HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2023-12-14 ITEM 7.2 - BYLAW AMENDMENT: TERM END DATES - STAFF MEMORANDUMAllan Ekberg, Mayor
TO:
FROM:
BY:
DATE:
Department of Community Development - No Gierloff, AICP, Director
Tukwila Planning Commission
Nora Gierloff, AICP, DCD Director
Nancy Eklund, AICP & Neil Tabor, AICP
November 9, 2023
SUBJECT: Bylaw Amendment: Modification of Term End Dates — Info Memo
ISSUE
Should the Planning Commission amend its bylaws to correspond with the City Council -adopted
revisions to TMC 2.36.020, which extended the terms of Planning Commission members from
December 31 to March 31?
BACKGROUND
The Tukwila City Council adopted Ordinance 2713, which went into effect on November 14,
2023. This ordinance extended the Planning Commissioners term end from December 31' to
March 315t. This change necessitates an amendment to the Planning Commission bylaws to
allow the selection of Officers to occur in the first meeting following March 31, 2024, the new
end -of -term date.
The change would also modify the date of the transition of Planning Commission leadership
from the first meeting in January to the first meeting in April.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt an amendment to the bylaws as shown
in the excerpt that follows. The change proposed is in Article IV; the other text is provided for
context.
Suggested Motion:
I move that Article Four of the Planning Commission bylaws be changed to reference April
rather than January as the date for the designation of officers and start of their terms.
Tukwila City Hall • 6200 5outhcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-4,.-1800 Website.: TukwilaWA.gov
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Bylaw Amendment: Modification of Term End Dates — Info Memo
November 9, 2023
Page 2 of 3
Planning Commission Bylaws
ARTICLE II — MEMBERSHIP
Per TMC 2.36.020, the Commission shall be composed of seven members and shall include six
community members representing a cross section of the community from different trades,
occupations, activities and geographical areas and one member representing a business operating
in the City.
A. Length of Appointment
The term of membership for the members of the Tukwila Planning Commission shall be
four years.
B. Resignation
If a Commission member is unable to complete their term of service a letter of
resignation should be sent to the Mayor indicating the effective date of the resignation.
C. Removal
Commission members may be removed from the position if absent without being excused
for three consecutive meetings or six regular meetings in a calendar year.
D. Compensation
Members receive no monetary compensation for serving on the Commission.
ARTICLE III - DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION, OFFICERS, COMMISSIONERS AND
SUPPORT STAFF
A. Duties of Commission
The Commission shall undertake the duties and responsibilities defined in TMC 2.32.010
B. Officers
Officers shall be a Chair and a Vice -Chair; both appointed members of the Commission.
In absence of both the Chair and the Vice -Chair members shall elect a Chair pro tem.
C. Duties of the Officers
Chair
The Chair shall preside at all meetings and adhere to the duties of the presiding officer
prescribed in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. When necessary, the Chair shall
call for special meetings. The Chair shall be a full voting member of the Commission.
The Chair may delegate duties to other Commissioners with the consent of the
Commission. The Chair shall speak on behalf of the Commission before City Council,
the public and City staff.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Bylaw Amendment: Modification of Term End Dates — Info Memo
November 9, 2023
Page 3 of 3
The Chair will serve as a member on the City's Board of Ethics. In the event the Chair is
unable or unwilling to serve on the Board of Ethics, the Commission shall select a
member to serve on the Board.
The responsibilities of the Chair include:
• Providing group direction and options for setting goals;
• Coordinating with staff to set meeting agendas;
• Coordinating meeting preparation with City staff; and
• Representing the Commission in the community.
The term of office shall be one year.
Vice -Chair
The Vice -Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in absence of the Chair. The Vice -
Chair may also speak on behalf of the Commission before City Council, the public and
City staff when the Chair is not available to speak.
The term of office shall be one year. The Vice -Chair will promote to the Chair the
following year.
ARTICLE IV — DESIGNATION OF OFFICERS
The Commission shall make a motion to designate a Chair and a Vice Chair to serve for one
year. Designations are based on longevity of service on the commission and will rotate through
all of the members before a member serves an additional term. Generally, officers shall be
designated and take office annually at the first regular public meeting of the Commission in
J.a+ua yAIHL The first item of new business shall be the designation of the officers and they will
assume their duties at that time.
The Vice -Chair from the previous year will be designated as Chair and the next member
in line of seniority will be designated as the Vice -Chair.
Should the Chair be vacated prior to the completion of the Term, the Vice -Chair will assume the
duties and responsibilities of the Chair for the remainder of the Term. The next member in line of
seniority will then be designated as the new Vice -Chair to serve out the remainder of the Term.
Should the Vice -Chair be vacated prior to the completion of the Term, the Chair will designate
the next member in line of seniority as the new Vice -Chair to serve out the remainder of the
Term.