Chapter 2.44
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS GENERALLY
Sections:
2.44.010 Applicability.
2.44.020 Creation.
2.44.030 Appointments, removal and vacancy.
2.44.040 Qualifications.
2.44.050 Terms.
2.44.060 Compensation.
2.44.070 Officers.
2.44.080 Procedures of commissions.
2.44.090 Meetings.
2.44.100 Conflict of interest.
2.44.110 Minutes.
2.44.010 Applicability.
A. Each board, commission or committee created by the council shall be governed by this chapter unless otherwise provided by ordinance. For the purposes of this chapter, the terms “board,” “commission” and “committee” have identical meanings.
B. Committees formed for a special purpose of limited duration pursuant to ordinance or resolution shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter relating to term of service or termination. Terms of appointment shall expire upon completion of the special purpose, but shall not exceed one year. (Prior code § 2.64.010)
2.44.020 Creation.
A commission shall be created by ordinance or resolution. Unless established by ordinance, a commission shall have advisory functions only, and shall not otherwise act, individually or collectively, as a city agent. (Prior code § 2.64.025)
2.44.030 Appointments, removal and vacancy.
A. Commission members shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Commission members may be removed by the mayor at any time, with or without cause, with concurrence of a majority of the council.
B. A vacancy occurs on the commission when:
1. A commission member is removed pursuant to subsection A of this section;
2. A confirmed appointee fails to qualify and assume the duties of the office within thirty (30) calendar days of confirmation;
3. A commission member departs the city intending to remain outside the city for ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or more or an indefinite amount of time;
4. A commission member submits a written resignation accepted by the mayor;
5. A commission member, due to incapacity or absence from the city, cannot attend commission meetings for ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or more; and
6. The commission member is absent from three consecutive regular commission meetings without the commission excusing the absence for good cause.
C. In the event that a vacancy is created on a commission, the mayor shall promptly act to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. (Prior code § 2.64.030)
2.44.040 Qualifications.
A. In addition to any other qualifications, which may be required, each commission member shall be a resident of the city while serving on a commission, unless otherwise established by ordinance.
B. A task force established by the council for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) calendar days may include nonresident members. (Prior code § 2.64.035)
2.44.050 Terms.
A. The term of each commission member shall be three years beginning on January 1st and ending on December 31st, unless a different term is established by ordinance. Terms shall be staggered by the appointment of initial members so that as nearly as possible a pro rata number of members are appointed for each year.
B. A commission member serves during the term for which appointed, and after the term, until a successor has been appointed and taken the seat to which appointed. A person shall not continue to serve on the commission under this subsection beyond the thirtieth calendar day following the day upon which the term ended. (Prior code § 2.64.040)
2.44.060 Compensation.
A. A commission member shall be eligible for compensation, provided that the commission is established by codified ordinance, which sets forth the amount of compensation a member is entitled to receive.
B. For the purposes of compensation, meetings are construed as official when advertised, and shall include regularly scheduled and special or emergency meetings, work sessions, and each Wasilla city council meeting attended as an official commission representative.
C. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, compensation shall not be paid for a member’s attendance at external meetings, training or informal activities which are not official and advertised sessions of the commission. (Ord. 04-63 § 2, 2004: prior code § 2.64.050)
2.44.070 Officers.
A. Each commission shall have a chairperson and a vice-chairperson. Officers shall be elected by a majority of the commission members for a term of one year. Election of officers shall be the first order of business at any time that an officer’s seat is not filled.
B. The duties of the chairperson shall be to preside at all commission meetings, to call meetings and to perform other duties as required.
C. The duties of the vice-chairperson shall be to perform the duties of the chairperson in the chairperson’s absence. (Prior code § 2.64.070)
2.44.080 Procedures of commissions.
A. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised.
B. A majority of the authorized commission members shall be a quorum for the transaction of business.
C. Actions of a commission are adopted by a majority of the authorized membership of the commission. (Ord. 04-37 § 2, 2004: prior code § 2.64.080)
2.44.090 Meetings.
A. Commission meetings shall be held regularly at a designated time and place, or as otherwise provided by resolution or ordinance.
B. A commission may at any time go into an executive session from which the general public may be excluded. Executive sessions shall be approved by a majority of the commission members in a vote taken at a public meeting. Only those subjects shall be discussed as are mentioned in the motion for executive session. No vote or action shall be
taken while in executive session. As a matter of public policy, executive sessions are discouraged.
C. Only the following subjects may be discussed while in executive session:
1. Matters the immediate public knowledge of which would clearly have an adverse effect upon the finances of the city;
2. Subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may request a public discussion; or
3. Matters which by law or ordinance are required to be confidential. (Prior code § 2.64.090)
2.44.100 Conflict of interest.
No member of a commission shall vote on any question upon which he has a substantial direct or indirect financial interest. No member shall represent any person before the commission of which he is a member. (Prior code § 2.64.110)
2.44.110 Minutes.
The commission shall keep minutes of the commission proceedings. (Prior code § 2.64.130)