Joint Special Council/BFPD
01/20/26 06:15 PM
City Clerk / Records
Maribel Hernandez
Ordinance
Doc ID: 6252
COUNCIL ORDINANCE
AGENDA MATTER:
FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BARSTOW AMENDING CHAPTER 2.24 REGARDING THE PLANNING COMMISSION; AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ____-2026, AMENDING PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED RULES FOR THE
CONDUCT OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS, PROCEEDINGS AND BUSINESS AND REPEALING PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 467
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council is requested to consider amendments to Barstow Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 2.24 to improve the operational efficiency and continuity of the Planning Commission. The proposed amendment would authorize the appointment of two alternate Planning Commissioners, allow alternates to receive the same $100 per-meeting stipend as regular commissioners, and establish eligibility requirements requiring residency and voter registration within the City of Barstow.
The last comprehensive update to Chapter 2.24 occurred in July 2024. Since that time, staff has identified the need for additional clarity regarding alternate members and compensation, particularly to address quorum challenges and ensure consistent participation in Planning Commission proceedings.
DISCUSSION:
The Planning Commission plays a critical role in advising the City Council on land use, zoning, development applications, and long-range planning matters. Under the current provisions of BMC Chapter 2.24, the Planning Commission is composed solely of regular members, with no express authority for the appointment of alternates.
When a regular commissioner is absent or at times may need to recuse themselves from voting on an item, the Planning Commission may experience difficulty achieving a quorum, which can result in delayed hearings, continued items, and increased administrative burden on applicants, staff, and the public.
Additionally, while regular Planning Commissioners currently receive a stipend of $100 per meeting, the Municipal Code does not address compensation for alternate members, as alternates are not presently authorized.
The City last amended Chapter 2.24 in July 2024, and the proposed changes build upon that update by addressing operational gaps identified through the Planning Commission meeting experience.
The proposed amendment to BMC Chapter 2.24 would implement the following changes specific to the Planning Commission:
1. Appointment of Alternate Planning Commissioners
The amendment would expressly authorize the City Council to appoint alternate members to the Planning Commission. Alternate commissioners would serve when a regular member is absent or disqualified, ensuring the Commission can maintain a quorum and conduct scheduled business.
2. Stipend for Alternate Members
The amendment would authorize alternate Planning Commissioners to receive a stipend of $100 Joint Special Council/BFPD
01/20/26 06:15 PM
City Clerk / Records
Maribel Hernandez
Ordinance
Doc ID: 6252
COUNCIL ORDINANCE
per meeting, equal to that received by regular commissioners. This ensures fairness, recognizes the time commitment involved, and supports consistent participation by alternates.
3. Residency and Voter Registration Requirements
The amendment would require that all Planning Commission members and alternate members:
Be residents of the City of Barstow, and
Be registered voters within the City of Barstow.
These requirements ensure that individuals serving on the Planning Commission have a direct and vested interest in the community and are eligible participants in the City’s civic process.
4. Consistency with Prior Amendments
The amendment acknowledges that Chapter 2.24 was last updated in July 2024 and reflects a continued effort to clarify and modernize the City’s governance structure.
Staff believes these changes will enhance the Planning Commission’s ability to operate efficiently, reduce meeting disruptions, and ensure consistent representation and decision-making.
Attachment 1 - Ordinance amending Ch. 2.24 (Planning Commission) Attachment 2 - Redline of Planning Commission Rules Resolution Attachment 3 - Resolution Amending Planning Commission Rules FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of preparing these amended policies and procedures is within the existing budget and is estimated to be a $4,000 annually. Increasing the Planning Commission’s efficiency and reducing the risk of adverse litigation will help the City’s budget, in an indeterminate amount. Alternates only receive a stipend when serving in place of a regular member, so the addition of alternates causes no change.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Introduce and conduct the first reading of an ordinance amending Barstow Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 to authorize the City Council to appoint alternate members to the Planning Commission, to provide for a stipend of $100 per meeting for alternate members, and to require that all Planning Commission members and alternates be residents of the City of Barstow and registered voters within the City limits, and schedule the ordinance for adoption at a subsequent meeting.