A. The commission shall consist of seven members all of whom shall serve without compensation. No member of the commission shall be an elected official of the city or an employee of the city. The members shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The term of each member shall be four years and no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms; provided, however, where the city council finds it appropriate and in the best interest of the city, the mayor shall have the authority to extend a member’s second term for such period of time beyond the second term as he deems appropriate which in no event shall exceed one year. Present members of the commission shall continue to serve as members until the expiration of their current terms, as provided in this section prior to this amendment.

B. Any vacancy occurring on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, and the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. The person filling the unexpired term may be reappointed twice. After a public hearing and with the approval of the city council, commissioners may be removed by the mayor for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.

C. The membership of the commission, should, to the extent practical, reflect a broad range of opinion, experience and expertise with the objective of providing sound advice representative of the citizenry. To achieve that purpose, the membership of the commission should, to the extent practical, include residents from different neighborhoods within the city, citizens of underrepresented and diverse communities, and citizens active in neighborhood or community affairs. Commission members must be qualified electors of the city of Bellingham.

D. No more than three voting members of the commission may engage principally in the buying, selling, developing, construction of, or investment in real estate for profit as individuals or be members of any partnership, or officers or employees of any corporation, that engages principally in the buying, selling, developing, construction of, or investment in real estate for profit. This subsection also applies to professionals, consultants, and advisors for whom a majority of clients and customers engage principally in the buying, selling, developing, construction of, or investment in real estate for profit. The limitation of this subsection includes, but is not limited to: real estate investors (land and real property), realtors, real estate developers, development and environmental consultants, architects, appraisers, construction contractors, and landscapers. This limitation also applies to those who actively engaged in any of these activities or occupations within the last five years.

E. No more than two members shall be engaged in the same kind of occupation, business, trade or profession.

F. The desired composition and limitations regarding membership set forth in subsections (C), (D), and (E) of this section are for the purpose of the mayor appointing and city council confirming members. Subsections (C), (D), and (E) of this section shall not provide a basis for challenging any activity of the commission in the execution of its powers or duties. [Ord. 2018-03-006 § 5; Ord. 2016-12-045 § 1; Ord. 2010-03-020; Ord. 10414, 1993; Ord. 8730 § 1, 1979; Ord. 8304 § 3, 1974].