HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2025-07-28 Item 5B - City Council - Application Process for Position #6 Councilmember Pro Tem AppointmentITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: LAUREL HUMPHREY ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 7/28/25
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Application process for Position 6 Councilmember Pro Tem Appointment
CATEGORY Discussion Motion Resolution Ordinance Bid Award Public Hearing Other
Mtg Date 7/28/25 Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR Council Mayor Admin Svcs DCD Finance Fire P&R Police PW
SPONSOR’S
SUMMARY On 7/21/25 the City Council indicated a desire to appoint a councilmember pro tem to
Position 6, and directed staff to prepare and application and interview process.
REVIEWED 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
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$1450/mo $ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
7/28/25
MTG. DATE ATTACHMENTS
7/25/25 Informational memo dated July 22, 2025
COUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
----------------------------------Initials --------------------------------- ITEM NO.
Meeting Date Prepared by Mayor’s review Council review
7/28/25 LH
Draft Application
5.B.
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City of Tukwila
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Tukwila City Council
FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst
DATE: July 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Councilmember Pro Tem Appointment for Council Position No. 6
ISSUE
Per RCW 35A.12.065, “In the event of the extended excused absence or disability of a councilmember, the
remaining members by majority vote may appoint a councilmember pro tempore to serve during the
absence or disability.” At the 7/21 meeting the City Council indicated an intent to appoint a
councilmember pro tem to City Council Position No. 6 and directed staff to proceed with an
application and interview process. Staff is seeking Council direction on process components
described below.
DISCUSSION
Proposed Timeline
By 8/1/25 Publication of Notice
Application information available online
8/15/25 Applications due by 5:00 p.m., eligibility verification and distribution to
Councilmembers to follow
8/25/25 Interviews (Executive Session, Nomination and Appointment is possible)
TBD Additional meeting(s) if needed to continue interview/appointment process.
Applications
The draft application is attached for Council discussion and consensus. Staff is proposing no changes
from the application used in 2024 and 2025 appointments. There was some discussion at the 7/21 City
Council meeting about whether to exclude candidates running for Council positions in 2025, but no
consensus was reached. The City Attorney is exploring that topic this week.
Interviews
All applications that meet the eligibility requirements and have completed the application in full will
be invited to an interview with the City Council. The interviews for Position 7 were limited to 20
minutes with each Councilmember asking one question each (see previous questions in exhibit A).
Staff proposes retaining or shortening the time per interview (20 minutes or less). Staff also proposes
updating the interview questions and the following are suggestions for consideration:
1.Why are you interested in being appointed to the City Council?
2.Summarize your qualifications, including any particular skills you would bring to the
Council.
3.What do you love about the Tukwila community?
4.What do you see as Tukwila’s biggest challenges or opportunities?
5.Describe a time when you resolved an issue involving different stakeholders with conflicting
opinions. How did you work toward developing a solution and what was the result?
6.Provide examples of when you’ve collaborated or reached consensus within a team. What
strategies do you think are effective?
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
1.Explain your understanding of the role of a City Councilmember, and share whether you plan to
run for the position this year.
2.What do you believe are the greatest strengths of the City of Tukwila?
3.Describe your experience working with different stakeholders, such as businesses, community
organizations and residents.
4.A Councilmember must make decisions in the best interest in the community and is faced with
difficult decisions where some people may benefit and others may not. Describe your thought
process for determining what is in the City’s best interest and how you can make an equitable
decision.
5.What do you think are the most important qualities of an effective leader, and how do you
envision the legacy you would like to establish during your term if appointed?
6.A Councilmember is part of a group that must work as a team. Provide examples of when you’ve
collaborated with a team or have worked to reach consensus within a team.
Executive Session
Upon completion of the interviews, the Council may convene into Executive Session to discuss the
qualifications of the applicants (RCW 42.30.110(1)(h)). However, all deliberations, nominations and
votes taken by the Council must be in open session. The Council will reconvene into a Regular or
Special Meeting for this purpose.
