The name of the commission is the Severn River Commission.
Severn River Commission members appointed by the Anne Arundel County Executive are bound by and subject to the Anne Arundel County Ethics Law. Members appointed by the Mayor of Annapolis are bound by and subject to the City of Annapolis Ethics Law.
The purpose of the Severn River Commission shall be to provide counsel and advice to Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and the State of Maryland on environmental and other matters within the Severn River Watershed as defined in Aime Arundel County Council Resolution 47-89 and Annapolis City Council Resolution 55-84 incorporated, herein, by reference as attached. It shall further be their aim to coordinate and promote active community involvement in the environmental matters of the Severn River Watershed. For the purposes of definition, environmental matters shall include but not be limited to, natural resources, water and air quality, groundwater, noise, energy sources, ,wildlife, and other natural aspects of the environment, and the relationship of health to ambient environmental quality.
To review and make recommendations on the implementation of the studies entitled "Maryland Scenic River: The Severn" and "A Greenway Strategy for Weems Creek".
To review and make recommendations on federal, State, County, and local programs, regulations, and public and private projects, including land use and development proposals, which the Commission believes may have an impact on the Severn River watershed.
To prepare a written biannual report outlining the activities, goals, and accomplishments of the Commission, which shall be submitted to both the Anne Arundel County Council and the Annapolis City Council in January, and which shall include review and recommendations concerning the implementation of the studies entitled "Maryland Scenic River: The Severn" and "A Greenway Strategy for Weems Creek".
To provide such recommendations and reports as it may consider to be appropriate to Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis and the State of Maryland.
Upon recommendation and request of the County Executive, to serve in an advisory capacity to the Scenic Rivers Land Trust and the Anne Arundel Conservation Trust.
The membership of the Commission shall consist of nine voting members and six or more ex-officio, nonvoting members.
Subject to the confirmation of the City Council, the Mayor of the City of Annapolis shall appoint two City residents as voting members.
Subject to confirmation by the County Council, the County Executive shall appoint seven voting members. Of the seven, at least five shall be residents of the Severn River watershed.
The County Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the County Council, shall appoint a member of the County Council to serve "ex officio".
The Mayor of the City of Annapolis shall appoint a member of the Annapolis City Council to serve "ex officio".
In consultation with the Mayor of the City of Annapolis, the County Executive shall invite a member of the Maryland State Senate and a member of the House of Delegates, each representative of the Severn River watershed , to serve "ex officio",
The County Executive shall invite the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, and any other State agency deemed appropriate to appoint a representative to serve "ex officio".
The ex officio, non-voting members of the Commission from the County Council, City Council, State Senate, and State House of Delegates shall be rotated annually through elected offices from the Severn River watershed, unless the incumbent wishes to continue to serve and has met attendance requirements established for voting members.
A member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the County's Boards and Commission Officer.
Members shall serve for a term of three years from the date of appointment. A member shall continue to serve after the expiration of a term until a replacement is appointed. A member appointed to fill a portion of an unexpired term shall serve that portion of the unexpired term unless reappointed.
Section 2: Officers
The officers of the Commission shall consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair, and
such other officers as the Commission may from time to time determine. The County Executive, in consultation with the Mayor of the City of Annapolis, shall appoint the Chair from among the nine voting members. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the Commission from among its membership each year at the second regular meeting after new members have been appointed.
Chair. The Chair of the Commission shall preside and may vote on any issue at all meetings of the Commission. S/he may present to the Commission such matters, as s/he judges, require the attention of the Commission. S/he may perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Commission. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of the Commission.
Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall assume the powers and duties of the Chair during the absence or incapacity of the Chair. S/he shall also perform such other duties as shall be assigned by the Commission or delegated by the Chair.
Secretary. By majority vote, the Commission shall appoint a Secretary, who shall serve at the discretion of the Commission. The Secretary shall keep accurate records and minutes of all meetings of the Board that comply with the Maryland Open Meetings Act and relevant provisions of the County Code; make available minutes of the previous meeting and distribute them to the Commission members and to the County's Boards and Commissions Officer in advance of each meeting; cause to be delivered all notices of meetings to the Commission members and to the County's Boards and Commissions Officer; maintain the minutes and a current listing, with contact information, of the members of the Commission; and serve as the records custodian for the Commission under the provisions of the Maryland Public Information Act.