of office for members of the Planning Commission and the Public Safety Advisory Commission is four (4) years. The term of office for members of the Measure Z Citizen Committee is two (2) years; provided, however, that two members shall be appointed to an initial one-year term upon establishment of the Measure Z Citizen Committee in order to satisfy the requirement for staggered terms. The term of office for members of all other Commissions shall be the term set forth in the enacting ordinance for such Commission. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 6 of 12 2. Terms are staggered to be overlapping, so that all terms do not expire in any one year. 3. In the event of a vacancy due to a member’s resignation or termination before the end of his/her term, a replacement serves out the remainder of that term. E. Appointments/Oaths 1. The City Council is the appointing body for all Commissions. All members serve at the pleasure of the City Council for designated terms. 2. All appointments and reappointments shall be made at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting, and require an affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the Council present. 3. Prior to taking office, all members must complete an Oath of Allegiance required by the Article XX, ¶3, of the Constitution of the State of California. All oaths are administered by the City Clerk or his/her designee. 4. Appointments made during the middle of the term are for the unexpired portion of that term. F. Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Requirements 1. A Conflict of Interest Code has been updated and adopted by the City Council pursuant to Government Code Section 87300 et seq. Copies of this Code are filed with the City Clerk. Pursuant to the adopted Conflict of Interest Code, members serving on the Planning Commission, Public Safety Commission and Measure Z Citizen Committee are required to file a Statement of Economic Interest with the City Clerk to disclose personal interest in investments, real property and income. This is done within thirty days of appointment and annually thereafter. A statement is also required within thirty days after leaving office. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 7 of 12 2. If a public official has a conflict of interest, the Political Reform Act may require the official to disqualify himself or herself from making or participating in a governmental decision, or using his or her official position to influence a governmental decision. Questions in this regard may be directed to the City Attorney. G. Selection of Chair and Vice Chair 1. The Chair and Vice Chair of each Commission shall be selected upon establishment and in July January of each year thereafter by a majority of the members and shall serve for one year or until their successors are selected. 2. Each Commission may annually rotate its Chair. H. Meetings and Officers 1. Agendas/Notices/Minutes i. All meetings shall be open and public and shall conduct business through published agendas, public notices and minutes and follow all of the Brown Act provisions governing public meetings. Special, cancelled and adjourned meetings may be called when needed, subject to the Brown Act provisions. ii. Support staff for each Commission shall be responsible for properly noticing and posting all regular, special, cancelled and adjourned meetings. Copies of all meeting agendas, notices and minutes shall be provided to the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and other appropriate staff, as requested. iii. Original agendas and minutes shall be filed and maintained by support staff in accordance with the City’s adopted Records Retention Schedule. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 8 of 12 2. Conduct and Parliamentary Procedures i. Unless otherwise specified by State law or City regulations, conduct of all meetings shall generally follow the most recent edition of The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure revised by the American Institute of Parliamentarians. ii. A majority of Commission members shall constitute a quorum and a quorum must be seated before official action is taken. iii. The Chair of each Commission shall preside at all meetings and the Vice Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair when the Chair is absent. 3. Meeting Locations and Dates i. Meetings shall be held in the Council Chambers or other designated City facilities as noticed. ii. All Commissions shall conduct regular meetings at least once a month. Special meetings may also be scheduled as required by the Commission. iii. Monthly regular meetings shall have a fixed date and time established by the Commission. Changes to the established regular dates and times are subject to the approval of the City Council. An exception to this rule would include any changes necessitated to fill a temporary need in order for the Commission to conduct its meeting in a most efficient and effective way as long as proper and adequate notification is provided to the Council and made available to the public. CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 9 of 12 4. Other Rules and Procedures Each Commission may adopt other rules and procedures as it feels necessary to effectively and efficiently accomplish its duties. I. Attendance 1. An Attendance Policy shall apply to all advisory bodies. Provisions of this Policy No. 200-5A are listed below. i. A compilation of attendance will be submitted to the City Council at least annually listing absences for all Commissions/Committee members. ii. Absences, which result in attendance at less than two thirds of their meetings during the calendar year, will be reported to the City Council and may result in replacement of the member by the Council. iii. Any member who feels that unique circumstances have led to numerous absences can appeal directly to the City Council or appropriate City staff member for a waiver of this Policy No. 200-5A or to obtain a leave of absence. 