Nominations and Deliberation
The Mayor will ask for nominations from the Council for the purpose of creating a group of candidates
to consider. No second is needed for a nomination. The nomination period must be closed by a
motion, second and majority vote of the Council. (For simplicity, the Council could create a
nomination pool that includes all candidates who have been interviewed.)
Following the nomination period, Councilmembers may deliberate on the nomination pool, offering
comments about the nominees, the factors they used in deciding who to support, or any other
information they wish to share before voting begins. When deliberative comments have concluded,
the Mayor will poll Councilmembers to determine if they are ready to proceed with a vote.
Voting
The City Clerk will proceed with a roll call vote. Councilmembers will respond by stating the name of
the nominee they wish to appoint. Any nominee receiving a majority of four or more votes will be
appointed to Position 6. If a majority vote is not reached in the first round, the roll call vote will
repeat. Councilmembers may not change their vote until a new round of voting. Rounds of voting
can continue until a majority consensus is reached. If after multiple rounds of voting there is a tie of
3-3, the Mayor has the ability to break a tie pursuant to RCW 35A.12.100.
The newly appointed Councilmember will be sworn in as soon as possible following the City Council’s
vote.
A note on public records
All materials related to the appointment process are considered public records, including but not
limited to applications, notes, evaluations, and all written and electronic correspondence.
For reference, the questions used in February 2025:
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 3
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council is invited to review and discuss the appointment process and is asked to make
desired changes and convey approval of the timeline, draft application and interview questions by
consensus. Staff can then issue the notice of vacancy and opportunity to apply by the end of the
week.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft application
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City of Tukwila
City Council
6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington • 98188 – Tel: 206-433-1800 • www.tukwilawa.gov
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL VACANCY · POSITION NO. 6
COUNCILMEMBER PRO TEM by APPOINTMENT
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in serving your community as a member of the Tukwila City Council.
The City Council intends to fill Tukwila City Council Position No. 6 on a pro tem basis. The duration of the
appointment will be until the incumbent returns, resigns, or their term of office expires on 12/31/27.
To be considered for Tukwila City Council Position No. 6, applications must be fully completed, signed
and received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025. Applications may be typed or neatly
handwritten. Please submit a letter of interest and/or a resume along with the application.
Signed applications can be submitted as follows:
BY EMAIL citycouncil@tukwilawa.gov
BY MAIL
Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst
Tukwila City Council
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, WA 98188
IN PERSON
Mon-Thu 8:30-4:00 p.m.
Attn: Laurel Humphrey
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila WA, 98188
All other days/times
Drop box at City Hall front door
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, WA 98188
For further information or assistance with special needs, please call 206-491-2297 or email
laurel.humphrey@tukwilawa.gov.
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Tukwila City Council
Position Description
Term of Office From the oath of office until the incumbent returns, resigns, or the position
term expires 12/31/27.
Compensation $1,450 per month.
General
Purpose
City Councilmembers serve at large, representing the residents of Tukwila in
decision-making about City policy and budget.
Requirements The applicant must be registered to vote in Tukwila and a resident of Tukwila
for at least one year.
Duties As the legislative body, the City Council enacts City ordinances, appropriates
funds to conduct City business, and provides policy direction for City staff.
Statutory duties of the Council are performed as a whole, and include the power
to tax, borrow money, operate and supply utilities, set employee compensation,
acquire, improve, maintain or vacate public property, and render local social,
cultural or recreational services as they see fit.
Council duties in Tukwila include reviewing, studying, discussing and deciding
on policy and budget questions. Interaction with members of the community
involves public and personal meetings, email or other written correspondence,
and phone conversations. Councilmembers should have a working knowledge
of the laws that regulate City government and the Council’s own Rules of
Procedure.
Time All Councilmembers attend Regular Council meetings on the first and third
Monday of each month and Committee of the Whole meetings on the second
and fourth Monday of each month. Both types of meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.
and last between 1 and 4 hours.
