Chapter 2.09
COUNCIL STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES
Sections:
2.09.020 Intent – Governing law.
2.09.090 Committee of the Whole.
2.09.010 Creation.
There are created the following standing (“permanent”) subcommittees of the Sunnyside City Council, for the purposes of advising and educating the City Council (Committee of the Whole (COTW)). Such subcommittees shall not be authorized to and shall not act on behalf of the COTW, but may conduct hearings, and take testimony and public comment. Members shall be selected by position or district number and will rotate annually with the exception of the Mayor, who shall serve only in the event of a City Council position vacancy. [Ord. 2011-12 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2011-5 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.020 Intent – Governing law.
The intent of this chapter is to provide a mechanism by which the Sunnyside City Council and its members are better able to understand the operations of the City and to provide a vehicle in which the City Council may direct at its discretion a more thorough investigation of matters which it must decide. Under the council-manager plan of government as defined by Chapter 35A.13 RCW, the City Manager has supervision over the administrative affairs of the City. For the purposes of this chapter, neither the COTW nor any of its subcommittees or members shall direct the appointment of any person to, or his or her removal from, office by the City Manager or any of his or her subordinates. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the COTW and its subcommittees or members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the Manager and neither the City Council nor any committee or member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the City Manager, either publicly or privately. [Ord. 2011-12 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2010-21 § 1, 2010; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.030 Definitions.
A. Committee of the Whole (COTW). For the purposes of this chapter, the “Committee of the Whole” is defined as all members of the duly elected body of the Sunnyside City Council.
B. Staff Liaison. Except where otherwise specifically stated, the “staff liaison” is any director or department head or other employee of the City of Sunnyside who is appointed by the City Manager.
C. Elected Member. For the purposes of this chapter, an “elected member” is any member or members of the City Council who have been appointed to a subcommittee through the process provided in SMC 2.09.050. [Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.040 Subcommittees.
A. Subcommittee on Public Safety. The Subcommittee on Public Safety will be responsible for advising the COTW on all matters related to public safety; this includes police operations, fire operations and emergency management procedures and policies.
B. Subcommittee on Finance and Administrative Services. The Subcommittee on Finance and Administrative Services will be responsible for advising the COTW on all matters related to finance and administrative services; this includes finance operations, budgetary procedures and policies, personnel policies and procedures.
C. Subcommittee on Public Works. The Subcommittee on Public Works will be responsible for advising the COTW on all matters related to public works; this includes water operations, sewer operations, streets maintenance, facilities operations and maintenance, parks operations and maintenance and recreational facility operations and maintenance.
D. Subcommittee on Community Development. The Subcommittee on Community Development will be responsible for advising the COTW on all matters related to planning, community and economic development.
E. Subcommittee on Rules. The Subcommittee on Rules will be responsible for reviewing the City Council’s rules of procedure and recommending additions, amendments and other such changes as necessary or as directed by the Committee of the Whole. The subcommittee will consist of the Mayor who will serve as chair, the Deputy Mayor who will serve as vice chair, or other Council members as may be required, and one member of the City Council to be appointed through the process provided for in SMC 2.09.050. [Ord. 2014-9 § 1, 2014; Ord. 2011-5 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.050 Terms – Membership.
A. Subcommittees will consist of three elected members, the City Manager and one or more department directors; provided, that the number of department directors shall not be greater than the number of elected members. The department directors shall be appointed by the City Manager. Additionally, a staff liaison will be appointed by the City Manager, and will act as the subcommittee secretary. Each elected member of a subcommittee shall serve a one-year term, and no elected member shall serve more than one term consecutively on the same subcommittee. Elected members will be selected by position or district number, whichever may apply, and, beginning 2012, will be appointed by the Mayor at the first annual regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council with any objections being decided by a majority vote of the City Council; provided, that the initial appointment process will be conducted at the first regularly scheduled meeting following the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The Mayor shall appoint elected members in such a way as to ensure that all members have an opportunity to serve on all subcommittees during a four-year term as a Councilmember.
B. Each subcommittee shall have a designated chair and vice chair, who shall coordinate the development of agendas, facilitate subcommittee meetings, and report back to the COTW. The chair/vice chair shall be selected by the City Council members on each subcommittee. [Ord. 2012-2 § 1, 2012; Ord. 2011-12 § 3, 2011; Ord. 2011-1 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2010-21 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.060 Procedure – Duties.
It shall be the responsibility of each subcommittee to advise and make recommendations to the COTW on all areas as defined in SMC 2.09.040. The activities of the subcommittee shall be governed by the chair/vice chair with direction and advice from the City Manager; provided, that the COTW may at its discretion direct any committee to review or advise them on any item for which the subcommittee has responsibility as provided by SMC 2.09.040. [Ord. 2011-12 § 4, 2011; Ord. 2010-21 § 3, 2010; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.065 Procedure – Agenda.
The chair or vice chair of the subcommittee will be responsible for preparing the agenda for the subcommittee. Any member of the subcommittee, COTW, the City Manager or his/her designee may introduce items for any subcommittee agenda. All items voted on or decided by the subcommittee must be brought before the COTW for final determination. [Ord. 2011-12 § 5, 2011.]
2.09.070 Meetings.
Subcommittees shall meet at such time as the chair/vice chair thereof or a majority of the subcommittee shall select, or by direction of the COTW at their discretion. All meetings of all subcommittees as defined in this chapter shall be subject to the Washington Open Public Meetings Act as defined in Chapter 42.30 RCW. [Ord. 2011-12 § 6, 2011; Ord. 2011-5 § 3, 2011; Ord. 2010-21 § 4, 2010; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.080 Monthly report.
Each subcommittee chair/vice chair will be responsible for providing an activities report to the COTW at the following regularly scheduled meeting of the COTW. In the event that a meeting was not held prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the COTW, the chair/vice chair of the subcommittee will state for the record that no meeting was held. [Ord. 2011-12 § 7, 2011; Ord. 2010-21 § 5, 2010; Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]
2.09.090 Committee of the Whole.
The Sunnyside City Council is the Committee of the Whole and as such can at its discretion ask that any item under review by a subcommittee be brought before the Committee of the Whole and discussed in a meeting open to the public. [Ord. 2010-16 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010.]