Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL
Sections:
2.04.010 Designated days of meetings.
2.04.040 Attendance, excused absences.
2.04.010 Designated days of meetings.
The city council holds its regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. A regular meeting of the city council is subject to the State Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW (as enacted or as amended). (Ord. 19-01 § 5, 2019; Ord. 96-1 § 1, 1996; 1967 code § 2.04.010)
2.04.020 Special meetings.
A. The mayor or four city council members may call a special meeting by:
1. Delivering written notice personally, by mail, by fax, or by electronic mail, to each member of the council;
2. Delivering written notice personally, by mail, by fax, or by electronic mail, to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local radio or television station which has on file with the city a written request to be notified not less than 24 hours before the time specified for the proposed special meeting;
3. Posting written notice on the city’s website; and
4. Prominently posting written notice at the main entrance of City Hall and at the main entrance of the meeting site if the meeting is not held at City Hall.
B. The written notice must:
1. Be delivered and posted at least 24 hours before the time of the meeting;
2. Specify the time and place of the meeting; and
3. Specify the business to be transacted at the meeting.
C. The city council may not make a final disposition on any business not specified in the written notice.
D. A special meeting is subject to the State Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. (Ord. 12-08 § 2, 2012; Ord. 96-1 § 1, 1996; 1967 code § 2.04.020)
2.04.030 Location and time.
All regular and special meetings are held at City Hall, unless otherwise provided in the notice of special meeting or, in the case of a regular meeting, changed to a different location by a vote of the majority of the city council. All meetings commence at 6:00 p.m. unless another time is specified for individual meetings by a vote of the majority of the city council. (Ord. 19-01 § 6, 2019; Ord. 96-1 § 1, 1996; Ord. 407 § 1, 1986; Ord. 385 §§ 1, 2, 1985; Ord. 360 § 2, 1984; 1967 code § 2.04.030)
2.04.040 Attendance, excused absences.
RCW 35A.12.060 provides that a councilmember shall forfeit his/her office by failing to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the council without being excused by the council. Members of the council may be so excused by complying with this section. The councilmember shall contact the mayor prior to the meeting and state the reason for his/her inability to attend the meeting. If the councilmember is unable to contact the mayor, the councilmember shall contact the city clerk or deputy city clerk, who shall convey the message to the mayor. At the beginning of the regular council meeting at which the councilmember will be absent, the mayor shall inform the attending members of the city council of the absent councilmember’s absence, state the reason provided by the councilmember for such absence, and inquire if there is a motion to excuse the councilmember from the council meeting. Upon passage of such a motion by a majority of the councilmembers present, the absent councilmember shall be considered excused and the city clerk shall make an appropriate notation in the council meeting minutes. If a motion is not made or the motion after made is not passed, the city clerk shall note in the minutes that the absence of the councilmember is unexcused. (Ord. 97-16 § 1, 1997)