The Commission shall adopt rules governing its proceedings, a copy of which shall be and remain on file in the office of the Village Clerk. The adoption, revision, or amendment of such rules shall be by majority vote of the Commission, and each member of the Commission shall be furnished a copy of such rules. Such rules shall include but shall not be limited to nor conflict with the following:
(A) All meetings and hearings of the Commission shall be open to the public, and although a quorum of the Commission shall be necessary for the conduct of Commission business at any regular and special meeting thereof, any two or more members thereof sitting at any lawfully noticed hearing of the Commission shall constitute a committee of the Commission for the conduct of a public hearing:
(1) At meetings of the Commission, a quorum shall consist of five members;
(2) Any member who was absent during a public hearing may vote on any motion of the Commission in connection with such hearing, provided that such member certifies that he has read the court reporter's transcript of such hearing;
(B) Each member shall be entitled to one vote upon the deliberations of the Commission;
(C) The Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings, showing the vote of each member upon every question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating that fact.
(D) In cases wherein a public hearing is required by ordinance, decisions and recommendations of the Commission shall be reached only after such a hearing has been held pursuant to proper notice of all hearings to all parties in interest;
(E) At all hearings, any interested party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney, offer evidence and testimony, and cross-examine witnesses;
(F) The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice- Chairman, shall administer or authorize the admini- stration of oaths and may compel the attendance of witnesses.
(G) All testimony before the Commission shall be given under oath or affirmation and a record of a court reporter provided by the petitioner therein for each case so heard;
(1) All evidence and testimony shall be presented publicly.
(2) The Commission may take judicial notice of facts to the same extent and in the same manner as courts of record and may consider any relevant facts within the personal knowledge of any member of the Commission which are stated into the record by such member;
(H) The petitioner shall provide two certified copies of the official court reporter's transcript of each hearing, which shall thereafter be maintained by the Village Clerk as part of the official record of each case.
(I) (1) At such meetings and within its jurisdiction granted under the ordinances of the Village, the Commission shall make its decision or its recommendation on all matters presented to it within a reasonable time.
(2) The Commission may reverse or confirm, wholly or partly modify, or amend any order, requirement, decision, or determination appealed from to the extent and in the manner the Commission may decide to be fitting and proper subject to the provisions contained in this subchapter or in the applicable statutes of the state.
(a) The concurring vote of five members of the Commission shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Director of Community Development;
(b) The concurring vote of five members of the Commission shall be necessary to recommend or grant a variation from the terms of this subchapter, or to recommend or decide in favor of the petitioner on any matter, other than that listed in division (I)(2)(a) above, upon which the Commission is required to pass under this subchapter or any other ordinance of the Village of Schiller Park.
(Ord. 95-1929, passed 5-23-95)