Drafter
Clerk 03/12/2009
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the regional policy committee; establishing the subject matters for the 2009 work program for the regional policy committee.
body
PREAMBLE:
1. The King County Charter establishes the powers and duties of three regional committees, requiring that "each regional committee shall develop, review and recommend ordinances and motions adopting, repealing, or amending county-wide policies and plans . . . ." Section 270.30 of the King County Charter requires the metropolitan county council to assign each such ordinance and motion adopting, repealing or amending countywide policies and plans relating to the subject matter area for which a regional committee has been established, to the regional committee for review.
2. Assignment of legislation for review by a regional committee is required when an ordinance or motion is considered a countywide policy and plan, and when it also falls within subject matter area for the regional committee. Countywide policies and plans related to transit and wastewater must be reviewed by the regional transit and regional water quality committees, respectively. Other countywide plans or policies are within the subject matter of the regional policy committee when they are so identified by the ordinance adopting the committee's annual work program. Other legislation may be an operational, organizational or implementation measure rather than a policy or plan.
3. The regional policy committee has, by majority vote, identified a subject matter list encompassing a variety of potential issues for 2009. Some subject matter may include proposed ordinances or motions in 2009 enacting countywide plans and policies, legislation which the regional policy committee should review in accordance with Section 270.30 of the King County Charter. Some subject matter may include legislation that is operational, organizational, budgetary or an implementation measure rather than a policy or plan, legislation which is not required to be reviewed by the committee. Legislation that is operational, organizational, budgetary or an implementation measure should be the subject of briefings and discussion by the regional policy committee if the subject matter is identified. Solid waste plans and policies, although not countywide in effect, are required to be reviewed by the regional policy committee under the terms of the Solid Waste Interlocal Forum agreement, as amended. Other topics listed include a number of countywide measures and areas of interest where the region would benefit from interjurisdictional discussion, analysis and comment from the regional policy committee in accordance with K.C.C. 1.24.065.I.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinances and motions enacting countywide plans and policies pertaining to the subject matters listed in Part I of Attachment A to this ordinance as well as solid waste management plans and policies as listed in Part I of Attachment A to this ordinance shall be referred for review by the regional policy committee in 2009. Ordinances and motions that direct operational, organizational, or budgetary actions or an implementation measure pertaining to the subject matters listed in Part I of Attachment A to this ordinance should be the subject of briefings and discussion by the regional policy committee in accordance with section 2 of this ordinance.
SECTION 2. In addition, the metropolitan county council must facilitate interjurisdictional discussion of the subjects listed in Part II of Attachment A to this ordinance, and provide timely opportunities for the regional policy committee to be briefed and provided analysis and the opportunity to examine and comment on the subjects in accordance with K.C.C. 1.24.065.I. Legislation related to subjects in Part II of Attachment A to this ordinance shall not be referred to the regional policy committee, but shall be the subject of briefings and discussion in the committee. The subjects in Part II of Attachment A to this ordinance regardless of whether they pertain to a countywide plan or policy, reflect the interests of a majority of the regional policy committee and should guide preparation of meeting agendas and calendars, and work assignments for the regional committee staff.
SECTION 3. In addition to the subject matters listed in Attachment A to this ordinance, the committee and council may amend the subject matter list and assign to the
committee other regional issues that the committee believes would benefit from interjurisdictional review and recommendations.