(A) There are hereby established and created the following Boards, Commissions, and Committees for the city:
(1) Accommodations Tax Advisory Board;
(2) Board of Zoning Appeals;
(3) Community Promotions Committee;
(4) Construction and Fire Board of Adjustments and Appeals;
(5) Design Review Board;
(6) Parks and Recreation Board;
(7) Planning Commission;
(8) Staff Event Planning Committee;
(9) Tourism and Visitors Promotion Committee; and
(10) Utilities Advisory Board.
(B) No spouse, individual living in the same household and sharing all benefits of a relationship as if a spouse, children, or members of the immediate family of a City Council member shall serve on any board, commission, or committee elected or appointed by City Council.
(C) Appointments to all boards, commissions, and committees of the city, except those running concurrent to the terms of Council and the Mayor, shall be made no later than June 1 of each year and shall be for a term of three years except for the Planning Commission. All members of boards, commissions, and committees shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified.
(1) Terms for all boards, commissions, and committees of the city, shall be established in such a way that the expiration of individual terms are staggered. No more than one half the terms of any board, commission, or committee shall expire in any given year.
(2) Any member of a board, committee, or commission appointed by a Council member or the Mayor can be replaced at any time and for any reason, at the sole discretion of the Council member or Mayor who appointed that member.
(3) Members of boards, committees, commissions may be replaced at any time by City Council for cause.
(4)
The existence of cause shall be discussed by the Council in executive session as permitted by the Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code § 30-4-70(a)(l), and the determination of removal shall be by vote in public session declaring a vacancy in the position without a statement of cause.
(a) Any fact which, in the discretion of Council, is deemed to adversely affect the public interest, including lack of attendance at meetings, may constitute cause.
(b) Failure to notify the Staff Liaison of an absence at lease 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting, barring emergencies, shall constitute an unexcused absence. Members with two or more unexcused absences within a 12-month period shall constitute cause for removal.
(D) Each board, commission, or committee shall, at the call of the Chair, establish its own rules of procedure. Minutes of the meetings shall be recorded with a copy to be filed in the office of the Municipal Clerk and a copy to be submitted to the City Council.
(E) Each board, commission, or committee shall prepare an annual report to City Council no later than February 1 containing a summary of matters voted on by the Board in the previous twelve months. The report of the Accommodations Tax Advisory Board shall be submitted to Council no later than September 15.
(F) Each board, commission, or committee shall appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair annually, with the appointment to take place no later than August 1 of each year.
(G) Members of any board, commission, or committee shall serve without additional compensation. Reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance of official duties may be reimbursed from budgeted funds pursuant to reimbursement policies and procedures for employees of the city.
(H) All meetings of any board, commission, and committee are subject to the requirements of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. All meetings shall be duly advertised and open to the public, except in cases where the Freedom of Information Act permits executive sessions. No official actions or votes may be taken in executive sessions.
(I) All boards, commissions, and committees shall follow the most recent version of Robert's Rules of Order.
(J) Any individuals seeking to serve on a board or commission shall undergo a pre-appointment background check similar to those conducted for city employees.
(Ord. 25-17, passed 9-26-17; Am. Ord. 037-21, passed 12-14-21; Am. Ord. 006-22, passed 5-10-22)