HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 06 25 Proposed TCC By-Laws DRAFT 4 REDLINE
Table of Contents
1. AUTHORITY 2
2. ROLE OF TCC 2
3. DUTIES OF TCC 2
4. COMPOSITION OF TCC 2
5. APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF MEMBERS OF TCC 3
6. NO COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF TCC 3
7. TCC OFFICERS ANDTHEIR DUTIES 3
8. PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL OF TCC OFFICERS AND MEMBERS 3
9. SUBCOMMITTEES OF TCC 4
10. TCC MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4
11. REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE 5
12. QUORUM REQUIREMENT 5
13. VOTING 5
14. CONFLICT OF INTEREST/APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS FOR MEMBERS OF TCC 5
15. REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM TCC 6
16. COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT IS REQUIRED 6
17. NOTICE OF EACH MEETING OF TCC 6
18. AGENDA FOR EACH MEETING OF TCC 7
19. ABSENCES 7
20. CONDUCT OF EACH MEETING OF TCC 7
21. RECORD OF MEETINGS OF TCC 8
22. MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF TCC 8
23. AMENDMENT OF THESE BY-LAWS 8
24. SAVINGS CLAUSE 8
25. EFFECTIVE DATE 8
AUTHORITY
Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 26-04-21-25R authorizes the Jefferson County Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC).
ROLE OF TCC
TCC serves at the pleasure of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC). Consistent with Jefferson County Resolution No. 26-04-21-25R, TCC’s role is to:
(1) Develop a consistent message and standard operating procedure for visitor interactions;
(2) Coordinate with stakeholders, including but not limited to, tourist professionals, retailers, and Jefferson County staff to develop metrics for evaluating the impacts of public investments
in destination development, destination marketing, event marketing, and the development of workforce housing; and
(3) Plan local destination development in partnership with other stakeholders.
DUTIES OF TCC
TCC shall be responsible for making an annual recommendation to BoCC on LTAC priorities by July 31st of each year.
COMPOSITION OF TCC
TCC membership composition shall comply with Jefferson County Resolution No. 26-04-21-25R, including no maximum number, but at minimum seven (7) members of which::
At least six (6) TCC members shall represent the accommodation and tourism industry inand reside in unincorporated Jefferson County.; and
Efforts will be made to achieve representation of the diverse areas and tourism sectors, public and private, in Jefferson County.
One (1) currently elected County Commissioner who will serve as Chair of TCC.
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF MEMBERS OF TCC
TCC’s Chair shall be a designated BoCC member. The BoCC member serving as Chair shall be one of the three currently elected County Commissioners. This position has no term limits, however
BoCC shall review its designated BoCC member annually when setting committee assignments.
The remaining members of TCC shall be appointed by the BoCC and shall be representatives of the accommodation and tourism industry.
Appointed TCC members, other than the BoCC member serving as Chair, shall each serve a term of four years.
TCC members may serve consecutive terms, but shall not exceed two consecutive terms. These By-Laws do not prohibit TCC members from serving more than two terms, so long as those terms
are not consecutive to one another.
NO COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF TCC
TCC members shall serve without compensation.
TCC OFFICERS ANDTHEIR DUTIES
There shall be a Chair and Vice Chair. The TCC Chair is the designated BoCC member. The Vice Chair shall be elected by TCC committee during the first meeting of each year. TCC may elect
other officers by majority vote of the TCC.
The Chair shall preside over TCC meetings and coordinate development of the agenda with the assigned staff member. The Chair shall sign all correspondence originated by TCC.
The Vice Chair shall preside over TCC meetings in the absence of the Chair.
PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL OF TCC OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
TCC may remove TCC officers, whom they elect by the following procedure: Any member of TCC may offer a motion for removal at a meeting. If the motion is seconded, it shall be considered
and voted on at the next regular meeting or at a duly noticed special meeting of TCC. Approval of a motion to remove shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present and
voting.
TCC may remove a member, by the following procedure: Any member of TCC may offer a motion for recommending removal at a meeting. If the motion is seconded, it shall be considered and
voted on at the next regular meeting or at a duly noticed special meeting of TCC. Approval of a motion to recommend removal shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present
and voting. The recommendation for removal is then put forth to BoCC, who may remove a TCC member for cause by majority vote of BoCC.
