Chapter 2.04 COUNTY COUNCIL

These County council rules of procedure are designed to provide guidance for the County council and County manager. They are not to be considered an amendment or substitute of County council authority. These rules have been prepared from review of many statutes, ordinances, court cases and other sources, but they are not intended to be an amendment or substitute for those statutes, ordinances, court decisions, or other authority. (Ord. 21-2024 § 1; Ord. 21-2007 § 1.1)

2.04.020 Use.

No authority other than the County council may enforce these rules or rely on these rules. Failure of the County council to follow any of these rules shall be considered a council decision to waive such rules. No notice of such waiver need be given. (Ord. 21-2007 § 1.2)

2.04.030 Public use or reliance not intended.

Because these rules are designed to assist the County council and not to provide substantive rules affecting constituents, it is expressly stated that these rules do not constitute land use regulations, official controls, “appearance of fairness rules,” public hearing rules or other substantive rules binding upon or to be used by or relied upon by members of the public. These rules do not amend statutory or other regulatory (such as ordinance) requirements. (Ord. 21-2007 § 1.3)

Article II. The County Council

2.04.040 Meeting location.

The council will meet at the County Council Hearing Room in Friday Harbor, or such other venue as may be deemed appropriate by the council. On any day that a regular Tuesday meeting will not be held at the County Council Hearing Room, a notice of the alternate location shall be posted at the entry to the County Council Hearing Room. The council desires to hold four regular Tuesday meetings each year on other islands across the three districts. (Ord. 21-2024 § 2; Ord. 44-2008 § 2; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.1)

2.04.050 Regular meetings.

Regular business meetings of the council shall be held on Tuesdays unless otherwise held by action of the council. Council work sessions and workshops will be held on Mondays, unless otherwise determined by action of the council. Changes or postponements will be posted on the County website and notice will be sent to the media list maintained by the clerk of the council. (Ord. 21-2024 § 3; Ord. 6-2013 § 2; Ord. 44-2008 § 3; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.2)

2.04.060 Special council meetings.

A special meeting may be called as provided by RCW 42.30.080. (Ord. 21-2024 § 4; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.3)

2.04.070 Council meetings – Open to the public.

All meetings of the council shall be open to the public, except when an executive session or closed session is authorized as provided for in RCW 42.30.110 or 42.30.140. (Ord. 21-2007 § 2.4)

2.04.080 Chair/vice-chair.

The County Charter provides that the council shall annually elect one of its members to serve as its chair, who shall preside at meetings of the council and be recognized as the head of the County for ceremonial purposes. The council shall also elect a vice-chair from among its members who, in the absence of the chair, shall have the duties of the chair. (Ord. 21-2007 § 2.5)

2.04.090 Quorum.

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 21-2007 § 2.6)

2.04.100 Respect and decorum.

It is the duty of the chair and council members to maintain dignity and respect for their offices, County staff and the public. While the council is in session, the council members shall preserve order and decorum, and no member of the public shall, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings of the council, or disrupt or disparage any person while speaking. Council members and the public shall obey the proper orders of the chair.

Any person making disruptive, disparaging or impertinent remarks, or unreasonably interrupting the business of the council, either while addressing the council or attending the proceedings, shall be asked to leave, or be removed from the meeting. Continued disruptions may result in a recess, while assistance of the sheriff is requested, or adjournment, as set forth in SJCC 2.04.430. (Ord. 21-2007 § 2.7)

2.04.110 Permission required to address the council.

Persons other than council members and the county manager may address the council at appropriate times and only after permission is given by the chair or by at least two members of the council. (Ord. 21-2024 § 6; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.8)

2.04.120 Attendance, excused absences and remote participation.

A. Attendance, Excused Absences. Article 4, Section 4.60 of the San Juan County Charter provides that a council member may forfeit his/her office by failing to attend three consecutive regular meetings without being excused by the legislative body or being absent from the County for more than 30 days without being excused by the legislative body. Members of the council may be so excused by complying with this section. The member shall establish contact with the clerk of the council prior to the meeting and state the reason for his/her inability to attend the meeting. The clerk of the council shall convey the message to the chair. At the start of a public meeting, the chair shall inform the council of the member’s absence, state the reason for such absence, and inquire if there is a motion to excuse the member. Upon passage of such motion, the absent member shall be considered excused and the clerk of the council will make an appropriate notation in the minutes.

