14.10.010 Introduction.
A. The following is a brief description of key planning roles in the city of Cle Elum:
1. The Cle Elum city council is the legislative body of the city and is the only body which can adopt or amend an ordinance, which includes amendments to the city comprehensive plan and development regulations. The city council confirms the appointment by the mayor of the city administrator, the city attorney, the hearings examiner, planning commissioners, and historic preservation commissioners. The city council is the decision-making body on certain nonproject and project-specific planning actions.
2. The mayor is the chief executive officer and ceremonial head of the city. The mayor appoints the city administrator and sees that all laws and ordinances are faithfully enforced.
3. The city administrator assists the mayor in the performance of his/her duties and supervises the various city departments. The city administrator functions as the chief administrative officer, serves as the personnel officer for the city, and performs other administrative duties as assigned. For more information about the Cle Elum city administrator see CEMC Chapter 2.07.
4. The city planner, as authorized by the mayor, serves as the lead staff person responsible for the administration of this title, overseeing the implementation of planning requirements and activities in the city, making administrative decisions on certain land use applications, and interpreting the provisions of this code; provided, that:
a. The mayor may designate one or more planning project managers to act as the city planner and/or to serve as the lead city staff person on selected planning activities. This may include, but is not limited to, larger scale and/or more complex projects, as well as to provide for the efficient delivery of city services.
b. The city planner typically serves as the city’s SEPA responsible official, but the mayor may designate another person to serve as the SEPA responsible official for selected projects. This may include, but is not limited to, larger scale and/or more complex projects, as well as to provide for the efficient delivery of city services.
5. The city building official, as authorized by the mayor, administers, and enforces the International Building Code and related codes, as adopted by the city.
6. The fire chief, as authorized by the mayor, serves as the city fire marshal and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the International Fire Code and related codes, as adopted by the city.
7. The city public works director, as authorized by the mayor, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of essential city services including water, sanitary sewer, storm water management, and streets. In this capacity, the public works director participates in the review and approval of development permits and the enforcement of city standards.
8. The city engineer, as authorized by the mayor, is responsible for the implementation of the city of Cle Elum engineering design standards. In this capacity the city engineer participates in the review and approval of development applications, the review and approval of the design and construction of infrastructure improvements, and the enforcement of city standards.
9. The city hearings examiner is authorized to receive and examine available information, conduct public hearings, prepare a record thereof, enter findings of fact and conclusions based upon those facts, make recommendations, and prepare a record of decision for certain land use applications and appeals. For more information about the Cle Elum hearings examiner see CEMC Chapter 2.60.
10. The city attorney advises the mayor, city administrator, city council, city boards and commissions, and city staff regarding the legal interpretations, applications, and the enforcement of this title. In addition, the city attorney may initiate code enforcement actions on behalf of the city. For more information about the Cle Elum city attorney see CEMC Chapter 2.08.
11. The city planning commission is the planning advisory body to the mayor and city council and makes recommendations on amendments to the comprehensive plan, the Cle Elum Municipal Code, and performs other duties as assigned by the mayor and city council.
12. The Cle Elum historic preservation commission has been established to promote awareness and preservation of the city’s history. One major responsibility of the historic preservation commission is reviewing proposed changes to the Cle Elum register of historic places. The commission also serves as the local review board for special valuation of historic properties as provided in Chapter 84.26 RCW. For more information about the Cle Elum historic preservation commission see CEMC Section 15.22.040.