Chapter 2.30
REGIONAL PLANNING
Sections:
2.30.010 Adoption of articles of association of Whatcom County council of governments.
2.30.020 Resolution to organize and establish regional agency.
2.30.060 Membership – Representation requirements.
2.30.070 Membership – Designated members – Terms – Categories.
2.30.080 Meetings – Times and places.
2.30.090 Meetings – Types – Notice.
2.30.120 Duties of officers and executive board.
2.30.150 Election of officers and executive board.
2.30.180 Director and consultant.
2.30.190 Contracts and contractual services.
2.30.200 Amendments – Council authority.
2.30.210 Amendments – Procedure.
2.30.010 Adoption of articles of association of Whatcom County council of governments.
Pursuant to Chapter 84, Laws of 1965 Extraordinary Session, and RCW 36.70.060, Whatcom County associates as a member in a regional council known as the Whatcom County council of governments (as amended by act of said council on July 23, 1970); and Whatcom County adopts the Articles of Association and bylaws of the Whatcom County council of governments. (Prior code § 2.20.010).
2.30.020 Resolution to organize and establish regional agency.
Pursuant to Chapter 36, Laws of 1959, as amended and Chapter 84, Laws of 1965, Extraordinary Session, it is resolved that the cities of Bellingham, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and the county of Whatcom in association with the Whatcom county school director, the Whatcom county soil and water conservation district, Whatcom County public utility district No. 1, the port of Bellingham, Lummi business council, Nooksack tribal council, and the Whatcom County opportunity council, organize and establish a regional agency, referred to in this chapter as a council. (Prior code § 2.20.020).
2.30.030 Purpose.
It shall be the purpose of this council to:
A. Study regional and governmental problems of mutual interest and concern;
B. Develop a regional planning program and a regional comprehensive plan;
C. Formulate recommendations for review and action by the member agencies’ legislative bodies;
D. Develop programs of intergovernmental cooperation for the benefit of member agencies;
E. Conduct programs of local assistance for member agencies. (Prior code § 2.20.030).
2.30.040 Bylaws required.
The council shall adopt bylaws to carry out the purposes and objectives set forth in these articles. (Prior code § 2.20.040).
2.30.050 Boundaries.
The council may be expanded to include areas and agencies which are economically and socially related to the Whatcom County area. The initial boundaries of the regional planning district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of Whatcom County. (Prior code § 2.20.050).
2.30.060 Membership – Representation requirements.
Membership to the council shall be open to designated elected officials representing:
A. Any general purpose agency of local governments;
B. Any county-wide special district or any county-wide association of special districts;
C. Any Indian tribe; and
D. Any other organization invited for membership by the council, including county-wide agencies representative of disadvantaged low-income and minority groups. (Prior code § 2.20.060).
2.30.070 Membership – Designated members – Terms – Categories.
A. The membership of the council shall consist of two Whatcom County council members; the Whatcom County executive; the mayor and three councilmen of the city of Bellingham; the mayor or designated council member of the cities of Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Ferndale, Lynden, and Blaine, the county school director, or other designated member of the county board of education, the chairman or other designated member of the Whatcom County soil and water conservation district, the president of the port of Bellingham or other designated member of the port commission and the president or other designated member of the public utility district commission, the chairman of the Lummi business council or other designated member of the Lummi council, the chairman of the Nooksack tribal council or other designated member of the Nooksack council, and the chairman of the Whatcom County opportunity council or other designated member of the opportunity council.
B. The terms of council members shall coincide with their elected or appointed terms of office or as determined by the respective legislative bodies.
C. There shall be three categories of membership: voting, inactive and associate.
1. Voting membership shall apply to representatives of financially participating agencies who maintain regular attendance, not missing more than two consecutive unexcused meetings.
2. Inactive membership shall apply to delegates of financially participating agencies not in attendance who have missed the preceding two consecutive meetings, and also to agencies who do not participate financially.
3. Associate membership shall be open to any organization or individual by invitation of the council. (Ord. 93-048 (part); prior code § 2.20.070).
2.30.080 Meetings – Times and places.
Meetings of the council and its executive board shall be held at such times and places the council determines and specifies in its bylaws. (Prior code § 2.20.080).
2.30.090 Meetings – Types – Notice.
A. The council and executive board may hold monthly or bimonthly meetings at such times and places as may be agreed upon by the members of the council of executive board. Special meetings of the council or executive board may be held on call of the chairman.