As stated in Section 19 Absences, a TCC member who accrues three (3) consecutive, unexcused absences from regular or special meetings may be recommended to BoCC for removal from TCC
by the Chair with the concurrence of a majority of the members.
SUBCOMMITTEES OF TCC
The Chair may appoint such standing and ad hoc sub-committees as may be considered useful and appropriate to investigate any matter of interest to TCC.
At the Chair’s discretion, or by a majority vote of TCC voting members, an item may be transmitted to a subcommittee for review and comment. The Chair shall establish a deadline for
subcommittee review, provide members with direction or any specific review questions, and schedule regular updates from the sub-committee, as necessary. If the sub-committee fails to
meet the review deadline, the TCC shall proceed to take action without sub-committee or Advisory Group comment.
No sub-committee shall contain more than a quorum of TCC members. A simple majority of the members of the LTAC shall constitute a quorum.
No TCC member who is not a member of a sub-committee may attend a sub-committee meeting; otherwise, all OPMA requirements would apply to the sub-committee meeting. If more than a quorum
of TCC members are present at a sub-committee meeting, the sub-committee meeting shall be adjourned immediately.
Sub-committees may meet informally, without minutes; however, the sub-committee shall keep the TCC Chair informed, and report to the full TCC at each TCC meeting which occurs while the
sub-committee exists.
TCC MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
TCC members shall:
Act as a participant, reviewer, and advisor regarding TCC’s purpose as outlined by Jefferson County Resolution No. 26-0421-25R.
Serve at the pleasure of the BoCC, taking into account BoCC identified priorities.
Actively participate in TCC discussions and official TCC comments.
Keep TCC discussions and activities focused on topics relevant to the TCC’s purpose.
Attend regular and special meetings of TCC.
Read background material, review agenda and notes for each meeting of TCC, and prepare questions and comments in advance of the meeting as needed.
Be a respectful participant, treating others with respect and kindness.
REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE
TCC shall set a regular meeting schedule during their first meeting of the year.
TCC Special Meetings will be set as needed or at the direction of the Chair. All special meetings are open to the public as required by Chapter 42.30 RCW, the Open Public Meetings Act
(OPMA).
QUORUM REQUIREMENT
A quorum is required to be present before an official, regular or special meeting of TCC can take place. A simple majority of the members of TCC shall constitute a quorum.
VOTING
Each member shall be allowed one vote on items considered by TCC.
Proxy votes are not permitted.
If a proposal for funding is recommended by TCC and forwarded to the BOCC, the number of votes for and against are included with the forwarded proposal.
Except in the event of breaking a tie vote, the Chair shall abstain from voting on recommendations to the BoCC.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST/APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS FOR MEMBERS OF TCC
Members of TCC shall not be disqualified from participating in any meetings, or in the preparation of any reports, recommendations or correspondence of TCC based on any potential or
actual conflict of interest. A TCC member is not prohibited from using their general expertise to educate TCC or provide general information to TCC on a decision item.
However, members of TCC shall disclose personal or business interests that may conflict with a matter of discussion by TCC immediately which might prejudice the member’s participation
in any meetings, reports, recommendations and correspondence of TCC.
TCC members shall comply with the code of ethics for municipal officers, chapter 42.23 RCW, in the performance of their duties. Specifically, at any time a topic discussed by TCC requires
a vote or decision, and appears to benefit any member of the committee, that person shall recuse themselves from any vote or decision related to that topic.
REPORTS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM TCC
Reports, recommendations and correspondence from TCC shall be made by consensus, if possible, and will seek opportunities to develop group solutions and resolve conflicts. To reach a
consensus decision, TCC members will make proposals, hold additional discussion, and then the Chair will call for the consensus decision on the proposal.
If consensus is not possible, then reports, recommendations and correspondence shall be submitted to BoCC on behalf of a majority of the members over the signature of the Chair. Minority
reports, if any, shall be attached to, and forwarded with such reports, recommendations or correspondence without comment by the Chair.
Concerning items of less formal advice: after discussion in one or more meetings, TCC shall adopt, by consensus, a written report on TCC’s findings.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT IS REQUIRED
Because the Board is required to consider TCC recommendations before taking final action, all meetings of TCC are subject to and shall conform with the provisions of the OPMA.
