AN ORDINANCE relating to economic development; creating an Economic Development Commission to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council; and establishing a new Chapter 3.15 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is one of the most dynamic business communities in the world, home to iconic companies with global reach, a thriving urban industrial and maritime base, an innovative ecosystem that allows entrepreneurs to harness creativity
and develop new technologies, and a talented and highly-skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of today's economy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle's economic prosperity depends on the development of strategies to help entrepreneurs, to grow businesses, to improve competitiveness by building on our economic strengths, and to create career "ladder" opportunities for all
Seattle residents; and
WHEREAS, the Puget Sound region is struggling to emerge from a severe recession that results in the loss of approximately 125,000 jobs at its height; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is home to more than 55,000 businesses employing nearly 500,000 people whose success is essential to the economic health of the region and the state; and
WHEREAS, in April 2011, the City Council adopted Resolution 31282, which endorsed a program of specific economic development goals and actions to strengthen and grow Seattle's economy; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor presented a Jobs Plan in August, 2010 that laid out strategies for economic development with core principles of economic and environmental sustainability and shared prosperity; and
WHEREAS, economic development and a healthy business climate is critical for maintaining the sustainability of the City's ability to provide a variety of services including parks, libraries, and health and human services;
WHEREAS, enhancing communication between business sectors and the City on policy issues was one of the primary economic development goals articulated in Resolution 31282; and
WHEREAS, the economic development actions described in Resolution 31282 included the creation of an Economic Development Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Jobs Plan recommended convening an advisory body to provide guidance for the implementation of its strategies and benchmarking requirements; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to establish a commission that will advise and provide recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the development of plans, policies, and regulations to promote sustainable and equitable economic development and job
creation in Seattle; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Chapter 3.53 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code, as follows:
Chapter 3.53 -Economic Development Commission
3.53.010 Establishment
There is established an Economic Development Commission to advise and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on the development of plans, policies, regulations, and strategies regarding fundamental issues that have substantial impact on
sustainable and equitable economic development and job creation in the City of Seattle.
3.53.020 Membership
A. The Commission is comprised of 10 members. Appointments shall be made to ensure that varied economic perspectives are represented, including business size, industry type, organized labor, neighborhood business, minority-owned business, woman-owned
business, local economic professionals, and representatives of post-high school educational institutions.
3.15.030 Appointment and term
1. All positions are numbered one through 10. Individuals shall be appointed into those numbered positions. Members in odd numbered positions shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Council. Individuals in even numbered positions shall be
appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the Council. All positions shall be filled as soon as practicable after the Council and Mayor have authorized the creation of the Commission.
2. For the initial round of appointments all positions will be for one year. After the first year the positions will be staggered: positions one through five will serve one-year terms, positions five through ten will serve two-year terms. After the
conclusion of these terms, all subsequent terms of each position shall be for two years. A commission member whose term has expired shall continue to hold office until a successor has been appointed and qualified. No members shall serve more than two
consecutive terms. Any vacancy for an unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner as for an original appointment under this section. Staff from the Office of Economic Development may provide appointment recommendations to both the Mayor and City
Council.
3.53.040 Compensation
Members serve without compensation.
3.53.050 Duties and functions
A. The duties of the Commission include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Provide advice and recommendations on priorities, policies, and sustainable strategies related to the City's basic economic health, local business climate, quality of life and job creation. This includes review of policy proposals brought forward by
the City, as well as ones identified by the Commission.
2. Assist the Office of Economic Development in its leadership role in creating the City of Seattle's economic agenda through analysis of timely opportunities and development of targeted areas of focus.
3. The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity only.
4. The Commission shall meet at a minimum six times a year.
3.15.060 Ancillary powers
A. The Commission shall have the power to:
1. By a majority vote of the Commission, elect one Commission member to be Chairperson for a one-year term, and elect one Vice Chairperson for a one-year term, who shall serve as Chair in absence of the Chairperson.
2. Organize itself, establish committees or subcommittees, and delegate duties for the performance of its work; and
3. Adopt rules of procedure to accomplish its functions.
B. The Office of Economic Development shall provide staff support and meeting facilities for the Commission and maintain its records. The Commission may also receive staff assistance from other City departments.
C. Meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. Meeting notifications, agendas, minutes of proceedings, findings and recommendations, annual reports, and other related material shall be available to the public and posted on the Office of
Economic Development's website.
3.15.070 Unexcused absences
Any member shall be excused from a meeting if he or she notifies the Chairperson of the member's anticipated absence prior to the start of the meeting. The Commission may recommend that the Mayor or Council remove any member who is absent without excuse
from three consecutive Commission meetings. Recommendation for removal of a member requires a majority vote of the Commission's membership. Upon receipt of such recommendation, the Mayor may remove a member appointed by Mayoral appointment and the
Council may remove a member appointed by Council appointment. This provision does not limit the reasons for which the Mayor and the Council may exercise their power to remove a person whom they have appointed.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section
1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2011, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this
_____ day of ___________________, 2011.
_________________________________
President __________of the City Council
Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2011.
_________________________________
Michael McGinn, Mayor
Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2011.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Sara Belz / Traci Ratzliff / Phyllis Shulman LEG Economic Development Commission ORD November 29, 2011 Version 8
Form Last Revised: May 2, 2011 6