A. The mayor, with the advice and consent of the city council, may appoint up to two (2) alternate planning commissioners who may act with the full powers and duties of a regular planning commissioner, however, an alternate member may vote only in the absence of a regular member. The senior alternate member will be the first to replace an absent regular member.
B. Except for illness or other unforeseen circumstances, regular members shall notify the Recording Secretary at least one (1) week in advance of a meeting if they are unable to attend so that an alternate member can be prepared to attend in their place.
C. Alternate members may attend a meeting even if all regular members are present. However, they will sit in the audience and not participate in the discussion and debate with the regular members.
D. Alternate members shall not vote in the place of a member who abstains from voting unless that member completely withdraws from the discussion and removes themselves from the commission table during the consideration of the matter upon which the commissioner abstains. Under such circumstances, the alternate member may sit as a replacement for the regular member for that particular agenda item.
E. The appointment and participation of alternate members does not increase the number of members of the commission nor does it increase the number of members constituting a quorum required to take action. When an alternate member fills in for an absent or abstaining regular member, such alternate is considered to be a regular member for the purpose of that meeting or agenda item.
F. Alternate members shall serve a term of three (3) years. (2015 Code; amd. Ord. 09-2023, 1-24-2023)