(A) There is hereby established for the city, a Planning and Zoning Commission, which may be known as the “Planning Commission.”
(B) Membership shall consist of five members recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Members shall be residents of the city and serve without compensation. In addition to this membership, two shall be appointed as ex officio, one to be appointed from the administrative membership of the city government and one from the membership of the City Council to serve as liaison with the Planning Commission. For the transaction of business at any meeting, three voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. Except as otherwise specifically provided, a majority of voting members present shall be required for the adoption of any resolution.
(C) At the first meeting of each calendar year, voting members of the Commission shall select a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary, each to serve throughout the year and until a successor is chosen. Duties of chair include presiding at meetings of the Commission, calling special meetings, appointing standing and other committees, arranging meetings with technical advisors and property owners or others who have personal interest in a proposed recommendation, communicating with city officials, reporting pertinent findings, and giving leadership to the Commission. The vice-chair shall perform any or all duties described in the absence of the chair or at the request of the chair. The secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of every meeting of the Commission, including copies of all of the correspondence and other documents pertaining to the proceedings and minutes of all such meetings. Also, the secretary shall send a record of every meeting of the Commission to Commission members, the City Council, and the City Administrator and shall submit the minutes at the next following meeting of the Commission for review and final approval. The secretary shall handle the correspondence of the Commission and shall perform other tasks as voted by the Commission, or as directed by its chair.
(D) Terms of office for members other than ex officio's shall be for three years, except that three members shall initially serve a term of two years, and, thereafter, all members shall serve the prescribed three-year term. Terms shall expire on the last day of the year. Ex officio members shall be appointed for annual terms, provided that membership on the Commission shall terminate with the office, from which ex officio membership is derived and serve during the pleasure of the City Council or as may otherwise be appropriate.
(E) The Commission shall hold one regular meeting every month or as determined by the Commission. Regular meetings may be cancelled by the chairperson or City Administrator if there is no business before the Commission.
(F) If a commissioner has a financial interest, as determined by state law, in a decision before the Commission, that commissioner must abstain from both the discussion and the vote. For reference see M.S. § 471.87, as it may be amended from time to time.
(G) Any member of the Commission may be removed from office for just cause and on written charges by a vote of the City Council, but the member shall be entitled to a public hearing before the vote is taken. In addition, any member may be removed by the chairperson or City Administrator for nonattendance at Planning Commission meetings without action by the City Council. Any Commissioner who is absent from three regular called meetings of the Commission shall be deemed to have resigned unless the absentee provides a explanation to the chairperson.
(H) It shall be the duty of the Chairman of the Commission to notify the City Council promptly of any vacancies occurring in membership.If there is a vacancy, it shall be filled by a person recommended by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Vacancies shall be filled within 30 days, or as soon as possible thereafter, for the remaining unexpired term of the original appointment.
(I) The Planning Commission is an advisory board to the City Council. The Planning Commission shall review, hold public hearings, and make recommendations to the City Council on all applications for zoning amendments, conditional use permits, plat approvals, and variances using the criteria in §§ 153.023(A), 153.024(B), and 153.025(B). The Planning Commission shall also prepare and recommend a comprehensive plan for the development of the city, study and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the means to carry out and maintain the comprehensive plan and regulations thereto. The Commission shall prepare and recommend to the proper officials of the municipality, needed capital improvements consistent with the comprehensive plan for the city. The Commission shall conduct hearings, study, and recommend to the City Council a zoning code and amendments thereto as may, from time to time, be proposed.
(Ord. passed 2-29-1996; Am. Ord. 2006-188, passed 1-26-2006; Am. Ord. 2022-309, passed 3-31- 2022)