Chapter 4. Nature, Jurisdiction, And General Powers Of Commission of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 24. >> Part 1.7. >> Chapter 4.

The powers duties, and responsibilities of the commission, the redevelopment agency, and the housing authority are vested in the commissioners in office. Each commission exercises governmental functions and has the powers prescribed in this part. Each commission is performing a public function of the community.

The nature, power, authority, functions and jurisdiction of the commission include, but are not limited to, all of the nature, power, authority, functions, and jurisdiction of redevelopment agencies and housing authorities. The commission also has the nature, power, authority, functions, and jurisdiction relating to community development as may be delegated to the commission by the legislative body, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the legislative body.

A commission may:
  (a) Sue and be sued.
  (b) Have a seal.
  (c) Make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers.
  (d) Make, amend, and repeal bylaws and regulations not inconsistent with, and to carry into effect the powers and purposes of this part and all other powers and purposes delegated to them by the legislative body.

(a) A commission may select, appoint, and employ such permanent and temporary officers, agents, counsel, and employees as it requires, and determine their qualifications, duties, benefits, and compensation, subject only to the conditions and restrictions imposed by the legislative body on the expenditure or encumbrance of the budgetary funds appropriated to the commission. The commission shall adopt personnel rules and regulations applicable to all its employees. Such rules shall contain procedures affecting conflicts of interest, use of funds, personnel procedures on hiring and firing including removal of personnel for inefficiency, neglect of duties, or misconduct in office. Such rules and regulations shall be a public record.
  (b) A commission may contract with the Department of Housing and Community Development or any other agency or entity for the furnishing by the department, agency, or entity of any necessary staff services associated with or required and which could be performed by the staff of a commission.

In addition to all other powers and authorities of the commission, the commission may hire, employ, or contract for staff, contractors, and consultants, or the commission may use community staff, contractors or consultants under contract or other arrangements with the community at the expense of the commission, the community, the redevelopment agency, or the housing authority.

Any grants or loans of money appropriated by the legislative body of the community to the commission is not to be construed as making the commission a department of the community or placing the officers, agents, counsel, and employees under civil service of the community.

The commission may accept financial assistance from public or private sources for the purposes of this part.

The commission may accept any other assistance from the state or federal government or any public or private source for any of the commission's activities, powers, and duties.

The commission shall have such other powers as may be authorized by the legislative body of the community.

The legislative body of the community may delegate to or establish in a general manager, executive director, or administrator of the community or of the commission any or all of the power and authority of the commission for the administration of the activities of the commission, the redevelopment agency, or the housing authority. The commission may also delegate and establish any or all of the power and authority of the commission in a general manager, executive director, or administrator of the community or commission.

A chartered city may enact its own procedural ordinance and exercise powers granted by this part.

A commission is authorized to delegate to a community any of the powers or functions of the commission and such community is hereby authorized to carry out or perform such powers or functions for the commission.