Title
Public Advisory Committees
Proposed Motion(s)
That Council approve the revised Terms of Reference for the following public advisory committees:
1. Agricultural and Rural Life Advisory Committee
2. Art Advisory Committee
3. Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee
4. Environmental Advisory Committee
5. Gravel Advisory Committee
6. Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC).
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the recommendation.
Purpose
The Terms of Reference for Council's public advisory committees have been revised to include consistent wording with regards to the purpose of the committee, and the roles of public committee members and administrative support.
Summary
The Governance and Priorities Committee reviewed the revised Terms of Reference for the public advisory committees on May 20, 2014 and recommended that they be forwarded to Council for approval.
The Terms of Reference for all public advisory committees have been reviewed and updated for consistency, with the following revisions:
1. A statement is included to specify that the committee is an advisory committee to Mayor and Council.
2. The actions of the committee will align with Council's vision and assist in the execution of Council's goals as identified in Council's Strategic Plan.
3. The committee is expected to, on an annual basis (either at the first meeting of each year or at the first meeting following Council's strategic planning retreat), review the Terms of Reference and identify goals and priorities for the following year.
4. The Chair of the committee, on an annual basis, shall make a presentation to Council, either in writing or by formal verbal presentation, regarding the work undertaken and the accomplishments to date of the committee.
5. The agenda will be prepared by administration, in consultation with the appointed Council member and Chairperson, which will be provided to all members one week in advance.
Public Committee Members Policy C-AD26 addresses the matter of removing a public committee member from a committee. Policy C-AD26 (Attachment 1) provides the following:
9. If unable to attend more than three consecutive meetings without Council's consent, a public committee member is deemed to have resigned from their position.
10. Council may, at its sole discretion, remove any Council-appointed public member from a committee, by resolution.
Alternative Land Use Services Partnership Advisory Committee Terms of Reference also includes the following revisions:
1. Remove references to "pilot" project, as this initiative has moved beyond that status
2. Under Membership #2, state "up to four (4) partner producers/landowners"
3. Add Roles and Responsibilities #11: "Identify potential sources for in-kind contributions, sponsors and grants to support the project."
Environmental Advisory Committee Terms of Reference also includes the following revisions:
1. Under Purpose Bullet #2, change "assist" to "Provide advice"
2. Under Purpose, remove Bullet #5
3. Under Roles and Responsibilities #10, change to read: "Review and assess current environmental programs and identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness ..."
4. Under Roles and Responsibilities, add #11 to state: "Identify potential sources for in-kind contributions, sponsors and grants for environmental projects."
Administration plans to further review all Terms of Reference for public advisory committees to apply consistency in format.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Public advisory committees provide participation and meaningful engagement with the community, which is in line with strategies pertaining to Council's Governance Goal #1: Parkland County will be recognized as a well-led, well-managed municipality with a solid foundation of sound policies, good planning, responsive processes and effective decision-making that are focused on the responsible use of the resources entrusted to it and the long-term best interests of the community as a whole.
Financial Impact:
Cost: N/A
Source of Funding: N/A