Department Navigation Home Page City Calendar City Government Navigation Job Info Navigation Services Navigation Community Navigation City of Santa Clara
Bookmark & Share RSS
City Charter
 
The Charter Of The City Of Santa Clara, California
 
Article I. Name of City Article X. Appointive Boards and Commissions
Article II. Boundaries Article XI. Civil Service
Article III. Succession
Article IV. Powers
Article V. Form of Government Article XIV. Franchises
Article VI. The Elective Officers Article XV. Reserved
Article VII. The Council Article XVI. Reserved
Article VIII. City Manager, Ordinances, Meetings
Article IX. Officers and Employees Article XVIII. Miscellaneous
 
Article X. Appointive Boards and Commissions
Sec. 1000 In general.

There shall be the following enumerated boards and commissions which shall have the powers and duties herein stated, and such other powers and duties as may be conferred by the City Council which are not inconsistent herewith. In addition, the City Council may create by ordinance such boards or commissions as in its judgment are required and may grant to them such powers and duties as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

Sec. 1001 Appropriations.

The City Council shall include in its annual budget sufficient appropriations of funds for the efficient and proper functioning of such boards and commissions.

Sec. 1002 Appointments; terms.

Except as otherwise provided in this article, the members of each of such boards or commissions shall be appointed, and shall be subject to removal, by motion of the City Council adopted by at least four affirmative votes. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the members of such boards and commissions shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified; provided, however, the members first appointed to those boards and commissions shall so classify themselves by lot that each succeeding July 1st the term of at least one of their number shall expire.

Sec. 1003 Meetings; Chair.

As soon as practicable, following the first day of July of every year, each of such boards and commissions shall organize by electing one of its members to serve as presiding officer at the pleasure of such board or commission. Each board or commission shall hold regular meetings as required by ordinance of the City Council, and such special meetings as it may require. All proceedings shall be open to the public unless the nature of any proceeding is such that in the opinion of such board or commission the public interest would be best served by closing a particular proceeding to the public, and the reasons therefor are declared in any action closing such proceeding. Upon conclusion of any such proceeding any final action which is to be taken by such board or commission, with respect to such proceedings, shall be taken in open meeting.

The affirmative or negative vote of a majority of the entire membership of such board or commission shall be necessary for it to take action. Each board or commission shall keep a record of its proceedings and transactions. Each board or commission may prescribe its own rules and regulations which shall be consistent with this Charter and copies of which shall be kept on file in the office of the City Clerk where they shall be available for public inspection. It shall have the same power as the City Council to compel the attendance of witnesses, to examine them under oath and to compel the production of evidence before it. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)

Sec. 1004 Compensation, vacancies.

The members of boards and commissions shall serve without compensation for their services as such, but may receive reimbursement for necessary traveling and other expenses when on official duty on order of the City Council.

Except as otherwise herein provided, any vacancies in any board or commission from whatever cause arising, shall be filled by appointment by the City Council. Upon a vacancy occurring leaving an unexpired portion of a term, any appointment to fill such vacancy shall be for the unexpired portion of such term. If a member of a board or commission absents himself/herself from three regular meetings of such board or commission, consecutively, unless with permission of such board or commission expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be a qualified elector of the City, his/her office shall be vacant and shall be so declared by the City Council. (As amended, 1967 Statutes, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35; Chapter 61; Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)

Sec. 1005 Oaths; affirmations.

Each member of any such board or commission shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations in any investigation or proceeding pending before such board or commission.

Sec. 1006 Planning Commission - Generally.

There shall be a City Planning Commission consisting of seven members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government except that the City Manager, and the Director of Public Works and Utilities, or their designated representatives, shall serve as ex-officio members of the commission. (As amended, 1965 Statutes, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 74, Chapter 101)

Sec. 1007 Planning Commission - Duties and powers.

The Planning Commission shall have power and be required to:

(a) After a public hearing thereon, recommend to the City Council the adoption, amendment, or repeal of the General Plan or any part thereof for the physical development of the City;
(b) Exercise such functions with respect to land subdivisions, planning, and zoning as may be prescribed by ordinance; and
(c) Exercise such planning, zoning, environmental or other function as now or may be hereafter authorized by the State of California in so far as they do not conflict with the provisions of this Charter. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)
 

Sec. 1008 Parks and Recreation Commission.

There shall be a City Parks and Recreation Commission consisting of seven members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government.

Sec. 1009 Parks and Recreation Commission - Powers and duties.

The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have power and be required to:

(a) Act in advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters pertaining to parks, recreation, playgrounds and entertainment;
(b) Consider the annual budget of the Parks and Recreation Department during the process of its preparation and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Manager and the City Council; and
(c) Assist in the planning and supervision of a recreation program for the inhabitants of the City, promote and stimulate public interest therein and to that end, solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)
 

Sec. 1010 Civil Service Commission.

There shall be a Civil Service Commission consisting of five members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City, none of whom shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government.

Sec. 1011 Civil Service Commission - Powers and duties.

(a) The Civil Service Commission is charged with the duty of providing qualified persons for appointment to the service of the City. All appointments in the public service shall be made for the good of that service, and solely upon merit and fitness, as established by appropriate test, without regard to partisan politics, race, color or religious belief.
(b) Act as Board of Review to hear petitions by civil service employees, and applicants for civil service positions, and to grant or deny such petitions.
(c) Perform such other duties as may be required by the civil service rules and regulations. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)
 

Sec. 1012 Board of Library Trustees.

There shall be a Board of Library Trustees consisting of five members to be appointed by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City and no member of said Board shall hold any paid office or employment in the City government.

Sec. 1013 Board of Library Trustees - Powers and duties.

The Board of Library Trustees shall have charge of the administration of the Santa Clara Free Public Library and shall have power and be required to:

 
(a) Make and enforce such by-laws, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration and protection of the City library;
(b) Approve or disapprove the appointment of a librarian who shall be the department head;
(c) Accept into the library fund and administer money, personal property or real estate donated to the City or otherwise acquired for library purposes subject to the approval of the City Council;
(d) Contract with school, county or other governmental agencies to render or receive library services or facilities, subject to the approval of the City Council. (Amended by electors at an election held March 7, 2000, Charter Chapter 11 of the State Statutes of 2000)