HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2025-07-21 Item 7A - City Council - Discussion on Council Position #6COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
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7/21/25
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ITEM NO.
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ITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: LAUREL HUMPHREY ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 7/21/25
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Discussion on City Council Position No. 6
CATEGORY ® Discussion ❑ Motion ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Bid Award ❑ Public Hearing ❑ Other
Mtg Date 7/21/25 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR ® Council ❑ Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&R ❑ Police ❑ Pik
SPONSOR'S This is an opportunity for the City Council to discuss Position No. 6 with the incumbent on
SLTMNLARY a medical leave of absence. Staff recommends an appointment on a pro tem basis pursuant
to RCW 35A.12.065 with an application and interview process similar to how recent
vacancies were handled.
REVIEWT-D BY ❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ❑ Planning & Community Dev.
❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
DATE: COMMITTEE CHAIR:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN.
COMMITTEE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED
$1450/mo
Fund Source:
Comments:
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
I MTG. DATE I RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
7/21/25
IMTG.DATEI ATTACHMENTS
7/21/25 1 Informational memo dated July 10, 2025
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City of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst
DATE: July 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Appointment of Councilmember Pro Tern for Position 6
Issue
Councilmember McConnell serves in City Council Position 6 and has been on a medical leave
of absence since the end of April with the City Council excusing her absences from Regular
and Special meetings.
RCW 42.12.010 describes when an elective office becomes vacant on the happening of various
events, including but not limited to when the incumbent dies, resigns, is removed, no longer
lives in the City, is convicted of a felony or offense involving a violation of the oath of office,
refuses or neglects to take the oath of office or renew the official bond, or fails to deposit the
oath or bond as prescribed by law, when a competent court declares the election or
appointment void, or when a court determines that the incumbent breached a condition of
the official bond. RCW 35A.12.060 also states that a Council seat will be vacant if the
councilmember fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings without being excused by
the council.
Given that City Council Position 6 is not vacant, state law authorizes the City Council to
appoint a Councilmember pro tem under these circumstances. Per RCW 35A.12.065, "In the
event of the extended excused absence or disability of o councilmember, the remaining
members by majority vote may appoint o councilmember pro tempore to serve during the
absence ordisobility." While the City Council can continue to excuse Councilmember
McConnell's absences, it is preferable to have an odd number of Councilmembers to avoid
certain risks associated with quorum, deadlocks and ties, and it also provides staff and the
community with clearer majority intent from the Council. Further, some actions of the
Council require a supermajority, which is 5 votes in a 7-member council.
A councilmember appointed on a pro tem basis would have the same responsibilities and
voting rights as other councilmembers. The duration of a pro tem appointment lasts until the
excused councilmember indicates their intent to return to City Council affairs or their term of
office expires. Thus, if the absent councilmember were to resign from their seat, the pro tem
appointment would lapse, and a new appointment for the now -vacant position would need
to be made.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
An individual appointed in a pro tem capacity must be a registered voter in the City of
Tukwila, as well as a resident of Tukwila for at least one year prior to appointment.
Process
Neither state statute nor the City Council Rules of Procedure provide a framework for a
process to appoint a Councilmember pro tem, so if the City Council wishes to pursue this type
of appointment, it can decide its own process and its own qualifications beyond the residency
and electoral status defined in state law. The Council could look to its recent experiences with
filling Council vacancies, which includes an application and interview process as noted in the
Rules of Procedure. Staff researched other cities that have done pro tem appointments
recently (Tacoma, University Place, and Battle Ground) and found this is generally the
process used. It is also within the City Council's authority to forego applications or interviews,
or only require one or the other. The City Council should consider how best to recruit
interested and qualified applicants and appoint an individual to serve as a Councilmember
pro tem.
Financial Impact
There is a cost associated with the appointment of a Councilmember pro tem. Article XI,
Section 8 of the Washington State Constitution states that a salary of a municipal officer shall
not be "diminished after his election, or during his term of office," so a Councilmember whose
seat is subject to a pro tem appointment will still receive the compensation set forth in the
Municipal Code. Tukwila Municipal Code 2.05.010 sets forth the compensation for each
Council position, which is $1,450 per month through 2026 for Position 6. Staff recommends
applying the compensation rate to an individual serving in a pro tem capacity due to the level
of time commitment required to serve as a City Councilmember.
Conclusion
Staff is seeking City Council direction on whether or not to pursue a pro tem appointment
process, and if so, if an application and interview process is desired. Staff could return with
draft materials for additional Council input at the July 28, 2025 Committee of the Whole.
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