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continue with developing a Work Plan and stated that this issue could be discussed at the <br />Worksession with the City Council. <br />Acting Chairperson Bentz stated that it would be helpful for the City Council to provide <br />direction for the Work Plan if they wish for the Board to continue, rather than the Board <br />developing a Work Plan and working on items that are included on the Plan only for the item to <br />ultimately be denied when the City Council action is required. <br />City Planner Anderson stated that idea had been brought forward in the past but the City Council <br />prefers for the Board to develop their own Work Plan items based on their areas of interest and <br />present those items for consideration by City Council. He noted that this is the only Board that is <br />not reactive, explaining that other Boards and Commissions react to applications and requests <br />that come forward. <br />Board Member Hiatt stated that this setup can create a lot of frustration as the Board can spend a <br />lot of time on issues that they are passionate about for the City Council to simply deny the <br />action. He believed that this group does act as a watchdog for certain environmental issues. <br />Board Member Lewis stated that it seems to him that each of the duties the Board has could be <br />absorbed by another Board or Commission and questioned how much of what is discussed by the <br />Board is actually applied outside of the meeting. He stated that he has, and still does, enjoy this <br />group and he has learned a lot but questioned if this impacts anyone else outside of the group in <br />the room. <br />Board Member Valentine agreed that there is a lot of good that the Board could do but <br />questioned the benefit that has if nothing goes outside of the group. <br />Acting Chairperson Bentz confirmed that this is the only Board that is required to develop a <br />Work Plan and have that approved by the City Council. He noted that the City Council often <br />refers to the EPB as a group of experts and noted that there is no requirement for any sort of <br />education or qualification. He explained that the EPB is simply a group of concerned citizens. <br />City Council Liaison LeTourneau explained that he is 110 more an expert than anyone else and <br />was elected as a citizen just as the Members here were appointed. He stated that the EPB does <br />gather together monthly to discuss environmental issues, which is probably more discussion on <br />those issues than others within the City. He referenced the Work Plan from the previous year <br />and noted that the Plan is subjective and can be hard to measure but believed that the Board did <br />accomplish some of the items on the list. He provided input of his experience on the Economic <br />Development Authority (EDA) noting that there were times when he felt the group was simply <br />window dressing but the group worked to be more involved. <br />Board Member Lewis stated that he believes that the Board should ask the Council to meet in a <br />Worksession to discuss the validity and function of the Board prior to developing a Work Plan. <br />Acting Chairperson Bentz believed that the Work Plan could be developed and a Worksession <br />request could be made at the same time. <br />Environmental Policy Board / June 2, 2014 <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />