(A) Composition and selection. The Board shall be composed of a total of six members who shall live within the city limits. Five members, who are not Council members, shall be appointed by resolution of the Council. The sixth member of the Board shall be the Mayor or designee who shall serve as an ex officio member without the privilege of voting.
(1) Prior to appointment of members, the city shall advertise the position at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation within the city. The Board or a ratepayer may recommend one or more persons who are qualified for appointment to the Board. Council shall act promptly to fill vacancies on the Board.
(2) Inasmuch as the Council has exercised its authority to expand the responsibilities of the Board to include other city utilities, at least one person with expertise, interest or experience in an additional utility shall be appointed to fill the first vacant position.
(B) Term of office. The term of office of each appointed member of the Board shall be five years, except that the term of a person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term.
(C) Member attendance at meetings, compensation and reimbursement.
(1) Unexcused failure of any member of the Board to attend three consecutive meetings, or 75% of the meetings of the Board in one year, shall be considered cause for removal from the Board. Removal shall occur by action of the Council. The Board Chairperson shall have authority to excuse absences; provided, however, that any Board member may request members to vote on the question of whether one or more absences should be excused.
(2) Board members shall not receive compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary traveling and incidental expenses. Expenses shall be approved and audited by the Board and paid in the same manner as other expenses.
(D) Offices. The Board shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its own members who shall serve for one year or until successors are elected and qualified. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings. The Chairperson shall have the authority to administer oaths, take testimony and receive evidence. The Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or disability of the Chairperson. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by election for the unexpired term.
(E) Meetings, voting and records. The Board shall meet regularly and at such time and place prescribed by the bylaws. A majority of the voting members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present at a meeting shall be required for passage of any matter before the Board. The minutes of the meetings shall reflect the ayes and nays cast on a particular measure and shall reflect the vote of each member present. A member may abstain from voting only upon a declaration of a conflict of interest, in which case the member shall not vote on the issue presented. The Board shall comply with the open meeting and public records laws of the state. PUE records shall be kept in a place provided and designated for that purpose and shall be open to the public at all times pursuant to state law and city code.
(1976 Code, § 2-8-2) (Ord. 588-12, passed 5-9-2012)