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 option to waive. Participants who certify as low-income will receive $50 per meeting attended. The stipends will start at the beginning of their term, which is April 1, 2021.
The Social Justice and Equity Commission is currently being formed and is not included in this proposed ordinance. The process to form the Commission is being led by a Founding Member Work Group, and the work group is being compensated through a Professional Services Agreement with the City. The Work Group, through a community engagement process, will recommend to Council the new Commission’s make-up and terms, formal name, scope of work, and first-year work plan. Once Council formally establishes the permanent Social Justice & Equity Commission, OMC Chapter 2.100 will be amended to add that new Commission. This is anticipated to occur in early Summer 2021.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Reducing barriers for community members to participate in Council appointed advisory boards, commissions, and committees will result in better representation of our community and elevate the voices of those who are traditionally underrepresented in City decision-making.
Options:
1. 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.
2. Direct staff to make changes to the Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 2.100 based on Council feedback on second reading.
3. Do not approve the Ordinance amending OMC Chapter 2.100.
Financial Impact:
Council appropriated $50,000 for stipends in the 2021 Operating Budget for community members serving on advisory boards, commissions and committees.
Attachments:
Ordinance