* Prior ordinance history: Ord. 552.

Pursuant to the authority conferred by RCW 35A.63, there is created for the city, a planning commission to consist of seven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Members shall be appointed without respect to political affiliations and they shall serve without compensation. At least five of the seven members of the commission shall be residents inside the city limits. There may be two members on the commission who reside outside the city limits but within the Kalama School District boundaries or a person that owns and operates a business within the city limits. Should a residency or business location or ownership change occur during a commissioner’s term, the commissioner will be allowed to finish their term if they desire. (Ord. 1152 § 1, 2005: Res. 381, 1999; Ord. 784 § 1, 1991).

A. The terms of office for the members of the planning commission shall be as follows: appointment or reappointment to a position on the commission shall be for a term of six years. Planning commission position terms shall expire on the second day of January, with each position term expiring in rotation of five years. Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the mayor. Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of any such member, he or she may continue to act and occupy the position to which he or she was appointed until his or her successor is appointed. His or her actions shall be valid during such time.
B. The position of a member shall be forfeited and become vacant for failure to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the commission. Members may also be removed by the mayor with approval of the city council at a public meeting. (Ord. 1114, § 1, 2002: Ord. 784 § 2, 1991).

The planning commission shall elect its own chairman and create and fill such other offices as it may determine necessary. The commission shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month provided there is business requiring its attention. It shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a written record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be a public record. (Ord. 784 § 3, 1991).

A. The planning commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council with respect to the best methods of ensuring the growth, development and expansion of the city. It may have surveys, analyses, research and reports concerning the general problem of municipal development, expansion and general welfare, made through the office of the city’s planning staff. It shall have all the powers and perform each and all of the duties specified in RCW 35A.63, together with any other duties or authority which may hereafter be conferred upon it by the laws of the state or by city ordinance. The performance of such duties and the exercise of such authority is subject to each and all of the limitations expressed in such legislation.
B. Recommendations to Council. The city council may refer to the planning commission for its recommendation and report any ordinance, resolution or other proposal related to any of the matters and subjects referred in RCW 35A.63, and the commission shall promptly report to the council thereon, making such recommendations and giving such counsel as it deems appropriate.
C. All plats or plans of subdivisions within the city, as well as dedications of streets and alleys offered to the city council for acceptance shall be submitted first to the planning commission for its recommendation and report, which report shall be made to the council pursuant to Title 16. (Ord. 784 § 4, 1991).

The planning commission, at or before its first regular meeting in September of each year shall make a full report in writing to the city council of its transactions and expenditures, if any, for the preceding year with such general recommendations as to matters covered by its prescribed duties and authority as the commission deems proper. (Ord. 784 § 5, 1991).