Chapter 2.30
ADVISORY COMMISSIONS
Sections:
2.30.010 Advisory commissions created.
2.30.030 Terms and appointment.
2.30.050 Chairperson and rules of conduct.
2.30.090 Membership of parks and recreation advisory board.
2.30.100 Duties of parks and recreation advisory board.
2.30.110 Membership of the planning commission.
2.30.120 Duties of the planning commission.
2.30.130 Membership of the lodging tax advisory committee.
2.30.140 Duties of the lodging tax advisory committee.
2.30.010 Advisory commissions created.
A. There are established and created the following advisory commissions of the city:
1. Parks and recreation advisory board;
2. Planning commission;
3. Lodging tax advisory committee.
B. In addition to the above referred to advisory commissions, other advisory commissions exist including the civil service commission created pursuant to Chapter 2.40 TMC. (Ord. 2022-05 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.020 Selection committee.
The city council shall select three of its members to serve on a selection committee to review, and make recommendations to the council for appointments to advisory boards and commissions. The committee members shall serve for a two-year period following reorganization of the council. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.030 Terms and appointment.
A. Pursuant to RCW 35.63.030, term limits for members of the parks and recreation advisory board, the planning commission, and the lodging tax advisory committee shall be for six years. Those members who have served for the longest period of time will be reappointed for the shortest terms ranging from one year to six years in such a manner as to provide that the fewest possible terms will expire in any one year. Advisory board, commission or committee members may be reappointed to serve more than one term at the discretion of the city council.
B. Unless otherwise provided, all members of the advisory board, commission, and committee shall be appointed by the city council. (Ord. 2023-08 § 1, 2023; Ord. 2008-3 § 1, 2008; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.040 Residency.
Residency in the city is a requirement for eligibility for membership on an advisory commission of the city except for membership on advisory commissions created with other political jurisdictions which require membership outside of the city and advisory commissions which expressly permit nonresident membership; provided, that a person who no longer maintains legal residence in the city may complete the term for which he or she was appointed. The city council may appoint a nonresident in those cases where special expertise is required or there are no qualified applicants from city residents. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.050 Chairperson and rules of conduct.
Each advisory commission shall elect a chairperson to preside at all meetings. Each advisory commission may, subject to the review and approval of the city council, adopt rules of conduct and meeting times. All advisory commissions shall comply with the provisions of the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.060 Absenteeism.
Each member of an advisory commission, other than the planning commission, shall not be absent and unexcused from any three consecutive commission meetings and shall attend at least seven of the commission’s preceding 12 regular meetings. Any member who fails to attend regular meetings as above mentioned shall lose his or her membership on the advisory commission and the vacancy shall be filled by the city council. (Ord. 2024-08 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.070 Compensation.
All members of advisory commissions shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed actual training expense upon the prior approval of the city manager. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.080 Staff support.
The city manager shall appoint a city employee to serve as a staff liaison for each advisory commission. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.090 Membership of parks and recreation advisory board.
The parks and recreation advisory board shall consist of seven members. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.100 Duties of parks and recreation advisory board.
Responsibility of the parks and recreation advisory board shall be to make recommendations to the city council and the parks and recreation director on matters relative to the development, operation and use of the parks and recreation facilities of the city, and the planning, designing and implementation of city park facilities and recreational services. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.110 Membership of the planning commission.
The planning commission shall consist of either five or seven members but shall at no time consist of an even number of six members. The city council recognizes and values the opinions of the residents of the city of Toppenish, as well as those individuals who own and operate a commercial business in the city, and also appreciates the input of the Toppenish Mural Society to assist in planning and directing the safe and prosperous growth and overall well-being of the city. With that in mind, so long as a majority of the planning commission members are verifiable residents living within the corporate limits of the city of Toppenish, the city council may appoint up to a total of two nonresident planning commission members who may consist of one owner and operator of a commercial business located within the corporate limits of the city of Toppenish and/or one representative of the Toppenish Mural Society. (Ord. 2024-08 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.120 Duties of the planning commission.
The responsibility of the planning commission shall be to consider all amendments, modifications or alterations to the city’s comprehensive plan, to conduct hearings as otherwise specified by this code, and to perform other planning functions for the city. Planning commission members shall attend at least nine of the regular planning commission meetings during each calendar year and shall not have more than one unexcused absence from a regular planning commission meeting during any calendar year. Any member who fails to attend regular meetings as specified herein or who fails to devote the time and effort necessary to competently and conscientiously perform planning commission duties may lose his or her membership on the planning commission and the vacancy shall be filled by the city council. (Ord. 2024-08 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.130 Membership of the lodging tax advisory committee.
The membership of the lodging tax advisory committee shall consist of five members, appointed by the city council. One member shall be an elected official of the city who shall serve as chair, two members shall be representatives of businesses required to collect the tax, and two members shall be persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received from the tax. The city council will review the membership on an annual basis and make changes as appropriate. By majority vote, the city council may remove a member of the lodging tax advisory committee prior to expiration of the term provided in TMC 2.30.030. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled by the city council. (Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.140 Duties of the lodging tax advisory committee.
A. The city council shall submit to the lodging tax advisory committee (LTAC), for its review and comment, proposals on: (1) the imposition of any new lodging tax; (2) any increase in the rate of such a tax; (3) repeal of an exemption from such a tax; or (4) a change in the use of the revenue received from such a tax. The city council shall submit such a proposal to the committee at least 45 days before taking final action on any such proposal. Comments by the committee should include an analysis of the extent to which the proposal will accommodate activities for tourists or increase tourism, and the extent to which the proposal will affect the long-range stability of the special fund created for the lodging tax revenues.
B. The lodging tax advisory committee shall receive all applications for lodging tax revenue and recommend a list of applicants and funding levels to the city council for final determination. The city council may only choose recipients from the list of candidates and recommended amounts provided by the LTAC. However, the city council does not have to fund the full list as recommended by the LTAC and can choose to make awards in the recommended amounts to all, some, or none of the candidates on this list recommended by the LTAC.
C. The city council may choose to make awards to the list of candidates for amounts different from those recommended by the LTAC; provided, that the city council notifies the LTAC at least 45 days before taking final action on any such proposal. (Ord. 2022-05 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2013-12, 2013; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.150 Membership of the tourism fund advisory committee.
Repealed by Ord. 2022-05. (Ord. 2013-12, 2013; Ord. 2008-11, 2008; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).
2.30.160 Duties of the tourism fund advisory committee.
Repealed by Ord. 2022-05. (Ord. 2013-12, 2013; Ord. 2004-4 § 1, 2004).