Chapter 2.64
PLANNING COMMISSION*
Sections:
2.64.010 Created—Membership— Meetings—Powers and duties.
2.64.015 Expiration of terms.
2.64.020 Voting qualifications.
2.64.030 Quorum.
2.64.040 Regional planning commission— Agreement.
2.64.050 Regional planning commission— Transmission of moneys.
* For statutory provision of land use planning in code cities, see Ch. 35A.63 RCW.
Zoning, see Title 18 of this code.
2.64.010 Created—Membership—Meetings—Powers and duties.
There is created a city planning commission for the city, to consist of eight members. The city attorney shall be an ex officio member of the commission by virtue of his office, and his term of office on the commission shall correspond with his term of office as city attorney. The remaining seven members of the commission shall be residents of the city and shall be appointed by the mayor, and their appointment shall be confirmed by majority vote of the city council, and their term of office shall be for three years from the date of their appointment. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled by similar appointment for the unexpired term. Members may be removed, after public hearing by the mayor, with the approval of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. Members of the commission shall be selected without respect to political affiliations, and they shall serve without compensation. The planning commission shall elect its own chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires. The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month for not less than nine months in each year. It shall adopt rules for transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which records shall be public records. Within the limits of expenditures of funds by gift or appropriation by the city council, the commission is authorized to employ such employees and expert consultants as are deemed necessary for its work. The purposes, powers and duties of the commission shall be such as are provided for under the provisions of Chapter 35A.63 RCW, and as hereafter amended by the state legislature, which same are hereby adopted by reference and made a part hereof. (Ord. 1664 § 1, 1993: Ord. 1524 § 1, 1991: Ord. 1233 § 1, 1982: Ord. 402 § 1, 1943).
2.64.015 Expiration of terms.
The current expiration dates for the terms of office of the planning commissioners which have expired and have not as yet been filled or which will expire are as follows:
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One Position |
June 30, 1993, which expires June 30, 1996, and every three years thereafter. |
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One Position |
June 30, 1994, which expires June 30, 1997, and every three years thereafter. |
|
One Position |
June 30, 1995, which expires June 30, 1998, and every three years thereafter. |
|
One Position |
June 30, 1997, which expires June 30, 2000, and every three years thereafter. |
|
Two Positions |
June 30, 1998, which expire June 30, 2001, and every three years thereafter. |
|
One Position |
June 30, 1999, which expires June 30, 2002, and every three years thereafter. |
(Ord. 1664 § 2, 1993).
2.64.020 Voting qualifications.
Ex officio members of the city planning commission for the city shall not be entitled to vote upon any issue before the commission. (Ord. 1195 § 1, 1981: Ord. 842 § 1, 1972; Ord. 402 § 3, 1943).
2.64.030 Quorum.
A majority of the voting membership of the planning commission, being not less than four voting members, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The concurring vote of at least four members of the planning commission is required on any action. (Ord. 1195 § 2, 1981: Ord. 842 § 2, 1972; Ord. 402 § 4, 1943).
2.64.040 Regional planning commission— Agreement.
The mayor and the city clerk of the city of Prosser, county of Benton, state of Washington, are authorized and directed to enter into an agreement with all eligible public agencies to provide for a regional planning commission to pay a fair share of the cost thereof, which agreement shall be changed from time to time by a resolution of the city council as may appear to be for the best interests of the city, said original agreement to be in words, letters and figures as follows:
“THIS AGREEMENT made and executed this 11 day of October, 1960, by the undersigned municipal corporation and governmental divisions of the State of Washington,
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the undersigned, acting through their respective appropriate legislative agencies, have each individually determined that it is for the self-interest of each to create a regional planning commission for the purpose of enlarging and formalizing cooperative efforts through planning amongst the several jurisdictions, and
WHEREAS, the undersigned have by resolution or ordinance directed their appropriate representatives to create such regional planning commission,
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, for and in consideration of the covenants and conditions hereinafter contained, agree as follows:
SECTION I
The Benton County Regional Planning Commission be and is hereby created, and shall be known as the Benton Regional Planning Commission.