All Councilmembers attend Work Sessions on the first and third Monday of each
month beginning at 5:30 p.m. Every Councilmember (except the annual Council
President) serves on two standing committees, each of which meets monthly.
Committee meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. and average one hour in length,
although the duration can vary. Preparation for Council and Committee
meetings involves weekly independent study of agenda materials.
Special meetings such as retreats, work sessions, ad-hoc committees, and joint
meetings with other organizations such as the School Board are scheduled
throughout the year. Service on the City Council includes opportunities for
travel at various trainings and events both inside and outside the state.
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INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR COUNCIL POSITION #6
Qualified applicants who have completed the application in full will be invited to an interview, tentatively
scheduled for ________. Additional meetings may be scheduled depending on the number of applicants.
Interviews will be limited to 20 minutes each. Questions will be provided in advance.
Candidates are asked not to sit in the Council Chamber while other candidates are being interviewed
prior to their turn; however, once interviewed, a candidate may remain.
NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT
Upon completion of the interviews, Councilmembers may convene into Executive Session to discuss the
qualifications of the candidates. No decisions may be made in Executive Session. Upon conclusion of the
Executive Session, the Council will reconvene into a Special Meeting in which the Mayor will call for
nominations. At this time deliberation can occur, followed by a roll-call vote if the Council is ready to
proceed.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Persons appointed to fill a vacant elective office must file a financial affairs statement with the Public
Disclosure Commission detailing certain financial information about themselves, their spouse and any
dependent children which then becomes public information for anyone to access. More information can
be obtained from the Public Disclosure Commission at https://www.pdc.wa.gov or (360)753-1111. This
is a state requirement of all appointed and elected officials. Additionally, annual financial reports are
required of all city officials.
All materials related to the appointment process are considered public records, including but not limited
to applications and all written and electronic correspondence.
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City of Tukwila
City Council
6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington • 98188 – Tel: 206-433-1800 • www.tukwilawa.gov
Application for Councilmember Pro Tem
Tukwila City Council Position #6
Applicant Information
Full Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
E-Mail Address
Eligibility Requirements, Notification and Signature
I understand that Councilmembers for the City of Tukwila must be registered voters in Tukwila, King County,
Washington and must have lived in the City of Tukwila for 12 consecutive months prior to being appointed to
office. I understand that as an applicant for appointment to public office, the information provided on this
application will be available to the public.
Signature
Date
Additional Information
Are you registered to vote in Tukwila, WA?YES NO
Are you a resident of the City of Tukwila? YES NO
How long have you been a resident of the City of Tukwila?
How long have you lived at your current address?
If you have lived at your current address for less than 12 months, please list your previous address.
Previous address and length of time at address.
Do you or any family member residing in your household, have a financial interest in, or are you an employee or
officer of any business or agency which conducts business with the City of Tukwila?
YES NO
If yes, please explain.
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Time Commitment
Appointment to the City Council will require your attendance at a number of regularly scheduled and special
meetings, which occur at various times including evenings and weekends.
Councilmembers also serve on Council committees, regional boards and commissions, and represent the City
Council at various community functions.
Council activities generally require a minimum time commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week. Are you able to
commit this amount of time and can you commit to arrange your schedule to participate fully as a member of
the Tukwila City Council?
YES NO
Have you ever attended a Tukwila City Council meeting? YES NO
If yes, please estimate how many Council meetings you have attended in the past year.
Supplemental Questions
Please respond to the following questions regarding your interest in the position of appointed Councilmember
for the City of Tukwila.
Why are you interested in serving as a Tukwila City Councilmember?
Describe your background in community service, including any volunteer work you have done in or
around Tukwila.
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What do you think are the most important issues facing Tukwila in the next 2-4 years?
Describe your understanding of the importance of regional collaboration and partnership in city
government.
Summarize your experiences working collaboratively with others from different backgrounds.
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Discuss your qualifications relevant to the position of Tukwila City Councilmember.
Please provide any additional information or comments you believe will assist the City Council in
considering your application.
Thank you for your interest in serving the Tukwila community as a member of the Tukwila City Council.
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