(A) Plan Commission established. Pursuant to the authority granted in I.C. 36-7-4-201 and I.C. 36-7-4-202(a), and for the purposes of improving the health, safety, convenience and welfare of the citizens of the town and the planning for the future development of that community to the end that highway systems be carefully planned; that new communities grow only with adequate street utility, health, educational and recreational facilities; that the needs of agriculture, industry and business be recognized in future growth, that residential areas provide healthy surroundings for family life, and that growth of the community is commensurate with promotion of the efficient and economical use of public funds; there is established an advisory Plan Commission for the town.
(B) Duties and powers. The duties and powers of the Plan Commission shall be to:
(1) Supervise, and make regulations for, the administration of the affairs of the Commission;
(2) Prescribe uniform rules pertaining to investigations and hearings;
(3) Supervise the fiscal affairs of the Commission;
(4) Keep a complete record of all the departmental proceedings;
(5) Record and file all bonds and contracts and assume responsibility for the custody and preservation of all papers and documents of the Commission;
(6) Prepare, publish and distribute reports, ordinances and other material relating to the activities authorized under this section;
(7) Adopt a seal;
(8) Certify to all official acts; and
(9) Prepare and submit an annual budget in the same matter of other departments of municipal government, as the case may be, and be limited in all expenditures to the provisions made for the expenditures by the legislative body of the municipality.
(C) Members.
(1) The Plan Commission shall consist of seven members. The Town Council shall appoint three persons in the town government as members. The Chairperson of the Council shall appoint four citizen members, of whom no more than two may be of the same political party.
(2) In the event that Plan Commission exercises jurisdiction outside the incorporated area of the town as provided in I.C. 36-7-4-205(a) through (f), the Judge of the County Circuit Court is to appoint two additional members who reside in the unincorporated area subject to Plan Commission jurisdiction of opposite political parties for terms as designated in I.C. 36-7-4-214, and such additional members as may be required pursuant to I.C. 36-7-4-215.
(D) Qualifications. In order to serve on the Plan Commission, each of the four citizen members appointed of the Commission:
(1) Is to have knowledge and experience in matters pertaining to the development of the municipality;
(2) Is not to hold any other office in the municipal government; and
(3) Is to be a resident of the municipality.
(E) Term of office.
(1) The term of office of a municipal member (appointed from the membership of a legislative body, a board of park commissioners or the advisory council on town affairs) is coextensive with the member’s term of office on that body, board or council, unless that body, board or council appoints, at the first regular meeting at any year, another to serve as its representative.
(2) Upon establishment of a seven-member Municipal Plan Commission, two citizen members are to be initially appointed for a term of three years and two initially be appointed for a term of four years.
(3) Each member’s term expires on January 1 of the second, third or fourth year, respectively, after the year of the member’s appointment.
(F) Vacancies.
(1) Vacancies among the citizen members of the Commission shall be filled by the Chairperson of the Council.
(2) Vacancies among the municipal members are to be filed by the Council.
(G) Officers. At its first regular meeting in each year, the Plan Commission shall elect from its members a President and Vice President. The Vice President may act as President of the Plan Commission during the absence or disability of the President. Action of a Plan Commission is not official, unless it is authorized, at a regular or special meeting, by a majority of the entire membership of the Plan Commission.
(1985 Code, § 2-4-2) (Ord. 21, passed - -)