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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.b. BylawsI:\ES Task Force\Packets\2020\20200218 ESC Packet\6.b. Bylaws.docx EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Environmental & Sustainability Commission Meeting: February 18, 2020 AGENDA ITEM: Environment and Sustainability Commission Bylaws AGENDA SECTION: New Business PREPARED BY: Brian Erickson, P.E., Director of Public Works/City Engineer AGENDA NO. 6.b. ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance; Draft Bylaws APPROVED BY: BLE RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss, update and approve bylaws. BACKGROUND: The Rosemount City Council established the Environment and Sustainability Commission (ESC) by at their February 4, 2020 meeting. As one of the first items of business the ESC should establish bylaws as appropriate. Prior to the establishment as a commission the Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Task Force (REST) had approved bylaws. Staff has reviewed and made some changes regarding the REST bylaws; however, there should be some discussion regarding these to ensure that they appropriately govern the conduct of the commission. SUMMARY: Staff recommends the ESC review and approve the bylaws governing the conduct of the commission in its duties. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City Council Regular Meeting: February 4, 2020 AGENDA ITEM: Approval of Ordinance establishing an Environment & Sustainability Commission AGENDA SECTION: Consent PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO.: 6.j. ATTACHMENTS: Draft Ordinance APPROVED BY: LJM RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to adopt Ordinance-X Establishing an Environment & Sustainability Commission. BACKGROUND The Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Task Force (REST) was first established by the City Council in 2016 in order to advise the City Council on issues related to the environment and sustainability. Since its inception, REST has pursued numerous initiatives and assisted with the creation or further implementation of a number of sustainability focused programs. Notably, the City’s recent involvement with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program, along with the placement of a Green Corps Intern this past summer focused on stormwater, were both successes of REST. The current term of the task force expired on December 31, 2019, and the task force has expressed interest in becoming a full-fledged City Advisory Commission (similar to the Planning, Utility, and other Commissions). At its December 19 regular meeting, the City Council directed staff to develop a draft ordinance formally establishing the Environment & Sustainability Commission. Upon adoption of the attached ordinance, the Commission would begin work in the first quarter of 2020 to update its bylaws and establish a broader foundation upon which to operate going forward. Currently, REST is comprised of the following 7 individuals: Renee Burman, Chair Vanessa Demuth Katherine Koch-Laveen Karen Malkowski Nathan Marks Victoria Schlautman John Smith The terms of these individuals are appropriately staggered to ensure continuity of the group going forward. Any further appointments to the Commission would be completed with the Council’s pre-existing Commission application process that takes place each Spring. The attached ordinance also provides an opportunity for a Youth representative to add diversity to the ESC, which is an idea offered by the current members. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Council approve Ordinance X Establishing an Environment & Sustainability Commission. CITY OF ROSEMOUNT COUNTY OF DAKOTA STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT, MINNESOTA, ORDAINS as follows: Section 1. Title 2 of the Rosemount City Code is amended by adding the following new Chapter 5: Chapter 5 ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION 2-5-1: ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION 2-5-2: ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS 2-5-3: OATH; COMPENSATION 2-5-4: POWERS AND DUTIES 2-5-1: ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION: An Environment and Sustainability Commission is hereby established for the City. The commission shall consist of up to seven (7) members and one (1) youth member appointed by the City Council. Terms of the members shall be determined in the commission bylaws. 2-5-2: ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS: The commission shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from its members together with such other officers it deems necessary. The commission shall meet at least once a month and shall submit its official meeting minutes to the City Council every month. 2-5-3: OATH; COMPENSATION: Every appointed member shall, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, take an oath that he or she will faithfully discharge the duties of the office. Compensation for the members shall be determined by the City Council. 