2.06.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform policies for City boards, commissions and committees – hereinafter referred to collectively as “committee” – to establish a process for review to ensure that the organization is efficient and nonbureaucratic. It is further to assure public access to all meetings of such committees.
It shall also be a statement of the Council that all committees are creatures of the legislative body and shall not be deemed independent or autonomous to the legislative body.
A. All committees of the City of Snohomish shall be created by ordinance of the City Council and shall contain a statement of purpose and need.
B. There shall be only four types of committees in the City of Snohomish and they shall have the following purposes:
1. Standing Committees. Such committees are established to conduct business delegated by the legislative body (City Council) and may be authorized by separate state statute or City ordinance. An example of a standing committee is the Planning Commission.
2. Special Committees. Such committees are to investigate a special subject for a limited time frame and report back to the City Council. An example is the Midtown Planning District Task Force.
3. Community Advisory Committees. Such committees are to promote community participation on a particular subject or function. An example is the Public Safety Board.
4. Council Committees. A Councilmember shall chair Council committees and serve the purposes established by RCW Title 35A.
C. Advisory committees have no final authority for policy administration, but rather act in an advisory capacity. They are expected to become individually knowledgeable about their body’s unique issues so that their collective advice as a board is credible. This includes reading appropriate literature, visiting relevant sites and events, talking with community members, and other actions as appropriate.
To advise means to give an opinion, to inform, to counsel, and to recommend. It is not appropriate for boards or commissions to direct staff or provide assignments to staff to carry out on their behalf. Instead, they may generate ideas for consideration, such as for community awareness or outreach, projects, education, workshops, fundraising, or special events, in keeping with the overall work plan, and without creating undue burdens for existing staff. They can request time frames for followup by staff, but those time frames are subject to staff availability and City needs.
D. Members may speak as members of the committee, but they may not represent their own views or recommendations as those of the group, unless the committee has officially voted to nominate them as a spokesperson for the group on a specific topic.
E. Any community event planned by the committee, unless part of the approved work plan for the year, shall be preapproved by the Mayor or designee. Similarly, any work product of the committee must be approved by the Mayor or designee prior to being disseminated to the community on behalf of the City or the committee, with the exception of annual reports, agenda packets, or proposed work plans.
F. All committees are to follow Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public Records Act (PRA) requirements, and ensure all agendas and minutes are filed with the City Clerk. (Ord. 2409, 2021; Ord. 2469, 2023)