There is established a parking and traffic commission in and for the city of Sonora.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The parking and traffic commission shall consist of eight members, each of whom shall be appointed by the mayor with confirmation from the city council. The tenure of any member of the parking and traffic commission may be terminated at any time by a majority of the council. The eight members will consist of the following:

Two council representatives;

One police department representative;

One fire department representative;

One public works department representative;

One planning commission representative;

Two at-large representatives.*

*At the time of appointment and throughout incumbency, the two at-large representatives shall be limited to two consecutive terms and (a) must be a qualified elector in the city or (b) be licensed by the city to operate a business.

(Ord. 747, 2000: Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

Members of the parking and traffic commission shall be appointed for two years or until their successors shall be appointed, whichever shall occur first. Terms of office shall be filled in accordance with Section 10.24.020.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

Should a vacancy occur in a category of membership, such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Section 10.24.020.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

Whenever in the sole discretion of the council, the council believes that the best interest of the city shall be served, any member of the parking and traffic commission may be removed from office by a majority vote of the council.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The mayor will select one of the two city council appointments to the parking and traffic commission to serve as chairperson and the other to serve as chairperson pro tempore. The chairperson and chairperson pro tempore shall serve in such capacity until new committee assignments are made after July 1st of each municipal election year. It will be the duty of the chairperson to preside over all meetings of the commission with the chairperson pro tempore serving as chair in the absence of the chairperson.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The traffic and parking commission shall meet in regular session on an as-needed basis. Written notice of each meeting shall be given pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code Section 54950 et seq. All meetings of the parking and traffic commission shall be open and public pursuant to state law.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

Four members of the parking and traffic commission shall constitute a quorum.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The powers and duties of the parking and traffic commission shall encompass all roadways and public parking citywide as set forth in this code. General powers and duties shall include but not be limited to:

1. Acting on requests for change made by the public or by committee members regarding roadways and public parking;
2. Matters germane to special parking and traffic studies and traffic calming;
3. Such other matters as shall be referred from time to time from the city council.

The commission shall have such other powers and duties as may be expressly conferred upon the commission by ordinance or resolution. Except as may be otherwise specifically authorized in this chapter, the powers and duties of the parking and traffic commission are final unless the provisions of Section 10.24.130 of this chapter are invoked.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The parking and traffic commission may adopt, from time to time, such rules of procedures and policies as may be deemed necessary to properly exercise its powers and duties. All such rules, procedures and policies shall be subject to prior approval of the city attorney and the city administrator and shall be copied to city council members.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

The city engineer and/or the city attorney will provide assistance as requested by the parking and traffic commission. All other department heads and the city administrator shall cooperate and tender all reasonable and necessary assistance to the parking and traffic commission upon request.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

Neither the parking and traffic commission nor any individual member thereof shall incur any financial liability or responsibility in the name of or on behalf of the city by virtue of their activities as parking and traffic commission members.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)

In any matter which the parking and traffic commission shall have the express power to determine the rights and obligations within its jurisdiction, any person aggrieved by any such action or ruling of the commission may appeal to the council within ten calendar days of that action taken by the commission. Such appeal must be received by the city administrator in writing. Any fee for processing an appeal to a decision made under this chapter shall be established by resolution of the council.

(Ord. 743 (part), 2000.)