HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2003-07-21 Item 5B - Oridinance - Council Operating ProceduresOriginal Sponsor:
Timeline:
Sponsor's Summary:
Meeting Date
4/14/03
4/21/03
7/14/03
Meeting Date
4/14/03
4/14/03
4/14/03
7/14/03
7/14/03
07 -21 -03
COL,JCIL AGENDA .'NOPSIS
Meeting Date
7/14/03
7/21/03
Council x
Initials
Prepared by I Mayors review I Council review I
12/ 1 ,:Y,- 1 6P.C.
LL I r-Al- 1 oc
I I
ITEM INFORMATION
1 CAS Number: 03-049 I Original Agenda Date: 4/14/03
Agenda Item Title: Ordinance Setting Council Meeting Procedures
Admin.
This ordinance was discussed at a COW in April, where Pam Carter made several
suggested changes which were included. The ordinance is ready for adoption at a
Regular meeting, although a COW is a good chance to review it once again.
Recommendations:
Sponsor: Review ordinance
Committee: Finance and Safety recommended ordinance April 8, 2003
Administration: Same as sponsor
Cost Impact (if N/A
_Snnwn\•
Fund Source (if known)
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
Action
ITEM No.
5. b
COW
Regular Meeting
Discussion held; consensus reached: adjustments to be made to ord. before
consideration at the 07 -21 -03 Regular meeting.
APPENDICES
Attachments
Memo from L. Lauterbach dated April 10, 2003
Draft ordinance showing changes; clean draft ordinance
Finance and Safety Committee minutes 4/8/03
Memo from L. Lauterbach dated 7/10/03
Draft ordinance and final version ordinance
Memo. fran L. Lauterbach dated 07 -17 -03
Ordinance Final Format
Ordinance Strike throuqh version
To: City Council
From: Lucy Lauterbach
Date: July 17, 2003
Subject: Council Operating Procedures
This last version of the Council Operating Ordinance should be the final version. A few minor
changes were made as a result of the last review at the COW. Those are shown in the deleted
and new language changes shown following the final version.
One change that was not discussed is on the third page of the ordinance, under Section 2.04.100
G. Consent Agenda. The City Clerk's office had (fairly recently) added a sentence at the end of
Section 1 which said "No ordinances, resolutions, bid awards or contracts over $50,000 will be
included on the agenda." In looking at past agendas from last year, it appears that at times
contracts over $50,000 are appropriate to put on a consent agenda. This is especially true when a
Committee of the Whole Meeting is followed directly by a Special Meeting with a big consent
agenda. The City Clerk agrees some flexibility may be lost if the language was included.
Therefore, the section contra,.. over 5n 000 has been stricken. Our Clerk's office is careful not
to unnecessarily load up the consent agenda, and nothing will be lost by the strikeout.
Otherwise, there should be no surprises with the ordinance. It will be good to have a new
ordinance detailing Council operating procedures.
Council Meeting Procedures 1
City of Tukwila
Washington
Ordinance No.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, SETTING COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES AND
REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 1311, 1345, AND 1421; AND SECTION 1 OF
ORDINANCE NO. 1770; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council has decided to alter the procedures under which it
operates to provide for a more efficient and orderly governmental process; and
WHEREAS, several different ordinances from various years now have portions of
operating procedures that could more easily be followed in one ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 2.04 of the TMC is hereby amended to read as follows:
2.04.010 Meetings Dedared Open and Public
All meetings of the Tukwila City Council and its commutes shall be open and public
and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of these bodies, except as
otherwise provided in Section 2.04.140.
2.04.020 Regular Meetings
The City Council shall meet regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month at
7:00 p.m., unless an alternative starting time is set and notice is given pursuant to Section
2.04.040. If at any time any Regular Meeting falls on a holiday, the Council shall meet on the
next business day at the same hour. The City Council shall meet at Tukwila City Hall,
unless otherwise publicly announced.
2.04.030 Committee of the Whole Meetings
A. The Council shall sit as a Committee on the second and fourth Monday of each
month at 7:00 p m., unless an alternate starting time is published, except if at any time any
committee meeting falls on a holiday, the Council shall meet on the next business day at the
same hour. The City Council shall meet at Tukwila City Hall, unless otherwise publicly
announced.
