Drafter
Clerk 06/24/2009
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AN ORDINANCE establishing the King County historic preservation and historical programs advisory task force.
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PREAMBLE:
In 2005, the Washington state Legislature enacted legislation to establish a permanent surcharge on the recording of county documents. RCW 36.22.170 provides that a portion of the revenue generated by the surcharge be "used at the discretion of the county commissioners to promote historic preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents." Counties around the state are now examining how to use the new source of funding to promote historic preservation and historical programs. The creation of this dedicated funding source presents an opportunity to ensure that funding of historic preservation and historical programs is appropriately and thoughtfully distributed in King County. Ensuring the appropriate and thoughtful distribution of these funds requires an understanding of the current funding and governance structures for historic preservation and historical programs in King County. In December 2008, the King County auditor's office completed a compliance audit of the county's use of historic preservation and historical programs funding authorized by the Washington state Legislature in House Bill 1386, and identified opportunities for improved accountability and transparency in the use of the surcharge revenues by establishing formal policies and procedures to guide their use. The metropolitan King County council is committed to the county policy of promoting historic preservation and historical programs and the general policy of using its resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. Therefore, the council finds that the establishment of an historic preservation and historical programs advisory committee is necessary to explore how to use the surcharge and make other recommendations on how best to promote historic preservation and historical programs in King County. It is the intent of the council that the committee makes recommendations to the council on the short-term and long-term allocation of available revenue from the surcharge.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. The King County historic preservation and historical programs advisory task force is hereby established.
SECTION 2.
A. The purpose of the task force shall be to make short-term and long-term recommendations to the council on how to allocate the recording fee surcharge in order to best support and promote historic preservation and historical programs in King County. To achieve this purpose, the task force shall study the funding and governance structures for historic preservation and historical programs in King County, including the King County historic preservation program, the King County landmarks commission, the cultural development authority of King County's preservation and heritage programs, and local preservation and heritage organizations within King County.
B. The task force's allocation recommendation shall include:
1. Methods and mechanisms for the distribution of funds generated by the surcharge;
2. Guiding principles for the distribution of the funds generated by the surcharge;
3. Appropriate accounting methods for the funds available for historic preservation and historical programs; and
4. Additional recommendations to promote historic preservation and historical programs in King County including, but not limited to, alternative funding sources, governance structures and options for new and expanded programs.
C. The task force shall convene and develop a work program by August 1, 2009. The task force shall make an interim recommendation in regards to the 2010 budget by November 1, 2009, with a final report due to the council by March 1, 2010. Eleven copies of the report shall be filed with the clerk of the council for distribution to all councilmembers.
SECTION 3.
A. The task force shall be comprised of eight members.
1. Five members shall be appointed by the executive and confirmed by the council as follows:
a. One shall be a member of the King County landmarks commission and nominated by the King County landmarks commission;
b. One shall be a member of the 4Culture's heritage committee or preservation advisory committee and nominated by the 4Culture's heritage committee or preservation advisory committee;
c. One shall be a member of the Association of King County Historical Organizations and nominated by the Association of King County Historical Organizations;
d. One shall be a member of the city of Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board or Historic Districts and nominated by the city of Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board or Historic Districts; and
e. One shall be a member representative from a suburban city that has an interlocal agreement with King County for historic preservation services; and
2. Three members, one of whom shall serve as chair of the task force, shall be appointed by the task force members listed in subsection A.1.a. through e. of this section. The three members shall not be currently employed by, or serving on the board of, an organization that is represented on the task force, and should be chosen to enhance the diversity of perspectives and experiences represented on the task force.
B. Members shall live in King County and should have an interest and expertise in historic preservation or historical programs, knowledge of government operations and financing, a history of collaborative work to find solutions to complex problems and a willingness to commit the time necessary to attend meetings and actively support progress of the task force. Members should reflect the county's geographic and ethnic diversity.
SECTION 4. The task force shall be dissolved on December 31, 2010, unless the council takes action to extend its service.
SECTION 5.
A. The council shall provide for appropriate staffing of the task force.
B. County staff in all departments related to historic preservation and historical programs shall provide information requested by the task force in a timely manner.
SECTION 6. The records and licensing services division shall reimburse task force members for mileage at the standard county reimbursement rate for travel within the county to and from scheduled task force meetings. The records and licensing services
division shall reimburse task force members for parking in the county garage while attending meetings where task force business is conducted.