NOTICE OF EACH MEETING OF TCC
A meeting of TCC will be either a regular meeting pursuant to the regular meeting schedule or a special meeting.
A meeting of TCC that is not conducted in the place or the time posted in the regular meeting schedule is a special meeting. Special meetings shall comply with the special meeting notice
requirements in OPMA, RCW 42.30.080.
For special meetings, RCW 42.30.080 requires at least 24-hour notice that specifies the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Notice for a special
meeting must be:
Posted on Jefferson County’s website;
Prominently displayed at the main entrance of Jefferson County’s principal location, which is the Jefferson County Courthouse located at 1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
and provide the meeting site, if it is not held at county’s principal location; and,
Delivered to each local newspaper of general circulation and local radio or television station that has on file with the Board a written request to be notified of such special meeting
or of all special meetings.
AGENDA FOR EACH MEETING OF TCC
The Chair shall place the interests of the committee above any personal interest. The Chair shall place items on the upcoming agenda, which shall allow for public comment prior to taking
final action, consistent with RCW 42.30.240(1).
TCC shall make the agenda of each regular meeting of the governing body available online no later than twenty-four hours in advance of the published start time of the meeting.
TCC members wishing to review item(s) shall consult with TCC staff who will ask the Chair for permission to place the item(s) on a future agenda.
ABSENCES
TCC members shall notify the Chair and TCC staff if the member is unable to attend a TCC regular meeting. The Chair, with assistance of TCC staff, shall document the excuse provided
for the absences in question. If no excuse is given for a particular absence, it shall be considered unexcused.
At the start of each meeting, the Chair will ask TCC staff to call the roll of TCC members. For any member absent, the Chair shall announce whether the member’s absence is excused or
unexcused. TCC staff will record the roll call, and notify the Chair if a quorum is present.
TCC staff will maintain an ongoing attendance record for all TCC members and provide this record to all TCC members, in writing, at least quarterly.
A TCC member who accrues three (3) consecutive, unexcused absences from regular or special meetings may be recommended to the BoCC for removal from the TCC by the Chair with the concurrence
of a majority of the members.
CONDUCT OF EACH MEETING OF TCC
All meetings of TCC shall comply fully with OPMA, including but not limited to: (a) The limitation on taking action on items not listed on the notice for a special meeting; and, (2)
OPMA’s public comment requirements.
TCC meetings shall follow procedural guidance set forth in Jefferson County Resolution Number 50-22, Open Public Meeting Act Guidelines for County Boards, Commissions & Committees.
Members and visitors at the meetings will treat each other with respect, will not monopolize meeting time, and will listen to and try to understand each other’s views.
The meeting agenda shall be constituted as follows:
Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Comment
Approval/Correction of Minutes from Previous Meeting(s)
Committee Reports
Staff Reports
Old Business
New Business
Committee and Staff reports may be held in abeyance if they relate to old or new business items.
No new agenda item(s) will be taken up ONE (1) HOUR AND THIRTY (30) MINUTES AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF THE MEETING. This does not apply to Special Meetings, where no new agenda items may
be added, if not previously noticed on the Special Meeting Agenda.
RECORD OF MEETINGS OF TCC
Regular and special meetings of TCC shall be electronically recorded by audio or video, and the recording shall be made available online for a minimum of six months.
MINUTES OF MEETINGS OF TCC
The minutes of all regular and special meetings of TCC, except executive sessions, shall be promptly recorded and such records shall be open to public inspection. TCC staff member shall
prepare minutes which shall be considered, revised (if necessary), and adopted by TCC ideally at its next regular or special meeting.
AMENDMENT OF THESE BY-LAWS
These By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of TCC members, provided the BoCC approves any By-law amendments by a majority vote.
SAVINGS CLAUSE
Should any portion of these By-laws be declared unconstitutional or otherwise contrary to law, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of these By-laws.
EFFECTIVE DATE
These Bylaws are effective upon immediately after approval by BoCC.
(SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE)
ADOPTED THIS ______ DAY OF ________________, 2025.
Tourism Coordinating Council
_________________________________
Chair
ADOPTED this _____ day of _________________________ 2025.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
______________________________
Heidi Eisenhour, Chair
______________________________
Greg Brotherton, Member
______________________________
Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member