Carson Municipal Code Art. F . Environmental Commission

There is hereby established an Environmental Commission. Said Environmental Commission may be known and referred to as the "Carson Environmental Commission" or as the "Environmental Commission."

(Ord. 70-128 § 1)

The Environmental Commission shall consist of nine (9) members, and three (3) alternate members who shall be called upon, when necessary, in the order of their appointments as Alternate 1, 2 or 3, to substitute for any absent commissioner, each of whom shall be and remain a resident of the City of Carson. All members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. The tenure of any member of the Commission and any Alternate shall be terminable at will, and without cause, by removal on the motion of any member of the Council, duly seconded, and with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. Subject to the provisions of this Section, the tenure of Commission members appointed on or after April 1, 1997, shall expire at midnight on the last day of the calendar month in which the next general municipal election after the member's appointment is held for seats on the Carson City Council. Each Commission member shall continue to serve until a successor has been appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor, and has qualified unless the City Council declares the position to be vacant. Should any vacancy exist on the Commission, an appointment shall be made by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of the entire City Council present, including the Mayor. All appointments shall be made in an open meeting of the City Council.

(Ord. 13-1523 § 1; Ord. 13-1519 § 1; Ord. 04-1330 § 4; Ord. 97-1113 § 1; Ord. 04-1325 § 4; Ord. 84-694 § 3; Ord. 80-542 § 2; Ord. 74-307 § 3; Ord. 72-207 § 1; Ord. 71-128 § 1; Ord. 71-153 § 1)

At least one (1) regular meeting of the Environmental Commission shall be held every month. Said meeting shall be held at the hour of 6:30 p.m. in the Carson City Hall, on the first Wednesday or on the next succeeding day which is not a holiday. Regular meetings may be adjourned by public announcement to a specific date, and any such adjourned meeting shall be deemed a regular meeting. All meetings shall be open to the public.

(Ord. 94-1029; Ord. 77-416 § 1; Ord. 70-128)

The Environmental Commission shall have the power and duty, except as otherwise provided by law, to:

(a) Undertake investigation and studies, and to hold hearings concerning the pollution of the City's environment, and to make recommendations to the City Council of reasonable and practical means of creating and maintaining a desirable, healthy environment in and throughout the City of Carson. Said investigations and studies may be made by committees created by the Commission, chaired by a member of the Commission and comprised of Commission members, citizens of the City of Carson and any other individuals having experience or expertise which would be helpful in the accomplishment of the committee's purposes.

(b) Consult and advise with public officials and agencies on the local, State and Federal level, with members of the industrial, civic, educational and professional communities, either individually or in concert, towards the goal of accomplishment and execution of the environmental plans, programs and policies approved by the City Council.

(c) Endeavor to promote public interest in and understanding of the problems of environmental pollution and remedies therefor.

(d) Recommend to the City Council the adoption of standards or guidelines relating to permitted levels of noise, air pollution and water pollution.

(e) Act as the City Underground Utilities Advisory Committee.

(f) Coordinate enforcement by, and cooperative efforts between, other concerned governmental agencies, private firms and organizations and the several departments of the City.

(g) Review proposed legislation, Federal, State and local, which may have a bearing upon environmental factors affecting the City, and make recommendation to the City Council as to any position or action to be taken with respect thereto.

(h) Act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, the City Manager and their designees in matters related to the beautification of the City of Carson.

(i) Review and provide advice and recommendations concerning beautification of the City of Carson and recommend to the full City Council enhancements to the aesthetics of the City of Carson and ways to enhance the beauty of the City of Carson for Carson residents.

(Ord. 21-2103 § 3; Ord. 70-128 § 1; Ord. 72-207 § 2)

The Environmental Commission shall cause proper records to be kept of all its official acts and proceedings, and shall make reports to the City Council as provided for by the City Council.

(Ord. 70-128 § 1)

The Environmental Commission shall elect a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and a Secretary from among its members, for a term of one (1) year, at its first regular meeting in July of each year. The Commission may also appoint such other officers as may be necessary for the administration of its business, at the same time and for like terms. Said officers shall enter in the duties of their office at the first regular meeting in July of each year. The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business and shall keep a record of all its minutes, resolutions, actions, findings, and determinations. Minutes, resolutions and official records shall be filed with the City Clerk and the City Administrator.

(Ord. 70-128 § 1; Ord. 74-307 § 6)

Each member and alternate member of the Environmental Commission shall receive compensation at the rate of $35.00 for each meeting of the Environmental Commission attended by such member, not to exceed a total compensation of $70.00 in any one (1) month. Such compensation shall be paid on the first register of the month. No additional compensation shall be paid for expenses incurred by the members of the Commission in the performance of their duties, except that the City Council may, from time to time, authorize in advance expenditures for attendance at seminars, institutes or other meetings which the City Council may find to be beneficial to the Commissioners in the performance of their duties, and in the best interests of the City. Claims for such expenses shall be filed with the Finance Officer and shall be subject to audit and approval by the City Council.

(Ord. 13-1519 § 1; Ord. 06-1368 § 3; Ord. 70-128 § 1; Ord. 73-268 § 1)

If a member of the Environmental Commission is absent from three (3) successive regular meetings without being excused by the Commission, or is absent for any reason for more than six (6) regular meetings in any twelve (12) month period, the office of such member shall be vacated and the chair shall immediately notify the City Manager, who shall notify the City Council that said office is vacant. Upon such notification, a successor for the remainder of the term of such member shall be appointed by the appointing authority for the member whose position is vacated.

(Ord. 97-1113 § 1; Ord. 84-694 § 3; Ord. 92-983 § 2)

Each member of the Environmental Commission shall be and remain a resident of the City of Carson, and shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the member's appointment. Each member shall be a person having interest, experience or ability in community beautification.

(Ord. 21-2103 § 4)