For City Council Meeting April 9, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: David N. Carmany, City Manager
AUTHORS: Eric S. Vail, City Attorney
Barbara A. McGee, City Clerk
Title
Consideration of proposed Ordinance No. 1692 amending Chapters 2.16, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22, 2.24, 2.64 and 4.01, and repealing Chapters 2.25, 2.27, and 2.68, of the Rialto Municipal Code to consolidate and reorganize the City’s commissions reducing the number of commissions from nine (9) to four (4). (ACTION)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Introduce and by separate motion, waive full reading of proposed Ordinance No. 1692, entitled: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RIALTO CALIFORNIA AMENDING CHAPTERS 2.16, 2.18, 2.20, 2.22, 2.24, 2.64 AND 4.01, REPEALING CHAPTERS 2.25, 2.27, AND 2.68 OF THE RIALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO CONSOLIDATE AND REORGANIZE THE CITY’S COMMISSIONS”
Body
BACKGROUND
Over the years, the City Council has established nine (9) commissions to advise the Council on various issues of concern to the City and its residents. Currently, the existing commissions are:
In reviewing the status of these commissions it has become apparent that there are commissions that are no longer necessary, commissions that have not met for several years or that struggle to make a quorum to conduct business, and some than can be consolidated with others to achieve better efficiency. Additionally, it was determined that commissions with seven (7) voting members have proved to be unnecessary, cumbersome and inefficient. Based on this, the City Council previously determined to reduce the number of commissions from nine (9) to four (4) and to make other significant changes to increase efficiency and opportunities for residents to take an active role in the governance of the City.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
If adopted the proposed ordinance would make a number of significant changes to the existing commission structure which are more fully set forth in the proposed Ordinance. These changes are briefly described below.
Commission Membership, Appointment, and Term Limits:
• Membership. Each commission would only have five (5) voting members and one (1) non-voting student member. A commission will no longer have seven (7) voting members.
• Member Appointment. RMC section 2.16.020 would be amended to provide that the Council as a whole will receive and review all commissioner applications and the Council as a whole will interview and select commission members at regular or special meetings, with each appointee requiring a majority vote of the membership of the Council.
• Nonvoting Student Members. RMC section 2.16.050 would be amended to provide that each commission would have one (1) nonvoting high school (10th - 12th grade) student member appointed by Council. Student members would serve one (1) year terms.
• Member Terms. RMC section 2.16.070 would be amended to establish a term limit of three (3) terms of four (4) years each on a single commission. Partial terms of two (2) years or more would be counted as a whole term. A commissioner having served the full term limit on one commission would be allowed to sit out one year and then be eligible for reappointment to a new commission and serve for another three (3) terms of four (4) years each.
• Implementation of Reorganization. RMC section 2.16.100 would be added to the municipal code and would terminate all existing commission terms on May 31, 2024, or such other date the Council selects. The Council would review applications, interview potential commission appointees, and then make appointments such that new commission terms would commence on June 1, 2024. In order to have staggered terms, the commissioners will initially serve either a two (2) year or three (3) year term. These initial terms will not count toward the three (3) year term limit.
The Four Remaining Commissions:
The reorganization will result in four (4) commissions, each of which will have either new or augmented functions and duties. These commissions are:
• Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (RMC Chapt 2.18). This commission will replace the former Recreation, Parks and Social Services Commission and will absorb its duties and functions. This new commission will also take over the duties and functions of the Historical Preservation Commission (RMC Chapt 2.20), will advise the Council related to policies, programs and services for senior citizens, city beautification, lighting and landscaping practices, and housing strategies.
• Planning Commission (RMC Chapt 2.22). The Planning Commission with continue with its existing duties and functions, but will also absorb the previous duties of the Transportation Commission (RMC Chapt 2.64) and the Mobile Home Rent Review Commission (RMC Chapt 4.01), and will add new functions related to “green banking” - development of programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Rialto Utilities Commission (RMC Chapt 2.24). This commission will continue to carry out its existing duties and functions regarding water and wastewater but will also be tasked to monitor and promote their interests in Public, Education and Government (“PEG”) channel access and programming.
• Human Relations Commission (RMC Chapt 2.64). This commission will have a modified set of responsibilities and will advise the Council on a variety of subjects critical to the community including the prevention and elimination of prejudice and discrimination, the promotion of equity, social justice and harmony, promotion of inclusive decision-making processes in the City, and informing the Council on the state of the community and matters of environmental justice.
The Six Dissolved or Absorbed Commissions:
The following committees are proposed to either be repealed in their entirety or to be absorbed into one of the Four Remaining Commissions discussed above.
• Recreation, Parks & Social Services Commission (RMC Chapt 2.18). This commission is renamed the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission which absorbs all of its prior duties and functions.
• Historical Preservation Commission (RMC Chap 2.20). This commission will be dissolved, and its functions will be absorbed by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission. Chapt 2.20 will continue to exist in the RMC, but instead of authorizing a separate commission, it will now describe the function of historical preservation to be implemented by the Planning Commission.
• Rialto Cable Advisory Commission (RMC Chapt 2.25). This commission will be dissolved and the text of Chapter 2.25 will be repealed. Part of its prior functions related to PEG access and programing will be absorbed by the Rialto Utility Commission.
• Neighborhood and Housing Preservation and Beautification Commission (RMC Chapt 2.27). This commission will be dissolved and the text of Chapter 2.27 will be repealed. Its previous functions will be absorbed by the Recreation, Parks & Social Services Commission.
• Mobile Home Rent Review Commission (Chapt 4.01). This commission will be dissolved, and its functions will be absorbed by the Planning Commission. Chapt 4.01 will continue to exist in the RMC, but instead of authorizing a separate commission, it will now describe Mobile Home Rent Review to be implemented by the Planning Commission.
• Transportation Commission (Chapt 2.64). This commission will be dissolved, and its functions will be absorbed by the Planning Commission. Chapt. 2.64 will continue to exist in the RMC, but instead of authorizing a separate commission, it will now describe Transportation Commission to be implemented by the Planning Commission.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed actions do not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A of the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report and ordinance and approved it as to form.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
Adopting the Ordinance as proposed will have no impact on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 operating budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This action will have no impact on the current capital improvement budget.
ATTACHMENT
1. Proposed Ordinance