HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2018-030WIIATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO.
2018 132 A
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assi ned to:
Originator:
Sidhu /Brow
5/8/2018
5/8/2018
Introduction
Division Head.•
5/22/2018
Finance/Council
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasing /Budget:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT.
Ordinance establishing Business and Commerce Advisory Committee
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMAR Y STA TEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Chapter 2.126, creating the Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory Committee.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION.
5/22/2018: Substitute amended and forwarded to Council
5/8/2018: Introduced 6 -0
for approval
5/22/2018: Substitute adopted 7 -0, Ord. 2018 -030
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number:
Ord. 2018 -030
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
PROPOSED BY: SIDHU /BROWNE
INTRODUCTION DATE:
ORDINANCE NO. 2018 -030
ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 2.126, CREATING THE
WHATCOM COUNTY BUSINESS AND COMMERCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has numerous advisory boards and commissions to
advise the Council and the Executive on a great range of matters; and
WHEREAS, there is no board or commission with the express goal of providing
business and industry perspective on regulations and policies; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County is home to numerous businesses and industries that
provide important jobs and contribute meaningfully to the community; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County businesses have different needs to be successful in
wide variety of economic sectors ranging from individual professionals and service
providers, small businesses, medium -sized businesses, and large businesses competing
nationally and internationally; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County seeks to be a place where new businesses are
encouraged to start and existing businesses recognize the value of remaining and
expanding, creating jobs, and increasing the resources available for all members of the
community; and
WHEREAS, the actions of county government can have positive and negative effects
on the overall business environment and on individual operations; and
WHEREAS, to ensure the appropriate balance between the interests of the
community and the interests of businesses is met, it is critical that business and industry
have a voice in policies and regulations that may impact them.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
Whatcom County Code 2.126 is hereby established, creating the Whatcom County Business
and Commerce Committee as outlined in Exhibit A to this ordinance.
RT� D �t1a1d��nd day of May , 2018.
06
M
6 fl
D na roe g Iork of the Council
APPRO\%D'p� §:: 1 M
Civil D or
WHATCOM QOUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM dOUNTY, 'WA HINGTON
Rud Browne, Council Chair
WHATCOM TY EXECUTIVE
WHATCO°M CO NTY, SHINGTON
Jack Louws
ve
( pproved ( ) Denied
Date Signed: k 00/!
CHAPTER 2.126
Business and Commerce Advisory Committee
Sections:
2.126.010
Established
2.126.020
Purpose
2.126.030
Function
2.126.040
Membership
2.126.050
Organization - Meetings
2.126.010 Established.
The Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory Committee is hereby established.
2.126.020 Purpose.
The committee will advise the Whatcom County Council on issues, including regulations and
policies that could impact local businesses, industry, or economic development.
2.126.030 Function.
The committee will report directly to the County Council as necessary to carry out the
following functions:
A. Review and provide recommendations on comprehensive plans, regulations,
economic development efforts and on proposals which directly impact business and
economic conditions in Whatcom County; and
B. Assist the county and provide recommendations on efforts to improve business
conditions, environment and infrastructure; and
C. Assist and develop recommendations for comprehensive economic development
efforts of Associate Development Organizations (ADO) and other issues impacting business
in Whatcom County.
D. Develop recommendations and strategies for ensuring the county applies a client -
focused approach to supporting businesses with regulations, permitting, and planning.
2.126.040 Membership.
A. The committee shall be composed of 18 members serving four year terms.
B. The following designated officials shall be non - voting members:
1. One member of the Whatcom County Council;
2. County Executive or designee
3. City of Bellingham Mayor or designee
4. Port of Bellingham Executive Director or designee; and
5. One representative from the small cities, designated by the Small Cities Caucus.
C. The County Council shall appoint one member representing for - profit entities in each
of the following industries:
1. Internet technology;
2. Manufacturing;
3. Food processing;
4. Recreation;
5. Retail;
6. Marine trades;
7. Commercial real estate;
8. Agriculture; and
9. Energy industry.
D. The County Council shall also appoint:
1. Two members representing for - profit business entities in any industry, including
those listed in subsection C above; and
2. Two non - voting members representing the county's institutions of higher
education (Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College, The
Northwest Indian College, and Bellingham Technical College).
E. No two appointed members may represent or be employed by the same company or
organization.
F. The term of office for appointed members shall be four years; provided that the terms of
those first appointed shall be staggered so that five will be appointed for two years and six
will be appointed for four years.
2.126.050 Organization — Meetings.
A. Meetings of the committee shall be open and accessible to the public and shall be
subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.
B. The committee shall determine its own meeting schedule but shall meet at least four
times per year and attempt to complete its work as expeditiously as possible.
C. At every meeting, the committee will schedule an open session to take public comment
on local business issues. Written records of meetings, resolutions, findings, and
recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public. The County Council and
County Executive shall receive meeting minutes on a regular basis.
C. The committee shall adopt its own rules and procedures for the conduct of business.
D. The committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members who shall preside at
its meetings.
E. The committee shall comply with Whatcom County Charter Section 4.20, Qualifications,
and with Chapter 2.03 WCC, Boards and Commissions.
2.126.055 Committee Staffing.
The Port of Bellingham office of Director of Economic Development shall provide staffing for
the committee.
3