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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17-03 • RESOLUTION 17-03 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS ESTABLISHING STANDING COMMITTEES AND ADOPTING GENERAL AND SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING THERETO WHEREAS,the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills wishes to establish standing volunteer committees to assist the Council with various issues; NOW, THEREFORE,the City Council of the Town does RESOLVE that the following standing committees are established, and the following general and special rules pertaining to standing volunteer committees are hereby adopted: Section 1. Committees Established. The following are hereby constituted as the regular Standing Committees of the Town: (a) Community Relations Committee (b) Emergency Communications Committee (c) Environmental Design and Protection Committee (d) Finance and Investment Committee (e) Information and Safety Committee (f) Pathways Committee (g) Parks and Recreation Committee (h) Open Space Committee Section 2. General Powers and Duties (a) Each of the Standing Committees shall have the general power and duty to render advice and make recommendations to the City Council, Planning Commission, or the City Manager and other Town bodies designated by the City Council on all aspects of its particular sphere of interest. (b) Each Standing Committee shall make regular oral reports to the Council, in addition to any specific reports and recommendations requested by the City Council or deemed necessary by a majority of the members of the Standing Committee. (c) Each Standing Committee shall meet with the City Council, once a year at the Council's request, to discuss and report on its goals, projects, accomplishments and concerns. (d) Each Standing Committee shall study its own structure, specific charges • and direction, and recommend any changes if needed to the City Council. 1 i (e) The City Council shall advise Standing Committees of any evaluation made of the Standing Committee's actions and direction, and any proposed action to amend the Standing Committees charges. (f) Each Standing Committee is encouraged to send a representative to City Council and Planning Commission meetings whenever possible. Section 3. Appointment of Committees. The following general rules shall be applicable to the qualifications of members of Standing Committees, and their appointment and removal; (a) The members of each Standing Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the City Council. (b) Each Committee member shall: (i) be a resident of the Town at the time of their appointment and for so long as they serve; (ii) serve at the pleasure of the Council, without compensation or payment of mileage, for a term of four(4)years. (iii) be eligible for reappointment upon application to the City Council, but the City Council shall encourage new applicants in order to promote widespread community involvement; (iv) be considered to have resigned in the event of three consecutive absences from the meetings of their Committee, unless the Chairperson of the Committee shall have excused the member's absence and informed the other Committee members of the exception at the third consecutive meeting missed. (c) Notification of resignations or terminations shall be submitted to the City Council in writing. Vacancies in the membership of any Standing Committee shall be filled in the following manner: (i) The City Clerk shall post in three (3) public places in the Town a notice of the fact that a vacancy has occurred and that the applications will be received prior to a date stated in the notice. (ii) All persons interested in serving shall submit to the City Clerk a written request for appointment containing such information on their background and qualifications as they deem appropriate. The City Clerk shall notify all applicants of the Council meeting at which their application shall be considered. 2 • • (iii) The City Council shall, during a public meeting, appoint Standing Committee members by selecting appointees from a roster of persons offered by individual Council members and applications from candidates. The City Council shall endeavor to appoint the best qualified persons. (d) One member of the City Council shall be designated by the Mayor as a liaison for each Standing Committee. The designated Council liaison may attend meetings of the Standing Committee to which he or she is assigned, and shall try to do so at least quarterly, but shall not vote. The Council liaison shall contact each member of the Standing Committee to which he or she has been assigned at least once annually to determine any problems which may exist and to receive information for use in Council evaluations of Standing Committee actions and direction. Section 4. Organization of Standing Committees. The following general rules shall be applicable to the organization and conducting of business by each Standing Committee: (a) Each Standing Committee shall establish a time and place for its regular meetings. Once the Standing Committee has established a time and place for its regular meetings, the Standing Committee shall request the City Council to approve the time and place of the regular meeting. The City Clerk shall cause notice of the schedule of regular meetings to be posted on the bulletin board at Town Hall. The agenda shall be set by the Chairperson, but upon the request of any Standing Committee member an item shall be placed on the agenda. Agendas of meetings shall be posted in compliance with the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act (commencing with Government Code Section 54950), as hereafter amended. No Standing Committee meeting shall be considered to have been held unless notice of the time and date of the meeting shall have been properly available pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, as hereafter amended, and unless a quorum shall have been present. Special meetings of a Standing Committee may only be called by the Standing Committee Chairperson, Mayor or City Manager and must be called in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. If a committee has an odd number of members, a majority of those members shall be considered a quorum. If a committee has an even number of members, half of those members shall be considered a quorum. (b) At its first regular meeting in July of each year, each Standing Committee shall elect, by a simple majority of the members present, from its membership a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and such other officers as the Standing Committee deems advisable, who shall not serve for more than two (2) consecutive one (1) year terms. At the July meeting, any subcommittees deemed advisable by the Standing Committee for specific activities within the purview of the Standing Committee shall be appointed by the members. At any other meeting an officer may be replaced. However, at any meeting other than the first regular meeting in July, a vote of the majority of the Standing Committee is necessary to replace or elect an officer. 