B. Remote Participation. Remote participation by council members is allowed. (Ord. 21-2024 § 7; Ord. 32-2009 § 2; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.9)

2.04.125 Council work sessions.

A. Work Sessions. The purpose of Monday council work sessions is to make council members aware of impending business and allow informal discussion of issues that might be acted on at a future meeting. The council may also conduct routine nonlegislative business such as authorizing or approving communications with other governmental units and legislative bodies, approving arrangements for special meetings and housekeeping chores, so long as any statutory requirement for public notice has been satisfied. Council may conduct regular business during work sessions as needed.

B. Public Input. The floor may be opened for brief statements from the public at the beginning of the work session and may be opened for comment on specific issues at the discretion of the council chair or acting chair. (Ord. 21-2024 § 8; Ord. 6-2013 § 3; Ord. 44-2008 § 4)

2.04.130 Workshops.

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 44-2008 § 5; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.10)

2.04.140 Clerk of the council – Minutes – Public information access.

The clerk of the council shall keep minutes as required by law, and shall perform such other duties in the meeting as may be required by the council. In the absence of the clerk of the council, the council shall appoint a person to act as the clerk of the council. The clerk of the council shall record and publish, when feasible, all public meetings of the County council. (Ord. 21-2024 § 10; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.11)

2.04.150 General duties of clerk of the council.

A. Attend and record all of the proceedings of the legislative authority;

B. Record the vote of each member on all motions;

C. Be the custodian of official council records, including maintaining records of all proceedings, ordinances, resolutions, and other acts of the council;

D. Coordinate and prepare council agendas, and schedule council meetings and hearings;

E. Ensure proper posting of public meeting notices; and

F. Perform all other duties required by rule or order of the legislative authority. (Ord. 21-2024 § 11; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.12; Res. 37-2006)

2.04.160 The “three-touch principle.”

Decision-makers and citizens at all levels of the County should have adequate time to thoroughly consider the issues prior to final decisions. It is the intent of the council that the council and County manager abide by the “three-touch principle” whenever possible. The following procedural guidelines are designed to avoid “surprises” to the council, citizens, and administrative personnel:

A. Any pending request or proposal for adopting or changing public policy, ordinances, resolutions, or directives which will require a decision of the County council or County manager should normally “touch” (oral, written or any combination thereof) the decision-makers at three separate meetings. Quasi-judicial matters and any subject discussed in executive sessions are excluded from application of the “three-touch principle.”

B. Unexpected circumstances may arise wherein observance of the “three-touch principle” is impractical. However, when unusual circumstances arise which justify a “first discussion” decision, the persons requesting the expedited decision should also explain the timing need. This principle excludes staff reports and other general communications not requiring a future council decision. (Ord. 21-2024 § 12; Ord. 21-2007 § 2.13)

2.04.170 Funds transfer.

The funds allocated to the office of the County auditor in the adopted budget to perform the duties of the clerk of the board of County commissioners (County council) and/or deputy clerk shall be transferred to the budget of the San Juan County council and budgeted to fund the functions of the clerk of the council/office manager and/or deputy clerk. (Res. 37-2006)

Article III. County Administration

2.04.180 County manager.

The County manager is the chief administrative officer of San Juan County. The County manager is appointed by, and directly accountable to, the County council. The County manager is responsible for the execution of the County council's policy directives, and for the management of County administrative departments. The duties and responsibilities of the County manager are defined by Section 4.41 of the San Juan County Charter, and may be further defined or clarified by agreement between the council and the manager. Balanced with the County manager’s accountability to the County council, there is a need for the council to allow the County manager the freedom to accomplish the duties and responsibilities of the office. (Ord. 21-2024 § 13; Ord. 21-2007 § 3.1)

2.04.190 Role of the County manager.

The County manager shall attend all meetings of the County council, unless excused by the chair or council. The County manager may recommend for adoption by the council such measures deemed necessary or expedient; prepare and submit to the council such reports as may be required by the body or as the County manager deems advisable to submit; keep the council advised as to the business of the County; and shall be available to take part in the council’s discussion on all matters concerning the welfare of the County. (Ord. 21-2024 § 14; Ord. 21-2007 § 3.2)

