Chapter 2.02 COUNCIL GOVERNMENT AND WARD ESTABLISHMENT

Chapter 2.02
COUNCIL GOVERNMENT AND WARD ESTABLISHMENT

Sections:

2.02.010 Council positions—Elections—Eligibility.

2.02.020 Councilmembers—Terms—Vacancies.

2.02.010 Council positions—Elections—Eligibility.

A. The city council shall consist of seven members designated by consecutive positions numbered one through seven. Each position shall be dealt with as a separate office for all election purposes.

1. Council positions one through three shall be at-large positions.

2. Council positions four through seven shall represent different wards of the city as follows:

Council Position	Ward
Four	No. 1
Five	No. 2
Six	No. 3
Seven	No. 4

B. Councilmembers shall be elected at biennial municipal elections to be conducted as provided in RCW Title 29A. Elections for council positions one through three shall be held by city-wide primary and general elections. Elections for council positions four through seven shall be held by ward-wide primary and general elections.

C. No person shall be eligible to hold a council position unless the person is a registered voter of the city at the time of filing their declaration of candidacy and has been a resident of the city for a period of at least one year preceding the general election. Residence and voting within the limits of any territory which has been included in, annexed to, or consolidated with the city is construed to have been residence within the city.

D. No person shall be eligible to hold council positions four through seven unless the person resides within the boundaries of the ward. Councilmembers holding such positions shall continue to reside within their respective ward throughout their term of office. Residing outside such ward shall be considered a forfeiture of office and shall cause the position to become vacant.

E. A councilmember shall not hold any other public office or employment within the city government except as permitted under the provisions of Chapter 42.23 RCW. (Ord. 2545 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1574 § 1, 1985).

2.02.020 Councilmembers—Terms—Vacancies.

A. All councilmembers shall serve four-year terms of office. The term of incumbents ends and the term of successors begins after the successor is elected and qualified, and the term commences immediately after December 31st following the election.

1. Qualified means that for such election: (a) the results have been certified; (b) any required bond has been posted; and (c) the winner of the election has taken and subscribed an oath or affirmation that he or she shall faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office to the best of their ability.

2. The oath or affirmation of office shall be taken as the last step of qualification but may be taken either: (a) up to ten days prior to the scheduled date of assuming office or (b) at the last regular meeting of the city council held before the successor is to assume office. The oath or affirmation shall be administered and certified by any officer or notary public authorized to administer oaths.

B. The office of a councilmember shall become vacant if the person who is elected or appointed to that position:

1. Fails to qualify;

2. Fails to enter upon the duties of that office at the time fixed by law without a justifiable reason;

3. Fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the council without being excused by the council;

4. Ceases to be a legally registered voter of the city;

5. Is convicted of a felony or any offense involving a violation of their official oath; or

6. Resigns, dies, or is otherwise removed from office.

C. A vacancy shall be filled as follows:

1. Where one position is vacant, the remaining councilmembers shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position.

2. Where two or more positions are vacant and two or more councilmembers remain in office, the remaining councilmembers shall appoint a qualified person to fill one of the vacant positions, then the remaining councilmembers and the newly appointed person shall appoint another qualified person to fill another vacant position, and so on until each of the vacant positions are filled.

3. If less than two councilmembers remain in office, the county legislative authority shall appoint a qualified person or persons to the council until the council has two members.

D. Each person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next election at which a councilmember would normally be elected. The person elected shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term. (Ord. 2545 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1574 § 2, 1985).

2.02.030 Mayor—Election—Duties.

A. Biennially, at the first meeting of a new council, the councilmembers shall, by majority vote, elect a chair from among their number. The chair of the council shall have the title of mayor and shall preside at all meetings of the council.

B. The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the city for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. He or she shall have no regular administrative duties, but in time of public danger or emergency shall take command of the police, maintain law, and enforce order, if necessary.

C. In addition to the powers and duties conferred upon the mayor by law, policy, or other action of the council, the person elected as mayor shall continue to have all of the rights, privileges, duties, and immunities of a member of the council. (Ord. 2545 § 3, 2024; Ord. 1793 § 1, 1993: Ord. 1574 § 3, 1985).

2.02.035 Deputy mayor—Election—Duties.

A. Biennially, immediately after electing a mayor, the councilmembers shall, by majority vote, designate one of their number as deputy mayor to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor.

B. The deputy mayor shall preside at meetings of the council when the mayor is absent. He or she shall have no regular administrative duties but shall perform such other duties as assigned by the mayor or council.

C. In addition to the powers and duties conferred upon the deputy mayor by law, policy, or other action of the council, the person selected as deputy mayor shall continue to have all of the rights, privileges, duties, and immunities of a member of the council. (Ord. 2545 § 4, 2024).

2.02.040 Council position salaries.

The following monthly salaries are established for such council positions:

A. Mayor: six hundred dollars per month;

B. Mayor pro-tem: four hundred dollars per month;

C. All remaining council positions: three hundred dollars per month per position;

D. Council members are authorized to participate in the city’s medical insurance program according to the rules of the current insurance provider. (Ord. 2425 § 1, 2019: Ord. 1986 § 1, 1997: Ord. 1576 § 1, 1986: Ord. 1574 § 4, 1985).