Chapter 2.80
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
Sections:
2.80.010 Applicability of chapter.
2.80.040 Qualifications of members.
2.80.060 Compensation of members.
2.80.070 Attendance requirements – Vacancies.
2.80.120 Conflict of interest.
2.80.130 Procedural rules and order of business.
2.80.140 Reports, minutes, and public hearing records.
2.80.150 Ex officio members and staff.
2.80.160 Assembly notification.
2.80.010 Applicability of chapter.
Unless otherwise provided in this code, a borough-established board, commission, or committee is governed by the provisions set forth in this chapter. The provisions of this chapter do not automatically apply to appointed boards, commissions, committees, or other bodies established by charter unless specifically provided for in this code. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.020 Powers and duties.
A. The assembly by ordinance may provide for advisory, regulatory, appellate or quasi-judicial boards, commissions, or committees. The ordinance shall prescribe the purpose or charge, number of seats, duties and qualifications of members, and additional matters the assembly deems appropriate.
B. The assembly by ordinance may create or designate itself to be a board of review, adjustment, or equalization. The ordinance shall prescribe the rules of procedure, including quorum and voting requirements. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.030 Appointments.
A member of a board, commission, or committee established under this chapter shall be nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly. Reappointments to a board, commission, or committee must be accompanied by a record of meeting attendance during the previous term of appointment. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.040 Qualifications of members.
In addition to any other qualifications required by this code, a board, commission, or committee member shall:
A. Be a qualified voter of the borough;
B. Maintain residence in the borough while in office; and
C. Possess expertise or experience related to the board, commission, or committee’s purpose. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.050 Terms.
Except as otherwise specified in this code, the regular term of each member of a board, commission, or committee is three years commencing on July 1st of the year in which appointed, and ending three years thereafter on June 30th. In order to avoid a vacancy until a new appointment can be made and confirmed, an appointed member’s term may be extended until a new appointment is confirmed. The terms of initial or subsequent appointments to a board, commission, or committee shall be staggered so that, as nearly as possible, a proportional number of its members shall be appointed each year of the established regular term of office. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.060 Compensation of members.
Compensation for attendance at a board, commission, or committee meeting shall be at the rate of $250.00 for each meeting day. Compensation shall be paid at the rate of $150.00 per day for attendance at a convention, conference, or similar gathering. Compensation does not include per diem, which may be paid separately. Members are not eligible for compensation under this section if receiving a meeting fee from another organization or compensation as an employee. (Ord. 18-09 § 1, 2018; Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.070 Attendance requirements – Vacancies.
A. The office of a member of a board, commission, or committee member shall become vacant in the same manner that the office of an elected official becomes vacant as provided in Section 2.05 of the Borough Charter.
B. A member intending to be absent from a regular meeting shall request excusal from the chair prior to the meeting.
C. A board, commission, or committee chair or the chair’s designated staff shall keep attendance records of all meetings, and immediately report the failure of any member to meet the attendance requirements of this section to the mayor or the mayor’s designee. The mayor or the mayor’s designee shall notify the member of his delinquency and may remove the member from office within 15 days of receiving notification of the member’s nonattendance.
D. The assembly shall be promptly notified of the removal of any member appointed under this chapter. Vacancies created pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be filled by appointment to the unexpired term of the vacated seat.
E. Members of boards, commissions, and committees having duly appointed alternates shall not be subject to removal for failing to meet the attendance requirements of this section.
F. Boards, commissions, and committees may allow attendance and full participation by members using telephonic or video conferencing equipment or facilities. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.080 Officers.
A board or commission shall annually elect a chair and a vice-chair. The vice-chair shall act in the absence of the chair or in the inability of the chair to act. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.090 Quorum.
A majority of the authorized, seated members of a board, commission, or committee shall be a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any number less than a quorum may recess a meeting to a later time or date. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.100 Meetings.
A. A board, commission, or committee shall hold regular quarterly meetings at such time and place as may from time to time be designated by the body, but meetings need not be held if no business is pending. The chair or a majority of the board, commission, or committee may call a special meeting.
B. Adequate public notice of meetings of boards, commissions, and committees shall be as provided in accordance with NABC 2.32.030. For this chapter, such notice shall be provided no less than seven days prior to the meeting date, except for a special meeting which requires 24-hour advance notice. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.110 Public meetings.
All borough boards, commissions, and committees are public bodies, and subject to the Alaska Open Meeting Act codified at AS 44.62.310 and Chapter 2.32 NABC. All meetings shall be public unless an exception to the public meeting requirement is met under NABC 2.32.020 and confirmed by an affirmative vote of the members present at the meeting. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.120 Conflict of interest.
No member of a board, commission, or committee may vote on a question in which they have a substantial financial interest. The body shall rule on a request for abstention due to a conflict of interest. No member shall represent any person before the board, commission, or committee of which he is a member. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.130 Procedural rules and order of business.
A board, commission, or committee shall establish its own procedural rules and order of business, except as otherwise provided by law. An appeal or quasi-judicial body shall establish reasonable rules and regulations governing its proceedings. In all matters of procedure not covered by rules adopted by the body, Robert’s Rules of Order, as revised, shall be applicable and shall govern. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.140 Reports, minutes, and public hearing records.
A board, commission, or committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and such minutes shall record the vote of each member physically present upon every question formally presented to the body for its consideration. The minutes shall be maintained in the custody of the borough and shall be a public record, open to public inspection. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.150 Ex officio members and staff.
The mayor may appoint an employee of the borough who shall be an ex officio member of a board, commission, or committee for the purpose of acting as secretary or to provide the body with technical advice and information. An ex officio member is not entitled to vote on any question to be determined by the body, nor is an ex officio member a member for the purpose of establishing a quorum. An ex officio member is not entitled to any compensation for his ex officio duties or services. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)
2.80.160 Assembly notification.
All boards, commissions, and committees established under this chapter and their membership shall be listed in an informational memoranda submitted to the assembly annually by the mayor at the first meeting during the month of July. (Ord. 13-05 § 1, 2013)