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AN ORDINANCE establishing policies and creating a Natural Medicine Administrative Board.
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BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Intent. The intent of the ordinance is to establish King County's policies with regard to overseeing and making recommendations on progress with natural medicine services in king county.
SECTION 2. Board - Established - Terms of Office.
A. Establish a thirteen member board to oversee, and advocate for the inclusion of natural medicine health care services into the existing health care system. the members of which shall, except for initial terms, be appointed for terms of four years each and until a successor is appointed.
B. Terms shall commence on the first day of July following appointment. Where a board member continues to serve beyond the expiration date of the term to which appointed, the commencement date for the succeeding member shall be retroactive to the date when the term would have otherwise commenced.
C. No member shall serve more than three successive terms on the board.
D. Members of the board may be removed for reasons and in the manner provided for by state law.
E. Any vacancy on the board which occurs during an unexpired term of office shall be filled in the same manner as for appointing members to regular terms except that such appointee shall hold office only for the remainder of the term of the trustee replaced unless appointed for succeeding terms.
SECTION 3. Board - Appointment and Confirmation - Qualification - Compensation.
A. Appointment and confirmation. Board members shall be appointed to positions numbered one through thirteen (1-13). The executive shall appoint the members of the board subject to confirmation by a majority of the council.
Provided that:
A candidate for each position must be recommended by the councilmember representing the council district with the corresponding number. If the executive does not appoint the person recommended by the councilmember, the councilmember shall recommend another person for appointment.
B. Qualification. In making appointments to the board an effort should be made to assure that diverse geographic, social, cultural, ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds and perspectives are considered. Candidates should possess demonstrated leadership ability, and recognized experience in management/administration, planning, finance, health service delivery, consumer representation or institutional operation; and the ability to work cooperatively with others of diverse backgrounds and philosophies. Additionally, all candidates must be willing to commit to the amount of time necessary to perform trustee duties, serve on board committees and serve as an advocate for integrated health care.
C. Ineligibility. All candidates will be required to disclose any information concerning actions or activities of the candidate or his/her immediate family which present a potential conflict of interest. Candidates whose employment, financial interests, and/or transactions are determined by the appointing officials to be in conflict will be ineligible for board membership.
D. Compensation. No board member shall receive any compensation or emolument for services as a board member and shall be governed by the county code of ethics and state law regarding conflict of interest. Board members may be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
SECTION 4. Board Powers - Duties - Responsibilities.
General. The board, as the representative authority of the county, entrusted to oversee the provisions of health care services in order to assure that the county's natural medicine priorities are addressed and the best possible health care is made available to county residents, shall:
1. Elect from among its members a president and a vice president.
2. Adopt bylaws and rules for its own guidance.
3. Provide training for newly appointed members.
4. Provide oversight for the operation of the King County Natural Medicine Clinic.
5. Provide assistance to bargaining units in order to provide the best possible alternative medicine coverage as part of employee benefit packages.
6. Provide recommendations and assistance in instilling natural medicine in Harborview Hospital & Medical Center and community based clinics.
7. Provide recommendations and assistance in instilling natural medicine into public schools and colleges.
8. Provide outreach to communities through organizations such as senior centers, the King County Children and Family Commission, and the Mental Health Advisory Board.
SECTION 5. Reporting Requirements.
As a minimum, the board shall make an annual report to the executive and to the council.
SECTION 6. Open Meetings - Public Disclosure.
A. All meetings of the board and its committees shall comply and be consistent with the provisions of the state "Open Public Meetings Act" (RCW 42.30).
B Bylaws and other rules and regulations by the board shall be consistent with the "Public Disclosure Act" (RCW 42.17).