3 SECTION 214 - PLANNING COMMISSION
111 214 . 00 - ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION
A City Planning Commission for the City of Elk River is hereby
established. The Commission shall be the City planning agency
authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Section 462 . 354 , Subdivision
1 .
214 . 02 - MEMBERS AND TERM
The Planning Commission shall consist of seven ( 7 ) members
appointed by the City Council for terms as follows : two
members whose terms expire December 31, 1982 ; two members whose
terms expire December 31, 1983; three members whose terms
expire December 31, 1984 . Thereafter, each member shall be
appointed at the first meeting of the year for terms of three
( 3) years . A vacancy shall be filled by the City Council for
the remainder of the term. The members of the Planning
Commission, by a majority vote, shall elect one of the
appointed Commissioners at the first meeting of the year to
serve as Chairman.
214 . 04 - POWERS AND DUTIES
• The Planning Commission shall have and exercise the powers and
duties conferred upon such commissions by the Municipal
Planning Act (Minnesota Statutes, Section 462 . 351 to 462 . 364 )
and by ordinance rules and regulations of the City. The
Commission shall also exercise the duties conferred upon it by
this Code and by the Council . After the Commission has
prepared and adopted a comprehensive plan, the Commission shall
periodically review the comprehensive plan, any ordinances and
any capital improvement program the Council has adopted to
implement the plan. After such review it shall, to the extent
it deems necessary, revise the comprehensive plan, adopt the
amendments or the new comprehensive plan, and recommend it to
the Council in accordance with law. Similarly, after such
review, it shall recommend to the Council any amendments it
deems desirable to the capital improvement program and any
ordinance implementing the plan.
214 . 06 - MEETINGS AND PROCEDURE
The Commission shall meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of
each month. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the
call of the Chairperson. Notice of the time and place of a
special meeting shall be communicated to the members and
publicly noticed at least three (3) days prior to the meeting
except in the event of an emergency. A majority of the
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Commission members shall constitute a quorum. All Commission
meetings shall be open to the public. Except as provided
•i herein, the Commission shall be governed by and operate
pursuant to Roberts Rules of Order as most recently revised.
SECTION 216 - PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
216 . 00 - ABOLITION OF PARK BOARD AND RECREATION BOARD
The Park Board and Recreation Board in and for the City of Elk
River heretofore established pursuant to the provisions of
Minnesota Statutes, Section 412 .501 to 412 . 531, is hereby
abolished.
216 . 02 - ESTABLISHMENT OF PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
A City Park and Recreation Commission for the City of Elk River
is hereby established. This Park and Recreation Commission is
established pursuant to the authority given by the Minnesota
Statutes Section 412 .
216 . 04 - PURPOSE OF COMMISSION
The Park and Recreation Commission is established to review and
to make recommendations to the City Council on the development
and organization of the City parks and City recreation
programs . The scope of the Commission shall consist of
advising the City Council regarding matters relevant to the
parks and recreation functions of the City. The Commission
shall participate in the planning for development and
acquisition of parks and recreation programs .
216 . 06 - MEMBERSHIP AND TERMS
The Park and Recreation Commission shall consist of eight ( 8)
members appointed by the City Council for terms of three ( 3)
years each. The terms of the members shall be staggered so
that no more than three (3) terms of office shall expire at one
time . The last day for the term of office shall expire at one
time. The last day for the term of office of each member shall
be December 31 , however, all members may continue service until
either reappointed or replaced by the City Council . All
appointments shall be made by the City Council and a vacancy
shall be filled by the City Council for the remainder of the
term. Officers of the Park and Recreation Commission shall
consist of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. The Chair shall
preside at all meetings of the Commission if present, and
• perform all other duties and functions assigned by the
Commission or the City Council . The Vice Chair shall perform
these duties in absence of the Chair. If a vacancy occurs in
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ELK RIVER
PLANNING
COMMISSION
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RULES AND
PROCEDURES
Planning Commission Rules and Procedures
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Article I. Introduction: 3
Section 1. Purpose 3
Section 2. Application of Rules and Procedures 3
Article II. Offices and Duties: 3
Section 1. Offices Designation 3
Section 2. Recording of Meetings 3
Section 3. Duties and Offices 3
Article III. Term Limits: 4
Article IV. Meetings and Hearings: 4
Section 1. Notice 4
Section 2. Meetings 5
Section 3. Workshops 5
Section 4. Meeting Records 5
Section 5. Meeting Arrangements 5
5.1 Date 5
5.2 Location 5
5.3 Additional Meetings 6
Section 6. Parliamentary Procedure 6
III Section 7. Public Hearing Agenda 6
Section 8. Procedure for Public Hearings 6
8.1 Procedure 6
8.2 Protocol 7
Section 9. Communications with Public and Applicant 7
9.1 General 7
9.2 Disclosures 7
9.3 Exception 7
Section 10. Deliberation 8
10.1 Voting 8
10.2 Conflict of Interest 8
Section 11. Orientation for New Members 8
Article V. Education, Conference & Convention Policy: 8
Article VI. Maintenance of Rules and Procedures. 9
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Article I. Introduction:
Section 1. Purpose
It is the intent of the Elk River Planning Commission to conduct its business and perform
its responsibilities and duties in an orderly, efficient, fair and lawful manner. These rules
and procedures are established for that purpose.
