Chapter 2.59
STANDING COMMITTEES
Sections:
2.59.050 Duties and responsibilities.
2.59.010 Created.
The following standing committees of the mayor are created and established:
A. Finance.
B. Public works.
C. Public safety.
(Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.020 Purpose.
The standing committee shall function as an advisory body to the council as a whole in reviewing policy matters referred to them by the mayor. The purpose of each committee shall be to review matters within the following subject areas:
A. Finance. The review, analysis, recommendation and oversight of the city operating budget, financial policy, and audit reports. Review and recommend functions of municipal government, such as council rules and procedures, conflict of interest and ethics issues relating to financial guidelines for public officials;
B. Public Works. Shall include all public utilities, such as streets, stormwater, wastewater treatment plant and collection system, refuse collection and disposal, parks, building code regulation, all functions of land use planning such as zoning, zoning and comprehensive planning; and generally, coordinate and oversee all matters pertaining to economic development, and planning of capital improvement;
C. Public Safety. Law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical treatment, health and safety, environmental health (including the combined county/city health board), animal control, and other questions involving public health, safety, and welfare.
(Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.030 Membership.
Each committee:
A. Shall have a chairperson and at least two other members, to be appointed by the mayor annually upon the reorganization at the first regular meeting of each calendar year.
B. Appointees should represent the community as a whole and not have any political affiliation attached to the appointment. Appointees shall not have an official vote on any matter.
C. All appointments shall be for one year or the remainder of the calendar year in which the appointment is made.
(Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.040 Meetings.
Committees shall meet at the call of the chairperson. The date, time and place of each meeting shall be announced at a preceding regular meeting and notice of the meeting shall be given in compliance with the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act; the foregoing notice requirements shall not prevent the holding of a meeting. All committees are encouraged to meet at least once each month. (Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.050 Duties and responsibilities.
A. The committees shall consider, review and make recommendations to the council concerning matters referred to them by the mayor. The mayor, committee chairpersons and boards and commissions are encouraged to suggest items to the council which should be considered by a committee. Whenever any item is referred to a committee, the council should establish a date by which the committee should report back to the council. Each committee shall have general responsibility, to investigate, collect and review appropriate information for the formulation of possible council action and make recommendations to the council. Committees shall not have authority to take any action unless expressly authorized to do so by the affirmative votes of a majority of all council members.
B. In carrying out their duties and responsibilities, the committees shall have the power and authority to examine all records, registers, and papers pertaining to the subject matter under review or consideration. The city officers, department heads, and board and commission chairpersons shall cooperate with and assist the committees in carrying out their duties and responsibilities and in furnishing necessary information, except where prohibited by law; provided, that in the event any city officer, department head or board or commission chairperson deems to release or question information not in the best interest of the city, authority for that release shall be vested in the mayor.
(Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.060 Reports.
In the appropriate place on the council agenda, any reports from the standing committee shall be made by the chairperson or an alternate designated by the chairperson. Oral reports shall be sufficient; however, upon approval from the mayor pro tempore, written reports may be furnished. (Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)
2.59.070 Staffing.
All requests for staffing requirements for assistance to committees shall be provided by the city administration upon request from the committee to the mayor, or appropriate department head. (Ord. 1113 § 2, 2024)