HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2025-005Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2025-069
File ID: AB2025-069 Version: 1 Status: Approved
File Created: 01/07/2025 Entered by: JNixon@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Final Action: 01/14/2025
Agenda Date: 01/14/2025 Enactment #: RES 2025-005
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: JNixon@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution amending the County Council and Executive expectations for advisory groups
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
See Staff Memo
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action: Sent To:
01/14/2025 Council APPROVED
Aye: 6 Donovan, Elenbaas, Stremler, Buchanan, Byrd, and Scanlon
Nay: 0
-emp Absent: 1 Galloway
Attachments: Staff Report, Proposed resolution
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 1/1612025
I 10111'.101 DION41�FAZAT&M, �
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-005
AMENDING THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE EXPECTATIONS FOR ADVISORY GROUPS
WHEREAS, the County Council approved the "County Council and County Executive
Expectations for Boards and Commissions" on February 13, 2013 and reaffirmed the
Expectations on March 22, 2022, and;
WHEREAS, the document is sent to all individuals appointed to County advisory groups,
and;
WHEREAS, there has been higher mid-term turnover on many advisory groups in recent
years for a variety of reasons, which requires clarification that appointees are expected to
serve their full terms and how resignations, if necessary, should be handled.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council amends the
"County Council and County Executive Expectations for Boards and Commissions" is updated
as shown in Exhibit A, and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the "County Council and County
Executive Expectations for Boards and Commissions" will be re -signed each time a new Council
Chair and/or County Executive is seated.
APPROVF�RJOis 14th day of January 20 25
jTlil
VA WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATlK) �� ` COUNTY '� �� ``N"� WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Cath 'H'all a� Cad ,{,Rtt &Council Kaylee Wiloway, Council Chair
APPROVED. A&TOt,FOF M
George Roche, via email
George Roche, Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page I
EXHIBIT A
EXECUTIVE
COUNCILMEMBERS
Satpal Sidhu
Barry Buchanan
Tyler Byrd
Todd Donovan
?
q`SNINO.10
Ben Elenbaas
Kaylee Galloway
Jon Scanlon
Mark Stremler
County Council and County Executive
Expectations for Advisory Group Members
Thank you for serving as an appointee and member of one of Whatcom County's
advisory groups. You play a vital role by bringing citizens' perspectives to assist us
as policy makers by studying critical issues and forming well -developed, thoughtful
recommendations to aid us in decision -making. We value the perspective and
service contributed by the many volunteers who contribute to our leadership.
In County government, we operate in a complex legal context and follow a series of
principles to promote public trust as expectations for your services:
• All advisory group meetings are to be conducted in public session, and public
notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with State law and as advised
by County legal counsel.
• A quorum of members will not deliberate about advisory group work and
issues via e-mail or in unnoticed "side meetings" or "gatherings" if these
actions may be in violation of open meeting laws.
• Individual advisory group members and the collective group will be fair,
impartial, professional, and respectful of the public, staff, and each other.
• Individual advisory group members and the collective group will adhere to
the County Charter, County Code, and state laws. Specifically, members shall
not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin,
sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender identity),
disability, or veteran status. Furthermore, members shall not engage in
harassment that interferes with another person's work performance or
creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
• Members may not use their position to secure special privileges or
exemptions for themselves or others.
• Members may not give or receive any compensation, gifts, or gratuities from
entities or individuals who are or have been engaged in items of business
under consideration before the board or commission to which they are
appointed.
• Members may not formally represent an advisory group unless given express
direction to do so by a majority vote of the advisory group.
Members may not, at any time, formally act as a representative of Whatcom
County government unless expressly commissioned to do so in writing by the
County Executive or by formal action of the County Council.
• Appointed members are expected to regularly attend meetings and are not
allowed to designate proxies to serve in their place unless allowed by the
enabling statute.
Appointees are expected to serve the entirety of their term, unless there are
extraordinary circumstances that require a member to resign. If an appointee
no longer qualifies to serve on the advisory group due to a change in
residence outside of Whatcom County, they are expected to notify the
facilitator and/or appointing authority (County Council or Executive) via letter
or email.
If an appointee anticipates an extended absence from regular participation,
he/she shall notify the advisory group facilitator and/or the applicable
appointing authority (County Council or Executive).
• If an appointee can no longer regularly attend advisory group meetings, they
are expected to send notice of their resignation to the appointing authority. If
an appointee becomes absent from regular attendance without notifying the
County, the appointing authority may take steps to vacate the position.
Dated this 16T" day of January, 2025.
11AZYF -e 6 41
r,
Satpal Sid `u, County Executive Kaylee Galloway, County Council Chair