B. Written notice of any meeting shall be given to each respective council or executive board member at least 10 days prior to the meeting. Any meeting may be:
1. Held without 10 days’ written notice; provided, each member waives notice thereof; or
2. Cancelled by the chairman; provided, adequate notice is given thereof. (Prior code § 2.20.090).
2.30.100 Officers.
The officers of the council shall consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, and the secretary-treasurer. (Prior code § 2.20.100).
2.30.110 Executive board.
The internal administration, procedures, practices and programming of the council, and any other duties and responsibilities as may be delegated by the council, shall be vested in an executive board. The executive board shall be composed of the officers of the council; a Whatcom County council member and the Whatcom County executive; the mayor and two council representatives of the city of Bellingham delegation; and shall include at least one representative of the incorporated cities other than Bellingham; one representative of the Indian tribes; and one representative of the low-income and minority group agencies. If any of the latter three categories are represented among the officers of the council, such category shall not be entitled to any additional representation of the executive board. (Ord. 93-066 Exh. A; Ord. 93-048 (part); prior code § 2.20.110).
2.30.120 Duties of officers and executive board.
A. The duties of the officers shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices. The secretary-treasurer shall arrange for a written record to be kept of all meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings, and recommendations, and be generally in charge of arrangements with the county auditor for receipt and disbursal of all moneys which may accrue to the council and for the maintenance of accurate accounting records.
B. The executive board shall generally supervise all studies and programs authorized by the council and shall have sole authority to authorize disbursements. It shall decide upon all matters affecting the internal administration, procedures, practices and programming of the council; processing and review of all programs or projects which may be submitted to the council for comment and recommendations and coordination of intergovernmental relations and activities, including the interchange or exchange of information among the government or agencies concerned. All matters relating to fiscal policy, organization or reorganization, and/or public policy, as distinguished from matters of internal administration, shall be processed through the executive board for their review and recommendation to the council. (Prior code § 2.20.120).
2.30.130 Voting.
Each voting member and regularly appointed member of the executive board shall be entitled to one vote on any matter that may come before the council or the board. A vote of a majority of the members present shall be required to decide any question; except, however, that a two-thirds majority shall be required to decide questions pertaining to total budget figures and total appropriations. A two-thirds majority consent of the representation from each member agency shall be required to decide questions pertaining to such member legislative body’s proportionate share of the total costs of conducting the affairs of the council. All matters of public policy, as distinguished from matters of internal administration, procedures, practices and programming, shall have the consent of the member legislative bodies which deem themselves to be affected by such policy. (Prior code § 2.20.130).
2.30.140 Quorum.
Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, a majority of the voting members of the council or the executive board shall constitute a quorum for transaction of any business that may come before any meeting of the council or the board. (Prior code § 2.20.140).
2.30.150 Election of officers and executive board.
At the first meeting of each calendar year, the council shall elect officers and executive board members. A complete slate of nominations shall be presented at said meeting by a representative nominating committee previously appointed by the chairman. Additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member. (Prior code § 2.20.150).
2.30.160 Vacancies.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairman, the vice-chairman shall succeed to said office. In the event of a vacancy in the office of vice-chairman, the executive board shall elect a new vice-chairman from the council membership in whatever manner the board shall determine. In the event of a vacancy in the office of secretary-treasurer, the chairman may appoint a temporary successor until such time as the executive board has selected and appointed a new secretary-treasurer. (Prior code § 2.20.160).
2.30.170 Committees.
Committees may be established and appointed by the chairman of the council to assist the council in the performance of its functions. Committees may be composed of members of county and municipal legislative bodies, governmental employees, other public officials, or citizens with particular knowledge or talent to contribute to the work of the committee. (Prior code § 2.20.170).
2.30.180 Director and consultant.
The council by action designated in the bylaws, may appoint a director and employ any consultants deemed necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the council. (Prior code § 2.20.180).
2.30.190 Contracts and contractual services.
The council may contract generally and enter into any contract or reasonable agreement with the federal government, the state, any municipal corporation and/or other governmental agency for the purpose of regional planning and/or conducting studies of regional problems of mutual concern, and may receive grants and gifts in furtherance of such programs. (Prior code § 2.20.190).
2.30.200 Amendments – Council authority.
The articles of association adopted in this chapter may be amended in whatever manner the council shall determine and specify in its bylaws. (Prior code § 2.20.200).
2.30.210 Amendments – Procedure.
These bylaws, together with the articles of association of the Whatcom County regional planning council, may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the council by a majority vote of members constituting a quorum; provided, however, that a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed to each member at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the vote to amend is taken. A vote to amend may be taken without notice, however, if each member waives the right to notice. (Prior code § 2.20.210).