Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Sections:
2.04.030 Special meetings – Study sessions.
2.04.010 Regular meetings.
A. Public agencies must conduct regular meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. All sections of Chapter 42.30 RCW cited herein are as enacted and as may be amended. Pursuant to RCW 42.30.070, the Sequim city council will hold its regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, unless canceled by a vote of the city council or alternately scheduled due to an emergency or other lawful reason.
B. Regular meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Sequim Civic Center, 152 West Cedar Street, Sequim, Washington, or at such other time and/or location identified on the posted agenda.
C. If a regular meeting date falls upon a legal holiday, the meeting will be held the next business day.
D. Regular meeting agendas must be posted on the official city website no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting start time.
E. An opportunity for public comment will be included on the agenda for every regular meeting, and separately for every public hearing scheduled to occur at a meeting. Comment during the regular public comment portion of the meeting is limited to (1) items on the agenda (other than the subject of a public hearing), or (2) other city business. Comments related to a matter on the agenda for public hearing will be heard only after the public hearing has commenced and is opened for public comment.
F. Continuances and adjournments of regular council meetings may occur in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 42.30 RCW. (Ord. 2024-026 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-011 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2015-007 § 1; Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-003 § 1; Ord. 2006-017 § 1; Ord. 2006-001 § 1)
2.04.020 Study sessions.
Repealed by Ord. 2024-026. (Ord. 2017-011 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2015-007 § 1; Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-003 § 2)
2.04.030 Special meetings – Study sessions.
A. Special city council meetings must be scheduled in accordance with applicable state law (RCW 42.30.080). No business except that specifically included on the special meeting notice may be acted upon by council during a special meeting.
B. A “study session” (also known as a “work session”) may be scheduled to occur during a special meeting or at a specially set time at a regular meeting. If held as part of a regular meeting, advance public notice of the changed meeting start time and the business to be discussed in the study session must be made in the same manner as notice for any other special meeting.
C. Generally, study sessions are for nonaction discussions and no public comment will be taken during that meeting or portion thereof. During study sessions, council may only take action on business items specifically included in that meeting’s notice. Additional actions based on study session discussions should occur either (1) in a regular session after being added to the agenda (if necessary), or (2) at such other time as was announced in the public notice. (Ord. 2024-026 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2015-007 § 1; Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-003 § 3; Ord. 2006-017 § 3; Ord. 2006-001 § 3)
2.04.040 Executive sessions.
Council may hold an executive session at any time during a regular or special meeting for the purposes identified in RCW 42.30.110(1); provided, that the executive session is conducted in the manner set forth in RCW 42.30.110(2). (Ord. 2024-026 § 1 (Exh. A))
2.04.050 Notice of meetings.
A. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings do not require notice to be published in the newspaper of record but the agenda must be posted on the official city website no later than 24 hours in advance of the meeting. Exceptions:
1. If a public hearing is on a regular meeting’s agenda, the hearing must be noticed in the manner provided by law for the type of hearing.
2. If a study session is added to a regular meeting, notice of the different start time must be published in the same manner as required for notice of a special meeting.
B. Special Meetings. Notice of special meetings must comply with applicable state law. Generally, notice must be published in the newspaper of record (if practicable) and on the official city website within the minimum advance notice period required by law. Notice must also be prominently displayed at the main entrance of the Civic Center and, if different, the meeting site. Special meetings may be noticed as few as 24 hours in advance, and notice may be dispensed with entirely in emergency situations that meet the criteria in RCW 42.30.080(4).
C. Any person or entity that files a written request with the city for notification of meeting dates must be provided notice of every meeting. This requirement can be satisfied through the city providing an automatic notification feature on its official website. Nothing in this chapter is intended to require the city to provide meeting notices by regular mail, electronic mail, personal delivery, facsimile transmission, or telephone to any person or entity, but such method of notification may occur as a courtesy in the discretion of city staff. Exception: Persons or entities who are parties to a public hearing or other quasi-judicial business before council will be provided the notice required by any applicable state law.
D. Notices must specify the time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted. (Ord. 2024-026 § 1 (Exh. A))