Chapter 2.19
DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Sections:
2.19.020 Process for hiring director of legislative affairs.
2.19.030 Authority and duties.
2.19.010 Position created.
There is hereby established the position of director of legislative affairs. The director of legislative affairs is an appointed officer subject to Chapters 2.17 and 2.27 EMMC. Pursuant to Section 10-3b-104(1)(a), Utah Code Annotated 1953, and EMMC 2.16.070, the director of legislative affairs reports to the city manager. The director of legislative affairs shall have no supervisory authority over the city manager. It is the duty of the city manager to ensure the director of legislative affairs is given the resources, including, without limitation, access to staff, data, and legal counsel, reasonably necessary to accomplish the duties enumerated by the city council in this chapter. [Ord. O-21-2024 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-06-2023 § 2 (Exh. A)].
2.19.020 Process for hiring director of legislative affairs.
If the position of director of legislative affairs is vacant, or if the mayor has been informed that the director of legislative affairs’ employment will be voluntarily or involuntarily terminated, the mayor shall notify the city council and implement the process outlined in the policies and procedures manual for hiring municipal employees with the following additional requirements:
A. The mayor, or designee, shall review all applications and resumes and determine the four most qualified candidates to perform the duties outlined in this chapter;
B. If fewer than four individuals apply, the mayor shall report the deficiency to the city council and seek direction regarding remedies;
C. The mayor, or designee, shall convene a panel to interview each of the candidates composed of the mayor, city manager, and two council members determined by lot. If a council member is unable or unwilling to participate, a replacement shall be selected by lot;
D. At the conclusion of interviews, the panel members should discuss, and offer advice to the mayor, or designee, regarding the most appropriate candidate, or if further candidates are warranted; and
E. The mayor shall make an appointment subject to the advice and consent of the city council on the next scheduled agenda where noticing requirements can be met.
F. The hiring process described in this section only applies to the director of legislative affairs position. [Ord. O-21-2024 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-06-2023 § 2 (Exh. A)].
2.19.030 Authority and duties.
The city council hereby establishes the following authority and duties of the director of legislative affairs pursuant to Section 10-3b-105, Utah Code Annotated 1953. The director of legislative affairs shall:
A. Liaise with the city manager, or designee, on behalf of the city council. This does not preclude the city manager’s right to communicate freely with members of the city council at their discretion;
B. Coordinate city council public requests and appearances, including, without limitation, resident and applicant meetings, town halls, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, educational requests, and other requests for council interaction;
C. Coordinate the creation, implementation, and annual review of the six-member city council’s adopted vision, mission statement, and strategic goals;
D. Review the effectiveness of the implementation of city council’s legislative directives and priorities and recommend needed legislative adjustments to the city council. Convey suggestions for administrative adjustments, when necessary, to better implement the council’s vision, to the city manager;
E. Attend city council, citizen, administrative, staff, department, and other meetings as requested by the city manager and city council;
F. Prior to the agenda deadline, coordinate written requests of items placed on the agenda with the mayor;
G. Prepare research and analysis of legislative issues for city council review as requested by the city council, including:
1. Bill tracking of state legislative issues during the session and throughout the year;
2. Local municipal issues;
H. The director of legislative affairs shall have the same right as all other director-level positions to access the city attorney;
I. Regularly review this code to identify the timely updating, accuracy, consistency, and coordinate with the city attorney to ensure compliance of the code with federal and state law. Inform the city council of any deficiencies;
J. Coordinate with the city manager for a regular (at least every two years) city council review of the priorities and implementation strategies of the city master plans. Recommend a schedule for review and amendment of the following plans according to staff recommendations:
1. General plan;
2. Future land use plan;
3. Transportation master plan;
4. Bike and pedestrian master plan;
5. Parks and open space master plan;
6. Facilities master plan;
7. Annexation plan;
K. Create and maintain the legislative priorities list as adopted/amended by the city council in its regular council meetings;
L. Track overlay zones and ensure that they are reviewed by the city council at least once every four years;
M. The director of legislative affairs shall report to the city manager who shall be responsible to ensure the director of legislative affairs is performing their duties as outlined in the legislative priorities list and this chapter;
N. Perform other duties, under the direction of the city manager, as adopted by the city council; the city manager may propose additional tasks to be included on the adopted legislative priorities list, should a lack of work be anticipated. [Ord. O-21-2024 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-42-2023 § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. O-06-2023 § 2 (Exh. A)].
2.19.040 Removal.
The director of legislative affairs may be terminated according to the procedures outlined in the policies and procedures manual. [Ord. O-06-2023 § 2 (Exh. A)].
2.19.050 Review of duties.
The city council may regularly review and may amend the authority and duties of the director of legislative affairs. [Ord. O-06-2023 § 2 (Exh. A)].