ORDINANCE NO. 03-30

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING POLICY AND PROCEDURESFOR INTERNAL BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, ANDAPPOINTMENTS OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, ARKANSAS

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND,ARKANSAS.

Section 1: The Nominating Committee shall recommend the number of CityCouncil committees, their function, and membership of such committees, to the CityCouncil. The City Council, by majority vote, shall appoint members to all city councilcommittees, commissions, and boards. Except as otherwise required by state law. Themembers of each committee shall designate the member who is to serve as chairperson ofeach committee. In the case of a tie for committee chairperson, the NominatingCommittee shall appoint the chairperson from those nominated by the committee. AnyAlderman dissatisfied with committee assignments can appeal to the whole City Council.

Ad hoc committees to study special problems and projects of the city may be created by amajority vote of the city council. The Mayor and the Nominating Committee shallrecommend to the City Council appointees for ad hoc committees. The City Council, bymajority vote, shall appoint members to ad hoc committees.

Section 2: All Alderman, representatives of the news media who have requestednotification, and all other persons who have requested notification of committee meetingsshall be notified of City Council committee meetings by the chairperson of saidcommittee or secretary. Meetings of the committee shall comply in all other respects withthe Arkansas Freedom of Information Act..

Committee meetings shall be held when possible at times that allow all members ofthe committee to attend. In order for a committee to make an official recommendation tothe City Council, a majority of the committee must agree on that recommendation.Alderman who are not members of a particular City Council committee may participatein the meeting of that committee except for voting on committee recommendations. It isthe responsibility of the committee chair to file with the City Clerk the minutes of themeeting and a record of any activities from the meeting before the next regular CityCouncil meeting, and to present recommendations of the committee to the full council.

Section 3: A majority of the committee shall be necessary to constitute a quorum todo business. The concurring vote of a majority of those attending a meeting, providing aquorum is present, shall represent the acts of the committee.

Section 4: When it is necessary to appoint an alderman to a committee, selection ofthat Alderman shall be made by a majority vote of the City Council. That selection shallbe made by nomination and vote in public session. Any alderman may nominate anyother member of the City Council, and no second is required. Each Alderman shall voteby naming his or her choice by voice vote if there is more than one nominee for position.A majority vote of the City Council shall be required for election.

Section 5: The City Council may authorize citizen advisory boards, committees andcommissions to assist the City Council in discharging its responsibilities moreeffectively. Authorization will be made by a majority vote of the City Council.

Section 6: The Mayor and the Nominating Committee shall have the responsibility ofcoordinating the selection process of members for the citizen advisory groups prior to thefinal City Council approval. The objectives of the selection process shall be as follows:

To provide a broad cross - section of qualified individuals for service on theAppointed bodiesTo provide an opportunity for participation in city affairs by interestedCitizens, andTo provide a means for involvement of all City Council members in theSelection process.

Section 7: The City Council shall select the members of the Nominating Committeeat its first meeting in January each year to coincide with the plan of organization by thecouncil for the following calendar year. However the first nominating committeemembers may be selected after the effective date of this ordinance. The NominatingCommittee shall be comprised of four citizens (to represent each ward) ofHighland,Arkansas and the Mayor.

Section 8: Any committee member missing more than three consecutive committeemeetings shall be subject to removal from that committee by a majority vote of the citycouncil.

Section 9: Any member of a specific committee with a direct or indirect financial orpersonal interest in any item before that committee shall not participate in the discussionof or voting on such matters.

Section 10: All ordinances or part ofordinances, in conflict herewith are repealed tothe extent of the conflict.

Section 11: If, for any reason, any portion or portions of this ordinance shall be heldinvalid, such invalidity shall in no way affect the remaining portions thereof which arevalid, but such valid portions shall be and remain in full force and effect.

Section 12: This Ordinance being necessary for the preservation of the public peace,health, comfort, safety and welfare of the City of Highland, an emergency is herebydeclared to exist and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from the date of itsadoption.

Passed and approved this ;:\/. day of 2003.

David Shackelford, M6 orDa Y

Attest:

J/G < d. (

Carol Frolow, Recorder , 4> .,,

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