2-5-4: POWERS AND DUTIES: A. Advice and Recommendations: The commission shall have the duty to advise the City Council on issues related to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and opportunities for advancement on those fronts. The commission shall recommend any policies or initiatives to the City Council that enhance and preserve the environment and natural resources. B. Investigate Environmental Opportunities: The commission shall have no power to make contracts, levy taxes, borrow money or condemn property, but shall have the full power and responsibility to investigate needed modification or programs to enhance and preserve the local environment, and to assist the Council in formulating the terms of and the procedure for accomplishing that goal. Section 2. This Ordinance shall be effective following its passage and publication. Adopted this 4th day of February, 2020, by the City Council of the City of Rosemount. ___________________________ William H. Droste, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________ Erin Fasbender, City Clerk Environment and Sustainability Taskforce Commission By-laws I. DEFINITION The Environment and Sustainability was established by the City of Rosemount City Council on February 4, 2020.Taskforce (Taskforce) taskforce will operate until December 31, 2019. Prior to December 31, 201 9, the City Council will decide to continue or disband the taskforce. II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of the Taskforce Commission is to advise the city City council Council on issues related to the sustainability, environment stewardship and opportunies for advancement on those fronts. The commission shall recommend anty policies and initiaitives to the City Council that enhance and preserve the environment and natural resources. sustainability. The past few years the Rosemount City Council has participated in several programs involving sustainability measures. Four significant programs were STAR Communities, Minnesota Green Step Cities, Regional Initiatives and the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities program. These programs provided assistance in many areas however quality of life and sustainability were two significant issues. The issue of sustainable city services is a complex topic that includes a wide range of city services. Rosemount currently has citizen commissions that advise council on: planning issues, parks and utilities. Although commission members meet once per month and generally only focus on current city projects, and new development, there are significant issues around sustainability and citizen engagement that are not being addressed. The City Council’s objective creating an Environment and Sustainability Taskforce Commission is to look at areas where we can have a better impact on issues and look for creative ways to engage residents through education and opportunities to improve neighborhoods. Taskforce members Members are encouraged to volunteer at community engagement events such as the Taskforce booth at the Rosemount Home and Business Expo and Leprechaun Days. Outcomes could be specific projects or recommendations on city policy. Following are some areas of focus: • Storm Water Catch Basins and Ponds • Surface Water Quality • Water Conservation and Water Reuse • Energy Usage and Emissions See attachment A: Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce Charter and Priorities III. MEMBERSHIP The Taskforce Commission consists of 9 7 voting members and 1 youth member, all of whom shall be residents of the City of Rosemount, appointed by the City Council. The Taskforce would like to increase the size with member volunteers that are not voting members. The term of Taskforce Commission members may last three years, ending at the March meeting. Taskforce Commission members may reapply to be appointed by the city City council Council which occurs in March each year. The requirement for residency does not apply to citizen volunteers, or students. A city staff representative and ex-officio non- voting city City council Council member(s) may serve as liaisons. IV. RESIGNATION Any member wishing to resign from the Taskforce Commission shall give a written notice of resignation to the Taskforce chair Chair and city staff representative. The Taskforce chair Chair shall present the resignation to the TaskforceCommission at its next meeting. V. ATTENDANCE Regular Attendance. Regular attendance at meetings by all voting members is necessary if the Taskforce Commission is to be effective. Absence from meeting. It shall be the duty of each member to notify the city staff representative prior to the meeting that he/she will not be attending. The Taskforce Commission members can vote a member out of the Taskforce due to four or more absences in a calendar year. VI. MEETINGS A. Date and time. Regular meeting dates and times shall be determined by the TaskforceCommission, but currently are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month. B. Place. Meetings shall be held in the City Hall conference room unless otherwise noted. C. Special Meeting. Special meetings may be called by the Chair, any four members of the Taskforce or the city City councilCouncil. The members must be notified of the call for a special meeting at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting. D. Meetings with city City council Council as deemed necessary. E. Minutes. City staff will prepare the minutes after each meeting.A member of the Taskforce will be chosen by the Taskforce to record minutes for each meeting. The minutes will be share with the city representative to be included in the next meeting packet. F. Report to City Council. The Taskforce Commission Chair, ex-officio council member or city representative will provide an annual report to the city City council Council at either a council Council meeting or work session. VII. ORGANIZATION Chair personPerson. The chairChair person Person shall preside over all meetings and be selected annually by the members, typically at the January April meeting each year. The Chairperson Chair Person may assign specific tasks to members, with the consent of the members, establish subcommittees and assist with developing meeting agendas. Vice-chairpersonChair Person. The viceVice- chairperson Chair Person shall preside over meetings in the absence of the chairpersonChair Person. Staff. A city staff representative shall distribute the agenda packet to each member prior to the meeting either electronically or paper version.