Chapter 2.30
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, AND EVENTS COMMISSION
Sections:
2.30.020 Economic development, tourism, and events commission created.
2.30.040 Meetings, officers, records and quorum.
2.30.050 Functions and duties.
2.30.060 Expenditures--Budget.
2.30.080 Procedures, records and minutes.
2.30.010 Purpose.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to make available to the city council and mayor additional expertise relative to the monitoring, assessing and strengthening of existing economic development strategies and to develop new strategies of economic development for the city by establishing an economic development commission consisting of representatives from various professional disciplines. The economic development commission herein created shall not supplant administrative input to the city council by staff, but shall complement staff input through the utilization and application of the special expertise possessed by its members. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.020 Economic development, tourism, and events commission created.
There is created within the city of Colfax an economic development, tourism, and events commission. The commission will be composed of five members appointed by the mayor. One position must be filled by a councilmember; two members must represent businesses required to collect lodging tax, one such member shall be appointed initially to a one-year term and one member shall be appointed to a two-year term; and two members must be involved in activities eligible for funding by lodging tax revenue, one such member shall be appointed initially to a one-year term and one member shall be appointed to a two-year term. In order to assure continuity of this commission after the initial appointments, the membership shall be appointed to staggered two-year terms. The members of the commission shall be selected without regard to political affiliation and shall serve without compensation. The mayor shall appoint and the city council shall confirm individuals with multiple skills and with experience and expertise from various disciplines and backgrounds. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.030 Removal--Vacancies.
The commission may, by majority vote, recommend to the mayor removal of an appointed member upon such grounds as may be deemed appropriate. The mayor may remove any appointed member of the commission and declare the position vacant. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled for any unexpired term in the manner used for regular appointments. Workshops shall be excluded from the definition of meetings for the purposes of this chapter. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.040 Meetings, officers, records and quorum.
A. A councilmember shall serve as the commission’s chairperson. The vice-chairperson and all other officers shall be filled as the commission determines it requires. The commission shall meet initially for the purpose of establishing its operating procedures. It will then meet as determined by the commission. A record shall be kept of its meetings, findings and determinations, which records shall be open to public inspection.
B. Three members of the commission, one representative from council, one representative from a business required to collect lodging tax and one representative involved in activities eligible for funding by lodging tax revenue, shall constitute a quorum. A member not present at the time of a meeting shall not participate in a decision. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.050 Functions and duties.
A. Prepare and submit recommendations to staff, mayor and council on a broad range of matters generally related to economic development as follows:
1. Formulate economic development goals for the city in a structured framework providing both time and measurement criteria.
2. Assess existing economic development policies for the purpose of recommending such modifications as may be appropriate.
3. Formulate new economic development strategies and policies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the economic development goals.
4. Develop plans and programs for the purpose of retaining and enhancing the existing commercial and industrial base of the city.
5. Develop plans and programs to promote creative incentives, including funding mechanisms, to attract, and retain, commercial and industrial development.
6. Develop strategies and programs to strengthen the concept of the public/private development partnership. Build cohesiveness between economic development groups serving the region such as the Colfax Downtown Association, Colfax Chamber of Commerce, and etc.
B. Convene, when necessary, to greet potential commercial and industrial residents and serve as a central body for the dissemination of economic development information relating to availability of land, financial tools and resources and other factors relating to successful commercial and economic development.
C. Provide assistance with recruitment of new businesses to Colfax.
D. Function as liaison with the existing businesses in matters relating to enhancement of economic development in Colfax.
E. Perform such other duties and provide such additional information, assistance and advice to the mayor and city council as the mayor and city council may request or direct.
F. The commission shall serve as an advisory commission for the council as it relates to hotel/motel tax funds. All meetings shall be open to the public following publication of a notice for such meeting in the legal newspaper for the city of Colfax.
G. The commission shall review and comment on any proposed imposition of the hotel/motel tax, any proposed increase in the hotel/motel tax rate, and any change in the use of revenue derived from the hotel/motel tax and recommend to council any distribution of hotel/motel tax funds.
H. The commission shall maintain a written log of activities in which it is involved and shall report to the city council in written form annually of its involvement on behalf of the city.
I. Upon formation, the commission shall develop for recommendation to the city council, and then annually review and propose needed or desired changes to, a city strategic tourism plan which is intended to promote economic activity resulting from tourists. At a minimum, the plan shall:
1. Include a mission and vision statement for the city’s current and future involvement in, and the use of lodging tax revenue for promotion of, its tourism industry.
2. Identify, describe and propose the appropriate means to conduct tourism promotion by:
a. Activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism;
b. Advertising, publicizing or otherwise distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists;
c. Developing strategies to expand tourism;
d. Operating tourism promotion agencies;
e. Funding marketing of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists; and
f. Facilities to support tourism, performing arts or accommodate tourist activities.
3. Ensure coordination and cooperation with other governmental, nonprofit, and private industry tourism bureaus and agencies.
a. Submit comments on proposals for imposition of a tax, an increase in the rate of a tax, repeal of an exemption from a tax, or change in the use of revenue received under state law, and other matters, which come from the mayor or city council.
J. All meetings shall be recorded and a written transcript shall be maintained in the files of the city records clerk. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.060 Expenditures--Budget.
The expenditures of the commission, exclusive of donations, shall be limited to appropriations. All services requiring appropriations shall be submitted through the normal budget process of the city, and shall be included in the general government fund of the city; provided, however, that the services of outside consultants may be obtained for a temporary period of time when specifically authorized by the city council. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.070 Staff assistance.
The staff of the various departments within the city, as assigned by the city administrator, shall provide staff assistance and shall also serve to facilitate communications by the economic development commission to the mayor and city council. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.080 Procedures, records and minutes.
The commission shall adopt rules of procedure. The commission shall provide for the taking of minutes and maintaining the records of all regular and special meetings. The commission may establish standing or ad hoc commissions to assist in accomplishing its duties and responsibilities. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).
2.30.090 Meetings.
A. Regular Meetings. Regular annual meetings shall be held at a time agreed upon by the commission during its first meeting.
B. Special Meetings. Special meetings of members may be called at any time by the presiding officer or upon petition to the presiding officer by two-thirds of the board. At special meetings of the board, only such business stated in the call for such meeting shall be transacted.
C. Notice. All meetings shall be open to the public and be held on not less than forty-eight hours’ notice to members. Notice of regular annual and special meetings may be by mail, email, or direct contact, such as telephone. (Ord. 16-01 §1 (Exh. 2) (part)).