SECTION 1. The purpose of the Wichita?Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission shall be those set forth in the Joint Ordinance?Resolution of the two Governing Bodies, and as set forth as Section 2.12.380 of the Code of the City of Wichita, and an agreement dated June 26, 1973, and an addendum dated July 10, 1974, as extended by supplemental agreements dated February 3, 1982, August 4, 1982, July 19, 1983, September 11, 1984, December 29, 1988, and October 9, 1991, between the County of Sedgwick and the City of Wichita, and those powers and duties delegated to the Planning Commission by K.S.A. 12?745.

Article II - Powers and Duties of the Commission

SECTION 1. Powers. That said Commission, as herein specified, shall be vested with the following powers and authority, to?wit:

To cause to be prepared plans for the Sedgwick County area and such other area as may be of direct influence on Sedgwick County; to hold public hearings as provided by law; to act as a reviewing body for applications submitted to the State and Federal governments when required or permitted; to make and recommend policy to the Governing Bodies in areas of physical, economic and social growth; to adopt such regulations and rules as may by law be provided, such as subdivision regulations; to recommend on zoning matters; and to recommend on and provide plans for such other matters as may be of interest to the public and Governing Bodies.

SECTION 2. Actions. In all formal matters, said Commission shall act by motion, unless a resolution is required by law or governmental regulations. All notices required by law to be given by publication shall be published in the official City or County paper as may be appropriate.

SECTION 3. Oath. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the members of said Commission shall subscribe to an oath of office, if required by the Governing Body appointing them.

SECTION 4. Seal. The Commission shall maintain a seal, and the same have the word "Seal" in the center thereof, and the words "Wichita?Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Kansas," in or around the outer circle.

Article III - Meetings of the Commission

SECTION 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Commission generally shall be held on the Thursdays of the 2nd and 4th full weeks of each month, in accordance with a schedule of meeting dates approved by the Commission each year. When the date of a regular meeting comes on a legal holiday, the Planning Commission may designate another date for the next regular meeting. Unless otherwise publicly announced by the Chairman, all meetings shall be held in the 10th floor Conference Room, 10th floor, City Hall, 455 North Main Street, Wichita, Kansas, beginning at 1:30 p.m., provided the Commission may adopt another hour, date and place of holding its meeting by majority vote. Any such change shall be given wide publicity for the convenience of persons having business before the Commission.

SECTION 2. The Secretary or other authorized officer shall prepare an agenda of all matters to come before the Commission and mail the same to the Commission members no later than the Monday preceding the next regular meeting. A copy of the agenda shall also be furnished to the governing bodies, their managers, and the news media. Any member of the Commission may cause matters to be placed on the agenda by advising the Secretary no later than 12 o'clock noon on the Friday preceding the next regular meeting. Off agenda items may be considered with the approval of a majority of the members present.

SECTION 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman for whatever time and purpose the Chairman deems necessary or upon written request of any five members of the Planning Commission. In the event a special meeting is called, notice as to time, date, place and reason for the meeting shall be given to all the members, the City Manager of the City of Wichita, the Chairman of the Sedgwick County Commission, and the media, at least 24 hours before the meeting. Announcement of a special meeting at a regular meeting shall constitute notice to those members present. Members not present, the City Manager of the City of Wichita and the Chairman of the Sedgwick County Commission shall be notified by the Secretary.

No matters other than those enumerated in the notice shall be considered at a special meeting.

SECTION 4. Open Meetings. All meetings of the Planning Commission and its Committees shall be open to the public and to attendance by representatives of the news media.

SECTION 5. Recording of Minutes. The Planning Commission shall cause the Secretary to keep and maintain complete records of all matters coming before the Commission. The Secretary shall also prepare and maintain permanent minutes to be kept in a binder available for public view and use during normal business hours. Permanent copies of minutes shall not be removed from the Office of the Secretary of the Planning Commission except by order of the courts.

Copies of the minutes of the Commission shall be furnished to all persons or bodies making request for same to the Secretary. The Secretary may make such charges as are necessary to recover the cost of making such copies.

SECTION 6. Quorum. A quorum of the Commission shall be required to conduct official business. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members of the Commission appointed and qualified at any given time. The affirmative vote of a majority of those members present and voting shall be sufficient for the passage of all motions; except that the adoption of or amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, the Unified Zoning Code text, and the Subdivision Regulations shall require a majority of all members. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting to a specific time, date and place, which shall be publicly announced.

