SustainabilityComm_Bylaws_2023BY-LAWS OF THE RICHFIELD SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
COMMISSION PURPOSE
The Sustainability Commission works to support the education, promotion and implementation of
environmentally sustainable measures and practices in the City of Richfield. The commission also makes
recommendations to the City Council regarding sustainability related initiatives and policies.
COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP
The Commission shall consist of nine (9) regular members appointed by the City Council. In making
appointments to the Commission, the City Council shall seek to select a representative balance among
various user groups and interests within the community. Regular members shall be appointed in January
of each year by the City Council to serve three-year terms. Terms of the members of the Commission
shall begin on the first day of February of the year of appointment and shall continue until the 31st day
of January in which their appointment expires or until their successors are selected, subject, however, to
prior termination as otherwise provided in Section 305 of the City Code. Commissioners are appointed
for regular three-year terms.
Of the nine (9) regular members, the City Council may approve two (2) youth appointments with full
voting privileges. Youth appointment terms shall be in accordance with Section 305 of the City Code. In
addition to the nine (9) regular members of the commission, it shall have two (2) no-voting, ex-officio
members as follows: One member shall be appointed by the Richfield City Council from among its
members; one shall be appointed by the Richfield Community Services Commission from among its
members. Selection of ex-officio members shall be made annually and insofar as possible, in January of
each year, with such ex-officio members serving for a term of one year or until their successors are
appointed.
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO RESIDENCY, TERMS, ATTENDANCE, REMOVAL/VACANCIES, AND
STAFF/COUNCIL LIAISONS
Section 305 of the Richfield City Code shall dictate requirements related to residency, terms,
attendance, removal/vacancies, and staff/council liaisons.
The official staff liaison to the Commission will be the Sustainability Specialist. In addition, both the
Recreation Services Director and Public Works Deputy Director will assist with Commission meetings and
work when appropriate.
OFFICERS
The members of the Sustainability Commission, at their first regular meeting in February of each year,
shall elect from their membership, a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary to serve for the
ensuing year.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
The chairperson shall chair all regular and special meetings and shall be responsible for the annual
report to the City Council. The chairperson shall approve or revise meeting agendas prepared by the
staff liaison to e-mail to all commission members not less than three (3) days prior to a meeting.
Twenty-four (24) hour notice of a special meeting must be given to each member. The chair will
represent the Sustainability Commission in engaging with other organizations in the City.
The vice-chairperson shall preside over all meetings of the Commission in the absence of the
chairperson.
The secretary shall prepare, record the minutes and member attendance at all meetings and share with
the staff liaison.
MEETING PROCEDURES
The Sustainability Commission shall meet at least six (6) times a year. Meetings are held on the fourth
Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Richfield Municipal Center, with the exception of July and
December when no regular meetings are held. Due to Thanksgiving, the November meeting will be held
on the third Thursday of November every year. Special meetings may be held on other dates at the call
of the chairperson.
All questions presented to the Commission shall be decided on by a simple majority of the number of
the commissioners present at the meeting provided a quorum is present. A majority of qualified and
acting members constitutes a quorum for purposes of conducting the Commission’s business and exercising
its powers. There will be a scheduled open forum at each meeting where residents will be limited to
three minutes to present.
The most recently amended Sturgis Parliamentary Procedure shall govern the conduct of meetings of
the Commission.