B. Meetings of the Committee of the Whole shall be held primarily for the purpose of
considering current issues of the City, coordinating the work of the City Council, and
discussing draft ordinances, resolutions and policy issues in detail. The Committee of the
Whole will have no power to take final actions including, but not limited to, adopting
ordinances or passing motions or resolutions.
C The Committee of the Whole may meet in a retreat setting to plan their work at the
beginning of the year or at any time beneficial to in-depth deliberations by the Council.
Results of the Committee of the Whole's reheats will be discussed with the Mayor and
administration in order to establish and understand City goals. A report summarizing the
proceedings will be made available following each retreat. No official action will be taken
at a retreat
2.04.040 Spedal Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, or any three Councilmembers by written
notice delivered by City employee(s) to each member of the Council at least 24 hours before
the time specified for the proposed meeting and with public notice made pursuant to RCW
42.30.080.
1
2.04.050 Quorum
At all meetings of the City Council, four members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
2 04.060 Seating
A. Members of the City Council will be seated at the Council table according to
seniority of the Council, except the Council President will be seated at the right of the
Mayor.
B. Seniority shall be determined by:
1. Greatest consecutive number of years served.
2. Greatest consecutive number of years plus months or years served prior to
the current term(s).
3. Number of votes when elected.
2.04.070 Council President —Mayor Pro Tempore
A. At the first Regular Meeting in January of each year, members of the City Council
shall elect from their number a Council President who shall hold office at the pleasure of
the Council. The general policy of Council is to elect presidents in a rotating order. If a
vacancy occurs in the office of Council President, the City Council, at their next Regular
Meeting, shall select a new Council President to serve the remainder of the year.
B. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President shall become the Mayor Pro
Tempore and perform the duties of the Mayor except that s /he shall not have the power
to appoint or remove any officer or to veto any ordinance. If a vacancy occurs in the office
of the Mayor, the City Council, at their next Regular Meeting, shall elect from their
number a Mayor, who shall serve until a Mayor is elected and certified at the next
municipal election.
2 04.080 Presiding Officer
A. All Regular and Special Meetings of the City Council shall be presided over by
the Mayor, or in his /her absence, by the Mayor Pro Tempore. If neither the Mayor nor
the Mayor Pro Tempore is present at a meeting, the presiding officer for that meeting
shall be elected by a majority of the vote of those Councilmembers present, provided
there is a quorum.
B. All Committee of the Whole meetings shall be presided over by the Council
President If the Council President is temporarily absent, the Council shall elect a
Councilmember to serve in that capacity until the Council President returns.
C. The City Clerk, or his /her designee will staff Regular and Special Council
meetings and Committees of the Whole meetings. hr the absence of the Clerk, Deputy
Clerk or other qualified staff member appointed by the Clerk, the Mayor or Council may
appoint a staff person to act in that capacity.
D. The appointment of a Councilmember as Mayor Pro Tempore shall not in any
way abridge his /her right to vote on matters coming before the Council at such meeting.
E. The presiding officer shall preserve strict order and decorum at all meetings of
the Council. The presiding officer shall state all questions coming before the Council,
provide opportunity for discussion on each item on the table, and announce the decision
of the Council on all subjects. Procedural decisions made by the presiding officer may be
overruled by a majority vote of the Council.
2.04.090 Agenda for Regular or Special Council Meetings
All items to be included on the agenda for Council consideration must be submitted
to the City Clerk in full by 12:00 p.m. Noon on the Wednesday preceding each Council
Meeting. The City Clerk shall then prepare a proposed agenda, with attachments,
according to the order of business. After the proposed agenda has been approved by the
Council President, or in his /her absence, by his /her designated member of the City
Council, the City Clerk shall prepare the final agenda, which shall be distributed to the
Mayor, Councilmembers, City Attorney and Department Heads no later than Noon on
the Friday preceding the Council Meeting. A copy of the agenda and subsequent
documents shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall. A copy of the Agenda face
sheet will be posted on the City's website.
council Meeting procedures 2 2
2.04.100 Agenda Format
The format of a Regular or Special City Council agenda shall be as follows:
A. Call to Order.
B. Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Roll Call.
