(A) The Planning Commission for the city is hereby continued. The Commission shall be the city planning agency authorized by M.S. § 462.354(1), as it may be amended from time to time.
(`87 Code, § 204.01)
(B) (1) The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members from the resident population of the city to be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council. The appointees shall be appointed to serve staggered terms of three years, except as noted below, commencing on the first day of January in the year of appointment. Upon expiration of a term, the appointee shall continue until reappointed or a successor is appointed. Absence from any three meetings in a year, unless excused in advance by the Chair, constitutes a vacancy. In the event of any vacancy, the Mayor, with the approval of the Council, shall appoint a person to complete the unexpired term.
(2) One member may be a Council member to be appointed by the Mayor with Council approval for a one year term to expire on December 31 of each year.
(3) Other persons may serve in an ex officio capacity as the Council may, in its discretion, deem appropriate.
(4) Each of the seven regular Planning Commission members shall have equal voting privileges. Any member may be removed for cause by majority vote of the City Council upon written charge and opportunity for a hearing.
(`87 Code, § 204.02)
(C) (1) At the first regular meeting in January, the Commission shall elect the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson from among its appointed members, each for a term of one year and the Commission may create and fill other offices as it may determine. The Commission shall hold the meeting each month at the time and place as they may fix by resolution. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chairperson, or in case of his or her absence, by the Vice-Chairperson. Written minutes of meetings shall be kept and filed with the City Administrator prior to the next regularly scheduled Council meeting, but shall be subject to approval at the next Planning Commission meeting.
(2) No expenditures by the Commission shall be made unless and until authorized for the purpose by the Council.
(`87 Code, § 204.03)
(D) (1) The Planning Commission shall have the powers and duties given city planning agencies generally by law. The Commission shall also exercise the duties conferred upon it by this code. It shall be the purpose of the Planning Commission to prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for the physical development of the city, including proposed public buildings, street arrangements and improvements, efficient design of major thoroughfares for moving of traffic, parking facilities, public utilities services, parks and playgrounds, a general land use plan and other matters relating to the physical development of the city. The plan may be prepared in sections, each of which shall relate to the comprehensive plan program.
(2) Upon the adoption of a comprehensive plan or any section thereof, it shall be the concern of the Planning Commission to recommend to the Council reasonable and practicable means for putting into effect the plan or section thereof in order that the same will serve as a pattern and guide for the orderly physical development of the city and as a basis for judging the timely disbursements of funds to implement the objective. Means of effectuating the plan shall, among other things, consist of a zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, capital improvement programming and technical review and recommendations of matters referred to the Planning Commission by the Council.
(3) The Planning Commission shall review all proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance, take part in public hearings and make recommendations to the Council as may be prescribed by Chapter 154 of this code of ordinances.
(4) The Planning Commission may make recommendations on all requests for a conditional use permit under the terms of Chapter 154 of this code of ordinances. The Commission shall report its recommendations to the Council for action.
(5) The Planning Commission may make recommendations in relation to the subdividing of land as prescribed by the ordinance. The Commission shall report its recommendations to the Council for action.
(6) The Planning Commission shall endeavor to obtain from city officers a descriptive list of proposed improvements for the ensuing five-year period. The Planning Commission shall also request from the local school district a similar list of its proposed public works.
(7) The Planning Commission shall list and classify all proposed public works and shall prepare a coordinated program of proposed public works for the ensuing year and for a projected five-year period. The program shall be recommended by the Planning Commission to the Council and to other officers, departments, boards or public bodies as have jurisdiction over the recommended planning or construction of the public works.
(`87 Code, § 204.04) (Am. Ord. 08-02-01, passed 2-6-08; Am. Ord. 20160218-04, passed 2-18-2016)