2.04.200 Duty to sign orders and warrants.

The duty to “sign all orders made and warrants issued by order of the legislative authority for the payment of money” assigned to the auditor in RCW 36.22.010(6) shall be the duty of the County manager under the provisions of the San Juan County Charter. (Ord. 21-2024 § 15; Res. 37-2006)

2.04.210 Complaints to council members.

When complaints are made by citizens about staff actions directly to an individual council member, the council member should refer the matter directly to the County manager and department director for review and/or action. Council members shall not individually direct the work of staff or develop a “personal intervention” pattern. The individual council member will be informed of the action or response made to the complainant. (Ord. 21-2024 § 16; Ord. 21-2007 § 3.3)

2.04.220 Administrative complaints – “Best practice.”

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 21-2007 § 3.4)

2.04.230 County staff – Attendance at meetings.

Attendance at meetings by staff of County administrative departments shall be at the discretion of the County manager, except in a state of emergency, two or more council members may request attendance of specific staff at a meeting on the topic of the emergency. (Ord. 21-2024 § 18; Ord. 21-2007 § 3.5)

2.04.240 Presentations and briefings.

A. Administrative Presentations. In order to enhance public understanding of complex issues, presenters are encouraged to include the use of visual communications if appropriate and as time allows. Presenters should have copies of materials available for the attending public. (Ord. 21-2007 § 3.6)

Article IV. Committees, Boards and Commissions*

* Code reviser’s note: Article IV of this chapter has been recodified to Chapter 2.116 SJCC, Article III.

Article V. Legislative Policy Making

2.04.340 Ordinances, resolutions, and motions.

A. An ordinance is a local law (legislative act) prescribing permanent rules of general applicability. Council action shall be taken by ordinance when required by the San Juan County Charter, the RCW, or where prescribed conduct may be enforced by penalty. An ordinance may be adopted after proper notice and a public hearing. Examples of ordinances are laws concerning speed limits, criminal laws and land use laws.

B. A resolution is less formal than an ordinance and is a statement of legislative policy or direction concerning matters of special or temporary character. Council action shall be taken by resolution in those instances where an expression of legislative policy more formal than a motion is desired. Resolutions are used to express support for policies, manage the legislative branch, or take other short-term actions. Resolutions may be adopted without a public hearing.

C. A motion directs a specific course of action. A motion is less formal, and once approved and entered into the record is the equivalent of a resolution in those instances where a resolution is not required. (Ord. 21-2024 § 19; Ord. 21-2007 § 5.1)

2.04.350 Ordinances.

The procedures for ordinances are as follows:

A. Proposal. Any ordinance may be proposed by any citizen of San Juan County. The council then may assign the proposed ordinance to the County manager. Findings shall be promptly reported for review by the council.

B. Sponsorship. When a council member wishes to assume sponsorship or advocacy of an ordinance or resolution, he/she should so announce, make the initial motion, provide an introduction and advocate the measure before the council.

C. Introduction. Ordinances shall be introduced in a written form approved by the prosecuting attorney. After review and discussion by the council, the council may move to advertise the ordinance for public hearing or have the ordinance modified and returned to council for formal action to publish the ordinance.

D. Motion Failure. If a motion “to advertise the ordinance for public hearing” fails, the ordinance shall be considered lost, unless a subsequent motion directs its revision and resubmission to the County council.

E. Action. Except in an emergency, the council will conduct a public hearing with at least 10 calendar days’ notice and afford the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed ordinance. In response to public comment, the council may modify the ordinance before it is adopted.

F. Effective Date. Except in an emergency, an adopted ordinance will become effective 10 working days after the date it is enacted. (Ord. 21-2024 § 20; Ord. 21-2007 § 5.2)

2.04.360 Resolutions.

A resolution may be put to its final passage on the same day on which it was introduced. The title of each resolution shall be read prior to its passage. (Ord. 21-2007 § 5.3)

2.04.370 Review of drafts.

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 21-2007 § 5.4)

Article VI. Council Meeting Procedures

2.04.380 Council agendas.

A. Agenda items from County department heads for a council meeting agenda shall be submitted for the San Juan County council agenda in accordance with County policy. A council agenda action sheet shall be completed for agenda items along with accompanying materials. The chair, a majority of the council, or the county manager (with the council’s concurrence) may introduce a new item to the day’s agenda at any meeting.

