Chapter 2.50
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Sections:
2.50.040 Duties and responsibilities.
2.50.010 Creation.
The authority of boards and commissions are limited to the duties listed in BMC 2.50.040.
(1) Arts Commission. The Burien city council created the arts commission to provide advice to the city council on arts, culture programs, and projects; initiate or sponsor programs to increase public awareness of and interest in fine and performing arts and cultural activities; obtain private, local, state, and federal funds to promote art projects in Burien; advise the council and Burien staff on obtaining or purchasing artwork for municipal installation; and work with local schools and arts organizations for Burien’s benefit.
(2) Business and Economic Development Partnership (“BEDP”). The Burien city council created the Burien business and economic development partnership to provide advice to the city council on Burien’s economic development through the analysis, consideration, improvement, and review of economic development components of Burien’s comprehensive plan, and to make recommendations to the city council on economic development programs and priorities.
(3) Human Services Commission. The Burien city council created the human services commission to provide advice to the city council on human services issues in Burien and human services funding allocations by reviewing human services requests and making funding allocation recommendations; to review the performance of Burien-funded human services agencies and programs, and to make recommendations on how human services can be more effectively, cost-efficiently, or better provided in Burien.
(4) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (“P-RAB”). The parks and recreation advisory board was created to provide advice to the Burien city council on park-related concerns such as: the use and acquisition of land for parks, trails, and P-RAB facilities; the creation and objectives for P-RAB recreation programs; the identification and pursuit of grants for P-RAB purposes; and the care for trees and other vegetation on parks property.
(5) Planning Commission. The planning commission was created to advise and make recommendations to the Burien city council on Burien’s future growth through analysis, review, and recommendations regarding Burien’s comprehensive plan and related land use documents. [Ord. 766 § 2, 2021]
2.50.020 Membership.
(1) The Number of Members.
(a) Arts commission shall consist of nine voting members.
(b) BEDP shall consist of 14 appointed members, 11 voting members, and three nonvoting ex officio members, one of whom shall be the city manager.
(c) Human services commission shall consist of seven voting members.
(d) Parks and recreation advisory board shall consist of seven voting members.
(e) Planning commission shall consist of seven voting members.
(2) Composition.
(a) Arts Commission. Members must be Burien residents.
(b) BEDP. To the extent possible, members must be Burien business owners, managers, and employees; commercial property owners; chambers of commerce and merchants’ associations; residents; employment and job training services; educators; and other stakeholders. In addition, if appointed, representatives from Discover Burien, the Seattle Southside Chamber, and the King County Labor Council shall be nonvoting ex officio members.
(c) Human Services Commission. At least five of the appointed members must be Burien residents and the other two members shall be community stakeholders.
(d) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Members must be Burien residents.
(e) Planning Commission. Members must be Burien residents.
(3) Appointment and Terms. The city council shall appoint all board and commission members for four-year terms from April 1st to March 31st, or until a member’s successor is duly appointed and confirmed.
(4) Board and Commission Handbook. Every board and commission member is expected to be familiar with and comply with the Board and Commission Handbook. The Board and Commission Handbook is a code of conduct that each board and commission member is required to sign before being appointed. Each board and commission member is expected to comply with the Board and Commission Handbook after a council amendment whether they have signed an amended copy or not.
(5) Recommendations and Advice. All board and commission recommendations involving an expense to Burien shall contain project funding source options and financial records detailing the projected expenses related to the project or program.
(6) Limitations and Eligibility. Board and commission members may not serve more than two consecutive full terms. After a two-year absence, members may be reappointed subject to the membership requirements stated above. City of Burien employees are not eligible to be appointed on any of the boards or commissions.
(7) Alternate Members. The city council may appoint up to two alternate members to each board or commission to serve in the absence of regular members. The alternates’ membership terms shall be two years.
(8) Chair and Vice-Chair. The board and commission members shall elect from among its members a chair who shall preside at all meetings and a vice-chair who shall preside if the chair is absent.
(9) Removal.
(a) All board and commission members serve at the city council’s pleasure and have no right or possessory interest in their board or commission membership.
