Explanation: Capitals indicate matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill
Introduced by: Councilmembers Conway and Porter
A Bill Entitled
An Ordinance concerning
title
Zero Waste Commission
For the purpose of establishing the Zero Waste Commission; providing for the Commission’s composition, terms of office, officers, meetings, quorum, and rules of procedure; establishing the general purposes and specific duties of the Zero Waste Commission; defining certain terms; and generally relating to the Zero Waste Commission.
body
By adding
Article 1 - Mayor, City Council, & Municipal Agencies
Sections 58-1 through 58-5, to be under the new subtitle,
“Subtitle 58. Zero Waste Commission”
Baltimore City Code
(Edition 2000)
Section 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, That the Laws of Baltimore City read as follows:
Baltimore City Code
Article 1. Mayor, City Council, & Municipal Agencies
Subtitle 58. Zero Waste Commission
§ 58-1. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) Commission.
“Commission” means the Zero Waste Commission established by this subtitle.
§ 58-2. Commission established.
(a) In general.
There is a Baltimore City Zero Waste Commission.
(b) Composition.
(1) In general.
The Commission comprises 5 voting members and 20 non-voting members.
(2) Voting members.
Voting members are appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with City Charter Article IV, § 6, as follows:
(i) 1 shall be the Director of the Department of Public Works;
(ii) 1 shall be a representative of a local labor union;
(iii) 1 shall be a representative of the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority;
(iv) 1 shall be a representative of the Zero Waste Coalition; and
(v) 1 shall be a waste logistics expert.
(3) Non-voting members.
(i) The following 12 non-voting members are appointed by the Mayor, in accordance with City Charter Article IV, § 6:
(A) 1 individual with expertise in processing organic waste;
(B) 1 representative of Wheelabrator Technologies;
(C) 1 representative of a local university;
(D) 1 representative of a local hospital;
(E) 1 social worker or behavior specialist;
(F) 1 public health researcher;
(G) 1 individual with expertise in community development;
(H) 1 energy policy expert;
(I) 1 individual with expertise in User Experience (“UX”) Design and Product Design;
(J) 1 individual with expertise in the development and maintenance of infrastructure and public utilities;
(K) 1 representative of the Office of Sustainability; and
(L) 1 recycling expert.
(ii) The following 8 non-voting members are ex officio members:
(A) the Bureau Chief of Solid Waste of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works or the Bureau Chief’s designee;
(B) the County Administrator of Carroll County or the County Administrator’s designee;
(C) the County Executive of Baltimore County or the County Executive’s designee;
(D) the County Executive of Harford County or the County Executive’s designee;
(E) the County Executive of Montgomery County or the County Executive’s designee;
(F) the County Executive of Howard County or the County Executive’s designee;
(G) the County Executive of Anne Arundel County or the County Executive’s designee; and
(H) the County Executive of Frederick County or the County Executive’s designee.
§ 58-3. Terms, organization, meetings, etc.
(a) Terms.
(1) Commission members serve for a term of 2 years.
(2) At the end of a term, each member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(b) Compensation; expenses.
The members of the Commission:
(1) serve without compensation; but
(2) are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
(c) Officers; committees.
(1) Chair of the Commission.
Annually, the voting members of the Commission shall vote on which voting member shall serve as Chair of the Commission.
(2) Vice-Chair of the Commission.
Annually, the voting members of the Commission shall vote on which voting member shall serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission.
(3) Committees.
The Commission shall establish:
(i) a recycling committee;
(ii) an organics committee;
(iii) a demolition and construction committee;
(iv) a sustainability committee; and
(v) any other committee that will assist it in carrying out its functions and duties.
(d) Meetings; quorum.
(1) The Commission shall meet at least once quarterly, at times to be determined by the Chairperson at the Commission’s first meeting of the fiscal year.
(2) A majority of the voting members of the Commission constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.
(3) An affirmative vote by the majority of a quorum is needed for any official action.
(e) Rules of procedure.
The Commission may adopt rules of procedure to govern its meetings and operations.
§ 58-4. Commission purposes and duties.
(a) General purpose.
The Commissions’ purpose is to act as an independent authority that oversees the planning and implementation of zero waste policies in Baltimore City.
(b) Specific duties.
The Commission shall:
(1) create a plan within a year of the Commission’s formation that will ensure that by 2035 the City will no longer produce solid waste that is disposed of in landfills;
(2) present policy and budgetary recommendations to the City Council that will help the City reach its 2035 zero waste goal;
(3) create an annual report for the City Council that measures the Commission’s progress in moving the City toward reaching its 2035 zero waste goal and recommends necessary changes, if needed, that the Commission will take in carrying out this goal; and
(4) hold a public hearing every quarter during which the Commission will set aside time specifically to hear public feedback about the Commission’s work.
§ 58-5. Annual reports.
On or before July 31 of each year, the Commission must submit a report to the Mayor and City Council that:
(1) measures the Commission’s progress in moving the City toward reaching its 2035 zero waste goal; and
(2) recommends changes, if needed, in carrying out this goal.
Section 2. And be it further ordained, That this Ordinance takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.