B. The County council Monday work sessions/workshops and business of all regular Tuesday meetings of the council shall be conducted in the following order, as applicable; provided, however, that the chair, or a majority of the council, may rearrange items that are not required to be heard at a fixed time:

1. Monday Work Sessions/Workshops.

a. Call to order (normally at 9:00 a.m.);

b. Pledge of Allegiance;

c. Approval of agenda;

d. Public access time;

e. Discussion/presentation;

f. Closed (executive) sessions;

g. Adjournment.

2. Regular Tuesday Meeting.

a. Call to order (normally at 9:00 a.m.);

b. Pledge of Allegiance;

c. Consideration of absences;

d. Approval of agenda;

e. Approval of minutes;

f. Approval of consent agenda;

g. New employee introductions;

h. Proclamation;

i. Correspondence;

j. Citizen public access time;

k. Council administrative matters (extended reports should be placed during new business and submitted in writing);

l. Public hearings;

m. Discussion/presentation/other action items;

n. New business;

o. Council, County manager and council clerk updates;

p. Boards, commissions and committees – appointments and/or other business;

r. Executive session;

s. Next meeting date announced by chair;

t. Adjournment.

C. The County council desires to allow a maximum opportunity for public comment. However, the business of the County must proceed in an orderly, timely manner. At any time the chair, in his/her sole discretion, may set such reasonable limits as are necessary to prevent disruption of other necessary business. These rules are intended to promote an orderly system of holding a public meeting, to give persons opportunity to be heard and to create an environment in which individuals are not likely to be embarrassed or uncomfortable by exercising their right to speak freely and inquire of their government. (Ord. 21-2024 § 23)

2.04.390 Consent agenda.

The consent agenda is a portion of the regular Tuesday meeting agenda which contains matters that:

A. Have been previously discussed by the council; or

B. Can be reviewed by a council member without further explanation; or

C. Are so routine, technical or “housekeeping” in nature that passage without discussion is likely.

The clerk of the council or County manager, in consultation with the chair, may place matters on the consent agenda. At any time prior to the vote on the consent agenda, any council member may ask to have the item moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda. The motion on the consent agenda is as follows: “I move adoption of the consent agenda for this day.” This motion shall be nondebatable and will have the effect of moving to adopt all items on the consent agenda. Adoption of any item on the consent agenda reflects unanimous consent, unless a member requests the opportunity to record a “no” vote on a specific item on the consent agenda. If any matter is withdrawn, the chair shall place the item at an appropriate place on the agenda for the current or a future meeting. (Ord. 21-2024 § 24; Ord. 44-2008 § 7; Ord. 21-2007 § 6.2)

2.04.400 Council meeting materials.

Council agenda meeting materials shall be provided by the clerk of the council on Thursday, prior to the next week’s regular meeting. (Ord. 21-2024 § 25; Ord. 21-2007 § 6.3)

2.04.410 Executive sessions.

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW, the council may hold an executive session during a regular meeting, work session or special meeting. Executive sessions will frequently be held near the end of the day to allow the public to attend meetings with the least interruption. Before convening in executive session, the chair shall publicly announce the purpose for excluding the public from the meeting place and the time when the executive session shall be concluded. If the council wishes to adjourn or take action at the close of a meeting from executive session, that fact will be announced. The announced time limit for executive sessions may be extended by announcement of the chair made to those waiting in the nearest public area. No final action may be taken in executive session.

Unless the council announces its intent to meet in another area, all persons not authorized to participate in the executive session shall be required to leave the meeting room and remove any items carried in with them, including personal possessions and electronic equipment. County and council staff will canvass the room before the executive session convenes and remove any items not belonging to or authorized by participants. Items that are removed shall be placed in the council office or other secure area. The County shall not be liable for the loss of, or damage to, any item which has to be removed from the meeting room immediately prior to the beginning of an executive session.

