The purpose and intent of this chapter is to make available to the city council and staff additional expertise relative to the monitoring, assessing and strengthening of existing economic development strategies and to develop new strategies of economic development for the city by establishing an economic development committee consisting of representatives from various professional disciplines. The economic development committee herein created shall not supplant administrative input to the city council by staff, but shall complement staff input through the utilization and application of the special expertise possessed by its members.
(Ord. 23-83; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 10-19 § 1)
There is hereby created within the city of Richland an economic development committee composed of eight members appointed by the city council. Members will serve staggered three-year terms and until their successors are appointed and confirmed.
Four members shall be involved in retail and hospitality, manufacturing and industry, professional services and Hanford-related industry and research institutions. One member shall be involved in the tourism business or be an advocate and representative of tourism activities. In making appointments to the committee, the city council shall strive to appoint individuals with multiple skills and with experience and expertise from various disciplines and backgrounds.
(Ord. 23-83; Ord. 7-87; Ord. 35-90; Ord. 40-91; Ord. 29-97; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 38-05; Ord. 10-19 § 1)
The committee shall hold regular meetings no less than every month of the year unless cancelled by the chairperson as a result of having no business or for other good cause.
(Ord. 23-83; Ord. 7-87; Ord. 35-90; Ord. 29-97; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 10-19 § 1)
A. 
The economic development committee shall perform the following functions:
1. 
Assist staff with the formulation of economic development goals for the city in a structured framework.
2. 
Assess existing economic development policies for the purpose of recommending such modifications as may be appropriate to achieve the economic goals approved by the city council.
3. 
Assist with the formulation of new economic development strategies and policies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the economic development goals approved by the city council.
B. 
In addition to the broad major functions outlined above, the economic development committee shall, consistent with established city council policy:
1. 
Prepare and submit recommendations to staff and council on a broad range of matters generally related to economic development.
2. 
Assist in the development of plans and programs for the purpose of retaining and enhancing the existing commercial and industrial base of the city.
3. 
Assist in the development of strategies and programs to strengthen the concept of the public/private development partnership.
4. 
Review and advise the city council on the relative merits of individual economic development proposals.
5. 
Convene, when necessary, to greet potential commercial and industrial business owners and serve as a central body for the dissemination of economic development information relating to availability of land, financial tools and resources and other factors relating to successful commercial and economic development.
6. 
Perform such other duties and provide such additional information, assistance and advice to the city council as the city council may request or direct.
(Ord. 23-83; Ord. 29-97; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 14-03; Ord. 04-07; Ord. 10-19 § 1)
If any one or more sections, subsections or sentences of this chapter are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter, and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. 23-83; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 31-03; Ord. 10-19 § 1)