§ 2.48.330. Environmental Commission established.

There is a commission known as the Environmental Commission.

A.

Purposes. The general purposes of the Commission are the conservation and improvement of the natural and health and welfare qualities of the environment, the land, waters, noise and air of the City and environs.

B.

Membership.

1.

The Commission shall consist of nine members, residents of the City. They shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. Each member of the Commission shall serve for a term of three years or until a successor is appointed and duly qualifies, commencing on July 1st of the year in which appointed. The City Council shall designate the terms of the members of the Commission so that the terms of not more than three members of the Board expire in any one year.

2.

Each member shall have demonstrated an interest in protection and improvement of the environment. Each member shall serve without compensation. In the event of a vacancy in an unexpired term on the Commission a member shall be appointed in the same manner as the original appointment was made for the duration of the unexpired term.

C.

Rules of Procedure. The Commission shall elect a chairperson from its membership. The Commission shall adopt rules of procedure deemed necessary in discharging its duties.

D.

Powers and Duties Generally.

1.

The Commission shall be concerned with the protection and improvement of and the noise in the City and environs, and the recycling or the reuse of solid wastes. The environmental quality of the City and environs. It shall study the pollution of the land, air and waters.

2.

The Commission shall make recommendations, to the City Council and others, as outlined in Section 2.48.330(H), determining the source of these problems, collecting information about solutions to these problems, educating the public (and individuals or organizations who are the source of particular problems) concerning their relations to the problems and their relation to the solutions.

3.

The Commission shall review and comment in a timely manner to the Mayor and City Council on all matters submitted to it.

4.

The Commission shall prepare an annual report of its activities and its recommendations for the next year.

5.

The Commission shall make recommendations to, consult with and prepare reports for the Director of Planning and Zoning and other departments as appropriate as requested by the City Manager.

6.

The Commission shall have other and further duties and powers as may be conferred upon it.

E.

Liaison with Other Groups and Agencies. In fulfillment of the duties and obligations of improving the environmental quality of the City and environs, the Commission shall work closely with appropriate municipal, County, State and Federal agencies; and it shall initiate and maintain cooperation with the United States Naval Academy, volunteer environmental groups, health associations, civic clubs, youth groups and other interested organizations.

F.

Meetings.

1.

The Commission shall meet at least once each month.

2.

All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. Any person, or a person's authorized representative, may appear and be heard on any matter, scheduled or unscheduled, affecting the environment.

3.

A record, or minutes, shall be kept by the Commission of its proceedings. The record shall be open for public viewing.

4.

A quorum comprises a simple majority of the sworn members, or three, whichever is greater.

G.

Boards and Commissions—Cooperation Of. It is the intent of this article that all agencies, boards, commissions and public officers of the City aid and cooperate with the Commission to the fullest extent possible, so that the purposes of the Commission may be carried out.

H.

Boards and Commissions—Agenda Review—Recommendations. The agendas of the Planning Commission, the port wardens and the Historic Preservation Commission shall be forwarded in advance to the Environmental Commission. The Environmental Commission shall review these agendas for matters that may have an impact on the environment, may make a determination as to the advisability of the Environmental Commission reviewing and commenting on particular matters of import. If the Commission determines that environmental review and comment should be made, the following procedures shall be followed:

1.

Written comments shall be submitted and made part of the record by the Commission or committee hearing the matter; or

2.

If time does not permit a timely filing, the Commission shall submit a written notice of intent to file an environmental report for consideration of the Commission hearing the matter.

(Ord. O-26-03 § 1 (part))

(Ord. No. O-25-15 Amended, § I, 7-27-2015; Ord. No. O-12-16 Amended, § I, 5-23-2016)