TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall discuss and possibly create a Task Force Committee to provide vision and guidance for the City of Maricopa Zoning Code Re-write project and to advise the Planning Commission and City Council on these matters until the adoption of the new Zoning Code. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
At the December 18 City Council Meeting, the City Council heard the initial Zoning Code Re-write kick-off presentation from Michael Dyett of Dyett & Bhatia Urban and Regional Planners. The presentation included a recommendation for the Mayor and Council to create a steering committee specifically tasked to provide guidance to the consulting firm and city staff on matters of the Zoning Code Re-write.
The Zoning Code Rewrite process is scheduled to transpire over a one year period, with a minimum of 6 meetings of this Task Force Committee to be scheduled (refer to schedule, Exhibit A). The primary objective of the Task Force is to guide the city staff and consultant work on the Zoning Code Re-write and provide feedback throughout the course of the project. It is the consultant's recommendation that the steering committee should be comprised of appointed members whose backgrounds and experiences represent a broad cross-section of the community. Their feedback and direction will be sought throughout the update process.
In accordance with Section 2-82(2) of the Maricopa City Code, a Task Force Committee can be created by a majority vote of the Council pursuant to the following criteria:
2) Task Force Committees
a) Definition of a Task Force Committee
i) A Task Force Committee is a type of ad hoc committee created by Council, made up of interested parties with a specialized interest or background, for a limited period of time to address one general topic and produce specific outcome(s) that can be achieved and reported to council within Council prescribed time limits. A Council created Task Force Committee will end on a date determined by Council.
b) Criteria for Creation of a Task Force Committee
(i) Council may create a Task Force Committee to study and review specific issues and to make recommendations to Council in an open Council meeting.
(ii) A Task Force Committee is best suited when the following conditions are met:
(a) There is one clearly definable topic to be addressed.
(b) There is a measurable outcome that can be achieved.
(c) Council will benefit from in-depth and extended citizen input.
(d) Council will be requested to act in the future regards to this issue.
(e) The issue is of significant importance to a significant segment of residents.
c) Number of Members
i) The number of members shall be determined by the Mayor.
d) Eligibility of Members
(i) Eligibility of Members shall be determined by the Mayor.
e) Terms of Members
(i) Members shall be appointed and serve for the duration of the Task Force
Committee
f) Selection of Members
(i) Members shall be appointed by the Mayor
(ii) Interested parties shall declare their intent to serve by contacting staff.
g) Removal of Members
(i) Members serve at the pleasure of the Mayor.
h) Vacancies
(i) Members will notify Mayor, committee chair, or staff liaison of intent to vacate their position on any task force prior to completion of their activities. Vacancies may be filled at the discretion of the Mayor.
i) Member Responsibility
(i) Mayor shall serve as Chairperson of all Task Force Committee for the duration of the Task Force Committee or until such time the Mayor delegates this responsibility to an appointed member. Members shall act on behalf of the best interest of the City.
j) Staff Responsibility
(i) At least one City of Maricopa staff member shall be assigned as a staff liaison to each Task Force Committee.
k) Meeting Schedule
(i) Members will meet as needed to complete their goal.
l) Agenda Process
(i) The Chairperson will maintain the agenda.
(ii) Agenda topics will reflect the intent in which the Task Force was created.
(iii) The Chairperson or staff liaison will prepare the individual agenda language, maintain topical relevance of each individual agenda item and transmit the agenda to the City Clerk and Mayor in order to be post in compliance with City procedures and open meeting law.
m) Reporting Process
(i) Meeting notes in the form of action items, shall be prepared by staff liaison or Chairperson, reviewed by City Manager, and forwarded to the Office of the City Clerk to be distributed to Council members.
Should the Mayor and Council create a Task Force Committee to guide the Zoning Code Re-write project, staff will promote the opportunity and collect applications from interested parties. The Mayor may consider appointing members to the Task Force at the February 5 Regular Meeting.
This item will be presented by Dana Burkhardt, Interim Planning and Zoning Administrator.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Mayor and City Council discuss and consider the creation of a Task Force Committee to guide the City of Maricopa’s Zoning Code Re-write project.