Pursuant to the authority conferred by RCW 35A.63.020, there hereby is created a City Planning Commission, consisting of seven members who shall be appointed by the City Council, and shall be bona fide residents of the City of Mountlake Terrace. Members shall be appointed for a term of four years, which shall expire on the thirtieth day of June of the last year for which the term is made; provided, that members shall remain in office until their successors are appointed and confirmed. The terms of members shall be overlapping. Vacancies, other than through the expiration of terms, shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the member being replaced. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.
Regular attendance by members is necessary for the efficient operation and effective completion of business. Three nonexcused absences from regular meetings in a year shall constitute an automatic resignation from the members. A member may request that an absence be excused either before or after the absence occurs. Any member who ceases to have the qualifications provided in this section shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her office.
Upon request of a Commissioner, the City Council may make a temporary appointment to replace a Commissioner who will be absent from meetings for a prolonged period.
Upon motion by any member of the Council, and approval by a majority of the City Council, the appointment of any member serving on the Commission may be terminated for cause. The City Council shall thereafter proceed with the appointment of a new member to complete the term of office.
No Commissioner shall receive any compensation from the City for his or her service on the Commission.
(Ord. 2121 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2314 § 1, 2002)
The Planning Commission shall have all of the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified by Chapter 35A.63 RCW and MTMC Titles 17, 18, and 19, now and as may hereinafter be amended.
(Ord. 2121 § 2, 1996; Ord. 2314 § 2, 2002)
The City Council may refer to the Planning Commission, for its recommendation and report, any ordinance, resolution or other proposal relating to any of the matters and subjects referred to in said Chapter 119 of the 1967 Executive Session Laws, as amended, and the Commission shall promptly report to the Council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it may deem proper in the premises.
(Ord. 2121 § 3, 1996)
All plats or plans of subdivisions of land within the City or proposed additions, as well as dedications of streets and alleys, offered to the City Council for acceptance, shall first be submitted to the Planning Commission for its recommendation, and report shall be made to the City Council not later than 21 days following action by the Planning Commission, but no more than necessary to meet the 120 days for approval provided by law.
(Ord. 2121 § 4, 1996)
At the first meeting of each new calendar year, the Commission shall select from among their members a chair and vice chair. If an office is vacated at a different time of year, the Commission, at any regular meeting within two months of the vacancy, may select from among their members to fill the vacant office. The term of each office shall be from the date of selection until the first meeting of the following calendar year or until the office is vacated, whichever comes first.
(Ord. 2377 § 1, 2004)
A majority of the membership of the Planning Commission, not less than four of whom shall be appointed voting members, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Any action taken by a majority of those present when those present constitute a quorum, at any regular or special meeting of the Planning Commission, shall be deemed and taken as the action of the Commission.
(Ord. 2121 § 6, 1996)
The Planning Commission, at or before its first regular meeting in February of each year, should make a full report in writing to the City Council as to matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority as may to it seem proper.
(Ord. 2121 § 7, 1996)
The Planning Commission shall have full authority to adopt and periodically amend rules of procedure and/or bylaws necessary for the conduct of its activities, provided said rules of procedure and/or bylaws do not conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2121 § 8, 1996)