Ordinance 13-35 Enacting Homer City Code Chapter 1.71, Water and Sewer Advisory Commission

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA
Zak
ORDINANCE 13-35

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, ENACTING HOMER CITY CODE CHAPTER 1.71, WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, The Council established a Water and Sewer Rate Task Force to review the rate model for water and sewer rates and propose water and sewer rates for the Council to adopt in 2013; and

WHEREAS, After considering the report of the Water and Sewer Rate Task Force and extensive public testimony, the Council on August 12, 2013 adopted Resolution 13-048(S-2)(A-3) establishing new water and sewer rates effective January 1, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The recently completed process of adopting new water and sewer rates demonstrated the value of detailed technical review of proposed rate models and other water and sewer utility issues; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the City and its water and sewer ratepayers to establish a permanent water and sewer advisory commission to advise the Council on water and sewer utility issues, including the development of appropriate water and sewer rate structures.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF HOMER ORDAINS:

Section 1. Homer City Code Chapter 1.71, Water and Sewer Advisory Commission, is hereby enacted to read as follows:

Chapter 1.71
WATER AND SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION

Sections:

1.71.010 Commission--Creation and membership.
1.71.020 Commission--Terms of members.
1.71.030 Proceedings of the commission.
1.71.040 Duties and responsibilities of the commission.

1.71.010 Commission--Creation and membership. a. There shall be a City of Homer Water and Sewer Advisory Commission, referred to in this chapter as the commission. The commission shall consist of seven members nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the council. Not more than two members of the commission may reside outside the city.
b. The commission annually shall elect a chair and vice chair from its membership.  The chair shall preside at meetings of the commission and perform such other duties as the commission may assign.  The vice chair shall act as chair in the chair’s absence.
c. The mayor, city manager, public works director and finance director, or the designee of any of them, may participate in the deliberations of the commission as consulting members in addition to the appointed members, but shall have no vote.

1.71.020 Commission--Terms of members. a. Members appointed to the commission upon its formation shall serve staggered terms as follows:
1. Three members shall be appointed for three-year terms;
2. Two members shall be appointed for two-year terms; and
3. Two members shall be appointed for one-year terms.
b. Upon the expiration of the term of an initial commission member, the successor shall be appointed for a three-year term.  A vacancy on the commission occurring before the expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the term.
c. The commission may remove a member with unexcused absences from two consecutive regular commission meetings.

1.71.030 Proceedings of the commission. The commission shall meet regularly once in each month when there is business pending before it, and at the call of the chair. Minutes shall be kept of the commission’s proceedings, which shall record the vote of each member upon every question.

1.71.040 Duties and responsibilities of the commission. a. The Commission shall advise the mayor, council and city manager on issues regarding the planning, development, management, facilities, revenue requirements and rates and charges of the city water and sewer utilities.
b. The commission shall consider a proposal, issue or project regarding the city water or sewer utilities that the council refers to it, and report its findings or recommendations thereon directly to the council unless the council directs otherwise.
c. In the course of performing its duties, the commission may direct inquiries to city water and sewer utility staff only through the city manager, and except as provided in (b) of this section, in its discretion report its findings and recommendations to either or both the mayor and council and the city manager.
d. The council from time to time may review and revise the duties and responsibilities of the Commission.

Section 2. This Ordinance is of a permanent and general character and shall be included in the City Code.

ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, this ________ day of ______________ 2013.

       CITY OF HOMER

       ________________________
       MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

YES:
NO:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:

First Reading:
Public Hearing:
Second Reading:
Effective Date: 

Reviewed and approved as to form.

  
Walt Wrede, City Manager  Thomas F. Klinkner, City Attorney

Date:    Date: 

Fiscal Note: NA