Council members and others present must keep confidential all oral and written information provided during executive sessions to protect the best interests of the County. Confidentiality also includes information provided to council members outside of executive sessions when the information is considered exempt from disclosure under the Code of Ethics for Municipal Officers (RCW Title 42). (Ord. 21-2024 § 26; Ord. 44-2008 § 8; Ord. 21-2007 § 6.4)

2.04.420 Agenda.

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 44-2008 § 9; Ord. 21-2007 § 6.5)

2.04.430 Adjournment due to emergency or disruption.

In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, threatened violence, or inability to maintain order, the chair shall declare the meeting adjourned or continued and the council members shall immediately leave the meeting area. (Ord. 21-2007 § 6.6)

2.04.435 Regular Monday council/staff work sessions.*

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 44-2008 § 10)

* Code reviser’s note: Ordinance 44-2008 adds this section as SJCC 2.04.430. This section has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.

Article VII. Rules of Order for Council Meetings

2.04.440 Rules of order.

Unless otherwise agreed by council, meetings will follow Robert’s Rules of Order. (Ord. 21-2024 § 29; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.1)

2.04.450 Motions and discussion.

A. All items of business placed before the council shall be in the form of an affirmative motion. Affirmative motions are preferred to prevent “approval by default” of a failed negative motion.

B. When possible, council members should direct administrative questions to the County manager.

C. Comments from the public, when allowed, shall be directed to the council. (Ord. 21-2024 § 30; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.2)

2.04.460 Voting.

Two affirmative votes are required to take action. The votes during all meetings of the council shall be transacted as follows:

Unless otherwise provided by statute, ordinance, or resolution, all votes shall be taken by voice, except that at the request of any council member, a roll call vote shall be taken and recorded by the clerk of the council. The order of the roll call vote shall be determined by the clerk of the council. (Ord. 21-2024 § 31; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.3)

2.04.470 Reconsideration.

Except as otherwise provided in the County code, any action of the council shall be subject to a motion to reconsider except for:

A. Final decisions on land use applications;

B. Events which have been established or set in motion by reliance on the action of the County council;

C. Any action previously reconsidered;

D. Motions to adjourn or motions to suspend the rules;

E. An affirmative vote to lay an item on, or take an item from, the table; or

F. A vote appointing someone to a vacant elected office who is present and does not decline.

Such motion for reconsideration can only be made by a member of the prevailing side on the action in question. A motion to reconsider must be made no later than the next succeeding regular council meeting. A motion to reconsider is debatable only if the action being reconsidered is debatable. Upon passage of a motion to reconsider, the subject matter is returned to the table anew at the next regular council meeting for any action the council deems advisable. Any motion for reconsideration of a matter which was the subject of a required public hearing or which is a quasi-judicial matter may not be discussed or acted upon unless and until the parties or their attorneys and the persons testifying have been given at least five business days’ advance notice of such discussion and/or action. (Ord. 21-2007 § 7.4)

2.04.480 Audio recordings of meetings.

Repealed by 21-2024. (Ord. 44-2008 § 10; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.5)

2.04.490 Photography.

Photography, video or audio recording is allowed during meetings; provided, that the photographer does not disrupt the council by taking pictures without permission of the chair in a way that:

A. Uses a flash;

B. Approaches or sets up in the area of council seating, staff seating or presentation tables.

The council reserves the right to adopt additional restrictions on photography, video or audio recording when necessary to avoid disruption and preserve the good order of meetings. (Ord. 21-2024 § 33; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.6)

2.04.500 Scheduling of presentations.

Requests for presentations to the council should be scheduled with the clerk of the council with the approval of the County manager and must be an official business consideration of the County. The clerk of the council will promptly forward the request to the County manager. Presentations which require the use of County technology that are prepared by persons who are not County employees or volunteers shall be reviewed by the County manager or designee, who shall determine whether the items are appropriate and compliant with County information technology policies. (Ord. 21-2024 § 34; Ord. 21-2007 § 7.7)

Article VIII. Public Hearing Procedures

2.04.510 Appearance of fairness doctrine – Definition, application, disclosures/disqualifiers.

A. Appearance of Fairness Doctrine Defined. When the law which calls for public hearings gives the public not only the right to attend, but the right to be heard as well, the hearings must not only be fair but must appear to be so. It is a situation where appearances are quite as important as substance. Where there is a showing of substantial evidence to raise an appearance of fairness question, the court has stated:

It is the possible range of mental impressions made upon the public’s mind, rather than the intent of the acting governmental employee, that matters. The question to be asked is this: Would a disinterested person, having been apprised of the totality of a council member’s personal interest in a matter being acted upon, be reasonably justified in thinking that partiality may exist? If answered in the affirmative, such deliberations, and any course of conduct reached thereon, should be voided.

