(A) Generally.
(1) A Planning Commission is a group of local citizens, appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The Planning Commission carries out planning activities and serves in an “advisor” capacity to the City Council. State statutes require that planning commissions must be consulted by the governing body on matters concerning community planning before the elected officials can take formal action. The Planning Commission must therefore develop the capabilities, which enable it to provide sound and knowledgeable advice to those who seek it.
(2) Nebraska legislation gives any municipality the power to create by ordinance a Planning Commission. The Planning Commission of a city shall be designated city planning or city Plan Commission (Neb. RS 19-925). Planning Commissions have jurisdictions over the incorporated area and can take jurisdiction over the area outside the city limits up to one mile.
(B) Duties and powers of the Planning Commission.
(1) Make and adopt plans for the physical development of the municipality that can include the following:
(a) Comprehensive Plan;
(b) Capital improvement program;
(c) Subdivision regulations;
(d) Building codes; and
(e) Zoning Code.
(2) Consult and advise with public officials and agencies; public utilities, civic organizations, educational institutions, and citizens with relation to the adoption and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan;
(3) Delegate authority to any such group to conduct studies and make surveys for the Commission;
(4) Make recommendations to the City Council on the adoption or amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, subdivision regulations, zoning ordinance, or capital improvements;
(5) Make and enter into contracts with public or private bodies, with the consent of the City Council;
(6) Conduct or sponsor special studies or planning work for any public body or appropriate agency;
(7) Receive grants, remuneration, or reimbursement for studies conducted;
(8) Summon witnesses, administer oaths, and compel the giving of testimony at public hearings; and
(9) Make recommendation on the approval or denial of special permits to the City Council (Neb. RS 19-929).
(C) Meetings. The Commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, findings, and determinations. The Planning Commission meetings shall adhere to the public meetings law and the minutes of such meeting shall be a public record.
(D) Nebraska public meeting statutes. Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the public in order that citizens may attend and speak at such meeting. The public meeting law is broadly interpreted and liberally construed to obtain the objectives of openness in favor of the public and provisions permitted closed sessions must be narrowly and strictly construed (Neb. RS 84-1408). Public meetings shall also adhere to the rules and regulations authorized by Neb. RS 84-1409 through 84-1414.
(Ord. 667, passed 12-3-2014)