3 • • (c) Each Standing Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, which shall include its determinations, recommendations, the attendance of members and an indication of who prepared the minutes. The minutes shall be reviewed by the City Manager who, in consultation with the City Council liaison to the particular committee, shall determine which items need to be agendized for a City Council meeting. The minutes shall also be public records. Section 5. Special Powers and Duties. Each Standing Committee shall be empowered and obligated as follows: (a) Community Relations Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of eight (8) members appointed whenever feasible from different geographical areas of the Town. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to encourage communication and participation between residents and Town government, and study and identify means of assuring continued cooperation among different groups; b. to coordinate and sponsor regular Town events; c. to prepare and cause to be distributed, in conjunction with Council and staff, a semiannual, or more frequent, Town newsletter to inform residents about community service activities, and to develop community awareness and involvements; d. to make every effort to welcome new residents to the Town, and inform all residents of actions and approaches of government, by written communication, telephone committees,parties or other appropriate methods; e. to seek input from citizens in order to report to City Council the tenor of Town feeling and reactions to long-range plans and projects; f. to initiate programs to improve both governmental and non- governmental relationships within the Town; g. to assist other Committees, Planning Commissions, City Council and Staff in implementation of special projects; h. to actively seek interested volunteers to serve on Town committees and commissions. 4 • • (b) Emergency Communications Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of ten (10) to sixteen (16) members, all of whom are either licensed radio amateurs or individuals in training for said licensed status. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. Provide emergency radio communication services between the Los Altos Hills Emergency Operation Center (EOC) facility using federally sanctioned amateur (ham) radio operating frequencies in accordance with federally mandated amateur(ham)radio operating requirements and procedures and: 1) The Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services (OES). 2) Amateur (ham) radio operators throughout the Town of Los Altos Hills and surrounding areas. 3) Surrounding area municipal emergency communication facilities, hospitals and emergency service groups such as the Red Cross. b. Participate in periodic "simulated disaster" emergency communication drills and various set meetings as organized by the Amateur Radio Emergency System (ARES) District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) or other such officials and weekly ARES communication readiness/training nets that exist in our area. c. Provide occasional non-emergency communication services for other Los Altos Hill sanctioned groups as requested when possible and practical. d. Develop and train an "Associates" group of radio amateur operators within the Town of Los Altos Hills and surrounding areas who in time of need will be available to assist the Committee members in the performance of"charge" tasks. Training shall consist of offered instruction in emergency communication as well as in the basic skills necessary for passing the entry level amateur radio operator test administered by the Federal Communication Commission. e. Maintain the group's radio equipment and update it as required via volunteer labor and budgeted acquisition of goods and services as required. (c) Environmental Design and Protection Committee. (i) The membership of this committee shall consist of eight (8) members including, whenever feasible, professionals in the fields 5 • • of landscape design and construction, environmental science, and pollution control. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to work for the beautification of the Town and the protection of its resources; b. to assist staff in implementation of the Town landscape policy through recommendations at subdivision, site development, Planning Commission and City Council meetings, and through review and inspection of required plantings; c. to study and make recommendations relating to landscaping and protection of public property, such as park lands, and treatment of riparian habitat and open space within the Town; d. to identify nuisance problems and sources of pollution and recommend actions for abatement; e. to prepare educational materials for residents outlining Town ordinances and enforcement with regard to landscape design and protection of the environment. (d) Finance and Investment Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of eight (8) members and four (4) of the members shall meet at least one of the following qualifications: (1) a financial officer of a public corporation with five years experience; (2) investment officer of a F.D.I.C. member institution with five years experience; (3) money manager who specializes in corporate or government agency issues with a minimum of ten years experience or (4) ten (10) years experience in investment banking, venture capital and/or general management. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to serve as an advisory body to the City Council on financial and investment matters; b. to assist in the development of five-year capital budgets and revenue projections; c. to review the annual budget and make recommendations to the City Council; 6 • • d. to review the annual audit and make recommendations to the City Council; e. to study all fiscal issues and recommend possible improvements and economies. f. to recommend investments to protect capital, provide adequate liquidity and generate market returns. All such recommendations shall be approved by the City Council. The City Manager shall execute any approved investment decisions. (e) Information and Safety Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of eight (8) members. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to study and make recommendations regarding the safety and well-being of Town residents; b. to coordinate safety activities within the Town; c. to study County, State and Federal emergency management systems and make recommendations concerning the Town's Disaster Plan; d. to educate the public regarding their role in improving safety and preparing for emergencies, and regarding the Town's facilities in the event of a disaster. e. to create and update a long range plan to improve the technology for communication with residents on Town government activities and to facilitate resident input; f. to identify cost factors associated with technological improvements and determine cost effective implementation and funding sources; g. to assist the City Council and staff through presentations at meetings; h. to interface with the community on issues related to cable TV, PG&E, water and phone service; 7 • • (f) Pathways Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of eleven (11) members. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to work for the preservation and enhancement of the pathways within the Town for the use and enjoyment of all residents. b. to review and recommend changes to the Master Path Plan and the Bicycle Plan of the Town; c. to make recommendations at subdivision, site development, Planning Commission and City Council meetings regarding pathway easements; d. to meet regularly with the City Manager or the Manager's designee to render advice on pathway activities, priorities, and necessary maintenance; e. to communicate to residents the concepts and locations of paths and trails within the Town as approved by the City Council; f. to study and recommend ordinances and resolutions relating to acquisition, construction, maintenance and use of public trails and pathways; g. to communicate Town policies and procedures regarding pathways if advised to do so by the City Council; h. to make recommendations to the City Council regarding both the maintenance and capital improvements budgets with regard to pathways. (g) Parks and Recreation Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members and a maximum of seven (7) members, including whenever feasible, residents who are parents of young children. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to serve as an advisory body to the Council on matters related to year round recreational programs and activities, including, but not limited to, recreational programs and activities to serve children and adults; 8 • • b. to develop new recreational programs and activities and study all recreational facilities available within the Town and make recommendations regarding their status, consistent with the General Plan; c. to work with the Board of Westwind Barn to develop recreational opportunities at Westwind Barn and Byrne Preserve. (h) Open Space Committee. (i) The membership of this Committee shall consist of nine (9) members. (ii) The charges to and duties of this Committee shall be: a. to advise and assist the City Council and Staff in implementing the policies and goals of the Open Space and Conservation Elements of the General Plan, specifically with respect to acquisition and maintenance of voluntary conservation easements and open space; b. to make recommendations at subdivision, site development, Planning Commission and City Council meetings regarding the acquisition and maintenance of voluntary conservation easements and open space; c. to advise and assist the work for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of public open space within the Town for the use and enjoyment of all residents; c. to study and recommend ordinances and resolutions relating to acquisition, construction, maintenance and use of open space within the Town, including the identification of properties for which preservation is recommended; d. to communicate Town policies and procedures regarding open space and open space preservation if advised to do so by the City Council; e. to provide support to conservation education programs and to provide informational forums and programs to the public regarding open space if advised to do so by the City Council; and f. to develop relationships with neighboring towns and regional entities to identify mutually beneficial open space opportunities. Section 6. Procedures. (a) Committees are cautioned to limit expenditures from the personal funds of the members without prior approval by the Town. 9 • • (b) Committees may not enter into contracts or agreements on behalf of the Town. (c) Any correspondence involving the use of Town letterhead must first be approved by the City Council before distribution. Any outside correspondence (excluding intratown memos) should be submitted in draft to the City Clerk. (d) All press releases relating to the Town or Town-sponsored events are to be pre-approved by the City Council. Sufficient time should be allowed to obtain necessary approvals or make necessary changes. (e) Itemized budgets must be submitted in advance for projects involving a group or series of purchases. (f) Vendors for purchases shall be those which are identified and approved by the Town. (g) Funds which are budgeted for a specific use must still be approved prior to expenditure. (h) Written bids may be submitted for consideration by the Town. In this case,three or more bids are required. (i) Any new programs, projects, or expenditures beyond what has previously been approved by the City Council shall first be submitted to vote by the Standing Committee. The recommendation and supporting minutes shall then be forwarded to the City Council for consideration prior to any obligations being made. (j) Priorities and deadlines are set by the City Council and can be changed only by the City Council. Section 7. Repeals. This Resolution hereby repeals and supercedes all previous resolutions regarding standing committees, including, without limitation, Resolution No. 10-03. PASSED AND ADOPTED this ZD day of M , 2003. By: , - - Mayor • ATTEST: � - City Clerk 10