Chapter 2.140
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE SALARY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.140.010 Commission created – Purpose.
2.140.030 Membership – Qualifications.
2.140.060 Open meetings and public hearings.
2.140.010 Commission created – Purpose.
An independent salary commission is hereby created for the purpose of setting the salaries of the City of Mountlake Terrace elected officials. The official name of the Commission shall be the Mountlake Terrace Salary Commission. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.020 Appointment.
A. Every five years, beginning in 2019, a Salary Commission shall be appointed and the Commission shall begin a salary review as provided herein.
B. For each five-year salary review, the Mayor shall appoint five Commission members which shall be ratified by the City Council. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.030 Membership – Qualifications.
A. A member shall be a resident of the City and serve without compensation.
B. A member of the Commission shall not be an officer, official, or employee of the City or an immediate family member of an officer, official, or employee of the City. For purposes of this section, “immediate family member” means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or other dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.
C. In the event of a vacancy in office of Commissioner, the Mayor shall appoint, subject to ratification by the City Council, a person to serve the unexpired portion of the term of the expired position.
D. A member of the Commission shall only be removed from office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, or for a disqualifying change of residence. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.040 Term.
A. Each appointed Salary Commission member shall serve for one salary review term, as provided in MTMC 2.140.020. The term shall commence upon City Council appointment and confirmation and shall terminate upon the Commissioners’ adoption of a written salary schedule by resolution and filing of the statement of salaries with the City Clerk or until the Commission by majority vote determines that no salary adjustment is warranted.
B. No member of the Commission shall be appointed to more than two consecutive terms. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.050 Duties.
A. Except as provided herein, the Commission shall be solely responsible for its own organization, operation, and action and shall enjoy the fullest cooperation of all elected officials, departments and agencies of the City. Every five years commencing 2019 an appointed Commission shall serve and have the duty to review, determine and establish the salaries paid by the City to City of Mountlake Terrace elected officials. If after such review the Commission determines that the salary paid to the Mayor or City Council should be increased or decreased, the Commission shall adopt by resolution a written salary schedule and file with the City Clerk indicating the increase or decrease in salary and the effective date. Prior to adoption by resolution and before filing the salary schedule with the City Clerk, the City Attorney shall review the salary schedule for ambiguity and shall approve the salary schedule as to form if the salary schedule meets all legal requirements as to form.
B. For purposes of this chapter, “salary” or “salaries” means any fixed compensation paid or provided periodically for work or services and includes, but is not limited to, wages and medical or other benefits. This definition expressly excludes any expenses paid or reimbursed on behalf of the Mayor or Council member for training and travel expenses.
C. The Commission shall convene, complete its review, adopt by resolution and file its schedule of salaries for the Mayor and City Council with the City Clerk within 120 days of the appointment of the Commission. The 120-day review time schedule may be extended upon request by the Commission and approval by the City Council.
D. Meetings may be scheduled by the chair of the Commission or by a majority vote of the Commission. Meetings shall be conducted in the Mountlake Terrace City Council Chambers. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum and are necessary for conducting a meeting. Meetings shall be conducted pursuant to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 10th Edition.
E. The decision to raise or lower salaries requires an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the whole membership of the Commission.
F. After determining and establishing the salaries of the Mayor and the City Council, the Salary Commission shall adopt by resolution and file a statement of the salaries with the City Clerk.
G. Any increase or decrease in salary shall, as set forth in subsections H and I of this section, become effective and incorporated into the City budget without further action of the City Council or the Commission.
H. Salary increases established by the Commission shall be effective as to all City elected officials, regardless of their terms of office. Salary increases established by the Commission shall be effective on the next payday for City employees, or under the conditions established in the salary schedule.
I. Salary decreases established by the Commission shall become effective as to incumbent City elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.
J. Any adjustment of salary by the Commission shall supersede any City ordinance related to the budget or to the fixing of salaries. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.060 Open meetings and public hearings.
All meetings of the Commission shall be open to the public. Prior to a Commission vote to increase or decrease salaries and the filing of any salary schedule, at least one of the meetings shall include a public hearing to provide an opportunity for the public, the Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, and/or City Council members to address the Commission. Citizen comments shall be conducted in a manner consistent with those heard at regularly scheduled meetings of the Council. The Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem, and/or City Council members shall only address the Commission regarding Commission business at a regularly scheduled Commission meeting or by public written comment. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).
2.140.070 Referendum.
A. Any salary increase or decrease established by the Commission pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the City, in the same manner as a City ordinance, upon filing of such petition with the City Clerk within 30 days after filing of the salary schedule by the Commission.
B. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people.
C. Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the City at the next following general or municipal election occurring 30 days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the State Constitution and the laws generally applicable to referendum measures. (Ord. 2744 § 2, 2019).