(b) Any board and commission member may be removed by a majority vote of the city council. The city council’s decision shall be final and there shall be no right of appeal. The council may convey the removal directly or through the city manager.
(c) The city council may remove board and commission members if they have absences totaling 25 percent or more of the regularly scheduled meetings for the calendar year or three consecutive unexcused absences.
(d) The city council may remove board and commission members if a council majority finds that a member has violated the Board and Commission Handbook code of conduct.
(e) Board and commission members may also be removed at the recommendation of the majority of a board or commission if the city council chooses to follow the recommendation.
(10) Vacancies. Vacancies occurring before the expiration of the term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as for appointments as provided in this chapter.
(11) Compensation. No commission member shall receive any compensation for his or her services from the city of Burien, a Burien resident, a person with an interest in a matter before the board or commission, or anyone else. [Ord. 766 § 2, 2021]
2.50.030 Meetings.
(1) Types of Meetings. The boards and commissions shall hold such regular and special meetings as necessary to complete its responsibilities. Board and commission majorities shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and a majority vote of members present shall be sufficient to carry any motion.
(2) Code of Conduct. The boards and commissions may adopt bylaws, subject to the city council’s approval. Those bylaws and the board and commission members remain subject to the Board and Commission Handbook.
(3) Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order, 12th Edition, shall be used to guide meeting conduct.
(4) Minutes. The recording secretary shall prepare minutes for all meetings, which shall contain an account of all of the board or commission’s official actions, and which will constitute the board or commission’s official record.
(5) Schedule. Each January, under RCW 42.30.075, the board or commission will announce its regularly scheduled meetings to be provided to the public. [Ord. 766 § 2, 2021]
2.50.040 Duties and responsibilities.
The board or commission shall be an advisory body to the city council responsible for:
(1) Arts Commission. Developing cooperation and coordination with schools and local, regional, and national arts organizations; conducting, initiating, and sponsoring programs calculated to further public awareness of and interest in fine and performing arts and/or the cultural activities in the city of Burien; exploring ways to obtain private, local, state, and federal funds to promote art projects in Burien; advising and assisting the city council and staff in connection with such other artistic and cultural activities as may be referred to it by the city council or by an ordinance or other duties as assigned by the city council.
(2) BEDP. Providing advice on Burien’s economic growth and development including making recommendations annually for changes to the Burien comprehensive plan in order to promote and enhance economic development, on economic development programs and priorities, or other duties as assigned by the city council.
(3) Human Services Commission. Providing advice and recommendations related to human services issues including identifying and assessing the human services needs in the city; recommending priorities and approaches to address human services needs within the city; reviewing human services funding requests submitted to Burien; making funding allocation recommendations; reviewing performance of human services agencies/programs that Burien funds; and other duties as assigned by the city council.
(4) Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Advising the city council and the city manager regarding the acquisition, improvement, maintenance, promotion, and use of city parks; advising the city council on recreational programs and events; advising the city council on available grants to support city parks; advising and making recommendations to the city council and the city manager regarding issues relating to regulations and care for public trees and other vegetation in a manner that ensures its viability for future generations; or other duties as assigned by the city council.
(5) Planning Commission. Providing advice and recommendations for Burien’s future growth including review and recommendations relating to the city of Burien’s comprehensive land use plan; tasks under Chapter 17.50 BMC regarding residential condominium binding site plan review process; under BMC 17.65.040, possible public hearings related to subdivisions; recommendations regarding the affordable housing demonstration program under BMC 19.18.020; conducting study sessions and public hearings and making recommendations under BMC 19.65.080 and 19.65.095; and relating to changes to the official zoning map and zoning code; or such other and future duties as assigned by the city council.
(6) Yearly Report. Each board or commission shall submit to the city council once each year a report of accomplishments for the previous year and work-plan recommendations for the upcoming year. [Ord. 766 § 2, 2021]
2.50.050 City staff support.
Administrative staff support shall be provided by a city manager designee. Staff shall be responsible for the agenda packets, written record of the proceedings, and such other reasonable support as necessary to enable the board or commission to conduct business and carry out its duties and responsibilities. [Ord. 766 § 2, 2021]