Article VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections:
8.01 Practice of Law by Officials.
8.01 Practice of Law by Officials.
Until such time as they are employed on a full-time basis and to the extent permitted by general laws, the city attorney, police judge, or municipal judge shall not be prohibited from engaging in the private practice of law, but they shall neither seek nor accept from any source other than the city any fee, reward, or other renumeration for any of their official services, nor seek nor accept any employment which would conflict with the discharge of their official duties.
8.02 Pecuniary Interest.
No member of the Council and no other officer or employee of the city shall directly or indirectly derive a financial profit from any contract to which the city is a party or any sale to the city, or to a contractor supplying the city, of any land or rights or interests in any land, materials, supplies, or services. Any person who shall willfully violate this section shall have committed malfeasance in office and shall be deemed to have forfeited his office or position. Any violation of this section with the express or constructive knowledge of the party contracting with the city shall render the contract voidable by the manager or the Council.
8.03 Public Records.
All records and accounts of every office, department, or agency of the city, except records and documents, the disclosure of which would tend to defeat the lawful purpose which they are intended to accomplish, shall be open to inspection in the proper city offices by any citizen, any representative of a citizens’ organization, or any representative of the press, radio, or television at all reasonable times and under reasonable regulations established by the manager. All such records and accounts shall be city property and be kept as such by the proper officers and employees during their continuance in office, and then delivered to their successors.
8.04 Expenses Allowable.
Any officer or employee of the city may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses paid or incurred by him in the performance of his duties.
8.05 Oath of Office.
Every officer of the city shall before entering upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe to such oaths as required by state law together with the following oath or affirmation, to be filed and kept in the office of the city clerk:
I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Washington, and the Charter and ordinances of the City of Richland, and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of _______________.
8.06 Administration of Oaths.
The mayor, mayor pro tempore, manager, city clerk, and city attorney, or their appointed representatives, shall have the power to administer oaths in the performance of the duties of their offices or the transaction of the city’s business.
8.07 Damage Claims.
Any claim for damages or injuries against the city shall contain, in addition to the requirements of general laws, an accurate description of the time, place, and cause of any accident or occurrence, and the nature and extent of any damages or injuries, including an itemization thereof. The claim shall be verified by the claimant or by someone in his behalf, in accordance with general laws, and shall be filed with the city clerk within ninety days, or a lesser time provided by general laws, after the date on which the damage occurred or the injury was sustained. Any claim which does not comply with the requirements of this section shall be barred. No action shall be maintained against the city on any claim for damages or injuries until sixty days after the date of filing of the claim. No claim shall be paid until it has been referred to the manager and the manager has reported to the Council thereon.
8.08 Amendments.
Amendments to this Charter may be submitted to the registered electors by the Council or by petition of the electorate in the manner provided by the constitution or laws of the state.