B. Types of Hearings to Which the Doctrine Applies. RCW 42.36.010 states:

Application of the appearance of fairness doctrine to local land use decisions shall be limited to the quasi-judicial actions of local decision-making bodies as defined in this section. Quasi-judicial actions of local decision-making bodies are those actions of the legislative body... which determine the legal rights, duties, or privileges of specific parties in a hearing or other contested case proceeding. Quasi-judicial actions do not include the legislative actions adopting, amending, or revising comprehensive, community, or neighborhood plans or other land use planning documents or the adoption of area-wide zoning ordinances or the adoption of a zoning amendment that is of area-wide significance.

Street vacations are typically legislative actions, unless clearly tied to, and integrated into, a site-specific development proposal which is quasi-judicial in nature. (Ord. 21-2007 § 8.1)

2.04.520 Obligations of council members – Procedure.

A. Immediate self-disclosure of interests that may appear to constitute a conflict of interest is hereby encouraged. Council members should recognize that the appearance of fairness doctrine does not require establishment of a conflict of interest, but whether there is an appearance of conflict of interest to the average person. This may involve a council member’s business associate, or a member of the council member’s immediate family. It could involve ex parte (from one party only, usually without notice to, or argument from, the other party) communications, ownership of property in the vicinity, business dealings with the proponents or opponents before or after the hearing, business dealings of the council member’s employer with the proponents or opponents, announced predisposition, and the like. Prior to any quasi-judicial hearing, each council member should give consideration to whether a potential violation of the appearance of fairness doctrine exists. If the answer is in the affirmative, no matter how remote, the council member should disclose such fact to the County attorney as to whether a potential violation of the appearance of fairness doctrine exists.

B. Anyone seeking to disqualify a council member from participating in a decision on the basis of a violation of the appearance of fairness doctrine must raise the challenge as soon as the basis for disqualification is made known, or reasonably should have been made known, prior to the issuance of the decision. Upon failure to do so, the doctrine may not be relied upon to invalidate the decision. The party seeking to disqualify the council member shall state, with specificity, the basis for disqualification; for example: demonstrated bias or prejudice for or against a party to the proceedings, a monetary interest in outcome of the proceedings, prejudgment of the issue prior to hearing the facts on the record, or ex parte contact. Should such challenge be made prior to the hearing, the prosecuting attorney, after interviewing the council member, shall render an opinion as to the likelihood that an appearance of fairness violation would be sustained in superior court. Should such challenge be made in the course of a quasi-judicial hearing, the council member shall either excuse him/herself or a recess should be called to permit the prosecuting attorney to make such interview and render such opinion.

C. In the case of the council sitting as a quasi-judicial body, the chair shall have authority to request a council member to excuse him/herself on the basis of an appearance of fairness violation. Further, if two council members believe that an appearance of fairness violation exists, such individuals may move to request a council member to excuse him/herself on the basis of an appearance of fairness violation. In arriving at this decision, the chair or other council members shall give due regard to the opinion of the prosecuting attorney. (Ord. 21-2007 § 8.2)

2.04.530 Specific statutory provisions.

A. County council members shall not express their opinions about pending or proposed quasi-judicial actions on any such matter which is or may come before the council.

B. County council members who comply with all provisions of applicable public disclosure and ethics laws shall not be limited under the appearance of fairness doctrine from accepting campaign contributions to finance the campaign, including outstanding debts (RCW 42.36.050).

C. Members of Local Decision-Making Bodies. No member of a local decision-making body may be disqualified by the appearance of fairness doctrine for conducting the business of his or her office with any constituent on any matter other than a quasi-judicial action then pending before the local legislative body (RCW 42.36.020).

D. Ex parte communications should be avoided whenever possible. During the pendency of any quasi-judicial proceeding, no council member may engage in ex parte communications with proponents or opponents about a proposal involved in the pending proceeding, unless the council member: (1) places on the record the substance of such oral or written communications concerning the decision or action; and (2) undertakes to assure that a public announcement of the content of the communication and of the parties’ right to rebut the substance of the communication shall be made at each hearing where action is taken or considered on the subject. This does not prohibit correspondence between a citizen and his or her elected official, if the correspondence is made a part of the record when it pertains to the subject matter of a quasi-judicial proceeding (RCW 42.36.060).

