§ 25-450. Citizens advisory committee.

(a)

Creation. Pursuant to objective 9.2 of the plan, a citizens advisory committee is hereby created. The committee shall consist of twenty-one (21) members, who shall be appointed by the Jefferson Parish Council and parish president as follows: two (2) members appointed by each district councilmember and two (2) members appointed by each at-large councilmember. The remaining members shall be appointed by the parish president. Notice of appointment shall be by letter of the appointing authority. Each member shall be a resident or property owner of the Parish of Jefferson, or shall have a primary place of business within the Parish of Jefferson. In addition, the membership of the committee shall be balanced as evenly as possible between civic and business representation as follows: Each councilmember shall appoint one (1) business representative and one (1) civic representative, while the parish president shall appoint three (3) business representatives and three (3) civic representatives, with the remaining appointee from either business or civic representation.

(b)

Length of existence. The committee is established for an initial period of forty-eight (48) months, as provided within section 2-516 of this Code, at which time the parish council shall determine if the committee should be continued for an additional time period.

(c)

Designation of chair; office of primary responsibility. The committee shall elect a chair or co-chairs. The planning department shall provide technical assistance and support to the committee.

(d)

Terms of office. As outlined above, each district councilmember and each at large councilmember shall appoint two (2) members to the committee. For each councilmember, one (1) member shall have an initial term of two (2) years, while the other member shall have an initial term of one (1) year. Of those members appointed by the parish president, four (4) shall have initial terms of two (2) years, while three (3) shall have initial terms of one (1) year. All subsequent terms shall be for two (2) years. If a vacancy occurs it shall be filled by appointment by the parish president or councilmember making the initial appointment. If a member is appointed to fill a vacancy, this member shall serve until the expiration of term for which the vacated member was appointed. All terms are renewable.

(e)

Rules of procedure. The committee shall adopt rules of procedure as outlined within this section, and may adopt other by-laws that do not conflict with any state act or other parish ordinance. Meetings of the committee shall be held on call by the director of the planning department or committee chair, as applicable.

(f)

Adherence to Louisiana Public Meetings Law.

(1)

The committee shall strictly adhere to the requirements of the Louisiana Public Meetings Law.

(2)

In addition to written minutes, the meetings of the committee shall be recorded on audio tape and proper identification of all persons whose voices are recorded shall be properly noted.

(3)

Such recordings shall be archived by the planning department for a period of not less than three (3) years and, during said period, shall be made available to the Jefferson Parish Council upon request and to the general public under the authority of the Louisiana Public Records Act.

(g)

Powers of the committee. The committee shall make recommendations through the planning department to the planning advisory board and the parish council on those text amendments that propose major implementing ordinances or the adoption of subarea plans or new elements to the plan.

(Ord. No. 22140, § 10, 3-17-04)