Section 2. Application of Rules and Procedures
Unless otherwise specifically indicated,these rules and procedures shall apply to the
transaction and administration of all Planning Commission business and the conduct of
all Planning Commission meetings and hearings.
Article II. Offices and Duties:
• Section 1. Offices Designation
The Commission at its first regular meeting in January of each year shall elect a
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.
Section 2. Recording of Meetings
The City supplies a qualified staff member to perform all general corresponding and
recording secretarial duties for the Planning Commission. In the absence of staff to
perform recording the Vice-Chairperson shall record the activities which take place
during the meetings.
Section 3. Duties and Offices
The duties and powers of the offices and the members of the Planning Commission shall
be as follows:
A. Chairperson
• 1. Preside at all meetings of the Commission.
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2. Call special meetings of the Commission in accordance with the City
Ordinance.
3. Sign documents of the Commission.
4. See that all actions of the Commission are properly taken.
5. Work with the City Staff to set monthly meeting agendas.
B. Vice Chairperson
During the absence, disability or disqualification of the Chairperson, the Vice
Chairperson shall exercise or perform all the duties and be subject to all the responsibility
of the chairperson.
C. Commissioners
1. All commissioners shall be responsible for the collection, review and
dissemination of facts regarding an issue before them. Facts shall be gathered
in a manner consistent with Article IV Section 9 of these procedures.
2. All commissioners shall be familiar with City Code,the City Comprehensive
Plan, and state law regarding the operation and duties of a planning
• commission.
3. At least one Planning Commissioner will be available at the City Council
meetings,where Planning Commission items will be discussed,to answer
questions and provide information relevant to Planning Commission
decisions.
4. All Commissioners shall endeavor to be present at all Planning Commission
meetings and hearings
Article III. Term Limits:
The City of Elk River Planning Commission recognizes that service on the Elk River
Planning Commission is a civic duty. An individual commissioner shall be limited to
serving 2 (Two)terms. Before being considered for another appointment to the Planning
Commission, a former Planning Commissioner shall have spent no less than one three
year term off the commission.
Article IV. Meetings and Hearings:
Section 1. Notice
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Notices of all meetings and hearings of the Planning Commission shall be made in
accordance with all statutory and ordinance notification requirements.
Section 2. Meetings
1. All meetings of the Elk River Planning Commission shall be open to the public.
2. The Planning Commission shall attempt to obtain at least one joint meeting with the
City Council annually.
3. The Planning Commission shall attempt to obtain at least one joint meeting with the
Park and Recreation Commission annually.
Section 3. Workshops
Workshops and other meetings whose sole purpose is for general information and/or
educational purposes will be open to the public. Public testimony may or may not be
• allowed.
Section 4. Meeting Records
All tapes, minutes, evidence, exhibits, correspondence, maps, plats etc. shall be made a
part of the record, become the property of the City of Elk River and be maintained as a
permanent record in the City offices. These records shall be available to the public
during normal business hours at the City Hall.
Section 5. Meeting Arrangements
5.1 Date
The Planning Commission shall meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Other meeting dates shall be selected by the commission at their regular meetings or
called and set by the Chairperson when necessary or requested by staff, in accordance
with Section 5.3. All Commissioners will be provided with a minimum of three days
notice.
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5.2 Location
City Staff and Chairperson shall select a meeting location that will suit the anticipated
needs of the meeting and which shall be accessible to all. Most meetings will take place
at the City Hall.
