Chapter 3.16
CITY MANAGER—ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS
Sections:
3.16.010 Departmental organization.
3.16.020 Police department and issuance of limited commissions.
3.16.030 Repealed.
3.16.035 Department of finance and administration.
3.16.037 Other departments.
3.16.040 Provision for legal and engineering counsel.
3.16.050 Provision for professional services.
3.16.060 Department heads designated by director.
3.16.065 Authority to sign agreements.
3.16.070 Service of process.
3.16.075 Fees for city employee testimony as expert witness.
3.16.080 City Hall hours.
3.16.010 Departmental organization.
The city manager is authorized to organize the following functions of the city into such administrative offices and departments as he or she shall from time to time determine will best serve the interests of the citizens and residents of the city and the effective and efficient operation of the municipal corporation of the city: city manager’s office and the departments of finance and administration, fire, human resources, information technology, municipal court, parks and community services, planning and building, police and public works. Such departmental organization or changes thereto shall be submitted to the city council for its concurrence, which concurrence may be given by ordinance, resolution or motion duly adopted and entered in the city council minutes. (Ord. 4594 § 1, 2017: Ord. 2148 § 1, 1971)
3.16.020 Police department and issuance of limited commissions.
(a) In addition to the foregoing, there shall be a police department which shall have all of the duties designated and devolved upon such departments by state law generally, and specifically as to cities organized or chartered under either RCW Title 35 or 35A.
(b) The director of the police department may issue a limited commission to persons outside the police department who have a need to have limited enforcement capabilities such as, but not limited to, animal control, parking and parks. These limited commissions will specifically state the ordinances for which the holder may issue citations for civil infractions. The director will develop standards for the selection and training of those being granted a limited commission, which will be consistently applied. The limited commission may be revoked at any time by the director of the police department. (Ord. 4195 § 1, 2009: Ord. 2148 § 2, 1971)
3.16.030 Department of administrative services.
Repealed by Ord. 4416. (Ord. 3573 § 3, 1997: Ord. 2148 § 3, 1971)
3.16.035 Department of finance and administration.
There shall also be a department of finance and administration. The director of the department of finance and administration may, with the concurrence of the city manager, establish within the department functional divisions. The director of finance and administration may designate individuals of the department as “public records officer,” “city clerk” and “city treasurer.” (Ord. 4887 § 2, 2024; Ord. 4416 § 2, 2013: Ord. 3573 § 4, 1997)
3.16.037 Other departments.
In addition to the foregoing, there shall be the following departments: parks and community services, planning and building, fire, public works, city attorney’s office, information technology, human resources, and general services. The director of each of these departments may, with the concurrence of the city manager, establish within the department functional divisions. (Ord. 4832 § 1, 2022; Ord. 4491 §§ 3 (part), 4 (part), 2015; Ord. 3961 § 1, 2004: Ord. 3753 § 1, 2000)
3.16.040 Provision for legal and engineering counsel.
The city manager, who may seek such recommendation of the council as he or she deems appropriate and necessary, shall be empowered to make provision for the obtaining of legal counsel and professional engineering counsel. Such provision may be by appointment on a full- or part-time basis, or by any reasonable contractual arrangement for such professional services. (Ord. 4594 § 2, 2017: Ord. 2148 § 4, 1971)
3.16.050 Provision for professional services.
The city manager in the manner set forth in Section 3.16.040 shall also be empowered to make provision by any reasonable contractual arrangement for such other professional services as casualty and liability insurance for the city, actuarial, appraisement of properties, and similar professional services as may from time to time be required. (Ord. 2148 § 5, 1971)
3.16.060 Department heads designated by director.
With the exception of those department heads, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule or regulation relating to civil service, the person, officer or employee designated by the city manager to be accountable or responsible to him or her for the departmental function and operation shall be designated the director thereof. (Ord. 4594 § 3, 2017: Ord. 2148 § 6, 1971)
3.16.065 Authority to sign agreements.
(a) Interlocal Agreements. The city manager or the finance and administration department is authorized to execute on behalf of the city an agreement that is made pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act (see Chapter 39.34 RCW). A department director may, on behalf of the city as the delegate of the city manager, enter into an interlocal agreement so long as such agreement either imposes no financial obligation on the city or the contract is for less than fifty thousand dollars. The person who signs an interlocal agreement shall ensure that it is delivered to the city clerk’s office in order that the interlocal agreement will be filed with the county auditor or posted on the city’s website as required by RCW 39.34.040.
(b) Professional Services Agreements. The city manager or designee shall promulgate procedures and standards for the approval of agreements for professional services. A department director may enter into a professional services agreement so long as such agreement does not impose a financial obligation on the city in excess of the amount set forth in Section 3.85.080 of this code.
(c) Other Agreements. The city manager may promulgate administrative procedures for the approval authority for all other contracts for less than fifty thousand dollars.
(d) The authority delegated by this section is supplemental to the authority provided under Chapter 3.85 of this code. In case of specific conflict, the provisions of Chapter 3.85 will prevail. (Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 4165 § 1, 2008: Ord. 4111 § 1, 2007: Ord. 3902 § 1, 2003)
3.16.070 Service of process.
Pursuant to RCW 4.28.080(2), the mayor and city manager designate the city clerk as their agent to accept service of summonses and other original process during normal city business hours (eight a.m. to five p.m.). Whenever the city clerk cannot be so served, the mayor and city manager designate the following persons, in descending order of preference, to be served during normal business hours: The deputy city clerk, the director of finance and administration, the executive assistant for the city manager or the deputy city managers. In the event that none of these persons can be so served, then service may be to the city manager. If the city manager cannot be served, then service may be to the mayor. (Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 4481 § 1, 2015: Ord. 3643 § 1, 1998: Ord. 3507 § 1, 1995: Ord. 3250 § 1, 1991: Ord. 3042 § 1, 1987)
3.16.075 Fees for city employee testimony as expert witness.
No city employee shall be compelled to testify at a deposition or trial in a civil action to which the city or the employee are not a party except as provided for in this section. The city employee may testify if the employee was a witness to the facts or occurrences giving rise to the lawsuit. If the city employee is not a witness to the facts or occurrences giving rise to the lawsuit, then the party seeking to compel the city employee’s testimony shall pay a fee for the time spent by the city employee preparing for, traveling to, attending and testifying at the deposition or trial. The amount of the fee shall be based on the hourly rate of the city employee’s wage, plus all city costs and overhead associated with employing the city employee; provided, that the amount of the fee shall be a minimum of two hundred dollars, which shall be paid to the city prior to any testimony on the part of the city employee. The city shall be reimbursed for any and all mileage for travel by the city employee at the rate of thirty-five cents per mile. The city shall also be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the city employee’s preparation or testimony. (Ord. 3892 § 1, 2003)
3.16.080 City Hall hours.
City Hall shall be kept open for the transaction of business from eight a.m. until five p.m., Monday through Friday, except on days legally designated as holidays or as times of emergency. (Ord. 3360 § 1, 1993)