A. Membership. The planning and zoning commission shall consist of seven members to be nominated and appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city commission. One member shall at all times be an officer, agent, employee or representative of a public utility operating and performing services within the city. One member shall at all times be a member of the city commission. The city manager or the city manager’s designee, the building inspector, and the planning department staff shall serve as ex-officio, nonvoting members of the planning and zoning commission.
B. Terms of Office. The terms of the members shall be staggered for a maximum term of two years so no more than four members will be replaced in any given year. Each subsequent term of a member shall be for two years or less in order to maintain the original staggering of terms.
C. Vacancy. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the planning and zoning commission, within thirty days a new member shall be selected for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
D. Officers.
1. Chairman and Vice-Chairman. At an annual organizational meeting, the members of the planning and zoning commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members. The chairman and vice-chairman’s terms shall be for one year with eligibility for re-election. No member shall serve as chairman for more than two consecutive terms. The chairman shall administer oaths, shall be in charge of all procedures before the planning and zoning commission, and shall take such action as shall be necessary to preserve order and the integrity of all proceedings before the planning and zoning commission. In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall act as chairman.
2. Secretary. The planning department staff shall serve as secretary of the planning and zoning commission. The secretary shall keep minutes of all proceedings. The minutes shall be a summary of all proceedings before the planning and zoning commission, which shall include the vote of all members upon every question, and be attested to by the secretary. The minutes shall be approved by a majority of the planning and zoning commission members voting. In addition, the secretary shall maintain all records of planning and zoning commission meetings, hearings, proceedings and correspondence.
E. Quorum and Voting. Four members of the planning and zoning commission shall constitute a quorum necessary to take action and transact business. All actions shall require a simple majority of the quorum present except in zoning matters when twenty percent or more of the landowners file a protest. When a valid protest has been filed, a majority of all members of the planning and zoning commission shall vote in the affirmative to recommend the change.
F. Removal From Office.
1. General. After a public hearing and for good cause stated in writing and made part of the public record, the mayor may remove any member of the planning and zoning commission with the approval of the city commission.
2. Attendance. If any member of the planning and zoning commission fails to attend three consecutive meetings or has been absent from more than fifty percent of the meetings during any twelve month period, the chairman of the planning and zoning commission shall notify the mayor, who shall declare the member’s seat vacant, and nominate a new member with the approval of the city commission.
G. Compensation. Planning and zoning commission members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for such travel, mileage and/or per diem expenses as may be authorized by the city manager.
H. Conflict of Interest. Any member of the planning and zoning commission who has a conflict of interest (see Chapter 17.150 for definition) in the outcome of any policy, decision or determination before the planning and zoning commission on which he serves shall, as soon as possible after such interest becomes apparent, disclose to each of the other members the nature of his financial interest in the issue and shall be disqualified from participating in any debate, decision or vote relating to the matter. (Ord. 1495-96 § 3(part), 1996).