The following guidelines are intended to assist applicants in determining their ability to serve, and to assist appointed members in serving well.

1) The five-member Planning Commission has major responsibilities as to both advanced and current planning. As to the first, the Commission is charged with continuing evaluation of the General Plan and recommending changes to the Council in order that the plan be dynamic, recommending implementing ordinances, and broad changes in zoning to conform with the Plan. As to current planning, the Commission hears and determines applications for individual zoning changes, subdivisions, planned unit developments, variances, use permits, and design review. Decisions of the Commission on rezonings and General Plan amendments are advisory; other current planning matters are final unless appealed to the Council.

2) The Commission meets regularly on the first and third Monday of each month. If the Monday is a holiday, the meeting will be held the following day. A packet of agenda materials, including staff analysis, is available on the Wednesday preceding Monday meetings.

3) A member is expected to attend all meetings, unless prevented from doing so by substantial reason. A member should notify responsible staff at least 24 hours before meeting time, if a meeting is going to be missed.

4) A member is expected to study documents provided in advance and to make field inspections as necessary.

5) A member should have, or acquire soon after being seated, a layman’s understanding of relevant law, as well as the physical characteristics and cultural aspects of the community.

6) A member should have a layman’s understanding of laws and rules governing conduct of meetings, including Robert’s Rules of Order (parliamentary procedure), The Ralph M. Brown Act (prohibitions on public meetings), and the Fair Political Practices Commission conflict of interest laws and local code.

7) A member should avoid drawing or stating final conclusions or decisions until completion of public hearing, if any, and of deliberation by the body as a whole.

8) Decision making is a collective process by the body as a whole, in legally constituted session only. Staff serving the body is engaged to serve the community as a whole, under the general direction of the City Manager.

9) A member may not solicit employment or professional assignment relating directly or indirectly to an item that has appeared or is scheduled to appear on the agenda.

10) If a member is approached to take employment or professional assignment relating to an item that ultimately may come before the body, one of two options may be taken:

a) The engagement may be refused, provided the member makes a public declaration at the next meeting that an offer has been made and refused and that the member thus is in a position to judge the item with objectivity.

b) The engagement may be accepted, provided the member abstains from discussion and voting on the item. Frequent abstention would be an indication that the employment or profession of the member is not compatible with his/her community service.