14.10.020 Administrative roles and responsibilities.
A. The city council has created, through resolutions in accordance with the provisions of RCW 35A.63.020, a planning commission to serve as advisors to the mayor and city council. This shall include the review of and making recommendations to update the city comprehensive plan and development regulations in accordance with the provisions of CEMC Section 14.30.040, to perform other duties as provided in this title or by other resolutions and ordinances of the city council and may perform other duties as assigned by the mayor or city council. The following provisions shall apply to the planning commission, unless subsequently amended by the city council:
1. The planning commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council.
a. The planning commission members shall demonstrate an interest in, an affiliation with, or identification with the city of Cle Elum and provide useful knowledge and/or skills to the city of Cle Elum and related community.
b. At least five of the planning commissioners shall reside within the city limits.
2. The members shall be selected without respect to political affiliation, and they shall serve without compensation.
3. The term for membership on the planning commission shall be four years; provided, that:
a. It is the intent of the city that the term of no more than two commissioners shall expire in any given year.
b. The mayor may reappoint a commissioner to a successive term(s) subject to city council confirmation.
c. At any such time as there is a vacancy on the planning commission, the mayor may appoint a new member to fill the balance of the term or may adjust the term of the appointment to maintain the desired sequencing of appointments.
4. Members of the planning commission may be removed by the mayor, subject to the approval of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.
a. If a member is absent from more than three regular meetings during any given twelve-month period, unless excused by vote of the planning commission, the position may be declared vacant by the mayor in consultation with the chair of the planning commission.
5. The mayor and the city administrator shall prepare and present for discussion with the city council during the annual budget process a workplan that identifies planning priorities and activities for the coming year.
a. As directed by the mayor and city council, the city staff shall, in consultation with the chair of the planning commission, prepare an annual workplan for the planning commission to implement the city planning priorities.
b. Planning commission, in consultation with city staff, shall prepare and present an annual report to the mayor and city council highlighting their activities and accomplishments and recommended priorities for the coming year.
6. The city planner, in consultation with the mayor and the chair of the planning commission shall schedule and advertise an annual meeting schedule of the planning commission; provided, that:
a. A regularly scheduled meeting of the planning commission may be cancelled by the mayor or city administrator, or their designee, in consultation with the chair.
b. Special meetings may be scheduled by the mayor or city administrator, or their designee, in consultation with the chair.
7. The planning commission shall, in consultation with the city planner and the city attorney, conduct business in accordance with adopted by-laws and procedures.
a. The planning commission shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from its members, who shall hold office for one year.
b. At least four members of the planning commission, a majority of which reside within the city limits, must be present in order to conduct official business.
c. The planning commission shall approve written minutes of their meetings and, in consultation with city staff, maintain a written record of their proceedings, which shall be a public record.
d. All meetings of the planning commission shall be properly advertised and conducted as public meetings in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, other applicable local, state, and federal laws, and the adopted rules of the planning commission.
B. Unless otherwise provided by the mayor or city administrator, or their designee, the city planner is authorized to perform the following:
1. Establish and maintain such application forms and administrative procedures as may be necessary to implement this title;
2. Interpret ordinances, codes, and requirements and determine the applicability of this title to proposed uses, projects and development activities;
3. Prepare, and upon approval by the city council, implement a fee schedule for all land use, development, and building permit activities;
4. Serve as a SEPA responsible official;
5. Participate in the review and decision-making of land use and related applications in accordance with the provisions of this title;
6. Administer the city’s environmental regulations;
7. Inspect and examine any structure or tract of land and within the sole discretion of the city, to order in writing the remediation of any condition found to exist or reasonably likely to occur in violation of any provision of the Cle Elum Municipal Code;
8. Enforce city ordinances, codes, and regulations including the approval of compliance plans, the imposition of fines for violations, the issuance of stop work orders, and/or the imposition of penalties;
9. Prepare and evaluate proposed amendments to the city comprehensive and zoning code;
10. Provide staff support to the mayor, city council, planning commission, and city departments;
11. Respond to public inquiries and prepare information for public distribution regarding planning projects and activities;
12. Liaison with consultants involved in planning and land use activities; and
13. Represent the city in working with other local, county, state, and federal planning and natural resource management agencies, and the like.
C. Unless otherwise provided by the mayor or his/her designee, the building official is authorized to perform such activities as may be necessary to administer the International Building Code and related codes as adopted by the city. This may include, but is not limited to:
1. Review building plans and building permit applications;
2. Issue or deny building permits;
3. Inspect construction; and
4. Issue certificates of occupancy.