The Water Quality Advisory Committee is created. The Committee consists of nine members, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Appointments are for terms of three years except that four of the initial appointments are for terms of two years. When a vacancy occurs, the Mayor will appoint and the Council will confirm a member to fill a new three-year term. The Mayor may remove a member from the Committee at any time, subject to approval by the Council. The Mayor will appoint members to the Committee with expertise or association in areas such as water quality, water treatment, public health policy, the environmental community, civic and business organizations, major industrial or commercial users, neighborhood associations and the public at large of which at least three members will have relevant technical expertise. Committee members may serve a maximum of two 3-year terms, with the four appointees serving the initial terms of two years to serve a total maximum of five years. Within the maximum service limit of six years the Council may extend, for a period of less than three years, the terms of committee members who were appointed to serve or who have served the balance of a retiring committee member’s term. All members serve without compensation from the City.

The Committee acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council through the City Administrator as follows:

1. A. The Committee has the authority to offer policy advice to the Council and the Portland Water Bureau on issues such as management of the Bull Run Watershed, protection of groundwater quality, and other related water quality issues.
2. B. The Committee has the authority to issue periodic reports to the Council and the Portland Water Bureau.
3. C. The Committee has the authority to inform the public at large and take public testimony before offering policy advice to the Council and the Portland Water Bureau.

The Committee has the authority to conduct public meetings to gather input; the Committee will provide for notification no less than five days prior to the meeting to the general public.

A chairperson will be elected annually from among the Committee members by a majority vote of a quorum. The Chairperson will serve for a period of one year. A vacancy in the Chairperson’s position will be filled from among Committee members by majority vote of a quorum as soon as practical after the vacancy occurs.

The Committee will establish its own rules and provide procedures for consideration or action on all matters before the Committee. Such rules and procedures may be adopted and amended only upon an affirmative vote of five or more Committee members. Election of officers and regular business will be passed upon by the majority of a quorum. Not less than five members will constitute a quorum. Each member will be entitled to one vote. Provisions will be made for public participation in Committee meetings.

The Committee will be staffed by personnel from the Portland Water Bureau and such additional staff or consultants as may be deemed necessary by the City Administrator for the committee to fulfill its responsibilities.