2. While it is expected that members be present at all meetings, the chair should be notified if a member knows in advance that he/she will be absent. J. Relationship to Council, Staff and Media 1. Upon referral by the Council, the Commission shall study referred matters and return their recommendations and advise to the Council. With each such referral, the Council may authorize the City staff to provide certain designated services to aid in the study. 2. Commissions shall not become involved in the administrative or operational matters of City departments unless specifically provided in their prescribed powers and duties. Members may not direct staff to initiate major programs, conduct large studies, or CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 10 of 12 establish department policy without approval of the City Council. City staff assigned to furnish staff services shall be available to provide general staff assistance, such as preparation of agenda/notice materials and minutes, general review of department programs and activities, and to perform limited studies, program reviews, and other services of a general staff nature. Commissions may not establish department work programs or determine department program priorities unless specifically authorized. The responsibility for setting policy and allocating scarce City resources rests with the City’s duly elected representatives, the City Council. 3. Additional or other staff support may be provided upon a formal request to the City Council. 4. The Commission Chair shall act as the Commission’s lead representative. Pursuant to Council Policy 400-6, no Commission Chairperson or member shall prepare or distribute an official press release to the media. Commission members may express personal opinions and comments so long as the member clarifies that his or her statements do not represent the position of the Commission and/or the City Council. K. Council Referrals Referrals and requests from the City Council for advice and recommendations shall be transmitted by the City Manager or by the City Council during a joint study session. Commissions shall expeditiously consider and act on all referrals and requests made by the City Council and shall submit reports and recommendations to the City Council on these assignments. L. Recommendations, Requests and Reports As necessary and appropriate, the agenda for the regular City Council meeting will include an item called “Commission/Committee Reports, Announcements and/or Appointments”. At this time, Commissions may submit recommendations in writing or reports and may request direction and support from the City Council. Such requests shall be communicated CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 11 of 12 to the City Manager in advance so that they may be listed on the agenda. The Council will receive such reports and recommendations and, after suitable study and discussion, respond or give direction. M. Public Appearance of Commission Members When a Commission member appears in a non-official, non-representative capacity before the public, for example in a Council meeting, the member shall indicate that he or she is speaking only as an individual. If the Commission member appears as the representative of an applicant or a member of the public, the Political Reform Act may govern this appearance. In addition, in certain circumstances, due process considerations might apply to make a Commission member’s appearance inappropriate. Conversely, when a member who is present at a Council meeting is asked to address the Council on a Commission matter, the member should represent the viewpoint of the particular Commission as a whole (not a personal opinion). N. Removal Appointed officials hold office at the pleasure of the City Council. The City Council may remove a Commission member without notice or a hearing upon a vote of the majority of the City Council. O. Resignations Resignations must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk, who will distribute copies to City Council and appropriate staff. P. Unscheduled Vacancies 1. Notice of unscheduled vacancy; Selection. Whenever an unscheduled vacancy occurs in any Commission (whether due to resignation, death, termination, or other causes) a special vacancy notice shall be posted on the City’s website and in the office of the City Clerk, the Lake Elsinore Branch of the Riverside County Library, and in other places as directed by the City Council, not earlier than 20 days before or not later than 20 days after the vacancy occurs. Final appointment to the Commission shall not be CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL SUBJECT: Commission Appointments Policy No. 200-5A Page No. 12 of 12 made by the City Council for at least 10 working days after the posting of the notice in the City Clerk's office. 2. Emergencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City Council may, if it finds that an emergency exists, fill the unscheduled vacancy immediately. A person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only on an acting basis until the final appointment is made pursuant to this section. Q. Disbanding of Advisory Body Unless otherwise required by law, a Commission may be disbanded due to lack of business or other cause upon majority vote of the City Council following a recommendation of the City Council, Commission Chair or appropriate staff. R. Waiver of Requirements In the event compliance with any of the above requirements would seriously interfere with or interrupt the important business of the City, the City Council may, with the approval of four Council members, waive one or more of said requirements. HISTORY Adopted by Minute Action 11/03/04 Amended by Resolution No. 2006-152 9/12/06 Amended by Resolution No. ___ 12/08/20