Full Text
ORDINANCE NO. 18-32 An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, adding a new Chapter 17 to Title 2 of the Whitefish City Code to establish the Whitefish Climate Action Standing Committee. WHEREAS, on April 16, 2018, the City Council adopted the Whitefish Climate Action Plan which identifies key trends and scientific projections for what climate change means for the City and offers strategies to safeguard public health, property and economic vitality; and WHEREAS, the Whitefish Climate Action Plan recommended establishing a standing committee to serve as an advocate for the Plan and to assist the City in implementing the Plan; and WHEREAS, establishing the Whitefish Climate Action Standing Committee will be in the best interests of the City and its inhabitants. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, as follows: Section 1: A new Chapter 17 to Title 2 of the Whitefish City Code is hereby added as follows: 2-17-1: STANDING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED: There is hereby established a Whitefish Climate Action Standing Committee, hereinafter "committee." 2-17-2: PURPOSE, POWERS, AND DUTIES: The purpose and duties of the committee are to assist in the implementation of the Whitefish Climate Action Plan by establishing a working timeline for implementation, recommending actions and budget priorities to the City Council or City management, tracking progress towards the Plan's goals, updating the greenhouse gas inventory and updating the Plan. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to empower the committee to authorize or prohibit the use of public funds. 2-17-3: MEMBERSHIP: A. Appointment; Compensation: The committee shall have nine members and one ( 1) ad hoc member. Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. Five members shall be members at large who are residents of the city. One member shall be City Councilor. Three members and ad hoc member shall be City staff members, appointed by the Directors of Public Works, Fire, Planning and Parks and Recreation. The city clerk shall make appropriate notation of a member's representation category on the official committee roster. Committee members shall receive no compensation. B. Terms; Positions: Committee terms shall be for two years. There are hereby created positions numbered 1 through 9 inclusive of the members of the committee. The initial term of the committee members shall be staggered, with positions 1 through 5 serving ---PAGE BREAK--- two year terms, and positions 6 through 9 serving one-year terms. The initial term for members serving pursuant to this chapter shall begin upon appointment and terminate on the date specified below for each position: Position Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (ad hoc) Representation Category Member at Large City Councilor Member at Large City Staff Member Member at large City Staff Member Member at Large City Staff Member Member at Large City Staff Member Initial Expiration Date December 31 , 2020 December 31, 2020 December 31 , 2020 December 31 , 2020 December 31 , 2020 December 31 , 2019 December 31 , 2019 December 31 , 2019 December 31 , 2019 December 31 , 2019 C. Removal Of Member: A member may be removed from the committee by majority vote of the city council for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing. Willful disregard of this chapter and the rules of procedures of the committee, or absences from three consecutive meetings, including regular and special meetings, or absences from more than fifty percent (50%) of such meetings held during the calendar year shall constitute cause for removal. Circumstances of the absences shall be considered by the city council prior to removal. Any person who knows in advance of his or her inability to attend a specific meeting shall notify the chairperson or secretary of the committee at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to any scheduled meeting. D. Vacancy: Pursuant to subsections A and B of this section, any vacancy on the committee shall be filled by the city council acting in a regular or special session for the unexpired term of the position wherein the vacancy exists. The city council may appoint members of the city council to temporarily fill vacant positions on the committee. 2-17-4: ORGANIZATION: At the committee's first meeting and the first meeting of each calendar year, the committee shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary. If a vacancy occurs in an officer's position, the committee shall elect a member of the committee to fill the vacancy at the next meeting. Upon the absence of the chairperson, the vice chairperson shall serve as chairperson pro tern. If the secretary is absent from a specific meeting, the attending members shall elect a secretary pro tern for the meeting. The secretary need not be a member of the committee and shall keep an accurate record of all committee proceedings. 2-17-5: MEETINGS, RULES AND REGULATIONS: The majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum. Not less than a quorum of the committee may transact any business before the committee. The concurring vote of a simple majority of members present shall be necessary to decide any question or matter before the committee. The committee shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of meetings consistent with statutes, the city chaiier, ordinances and resolutions. The committee shall meet at least annually, and at such other times as the committee may determine. All meetings shall be open to the public. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2-17-6: STAFF SUPERVISION: The committee shall have no supervisory control and shall not direct city staff in the performance of their official duties. 2-17-7: EXPENDITURES: The committee shall not have authority to make any expenditures on behalf of the city or disburse any funds provided by the city or to obligate the city for any funds. Section 2: This Ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption by the City Council of the City of Whitefish, Montana, and signing by the Mayor thereof. PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITEFISH, MONTANA, ON THIS lST DAY OF OCTOBER 2018. ATTEST: 4 ~ l ~ ~ fu ' Michelle Howke, City Clerk -