Chapter 2.46
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Sections:
2.46.020 Economic development commission created.
2.46.040 Meetings, officers, records and quorum.
2.46.050 Functions and duties.
2.46.060 Expenditures – Budget.
2.46.010 Purpose.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to make available to the city council and mayor additional expertise relative to the monitoring, assessing and strengthening of existing economic development strategies and to develop new strategies of economic development for the city by establishing an economic development commission consisting of representatives from various professional disciplines. The economic development commission herein created shall not supplant administrative input to the city council by staff, but shall complement staff input through the utilization and application of the special expertise possessed by its members. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.020 Economic development commission created.
There is hereby created within the city of Cashmere an economic development commission composed of seven members appointed by the mayor. Members will serve four-year terms. The members of the commission shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and shall serve without compensation. A minimum of four members shall be involved in retail and hospitality, manufacturing and industry, professional services and Cashmere-related industry and research institutions. Of those above four members, one member shall be an active member of the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the above four members, one member shall be an active member of the Cashmere planning commission. The remaining two members shall be at large. In making appointments to the commission, the mayor shall strive to appoint individuals with multiple skills and with experience and expertise from various disciplines and backgrounds. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.030 Removal – Vacancies.
The commission may, by majority vote, recommend to the mayor removal of an appointed member upon such grounds as may be deemed appropriate. The mayor may remove any appointed member of the commission and declare the position vacant. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for any unexpired term in the manner used for regular appointments. Workshops shall be excluded from the definition of meetings for the purposes of this section. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.040 Meetings, officers, records and quorum.
The commission shall elect its own chairperson and vice-chairperson and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires. The commission shall hold regular meetings no less than every month on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be open to public inspection. Any four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. An agenda shall be prepared and distributed prior to each meeting which sets forth specified time periods during which individual items of commission business shall be discussed. These time periods may be extended, but only by a vote of a majority of commission members present. At the initial meeting of the commission, a skeleton agenda with timelines shall be prepared. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.050 Functions and duties.
A. Prepare and submit recommendations to staff, mayor and council on a broad range of matters generally related to economic development as follows:
1. Formulate economic development goals for the city in a structured framework providing both time and measurement criteria.
2. Assess existing economic development policies for the purpose of recommending such modifications as may be appropriate.
3. Formulate new economic development strategies and policies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the economic development goals.
4. Develop plans and programs for the purpose of retaining and enhancing the existing commercial and industrial base of the city.
5. Develop plans and programs to promote creative incentives including funding mechanisms, to attract, and retain, commercial and industrial development.
6. Develop strategies and programs to strengthen the concept of the public/private development partnership.
B. Convene, when necessary, to greet potential commercial and industrial residents and serve as a central body for the dissemination of economic development information relating to availability of land, financial tools and resources and other factors relating to successful commercial and economic development.
C. Provide assistance with recruitment of new businesses to Cashmere.
D. Function as liaison with the existing businesses in matters relating to enhancement of economic development in Cashmere.
E. Perform such other duties and provide such additional information, assistance and advice to the mayor and city council as the mayor and city council may request or direct. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.060 Expenditures – Budget.
The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of donations, shall be limited to appropriations. All services requiring appropriations shall be submitted through the normal budget process of the city, and shall be included in the general government fund of the city; provided, however, that the services of outside consultants may be obtained for a temporary period of time when specifically authorized by the city council. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).
2.46.070 Staff assistance.
The staff of the various departments within the city, as assigned by the city administrator, shall provide staff assistance and shall also serve to facilitate communications by the economic development commission to the mayor and city council. (Ord. 1029 § 1, 2003).