SECTION 7. Recessed Meetings. Should the business before the Planning Commission not be completed, the Chairman may recess the meeting to a specific time, date and place until the matters on the original agenda are acted on.

SECTION 8. Conduct of Meetings. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Planning Commission, except in his/her absence, disability or vacancy, the Vice Chairman shall preside. In the absence, disability or vacancies of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Secretary shall preside to elect an Acting Chairman.

SECTION 9. Parliamentary Procedure. All meetings of the Commission and of its committees shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition 1970, except insofar as modified by these bylaws and procedures adopted by the Commission.

SECTION 10. Conflict of Interest and Ethical Considerations.

Article IV - Organization

SECTION 1. Officers. Officers of the Planning Commission shall be the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be elected at the first meeting in September and shall serve for a term of one year. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be members of the Planning Commission. The Secretary shall be the Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Department or his/her designee.

The Chairman shall not succeed himself or herself the following year.

The Chairman shall conduct all meetings and business, sign resolutions, subdivision plats, and other official papers and documents.

The Vice Chairman shall act in the manner and capacity as the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.

The Secretary shall conduct all the business for the Planning Commission as directed and set forth by these bylaws. The Secretary is hereby designated to act as the "responsible agent" for the Planning Commission in handling all Federal, State and local contracts and agreements. The Secretary or a designated appointee shall present Commission actions and recommendations to the governing bodies. The Secretary of the Commission shall, when required by law, authenticate by the seal of the Commission and the signature of the Secretary, the signature of the Chairman.

SECTION 2. Committees (Standing). The Chairman shall, within 30 days of his/her election, appoint all members of the Planning Commission to one or the other of the following committees for a one year term:

SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE. Shall be comprised of seven members, with no more than four members who were appointed by the City Council or by the County Commission, and shall recommend action to the Planning Commission on all matters coming before it for final recommendation (administration of the Subdivision Rules and Regulations; changes thereto; establishing street names; review of vacations, dedications, access control issues and other direct land development issues relating to form and infrastructure) and to approve preliminary plats and authorize preparation of final plats.

ADVANCE PLANS COMMITTEE. Shall be comprised of seven members, with no more than four members who were appointed by the City Council or by the County Commission, and shall provide guidance to staff in developing, formulating and considering projections, forecasts, goals and objectives, proposals, plans and policies that affect the long term physical, social and economic character of the planning area.

QUAD?COUNTY PLANNING FORUM. Shall be comprised of one member who is recommended by the chairman and appointed by the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners. That member shall meet quarterly with elected officials representing Sedgwick, Harvey, Butler and Reno Counties to discuss planning and legislative issues of common interest.

SECTION 3. Committees (ad hoc). The Chairman with the consent of the Planning Commission, may appoint ad hoc committees as may be needed to assist in the business of the Planning Commission. The membership of such Committee(s) may include, or be all non?commission members. All such committees shall be provided a formal charge and shall report to the Commission its findings and recommendations, unless otherwise directed.

SECTION 4. Committees (general rules). The Chairman shall designate the Chairman for each committee appointed. The Chair shall appoint at least one member to each committee who has not served on the same committee the previous year. No Committee Chairman shall succeed themselves the following year. Any member present shall constitute a quorum and may conduct such business when that committee's action and recommendations are submitted to the Commission. Agendas for committee meetings shall be furnished to all members of the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission and media. Support material shall be furnished only to committee members unless specifically requested by other Commission members. Any Metropolitan Area Planning Commission member may sit with the other committee members, but only appointed committee members may vote.

Article V - Amendments to Bylaws

SECTION 1. The Commission may, by a two?thirds majority vote thereof, amend these bylaws or any provisions or sections thereof at any time when the same is not in conflict or in contravention of any of the laws of the State of Kansas or ordinances applicable thereto. Provided, however, that notices of the proposed amendments be furnished by the Secretary to the Commission members not less than five (5) days prior to the meeting at which said amendments are to be considered. A copy of the bylaws will be filed with the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Wichita and the Chairman of the Board of the County Commissioners.

The above and foregoing bylaws are hereby adopted as the bylaws of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.

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