Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL
Sections:
2.04.030 Compensation and attendance.
2.04.060 Selection of mayor pro tempore.
2.04.070 Location of council meetings.
For statutory provisions pertaining to council meeting times, see RCW 35.27.270.
2.04.010 Meetings.
It is established that the city council’s regularly scheduled monthly meetings shall begin at 7:00 p.m. on the second and last Mondays of each month and at 1:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in city council chambers located at 506 North Montesano Street in the city of Westport, Washington. (Ord. 1575, 2015; Ord. 1547, 2013; Ord. 1507, 2011; Ord. 1476, 2010; Ord. 1322, 2004; Ord. 1163, 1998; Ord. 1024, 1996; Ord. 1013, 1995; Ord. 1002, 1995; Ord. 902 § 1, 1992; Ord. 721, 1983; Ord. 531, 1977)
2.04.030 Compensation and attendance.
(1) The mayor of the city of Westport shall be paid the sum of $360.11 per council meeting, not to exceed four council meetings per month.
In the event that a mayor pro tempore is chosen to serve at a council meeting, he or she shall be paid the sum of $275.00 per council meeting, not to exceed four council meetings per month.
The members of the Westport city council shall be paid the sum of $182.61 per council meeting, not to exceed four council meetings per month.
Effective January 1st of each year, the mayor’s and council’s pay shall be increased 100 percent of the previous year’s July All U.S. Cities CPI-U, not to exceed three percent.
(2) General Attendance and Remote Meeting Attendance. Remote attendance should not be a routine method by which council members attend regularly scheduled meetings.
Video or telephone “remote attendance” is authorized as follows:
(A) Special Circumstances.
(i) An agenda item is time-sensitive and remote attendance is needed to establish a quorum;
(ii) Remote attendance shall not be allowed during any quasi-judicial or appeal hearing, although such participation may be allowed for the remainder of the meeting;
(iii) No more than two council members shall be allowed to remotely attend any one meeting; and
(iv) Remote attendance shall be announced by the mayor or mayor pro tempore and will be reflected in the meeting minutes.
(B) Regular Remote Attendance. The procedures and guidelines for permitting regular attendance remotely are as follows:
(i) The mayor or council member has a disability which requires reasonable accommodation;
(ii) The mayor or council member who wishes to regularly attend meetings remotely must notify the city council prior to beginning remote attendance. This will be done in the form of a memo to council explaining the reason for the need to attend remotely. Council will vote to approve or deny remote attendance;
(iii) Remote attendance shall not be allowed during any quasi-judicial legislative or appeal hearing, although such participation may be allowed for the remainder of the meeting;
(iv) No more than one council member shall be allowed to remotely attend meetings on a regular basis;
(v) No more than 10 meetings may be attended remotely per calendar year, unless previously authorized by council vote; and
(vi) Any remote meetings not authorized by council will be counted as unexcused absences.
(3) Absences. The procedural guidelines for permitting the mayor or council member to be absent from regularly scheduled council meetings are as follows:
(A) If an absence is planned, the mayor or council member will notify council at the regular meeting prior to the absence. This will be done in the form of a memo to council explaining the reason for the absence. Council will vote whether to approve the absence;
(B) If the mayor must take an unplanned absence from a regularly scheduled meeting, the mayor will notify the city clerk or the city administrator, in this order, as soon as possible and advise them of the absence. In the next regularly scheduled meeting, the mayor will inform council of the reason for the absence. This will be done in the form of a memo to council explaining the reason. Council will vote whether to approve the absence;
(C) If a council person has an unplanned absence from a regularly scheduled meeting, the council person shall notify the mayor, city clerk, or city administrator, in this order, as soon as possible and advise them of the absence. In the next regularly scheduled meeting, the council member will inform council of the reason for the absence. This will be done in the form of a memo to council explaining the reason. Council will vote whether to approve the absence;
(D) An unexcused absence is defined as no prior notification given to the mayor, city clerk or city administrator in advance of the missed meeting; and
(E) Neither the council person nor mayor shall be allowed more than six excused absences per calendar year. Any more than six excused absences per calendar year shall result in the council person or mayor not being paid for additional missed meetings. However, if the council person or mayor’s absence is due to their participation in bona fide city business activities, including, but not limited to, city conferences, city training, and/or representing the city at another meeting or event, they shall be treated as though they were present at said council meeting. (Ord. 1691, 2024; Ord. 1549 §§ 1, 2, 2014; Ord. 1515 §§ 1, 2, 2012; Ord. 1489 §§ 1 – 4, 2010; Ord. 1236 §§ 1 – 4, 2001; Ord. 1195 §§ 1 – 3, 1999; Ord. 730 § 1, 1983; Ord. 445 § 1, 1973; Ord. 288 § 1, 1964)
2.04.040 Special meetings.
Special meetings may be called by the mayor or any three members of council by written notice delivered or e-mailed to each member of the council at least 24 hours before the time specified for the proposed meetings. (Ord. 1575, 2015; Ord. 1547, 2013; Ord. 1507, 2011; Ord. 1476, 2010; Ord. 1322, 2004; Ord. 531, 1977)
2.04.060 Selection of mayor pro tempore.
The members of the city council, by majority vote as the need arises, shall choose one of their number to serve as mayor pro tempore to serve in the absence of temporary disability of the mayor. (Ord. 694, 1982)
2.04.070 Location of council meetings.
Commencing October 13, 1992, all council meetings shall be held at the City Hall, 506 North Montesano Street, Westport, Washington. (Ord. 908, 1992; Ord. 902 § 3, 1992)