There shall be a commission known as the sustainability commission, which shall be composed of seven members appointed by the assembly and, to the extent deemed advisable by the assembly and possible from the applicants, include at least one individual with background or training as a sustainability professional and at least one individual of Alaska Native heritage with understanding and appreciation of the historical importance of sustainability on Tlingit Aaní. All voting members of the commission shall be at-large members and representative of a diverse cross-section of the community. The sustainability coordinator within the planning and community development department or designee shall be an ex officio member without a vote.
(S.G.C. 2.15.010; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)
The term of a voting member shall be three years or until a successor is appointed. The first members appointed to the commission shall, upon appointment, determine the length of the terms so that the terms of three members shall be for one year and the terms of two members shall be for two years, and the terms of two members shall be for three years, resulting in staggered terms for members subsequently appointed. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the assembly for any remainder of an unexpired term.
(S.G.C. 2.15.020; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)
A. 
Meet once per month at such time as the chair or, in their absence, the vice chair shall determine.
B. 
Give reasonable public notice of its meetings and comply in all respects with the Alaska Open Meetings Act.
(S.G.C. 2.15.030; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)
The commission shall organize itself by electing a chair, a vice chair and a secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the voting members of the commission at its first meeting and shall serve a term to expire upon election of officers at the first meeting of the following year. The secretary shall provide minutes of all meetings to the municipal clerk.
(S.G.C. 2.15.040; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)
Should an officer resign from their position prior to expiration of their term, or otherwise is unable or unwilling to perform duties as required of the office, the commission may elect an officer to serve out the remainder of that term. In addition to the above officers, the commission, by a majority vote of its voting members, may designate and elect or appoint such other officers, assistant officers and agents as it deems necessary at such time, in such manner, and upon and for such terms as it shall prescribe. All officers and agents shall serve at the pleasure of the commission, whenever in its judgment the best interest of the commission will be served.
(S.G.C. 2.15.050; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)
A. 
The commission will act as an advisory body to the assembly with the purpose of catalyzing and developing municipal and community-focused approaches that support the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of the city and borough. The commission will accomplish this by working towards the following actions described below.
B. 
Annually, the commission will develop, identify, and present goals to the assembly for approval. The approved goals shall be the commission’s primary focus for the following year. Goals will generally be based on topics that may include:
1. 
Fossil energy use reduction and development of local, renewable energy sources;
2. 
Responsible use of natural resources;
3. 
Diminution of Sitka’s supply-chain fragility;
4. 
Food security enhancement;
5. 
Sustainable transportation options that leverage Sitka’s locally generated, renewable energy sources;
6. 
Solid waste consumption, reduction, composting, recycling, and reuse;
7. 
Robust and healthy local ecosystems and natural communities; and
8. 
Other matters as the assembly or commission may deem beneficial for the city and borough.
Concurrently with presenting goals to the assembly, the commission will submit a report to the assembly on progress towards the previous year’s goals and other activities which were approved and directed by the assembly.
C. 
With the approval and direction of the assembly, the commission will work with designated staff to provide information and outreach to the public, in order to understand community priorities and develop community consensus on matters concerning sustainability. This effort may require the commission to invite participation and technical expertise from community partners and professionals (e.g., engineers, public administration experts, earth system scientists, business leaders, educators, community group leaders, etc.). If city and borough funds are needed to facilitate participation and technical expertise from community partners and professionals, the commission shall obtain prior approval and the necessary appropriation from the assembly.
(S.G.C. 2.15.060; Ord. 22-16S § 4, 2022)