D. Special Presentations on key agenda items.
E. Appointments and Proclamations of the Mayor.
F. Citizens' Comments. To give the audience a chance to comment on items not
listed on the agenda.
G. Consent Agenda.
1. Contains all consent agenda items approved by the Council President, from
a Committee of the Whole, or forwarded by unanimous committee action, and routine
items such as, but not limited to, approval of minutes and approval of vouchers. No
ordinances, resolutions or bid awards will be induded on the consent agenda.
2. The following rules shall apply to the consent agenda:
a. Any member of the City Council may, by request and without a Council
vote, have any items removed from the consent agenda. That item will, by automatic
procedure, be placed under New Business for further discussion.
b. The remaining items shall be approved by motion
H. Bid Awards. All competitive bid awards shall comply with RCW Title 39, and
those that require Council approval shall include the contractor /vendor name, the project
name, and the total dollar amount of the award. The award may or may not include
Washington State Sales Tax.
I. Public Hearings.
1. For public hearings required by City, State or Federal law or as the Council
may direct. Examples may include, but not be limited to:
a. LTD
b. Zoning
c. Budget
d. Revenue sharing grants
e. Annexation
f. Moratoria
g. Quasi judicial decisions
2. The following procedures shall apply to public hearings, except public
hearings subject to TMC Chapters 18.104 to 18116, which shall be subject to the
procedures specified therein:
a. The presiding officer may exercise a change in the procedures, but said
decision may be overruled by a majority vote of the City Council.
b. The proponent spokesman shall speak first and be allowed 15 minutes.
The Council may ask questions.
c. The opponent spokesman shall be allowed 15 minutes for presentation
and the Council may ask questions.
d. Each side shall then be allowed 5 minutes for rebuttal.
e. After the proponents and opponents have used their speaking time,
Council may ask further questions of the speakers, who may respond.
3. At public hearings and for issues where a public meeting is required or
requested and a general audience is in attendance to present arguments for or against a
public issue:
a. A signup sheet for speakers will be available, and all citizens
considering speaking will be asked to write their name and address legibly. If they speak
without signing up, they will be asked to sign in after speaking.
Council Meeting Procedures 3 3
b. A person may speak for five minutes. No one may speak for a second
time until everyone wishing to speak has had an opportunity to speak.
c. After the speaker has used the allotted time, Council may ask questions
of the speaker and the speaker may respond, but may not engage in further debate.
d. Speakers should address their comments to the City Council and should
not address other audience members. No disparaging remarks, or remarks directed to
opponents will be allowed.
e. The hearing will then be closed to public participation by the presiding
officer and open for Councilmember discussion.
J. Unfinished Business. This section of the agenda shall include items of a general
nature, including resolutions and ordinances previously discussed at a Council meeting.
The following procedures shall apply during this section of the agenda:
1. The item will be put on the table by motion.
2. The committee chair, sponsor or a designated spokesman of each item may
give a presentation.
3. If a resolution or ordinance, the City Attorney or City Administrator may
read the item by title only, or, if requested by any Councilmember, the document may be
read in its entirety. A motion by Council shall rule.
4. The Council may then question the sponsor or designated spokesman of the
presented item.
5. When discussions conclude, the Council, by motion, will act upon the
resolution, ordinance, or other item.
K. New Business. This section of the agenda shall include all items of a general
nature including resolutions and ordinances previously discussed at a Committee
Meeting and put forward to the Regular Meeting and items that have been removed
from the consent agenda. The procedures that applied during this section shall be the
same as those under Unfinished Business.
L. Reports. Reports on special interest items from the Mayor, City Council, staff,
City Attorney, and intergovernmental representatives.
M. Miscellaneous.
N. Executive Session.
0. Adjournment.
2. 04.110 Miscellaneous Agenda Procedures
A. The City Council desires to provide adequate time for administration and staff
analysis, fact finding and presentation.
1. Items to come before the City Council should first be placed on the agenda of
the appropriate_ committee for discussion before they are placed on the agenda of a
Regular Council Meeting.
2. All items that are not routine in nature and presented shall include a
completed Council Agenda Synopsis (CAS), a staff report, and Committee Minutes. The
City Clerk, or a designated person, shall be responsible for attaching a CAS number,
keeping the original CAS, and an index for future reference.