SECTION II
The responsibility and powers of the Commission shall be as follows, to-wit:
A. The Commission may act as the research and factfinding agency of the members thereof. To that end, it may make such surveys, analysis, researches and reports as are generally authorized or requested. The Commission, upon such request or authority may also:
1. Make inquiries, investigations, and surveys concerning the resources of the county;
2. Assemble and analyze the data thus obtained and formulate plans for the conservation of such resources and the systematic utilization and development thereof;
3. Make recommendations from time to time as to the best methods of such conservation, utilization and development;
4. Cooperate with other commissions, with the state and with other public agencies of the municipality, state and United States in such planning, conservation and development;
5. In particular, cooperate with and aid the state in the preparation of the state master plan and in advance planning of public works programs.
B. The Commission shall, insofar as possible;
1. Coordinate general planning among and for the several participating jurisdictions;
2. Provide technical planning assistance within budget limitations to all of the participating groups; and
3. Promote and expedite orderly development of the whole of Benton County.
C. The Commission may within its authorized budget engage in single director of planning and may authorize him to employ such other personnel as may be necessary to carry out the planning program. The Commission may also engage such other special and professional personnel as may be necessary to carry out the planning program.
SECTION III
Official membership of the Commission shall consist of those public agencies and such other agencies as may hereafter be elected to membership by the Commission. Immediately upon the execution of this agreement, each of the undersigned member agencies of this Commission shall designate an official member-representative to the Commission and an official alternate representative.
SECTION IV
The Commission shall hold at least nine regular meetings each year, and such special meetings as the Commission may determine by resolution. Unless notice is given of another location, all meetings shall be held at the . Actions of the Commission shall be exercised by a majority vote of those present at an official regular or special meeting. A quorum shall be the attendance of representatives or alternates from at least one half of the member agencies participating in this agreement. The Chairman of the Commission shall be elected from among the members of the Commission. The Commission may also select a Secretary who may be one of its members or its Planning Director. The fiscal year of the Commission shall be the calendar year.
SECTION V
Upon the execution of this agreement, the members hereof shall meet and adopt comprehensive and complete by-laws for the operation of this Regional Planning Commission.
SECTION VI
An annual work program shall be adopted not later than September 1 of each year for the ensuing year beginning January 1. Such work program shall be consistent with the needs of the participants, to aid the various member agencies in preparing their budgets and planning expenditures for carrying out contract obligations they may incur in furtherance of the work program. Such work program may be modified during any year with the approval of two-thirds of member agencies.
SECTION VII
The total budget proposed for the operation of the Commission and its staff must be submitted in advance
of the beginning of each new budget year so that the budget may be reviewed by each member agency in ascertaining its appropriation and/or share of the work load. Such budget shall become final only after each member agency has finally approved its appropriation to the Commission and the Commission has met to make final allocation of available funds to the program of the Commission. Authority is also granted for the acceptance of such lawful grants of money, gifts, services, and use of property as may be appropriate to the furtherance of these joint efforts.
SECTION VIII
All funds and appropriations paid to the Commission shall be deposited to a special account in the office of the County Treasurer. Expenses and lawful claims against the Commission shall be disbursed by the Treasurer upon warrants drawn by the County Auditor upon vouchers approved by the Chairman and Secretary of the Commission.
SECTION IX
No participating City or County shall withdraw from membership in the Commission so long as there is outstanding any incomplete contract for state or federal planning assistance to the Regional Commission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties through their duly authorized representatives, have executed this agreement the day and year first above written.”
(Ord. 640 § 1, 1960).
2.64.050 Regional planning commission— Transmission of moneys.
All moneys to be paid by the city of Prosser to the county treasurer to pay expenses of the regional planning commission shall be transmitted only after approval of a voucher submitted for that purpose. (Ord. 640 § 2, 1960).