(A) Purpose. The Water System Advisory Council is created pursuant to state regulation for the purpose of advising and assisting with the creation of materials and plans to educate our community about the dangers of lead in drinking water. The Water System Advisory Council shall:
(1) Develop plans for continuing public awareness about lead in drinking water, even when the action level is not exceeded.
(2) Review public awareness campaign materials provided by the statewide drinking water advisory council to ensure the needs and interests of the community, considering the economic and cultural diversity of its residents, are addressed.
(3) Advise and consult with the city on the development of appropriate plans for remediation and public education to be implemented if a lead action level is exceeded.
(4) Advise and consult with the city on efforts to replace private lead service lines at locations where the owner declined service line replacement.
(5) Assist in promoting transparency of all data and documents related to lead in drinking water within the water supply service area.
(6) Collaborate with local community groups to ensure that residents have the opportunity to be involved in efforts to educate the community about lead in drinking water.
(7) Serve in an advisory capacity to Council; its Chairperson or designee shall be responsible to communicate its recommendations to Council.
(8) Such other purposes and responsibilities as established by state law or regulation.
(B) Membership. The Water System Advisory Council shall be comprised of five members appointed by the Mayor subject to approval of the City Council. The members shall have a demonstrated interest in or knowledge about lead in drinking water and its effects, and at least one member shall be a local resident who does not formally represent the interests of any incorporated organization. The term of its members shall be four years. A vacancy on it shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, and a person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for only the remainder of the unexpired term. Members shall receive no compensation for their services.
(C) Meetings. The Water System Advisory Council's meetings shall be subject to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act; and its records shall be subject to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act. Its first meeting shall be called by the City Manager or designee, and after its first meeting, it shall meet at least once annually. Its members shall select a Chairperson and shall appoint such other officers as deemed necessary and appropriate. It shall establish its own bylaws and procedures. A quorum of its members shall be a majority of those appointed and serving;
(D) Automatic dissolution. Should the state law or regulations requiring the Water System Advisory Council be repealed, deemed invalid by a court or other administrative action, or no longer apply to the city based on current population or other criteria, the Water System Advisory Council shall immediately cease to operate or exist.
(Ord. O-237, passed 7-26-2021; effective, 8-6-2021)