Joint Special Council/BFPD
08/5/24 06:00 PM
City Clerk / Records
Maribel Hernandez
Ordinance
Doc ID: 5724
COUNCIL ORDINANCE
AGENDA MATTER:
SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1024-2024 OF THE CITY OF BARSTOW AMENDING CHAPTER 2.24 REGARDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council asked the Rules and Policy Committee to review the ordinance and resolution regulating the absences of Planning Commissioners. After receiving feedback from the public, the City Clerk, the City Attorney’s Office and the Chair of the Planning Commission, the Rules and Policy Committee recommends several changes to the ordinance and resolution regulating the conduct of Planning Commissioners and Planning Commission meetings.
At the July 15, 2024, the Rules and Policies Committee introduced their recommended changes to the Planning Commission’s policies to the City Council via Ordinance No. 1024-2024 amending Barstow Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 (Planning Commission) and Resolution No. 5174-2024 amending the Rules for the Conduct of Planning Commission Meetings. Resolution No. 5174-2024 was adopted by the City Council on July 15, 2024. The ordinance is presented for its second reading and adoption.
DISCUSSION:
On December 18, 2023, the City Council requested the Rules and Policy Committee (Committee) to propose an attendance policy for the Planning Commission (Commission). The Rules and Policy Committee meet several times regarding the regulations of the Commission, and has received input from the public, the City Clerk, the City Attorney’s Office and the Commission Chair about the Commission’s policies. Enclosed are Committee’s recommended changes to the Planning Commission’s ordinance and resolution, which take into account such feedback.
The major changes to the Barstow Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 (Planning Commission) for review by the City Council, include:
Section 2.24.020 - Term. Commissioners can serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. Commissioners may apply to be reappointed at their end of their term. Requiring Commissioners to apply for reappointment ensures all community members have an equal opportunity to participate in the process to fill a vacancy. Section 2.24.035 - Appointment and reappointment procedures. Removes ability of the City Council to fill a vacancy without a competitive process. Unless there is an unscheduled vacancy that requires appointment, the City Council must be notified of a vacancy.
Joint Special Council/BFPD
08/5/24 06:00 PM
City Clerk / Records
Maribel Hernandez
Ordinance
Doc ID: 5724
COUNCIL ORDINANCE
Then, the City Council will direct the City Clerk to advertise the vacancy and establish timeframes for the community to submit applications. The City Council will appoint two members of the Council to serve on a temporary ad hoc committee formed for the limited purpose of selecting a commissioner to fill the vacancy. All recommended appointments must be confirmed by a majority of the City Council.
Section 2.24.050 - Meeting notice. Updated to align with policy in the Planning Commission’s resolution regarding Commission meeting cancellations.
Section 2.24.070 - Procedures. Removes the ability of the Commission to adopt their own regulations. Commission procedures must be prescribed by law, ordinance, or a City Council resolution.
Attachment 1 - Ordinance amending Ch. 2.24 (Planning Commission) Note - the Ordinance shows the additions and subtractions directly in its text.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None. The cost of preparing these amended policies and procedures is within the existing budget.
Increasing the Planning Commission’s efficiency and reducing the risk of adverse litigation will help the City’s budget, in an indeterminate amount.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Rules and Policies Committee recommends the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1024-2024.