Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending OMC Chapter 2.100 to Amend the Word "Citizen" to "Community Member" and to Allow City Council Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees to Receive a Stipend for Meeting Attendance
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Approve the Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 2.100 to amend the word "citizen" to "community member" and to allow City Council advisory boards, commissions, and committees to receive a stipend for meeting attendance on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 2.100 to amend the word "citizen" to "community member" and to allow City Council advisory boards, commissions, and committees to receive a stipend.
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Assistant City Manager - Strategic Initiatives, 360.753.8499
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to reading.
The Olympia City Council utilizes advisory boards, commissions, and committees to share their opinions and perspectives, study issues, and develop recommendations related to certain topics. Their primary purpose is to provide judicious advice, from a community member perspective, to the City Council. The City has ten volunteer advisory boards, commissions, and committees. Depending on their workplan, they meet anywhere between six and 24 times per year. They serve as volunteers and do not receive a stipend or reimbursement to offset expenses like childcare, transportation, or meals.
Council appropriated $50,000 in the 2021 Operating Budget to provide stipends for community members serving on Council's advisory boards, commissions and committees. The intent is to increase participation of low-income and traditionally underrepresented community members by reducing barriers. This proposed ordinance authorizes members to receive a stipend of $25 per meeting attended with the optio...
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