E. Procedure on Application. Any person making application for any action leading to a quasi-judicial hearing before the County council shall be provided with a document containing the following information: (1) the names and addresses of all members of the County council, (2) a statement that public disclosure information is available for public inspection regarding all such council members, and (3) a statement that if the applicant intends to raise any appearance of fairness issue, the applicant should do so at least two weeks prior to any public hearing, if the grounds for such issue are then known, and in all cases, no later than before the opening of the public hearing. The applicant shall sign a receipt for such document. (Ord. 21-2007 § 8.3)

2.04.540 The public hearing.

A. Sign-In Procedure. Prior to the start of the public hearing, the chair may require that all persons wishing to be heard sign in with the clerk, giving their names and addresses, the agenda item, and whether they wish to speak as proponent, opponent, or otherwise. Any person who fails to sign in shall not be permitted to speak until all those who signed in have done so. At any public hearing, persons who have signed in and wish to be heard shall be given an opportunity to be heard.

B. Time Limits. The chair shall be authorized to establish speaker time limits and otherwise control presentations to avoid repetition. The chair may change the order of speakers so that testimony is heard in the most logical groupings (i.e., proponents, opponents, adjacent owners, vested interests, etc.).

C. Agenda and Rules of Order. The chair introduces the agenda item, opens the public hearing, and announces the following rules of order:

(a) All comments by proponents, opponents, or the public shall be made from the speaker’s rostrum, and any individual making comments shall first give his/her name and address. This is required because an official recorded transcript of the public hearing is being made. If there is any appeal, the court must make its decision on the basis of what was said at the public hearing.

(b) It is not necessary to be a proponent or opponent in order to speak. If you consider yourself neither a proponent nor opponent, please speak during the proponent portion and identify yourself as neither a proponent nor an opponent.

(c) No comments shall be made from any other location and anyone making out of order comments shall be subject to removal from the meeting.

(d) There will be no demonstrations, applause, or other audience participation during or at the conclusion of anyone’s presentation. The Council is not allowed to consider such expressions and it takes time away from the speakers.

(e) These rules are intended to promote an orderly system of holding a public hearing, to give persons an opportunity to be heard, and to ensure that individuals are not embarrassed by exercising their right of free speech.

D. Conflict of Interest. When the council conducts a hearing to which the appearance of fairness doctrine applies, the chair or prosecuting attorney will ask if any council member knows of any reason which would require such member to be excused pursuant to the appearance of fairness doctrine. The form of the announcement is as follows:

All Council Members should now give consideration as to whether they have:

(a) A demonstrated bias or prejudice for or against any party to the proceedings;

(b) A direct or indirect monetary interest in the outcome of the proceedings;

(d) Had ex parte contact with any individual, excluding administrative staff, with regard to an issue related to the pending case prior to the hearing. If any Council Member should answer in the affirmative, then the Council Member should state the reason for his/her answer at this time, so that the Chair may inquire of the County Attorney as to whether a violation of the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine may exist.

E. Public Testimony. The chair opens the public hearing, asks all persons who intend to be witnesses to be sworn to tell the truth.

F. Administrative Background. The chair then calls upon the applicable County department to describe the matter under consideration.

G. Site-Specific Caution. When considering a site-specific comprehensive plan and zoning amendment or zoning reclassification, the chair shall announce:

Site plans, artistic renditions, and the like in support of a zoning amendment should be avoided except as they help explain the terms of any proposed or anticipated conditions for approval. Any graphic representations should be used for illustrative purposes only, and the County council should avoid indicating approval or disapproval of such plans. Such evidence shall remain a part of the record.

H. The chair will customarily call for proponents in quasi-judicial proceedings and for speakers in non-quasi-judicial proceedings.

1. Proponents’ testimony. The chair makes a final call.

2. Opponents’ testimony. The chair makes a final call.

3. Proponents’ rebuttals.

4. Opponents’ rebuttals. If appropriate.

I. County administrator, County department or prosecuting attorney inquiry.

J. Closing. Chair may close the public hearing, continue the public hearing, or take the matter under advisement. (Ord. 21-2007 §§ 8.4 – 8.16)