The Whatcom County flood control zone district has established advisory committees for the following subzones:
A. 
Acme/Van Zandt;
B. 
Sumas/Nooksack/Everson;
C. 
Lynden/Everson; and
D. 
Birch Bay watershed and aquatic resources management district.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
Each subzone advisory committee shall advise the Whatcom County flood control zone district board of supervisors on subzone operations and plans within that subzone's respective geographic area.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
Each advisory committee shall consist of five members, with at least four members who reside in the respective subzone. The fifth member may reside or own property within the respective subzone or represent a rate payer from within the subzone so long as any representative of a rate payer is primarily employed by that rate payer at a site within the subzone. Members of the advisory committee should represent a diversity of geographic areas and stakeholder interests from within the subzone whenever possible.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
The term of office for each member shall be four years; provided, that the initial members of an advisory committee shall have staggered terms so that two members are appointed for two years, two members are appointed for three years, and one member is appointed for four years. A member may be appointed to serve up to two consecutive four-year terms, regardless of whether that member has served a first term of less than four years; however, after serving two consecutive full terms, a citizen may become eligible for reappointment after a one-year period of separation from the advisory committee.
The terms of all appointments shall expire on January 31st of the specified year.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
The advisory committee shall meet once monthly or as its members shall determine, but not less frequently than once every six months. Three members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
Pursuant to the terms of an interlocal agreement, Whatcom County may provide limited staffing for the advisory committee, providing agendas and other technical support as requested and available.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
At its initial meeting, the advisory committee will elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson and recording secretary. The vice-chairperson shall have the power to perform all duties of the chairperson in his or her absence. The recording secretary shall have the duty to take roll, ensure the presence of a quorum, and record the minutes of each meeting.
Thereafter, at its first meeting of each calendar year, the advisory committee shall organize by electing a chairperson, vice-chairperson and recording secretary to serve for a period of one year.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)
When a vacancy occurs as the result of a completed term, or due to the death, resignation, or unexcused absence from two consecutive regular meetings of an advisory committee, or if for any other reason a member is unable to fulfill the duties of membership, the vacancy will be filled by appointment of the Whatcom County flood control zone district board of supervisors.
The Whatcom County flood control zone district board of supervisors shall advertise a vacancy and include an application deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday of the week prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting at which nominations and possible vote to appoint are scheduled to occur. Board members shall make nominations from the list of applicants and list of alternate members at this same regularly scheduled meeting. Appointment of the nominees shall occur by an affirmative roll-call vote by a majority of the entire board. In the case of only one applicant/alternate member for a given vacancy, nomination and appointment by general consent may occur.
If a position has remained vacant for more than 90 days due to a lack of qualified applications having been received, an applicant who has previously served on the advisory committee may be appointed to serve an additional term, notwithstanding any other provisions of this title.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A; Res. 2014-034 Exh. A)
Written notice of the time and place of any meeting shall be sent to each member of the committee at least five days prior to each meeting.
While the subzone advisory committees are not agency-governing bodies subject to the Washington State Open Public Meetings Law, the board of supervisors intends that the subzone advisory committees give public notice of their meetings consistent with that statute, hold meetings open to the public, and record the proceedings of any meeting. No advisory committee shall take any action or make any recommendation to the flood control zone district advisory committee or the board of supervisors except through recorded decisions made at properly noticed public meetings.
Records of the subzone advisory committees shall be provided to the river and flood division of the Whatcom County public works department, which shall retain them unless otherwise provided for by agreement between Whatcom County and the Whatcom County flood control zone district.
(Res. 2008-054 Exh. A; Res. 2010-039 Exh. A; Res. 2012-005 Exh. A)