Chapter 2.02
MAYOR
Sections:
2.02.020 Powers and duties generally.
2.02.030 Appointment of appointive officers.
2.02.040 Oath, affidavit and signature powers.
2.02.050 Ordinance powers and duties.
2.02.060 Supervisory and administrative powers.
2.02.070 Investigative powers.
2.02.080 Meeting coordination duties.
For statutory provisions on the duties and authority of the mayor of a code city, see RCW 35A.12.100; for provisions on appointment and removal of officers, see RCW 35A.12.090; for provisions on code city budgets, see Chapter 35A.33 RCW.
2.02.010 Salary.
The salaries for the mayor shall be as established by the salary commission as set forth in Chapter 2.41, Salary Commission. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.020 Powers and duties generally.
A. The mayor shall be the chief executive of the city, in charge of all departments and employees, with authority to designate assistants and department heads, officers, and employees, and to enter into employment contracts with such individuals, and to appoint and remove members of various city boards and commissions, subject to the provisions of any applicable state law, ordinance or regulation, including the classified civil service and subject to confirmation by the council, where required, in the case of any members of boards and commissions. Council confirmation shall be required for the appointment of all department heads. The mayor may appoint and remove an executive assistant to the mayor, if so provided by ordinance or charter.
B. The mayor shall see that all laws and ordinances are faithfully enforced and that law and order is maintained in the city, and shall have general supervision of the administration of city government and all city interests.
C. The mayor shall also be authorized to negotiate the terms of and/or award contracts falling within the scope of the mayor’s authority pursuant to Section 3.76.010, as it currently exists or as it may be amended hereafter. Contracts that fall within the scope of the mayor’s authority pursuant to Section 3.76.010 may be, but are not required to be, taken to the city council for approval as a part of the city council consent agenda or may be, but are not required to be, taken to the city council for information. All official bonds and bonds of contractors with the city shall be submitted to the mayor or such person as the mayor may designate for approval or disapproval. The mayor shall see that all contracts and agreements made with the city or for its use and benefit are faithfully kept and performed, and to this end the mayor may cause any legal proceedings to be instituted and prosecuted in the name of the city, subject to approval by majority vote of the council. The mayor shall also be authorized to negotiate agreements and execute all documents necessary to complete the acquisition of real property and the relocation of inhabitants required to complete city projects falling within the scope of the mayor’s authority.
D. The mayor shall preside over all meetings of the city council, when present, but shall have a vote only in the case of a tie in the votes of the council members and only with respect to matters other than the passage of any ordinance, grant or revocation of franchise or license, or any resolution for the payment of money.
E. The mayor shall report to the council concerning the affairs of the city and its financial and other needs, and shall make recommendations for council consideration and action.
F. The mayor shall prepare and submit to the council a proposed budget, as required by Chapter 35A.33 RCW and to keep the council fully advised of the financial condition of the city and its future needs.
G. The mayor shall have the power to veto ordinances passed by the council and submitted to the mayor as provided in RCW 35A.12.130, but such veto may be overridden by the vote of a majority of all council members plus one more vote.
H. The mayor shall be the official and ceremonial head of the city and shall represent the city on ceremonial occasions, except that when illness or other duties prevent the mayor’s attendance at an official function and no mayor pro tem has been appointed by the council, a member of the council or some other suitable person may be designated by the mayor to represent the city on such occasion. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.030 Appointment of appointive officers.
A. The mayor shall appoint, and at their pleasure may remove, all city appointive officers, subject to the provisions of any applicable law, rule or regulation pertaining to civil service, state law or city ordinances. This appointive authority applies to acting, interim and permanent appointive officers of those departments and divisions listed in this title.
B. The mayor shall also have the authority to make temporary assignments of positions, including but not limited to deputy police chief, or equivalent positions.
C. It is provided, however, that appointment or termination of the city attorney shall be subject to confirmation by a majority of the members of the city council. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.040 Oath, affidavit and signature powers.
The mayor and the mayor pro tem shall have power to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and certify them. The mayor, or the mayor pro tem when acting as mayor, shall sign all conveyances made by the city and all instruments which require the city seal. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.050 Ordinance powers and duties.
Every ordinance which passes the council, in order to become valid, must be presented to the mayor. If the mayor approves it the mayor shall sign it, but if not, the mayor shall return it with written objections to be entered at large upon the journal and proceed to a reconsideration thereof. If, upon reconsideration, five members of the council voting upon a call of yeas and nays favor its passage, the ordinance shall become valid notwithstanding the mayor’s veto. If the mayor fails for ten days to either approve or veto an ordinance, it shall become valid without mayoral approval. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.060 Supervisory and administrative powers.
The mayor shall have general supervision over the several departments of the city government and over all its interests. Except as otherwise provided for by ordinance or state law, city administrative officers shall be responsible to the mayor for the efficient and economical conduct of their respective departments and offices. Where necessary the mayor will initiate programs designed to bring work up to proper standards and levels of performance. The mayor shall also have general administrative authority provided by state statutes, city ordinances and as not in conflict with state law. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.070 Investigative powers.
The mayor shall have the power to investigate and to examine or inquire into the affairs or operation of any city department, division, bureau or office; and when so authorized by the council, the mayor shall have power to employ consultants and professional counsel to aid in such investigations, examinations or inquiries if money has been budgeted therefor in the year in which they are employed or if an emergency ordinance has appropriated the necessary funds for such personnel. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)
2.02.080 Meeting coordination duties.
The mayor or the mayor’s designee shall be responsible for the preparation of agendas for the meetings of the council and of the various boards, commissions and committees of the city, and for including in those agendas the items and issues forwarded by the city council and/or by the ad hoc committees designated to act on behalf of the city council, and for including in those agendas the items and issues proposed by the mayor and city administration, for consideration by the council. The mayor or the mayor’s designee shall also be responsible for publishing notices for meetings and for public hearings for the meetings of the council and the various boards, commissions and committees of the city, and for setting the dates and times for said public hearings, except in those instances when setting dates and times for public hearings is required by statute to be done through council resolution. (Ord. 2003-22 § 1 (Exh. A), 2022)