Chapter 1.60
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
Sections:
1.60.040 Definitions.
1.60.080 Purpose.
1.60.120 Creation – Membership.
1.60.160 Appointment – Terms.
1.60.200 Filling vacancies.
1.60.240 Election of officers – Meetings.
1.60.280 Powers and duties.
1.60.320 Communication with city council.
1.60.040 Definitions.
Words used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the environmental commission.
Environment. The word “environment” and all derivative forms of the word shall include all of the conditions, circumstances and influences surrounding or affecting all living organisms and all natural resources and physical assets within the city limits. [Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.080 Purpose.
The purpose of the environmental commission is to advise the council on all matters within the commission’s powers, as specified herein, with the mission of maintaining and enhancing the uniquely livable and sustainable environment now enjoyed by the residents of the city of Ellensburg. [Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.120 Creation – Membership.
There is created an environmental commission consisting of nine members who shall be appointed by the mayor and approved by a majority vote of the city council. The president of the Ellensburg High School environmental club shall be an ex officio member of the commission. Four members may be nonresidents of the city of Ellensburg, no more than two of whom may reside outside of the city’s urban growth area. Two members of the commission may be under the age of 18. Otherwise, the members of the commission shall be 18 years of age or older and shall be residents of the city of Ellensburg. The commissioners shall not receive compensation for their services. [Ord. 4509 § 1, 2008; Ord. 3980 § 1, 1995; Ord. 3723 § 1, 1991; Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.160 Appointment – Terms.
The mayor shall appoint three members to terms expiring December 31, 1995; three to terms expiring December 31, 1994; two to terms expiring December 31, 1993; and one to a term expiring December 31, 1992. The first vacancy on the commission occurring after March 20, 1995, shall be filled ex officio by the president of the Ellensburg High School environmental club. At the expiration of each commissioner’s term, the mayor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the city council, one member for a five-year term; the ex officio, not subject to appointment, confirmation, or a set term. [Ord. 3980 § 2, 1995; Ord. 3723 § 2, 1991; Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.200 Filling vacancies.
Environmental commission members may be removed at any time by a majority vote by the city council. Whenever a commissioner absents himself/herself for three consecutive regular meetings of the commission, or an aggregate of five regular and/or special meetings annually, unless by permission of the commission given at an open public meeting, the office shall automatically be vacated. Requests for excused absences shall be in writing. Vacancies for the remainder of any such unexpired term shall be by appointment by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council. [Ord. 3863 § 9, 1993; Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.240 Election of officers – Meetings.
Immediately after their appointment, members of the commission shall meet and organize by electing from the membership a chairman and vice chairman. An election of such officers shall be conducted at the first meeting of each calendar year. The city manager, or his designee, shall serve as secretary of the commission. The secretary shall be entitled to participate in the deliberations of the commission, but shall have no vote. It shall be the duty of the chairman to preside at all meetings of the commission and of the secretary to keep minutes of all meetings and of all proceedings of the commission. The vice chairman shall perform the duties of the chairman in the event of the absence of the chairman or vacancy in the office. A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; provided, however, four members shall constitute a quorum any time two or more positions are vacant; and provided further, that at least two of the members constituting a quorum shall be residents of the city of Ellensburg. An affirmative vote by a majority of those present shall be necessary to carry any proposition. A public meeting of the commission shall be held within the corporate limits of the city at least once every month. [Ord. 4509 § 2, 2008; Ord. 4369, 2003; Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.280 Powers and duties.
The commission shall have general powers and duties necessary to fulfill the express or implied purposes of this chapter and, within the framework of these purposes, the environmental commission shall:
A. Accept referrals from the city council for study or such action as is directed by the city council and submit to the city council written proposals in the form of a comprehensive plan for study by the environmental commission for the approval, modification or rejection by the city council prior to studying such commission-generated proposals. This written plan may be revised at any time by the city council by the request of the commission or as initiated by the city council. The environmental commission shall serve no legislative function, but shall act in an advisory capacity to the city council;
B. When requested by the city council, coordinate and assist in environmentally related programs, including the education of the citizens of Ellensburg on environmental matters;
C. Notify appropriate city departments in advance of meetings at which subjects will be discussed which may be of particular interest to that department;
D. Encourage and invite participation both by members of the public and by persons involved in disciplines relevant to subjects under discussion;
E. When practical and as assigned, coordinate activities and cooperate with county and local planning commissions and other organizations which may be involved in related areas of concern, in order that projects may be carried out more efficiently, and duplication of efforts avoided. [Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]
1.60.320 Communication with city council.
The commission shall forward communications to the city council by separate memoranda, including all rationale, which shall be scheduled as council agenda items. [Ord. 3713 § 1, 1990.]