Chapter 2.115
ADMINISTRATIVE AND DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES—PUBLIC RULES AND REGULATIONS
Sections:
2.115.020 Approval process for administrative or departmental policies and procedures.
2.115.030 Approval process for public rules and regulations.
2.115.050 Administration and maintenance.
2.115.070 Conflict with existing provisions.
2.115.010 Definitions.
A. “Administrative policies and procedures” are used by city departments to inform other departments and staff of policies and procedures for the direction and management of citywide operations.
B. “Departmental policies and procedures” are used to inform and provide direction for internal departmental management and operation of city departments. They affect primary or exclusively single departments or divisions.
C. “Public rules and regulations,” as required by the Prosser Municipal Code, are any regulation of general applicability, and (1) the violation of which subjects a person to a penalty; or (2) which subjects a person to a payment of a fee; or (3) which establishes, alters, or revokes any procedure, practice or requirement relating to departmental hearings; or (4) which establishes, alters, or revokes any qualifications or standards for the issuance, suspension or revocation of licenses to pursue any commercial activity, trade or profession as may be otherwise defined by the Prosser Municipal Code. (Ord. 2932 § 1, 2015).
2.115.020 Approval process for administrative or departmental policies and procedures.
Policies and procedures (administrative or departmental) may be initiated by department directors, supervisors, the mayor or city administrator. Copies of the proposed policy and procedure shall be provided to all affected departments, the city council, and personnel for review and comment prior to final adoption. Unless otherwise stated, policies and procedures are effective seven days after being signed by the mayor or city administrator. This effective date can only be shortened if it can be shown that failure to do so could result in the loss or damage of property, compromise the safety of staff or residents, or is required by law. Unless otherwise stated, amendments and repeals shall follow the same process as the adoption of a new policy or procedure.
Departmental or administrative policies and procedures initiated by the city council, civil service commission, and other boards and commissions of the city are signed by the authorized representative of the council, board, or commission. (Ord. 2932 § 2, 2015).
2.115.030 Approval process for public rules and regulations.
Public rules and regulations may be initiated by department directors, supervisors, the mayor, or city administrator. Copies of the proposed policy and procedure shall be provided to all affected departments, the city council, and personnel for review and comment prior to final adoption. In addition to the internal review, the public shall be given the opportunity to comment on all proposed rules and regulations. Public notice of the proposed public rule or public regulation shall be provided on the city’s website and by posting a notice on the notice board outside City Hall. The public may send written comments to the city clerk who will distribute them to the appropriate department. This public comment period shall be for no less than fourteen days. Unless otherwise stated, rules and regulations are effective seven days after being signed by the mayor or city administrator. This effective date can only be shortened if it can be shown that failure to do so could result in the loss or damage of property, compromise the safety of staff or residents, or is required by law. Unless otherwise stated, amendments and repeals shall follow the same process as the adoption of a new policy or procedure.
Public rules and regulations initiated by the city council, civil service commission, and other boards and commissions of the city are signed by the authorized representative of the council, board, or commission. (Ord. 2932 § 3, 2015).
2.115.040 Publication.
Adopted policies, procedures, and public rules and regulations shall be published on the city’s official webpage, shall be provided to the city council, and shall be available for public inspection at City Hall. Failure to publish any adopted policy, procedure, public rule, or public regulation shall not affect its validity. (Ord. 2932 § 4, 2015).
2.115.050 Administration and maintenance.
The administration and maintenance of the city’s administrative policy and procedure system is centralized in the office of the city clerk. The city clerk shall maintain the original copy of administrative policies and procedures, and public rules and regulations. (Ord. 2932 § 5, 2015).
2.115.060 Implementation.
Procedures for implementing administrative policies and procedures, departmental policies and procedures, and public rules and regulations shall be adopted by the mayor or city administrator. (Ord. 2932 § 6, 2015).
2.115.070 Conflict with existing provisions.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to affect the legality of any administrative policy, rule, regulation, or order existing on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Ord. 2932 § 7, 2015).
2.115.080 Severability.
The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this chapter shall not as a result of said section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase be held unconstitutional or invalid. (Ord. 2932 § 8, 2015).