Division II. Boards, Committees, and Commissions1
Chapter 2.45
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Sections:
2.45.020 Civil service commission created – Purpose.
2.45.030 Membership and appointment.
2.45.060 Proceedings – Quorum.
2.45.080 Secretary-chief examiner.
2.45.090 Rules and regulations.
2.45.020 Civil service commission created – Purpose.
There is hereby created a police civil service commission with the authority to exercise the powers and perform the duties established by this chapter and by state law as set forth in Chapter 41.12 RCW in connection with the selection, appointment, promotion, demotion and employment of employees of the police department.
The police chief shall be exempted from civil service, as well as a number of additional positions, designated as the unclassified service, as selected by the police chief with the concurrence of the mayor and the civil service commission as provided for in RCW 41.12.050. Volunteers, reservists, part-time, or seasonal employees of the police department shall be exempted from civil service.
(Ord. No. 23-960, § 2, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 10-669, § 9, 9-21-10; Ord. No. 07-567, § 1, 11-6-07; Ord. No. 98-308, § 1, 1-6-98; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-47.)
2.45.030 Membership and appointment.
(1) The civil service commission shall consist of up to five members who shall be appointed by the mayor. Up to two alternate commissioners may be appointed to the commission by the mayor.
(2) No person shall be appointed a commissioner or alternate commissioner unless that person is a citizen of the United States, a resident of the city for at least three years immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector (registered voter) of the county in which the commissioner resides.
(3) The term of office of the commissioners shall be for six years, and terms shall be staggered to ensure that as few members as possible may have terms expire at the same time.
(4) Commission members shall serve without compensation.
(5) Commissioners shall devote due time and attention to the performance of their specified duties.
(6) Each member has a responsibility to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest prior to being appointed and as they may arise at any time thereafter.
(Ord. No. 23-960, § 3, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-48.)
2.45.050 Removal.
Any commissioner or alternate commissioner may be removed from office for incompetency, incompatibility, dereliction of duty, malfeasance in office, or other good cause; provided, however, that no commissioner or alternate commissioner shall be removed until: (1) charges have been filed, in writing; (2) the commissioner or alternate commissioner has been personally served with a written notice of charges against him or her and with a notice of hearing; and (3) after a full hearing has been convened before the Federal Way city council. The charging party in all such actions shall be the mayor. Should any commissioner or alternate commissioner be incapacitated, resign from, or be removed from office, then the mayor shall appoint a successor to that position for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(Ord. No. 10-669, § 10, 9-21-10; Ord. No. 05-501, § 1, 9-20-05; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-50.)
2.45.060 Proceedings – Quorum.
(1) The commission shall hold regular meetings and such additional meetings as may be required for the proper discharge of their duties.
(2) A majority of appointed voting commissioners shall constitute a quorum, except when alternate members may be counted towards a quorum as provided in subsection (3) of this section, and the votes of a majority of present voting members or alternates serving for quorum purposes is sufficient to approve any action of the commission.
(3) Alternate commissioners shall have the right to participate in the debate and the deliberations of the commission on the regular business of the commission. Alternate commissioners shall not be part of the commission quorum and shall not move action or vote on matters coming before the commission, except in the event where a meeting is scheduled and no quorum is present, an alternate member may contribute to the establishment of a quorum such that the meeting may commence and proceed. If more than one alternate is present, after the meeting is called to order, the chair shall specify which of the alternate members is contributing to the quorum and may participate as a voting member for the purposes and duration of that meeting only, which shall be noted in the written record of the meeting.
(4) In the event a commissioner is disqualified from participation or otherwise unable to participate in a hearing on employee discipline, an alternate commissioner may serve in the place of the disqualified or absent commissioner. The alternate commissioner shall be entitled to participate fully in such proceedings, and is authorized to vote on the action before the commission consistent with subsection (3) of this section.
(Ord. 23-960 § 5, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 05-501, § 2, 9-20-05; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-51.)
2.45.080 Secretary-chief examiner.
The secretary-chief examiner authorized by RCW 41.12.040 shall be appointed by the commission from among qualified city employees selected and recommended by the mayor.
(Ord. No. 10-669, § 11, 9-21-10; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-53.)
2.45.090 Rules and regulations.
The commission shall have power to make and adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and Chapter 41.12 RCW; provided, however, that the commission shall have the flexibility to adopt rules different from the express provisions of Chapter 41.12 RCW which effectuate such purposes; and provided further, that such rules shall include a 12-month probationary period and a certification rule of seven eligible persons, notwithstanding RCW 41.12.100. The commission shall also have the power to make rules and regulations governing the commission in the conduct of its meetings and any other matter over which it has authority. In promotional testing the commission shall not grant service credit or priority for length of service in city employment.
(Ord. No. 05-498, § 1, 8-2-05; Ord. No. 96-258, § 2, 1-2-96. Code 2001 § 2-54.)
State law reference: Firefighters’ pension board, RCW 41.16.020.