§ 35-807. Planning Commission.

(a)

Established, Composition. The planning commission is established pursuant to Section 117 of the City Charter.

(b)

Rules and Regulations. The planning commission shall observe the following rules and regulations:

(1)

The commission shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its own membership who shall serve for a one-year term, but no person shall serve as chairman for more than two (2) consecutive terms. On the day of the election of officers, the chairman shall turn the meeting over to the planning and community development director who will accept nominations from the membership for chairman and vice chairman. Officers must receive a majority vote of the commission members. The term of office shall begin the day of the election.

(2)

The chairman shall preside over all meetings of the commission. The vice-chairman shall preside in the absence or at the request of the chairman. An additional presiding officer pro-tem may be selected by the commission members to preside over meetings in the place of the chairman and the vice-chairman.

(3)

A quorum shall consist of five (5) members of the commission. No final action shall be taken on any matter except pursuant to a majority vote of the members present; however, in no case shall less than five (5) votes constitute a majority.

(4)

Regular meetings of the planning commission shall be held on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. at least once a month. Special meetings may be called by the chairman provided that notice for such special meetings is made in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public. The place, day and/or hour of meetings may be changed by vote of the commission at any regular meeting. Notice of such action shall be provided in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

(5)

Any motion by a member shall require a second. After a motion has been made and duly seconded, discussion of the motion may be held for a reasonable time. Discussion by members or by opponents or proponents of a question before the commission shall terminate whenever a member shall call for a vote upon the question or whenever the chairman shall so rule.

(6)

Whenever any question of procedure or qualification may be raised at a commission meeting, the chairman shall rule thereon. A member may move to overrule the chairman's decision which may be done only by a majority vote of the members present.

(7)

Voting on all matters may be by voice vote provided that a roll call vote shall be taken upon demand of any member.

(8)

A member shall not vote or participate as a member in any matter before the commission if the member has any financial interest in the matter, whether such interest is direct or indirect, as defined in Section 1 of Ordinance No. 71043 [section 2-85]. A member who feels that he has a conflict of interest on any matter that is on the commission agenda shall voluntarily excuse himself, vacate his seat, and refrain from discussing and voting on the matter.

(9)

The commission shall take no final action on any matter before it without first obtaining a recommendation from the planning and community development director and reports from the other city departments concerned, as determined by the commission.

(10)

Releases and statements to the public and press in the name of the commission shall be made only by the presiding officer.

(11)

Any question of order or procedure not covered by these rules shall be decided according to the latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order, insofar as they may be applicable.

(Ord. No. 98697 § 6) (Ord. No. 2009-01-15-0001, § 2, 1-15-09) (Ord. No. 2010-11-18-0985, § 2, 11-18-10)