Pacific City Council Committees Defined in Council’s own Rules of Procedure.
“Part 1: General Provisions cont.
C. City Council Committees
The committee structure of the council and the procedure governing all committees shall be as follows:
1. Committee of the Whole: The entire Council sitting as a legislative study committee. The Council President shall be presiding officer at all meetings of the Committee of the Whole.
2. Finance Committee: The Finance Committee shall review all demands against the City and make recommendation to the City Council regarding payment or non-payment of each demand. The Committee shall review the proposed budget ordinances of the City, make recommendation to the Council regarding approval or non-approval of all budget ordinances, and other business as determined by the council.
3. Public Works Committee: The Public Works Committee shall conduct the initial review of public works issues and shall make recommendations to the Council. Public works issues that may be reviewed may include, but are not limited to, water supply sources, water system improvements, garbage collection contracts, street capital improvements and surface water management.
4. Public Safety Committee: The Public Safety Committee works with the Police to ensure the safety of the City's citizens and to address department needs. Public Safety meetings will be held in the Public Safety Building unless otherwise noted. Public access provided upon request (subject to limitations for confidential or critical information to be discussed).
5. Human Services Committee: The Human Services Committee shall review the social needs of the city that should be considered when appropriating federal revenue sharing funds and general funds, and also serve as advisors the on allocation and application for grant funds to be used for community development projects. The human services committee shall assist and advise the council as a whole in identifying the local social service needs and recommending priorities to meet those needs including but not restricted to proposing programs, reviewing and evaluating existing programs, encouraging citizen participation, and performing other assignments referred to the committee by the mayor or council as deemed appropriate. The committee shall establish necessary policies, goals, rules, and regulations to conduct the activities of the human services committee.
6. Claims Committee: Shall review all claims against the City and make recommendations to the City Council regarding payment or non-payment of each claim. Claim for damages include, but not limited to, vehicle damage, property damage, litigation, and employee litigation.
(pcs note: Now called “Finance Committee”.)
7. All committees shall meet not less than quarterly for the purposes of fulfilling their obligations “
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Note: Council has added a “Governance Committee” to propose and review “policy” proposals or changes.
PCS thinks some of the Council’s Committee Rules of Procedure need to be updated, to better comply with WA State “sunshine laws” (acts relating to Open Public Meetings and Public Records.)
In 2014 an RCW was passed which requires sunshile laws Training, and includes sub-committees, and boards and commissions which hold Public Hearings. Additionally, Public Notices must be posted on “websites” at least 24 hours before a public meeting,
See an Office of the WA ST Attorney General slide show on OPMA at http://wtb.wa.gov/Documents/Tab3.pdf