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A. Establishing Commissions and Boards. Commissions and boards originate from different sources, including Oregon State Statute, City Charter and Municipal Code; others are established by direction of the Mayor or the City Council. Establishment and description of the Parks Commission and the Recreation Commission, which are not appointed commissions, are described in City Charter Articles XIX and XXII and correspondingly in AMC 2.16. Appointed advisory commissions and boards and other advisory bodies which are permanent shall be described in other sections of AMC Title 2 and designated as “regular” boards, commissions, or advisory bodies. These shall include but not be limited to Climate and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, Forest Lands Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee, Planning Hearings Board, Public Arts Advisory Committee, Housing and Human Services Advisory Committee, Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, and Social Equity and Racial Justice Advisory Committee. AMC 2.10 contains code applicable to regular and ad hoc commissions, boards, task forces and other advisory bodies.

B. Ad Hoc Committees. The Mayor shall have the authority, with the consent of the Council, to form ad hoc committees or task forces to deal with specific tasks within specific time frames. Such ad hoc committees shall abide by uniform rules and procedures set forth in AMC 2.10 and such other rules as prescribed by the order establishing such ad hoc entities. Committees shall make recommendations by way of a formal report to the City Council. The Mayor or City Manager may refer matters to the appropriate ad hoc committee. The Mayor with the consent of the Council shall appoint the membership of such committees. Members of regular boards and commissions may be appointed to ad hoc committees. The City Manager shall by order establish the ad hoc body’s scope of the work and rules of procedure, if necessary. The Council has the authority to follow the recommendations, change the recommendations, take no action, remand the matter back to the ad hoc body or take any other action it sees fit. The Council by majority vote may remove a member of an ad hoc committee at any time, with or without cause. The City Council by majority vote may amend or dissolve an ad hoc committee.

C. Regular Commission and Board Membership Appointments. Except for the Municipal Audit Commission if established (AMC 2.11) all regular advisory committees and boards not required by State law to be appointed by the City Council shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. The Mayor may request assistance or recommendations from Councilors in making appointments. In the Mayor’s absence, any necessary appointment may be made by the presiding officer with the consent of the Council. When necessary, the Mayor shall stagger the initial expiration of terms of appointees, such as in the case of a new commission or board. The Mayor shall not appoint, nor shall the Council consent to the appointment of a person to more than two (2) regular board or commission positions at a time. This rule shall not apply to the Planning Hearing Board. Because broad citizen participation is encouraged, the Mayor and Council shall give due consideration to appointment of new qualified members before re-appointing a person to more than two (2) full terms on any single regular board or commission.

D. Mayor Membership on Ashland Budget Committee. For the purpose of local budget law, the Mayor is a member of the governing body of the City of Ashland and shall be a voting member of the budget committee.

E. Student Membership on Regular Commissions and Boards. The Mayor with the consent of the City Council may add to the membership of any city commission or board up to two (2) positions for student liaisons. The student liaisons shall be nonvoting ex officio members of their respective commissions or boards. Once the liaison positions have been added, the liaison from the high school shall be a high school student chosen by the Ashland High School Leadership class and the liaison from the university shall be a university student chosen by the Associated Students of Southern Oregon University Student Senate. Student liaisons need not be appointed to every advisory commission or board.

F. Regular Membership Removal Process. The City Council, with or without cause, may by majority vote of the City Council at a regular meeting, remove any regular commission or board member prior to the expiration of the term of the appointment. Written notice of removal to the affected member shall be provided. Removal shall be handled with respect and courtesy. If a member resigns or is removed, the Mayor shall appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term in accordance with subsection C of this section. Notwithstanding the above procedure, removal of a Planning Commissioner shall be governed by the procedures in ORS 227.030 and removal of any member of the Recreation Commission or the Planning Commission is not subject to this section. Hearings under ORS 227.030 are hereby delegated by the governing body to the City Manager or Hearings Officer in accordance with the AMC 2.30, the Uniform Administrative Appeals Process.

G. Suspension, Changing or Dissolving a Regular Commission, Committee or Board. After any regular commission, board or other advisory body has been formed and codified, suspensions may be established by Council resolution, and any change or permanent dissolution requires an ordinance amending the Municipal Code. (Ord. 3224, replaced, 07/18/2023)