5.3 Additional Meetings
The Chairperson may call for a special meeting at any time. Notice of the time and place
shall be communicated to the members and publicly noticed at least three (3) days prior
to the meeting.
Section 6. Parliamentary Procedure
Meetings of the Elk River Planning Commission shall be conducted using Robert's Rules
of Order, as most recently revised.
Section 7. Public Hearing Agenda
• The City Staff and the Planning Commission Chair set the agenda for the public hearings.
The agenda may be amended by a majority vote of the Commission.
Section 8. Procedure for Public Hearings
8.1 Procedure
1. The City staff will furnish the Commission with all pertinent information concerning
the request.
2. The Chairperson will open the public hearing.
3. The applicant and/or the representative will explain the request.
4. Those who wish to may provide testimony.
5. The applicant and the opposition will then have an opportunity to answer questions.
6. After closing a hearing the Commissioners may continue to question applicants or
other constituents who have testified.
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8.2 Protocol
1. Everyone who wishes to give testimony will be allowed to do so.
2. All Statements or questions should be directed to the chair.
3. Be as factual as possible.
4. Refrain from repeating what has already been stated, and do not involve personalities.
5. Each person offering testimony or asking questions will need to give his or her name
and address to the recorder.
6. The Planning Commission reserves the right to question any speaker.
7. The City Staff shall be permitted to ask questions to clarify motions or items brought
out at the hearing.
8. Written testimony may be received.
• 9. While all deliberations are open to the public no additional testimony may be offered
after the close of the public hearing.
Section 9. Communications with Public and Applicant
9.1 General
Prior to public hearing or Commission deliberation, no Commissioner member shall
lobby the merits of a pending case with staff, applicant, other commission members or
the general public.
9.2 Disclosures
If a commission member is contacted or discusses a pending case outside of a planning
commission meeting, the member shall disclose during the public hearing the facts
relating to such communication.
9.3 Exception
Nothing in this section shall preclude the general information communication by
Commission members relating to the general conduct of a meeting or hearing, or forbid
staff or members from discussing with Commission members any upcoming meetings so
11111 long as the facts or merits of the meeting are not discussed.
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Section 10. Deliberation
10.1 Voting
A majority of the commission members entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
10.2 Conflict of Interest
Any member of the Planning Commission who shall feel that he or she may appear to
have, or in fact has a conflict of interest on any matter that is on the Planning
Commission agenda shall voluntarily excuse himself/herself, vacate their seat and refrain
from discussing and voting on said items as a Planning Commissioner.
A conflict of interest is any direct contractual pecuniary, or other beneficial interest in the
outcome of a matter before the Planning Commission.
IIISection 11. Orientation for New Members
To assist new members in learning their responsibilities and to develop their
understanding of the planning process as quickly as possible, they will be required to:
• Review procedures with City Staff
• Review Planning Commission's Orientation Outline.
Article V. Education, Conference & Convention Policy:
The City Council and Planning Commission of Elk River recognize and accept the
concept that the acquisition and maintenance of a body of knowledge and skills is
necessary and desirable to perform the job of the Planning Commission. Further, both
groups encourage and highly recommend periodic attendance at various educational
opportunities, conferences and conventions.
The following is the policy of the Elk River Planning Commission as it relates to city
funded educational meetings, conferences and conventions.
1. All education and training is subject to availability of funds.
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2. Attendance at educational meetings, conferences and conventions is voluntary.
Planning Commission members are encouraged to attend educational meetings,
conferences and conventions.
3. Involvement in relevant professional organizations such as the MPA or MnAPA
membership, office-holding, or committee work is intended to be considered
educational.
4. Planning Commission members are encouraged to participate in their budget process
and request allocations for education purposes.
5. In the event of budget constraints, the acquisition of skills and knowledge through
educational meetings, conferences and conventions shall have precedence of the
maintenance of same.
6. That two members may attend a National Planning Conference yearly.
7. There are no limits on the number of members or on the number of times a member
may attend a State Planning Annual Conference.
• 8. Planning Commissioners are encouraged to report on their educational experiences to
other commissioners.
9. Attendance at a State Conference is recommended prior to attending a National
Conference.
10. No member may attend an additional National Conference until all members who are
eligible and desire to attend a first conference have done so.
Article VI. Maintenance of Rules and Procedures:
Review rules and procedures annually and update as needed.
Dated: January 23, 1990
Revised: January 18, 1992
February 1, 1994
January 30, 1995
January 13, 1996
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