B. The agenda and provision for the Committee of the Whole shall be citizen
comments, committee reports, discussion of items referred from committees, items
referred by three Councilmembers, and items set by the Council President. The agenda,
and any attachments, will be approved by the Council President or his /her designee, and
shall be prepared by the City Clerk for distribution to the Council by 12:00 p.m. Noon on
Friday.
C. Items may be placed directly on the agenda of a Regular Meeting when the items
are approved by the Council President, and:
1. The items are routine in nature, such as approval of vouchers;
proclamations; acknowledgement or receipt of petitions or documents; or discussion of
claims for damages.
Council Meeting Procedures 4 4
2. An emergency condition exists that represents a personnel hazard,
impending deadline, or risk of immediate financial loss. In such instances, the CAS
summary or staff memo should clearly define why the special procedure is necessary.
3. In the event the sponsor of any items to come before the City Council feels it
both appropriate and beneficial to the City, s /he may bring such items directly to the
Regular Meeting with the concurrence of three Councilmembers.
D. The Council President may affix an approximate time limit for each agenda item
at the time of approval of the agenda.
E. All proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be reviewed by the City Attorney
and bear her /his certification that they are in correct form before final passage. All
accompanying documents shall be available before ordinances and resolutions can be
passed
F. Resolutions of the City Council shall be signed by the Council President.
G A joint resolution of the City Council and the Mayor may be proposed when:
1. The subject of the resolution is of broad City concern, and the subject
contains Council policy and administrative procedure; or
2. The subject of the resolution is of a ceremonial or honorary nature.
H. Joint resolutions will be subject to the voting rules in TMC Chapter 2.04 and will
be signed by the Mayor and Council President. The Council may provide for all
Councilmembers to sign the joint resolution enacted under TMC Chapter 2.04.110 G.
2.04,120 Speaking Procedures
A. Speaking procedure for agenda items under consideration is as follows:
1. A Councilmember desiring to speak shall address the chair, and upon
recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine him /herself to the question under
debate. Recognition of Councilmembers shall be by seniority.
2. Any member, while speaking, shall not be interrupted unless it is to call him
or her to order.
3. No Councilmember shall speak a second time on the same motion before
opportunity has been given each Councilmember to speak on that motion.
B. Addressing the Council for items under Council discussion shall proceed as
follows:
1. Any person, with the permission of the presiding officer, may address the
Council, but the presiding officer shall be required to recognize speakers in the following
order:
a. A person designated by the presiding officer to introduce the subject
under discussion.
b. Those whose request to be heard is contained in the written agenda.
c. Those who have submitted their request to be heard in writing or to the
City Clerk before the meeting.
d. Those who ask recognition from the floor.
2. In addressing the Council each person shall advance to the podium, and
after recognition, give name and address, and unless further time is given by the
presiding officer, shall limit his /her address to five minutes. All remarks shall be made to
the Council as a body and not to any individual member, or to the audience.
3. No person shall be permitted to enter into any discussion from the floor
without first being recognized by the presiding officer.
4. Any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks while
addressing the Council shall be barred from further audience participation by the
presiding officer unless permission to continue is granted by a majority vote of the
Council.
2.04.130 Voting
A. Silence of a Councilmember during a voice vote shall be recorded as an
affirmative vote except where such a Councilmember abstains because of a stated conflict
Council Meeting Procedures 5 5
of interest. Each member present must vote on all questions before the Council and may
abstain only by reason of conflict of interest.
B. A roll -call vote may be requested by the presiding officer or any member of the
Council. Voting normally shall be by seniority; however, this procedure may be changed
by the presiding officer.
C. Confirmations of appointments by the Mayor; budget transfers; personnel levels;
and formal motions, resolutions, ordinances and amendments thereto; shall require the
affirmative votes of four Councilmembers.
2.04.140 Executive Sessions
The City Council may hold an Executive Session during a Regular Meeting, Special
Meeting or Committee of the Whole meeting to consider certain matters as set forth in
RCW 42.30110.
2.04.150 Continuances
Any hearing being held or ordered to be held by the City Council may be continued
in the manner as set forth by RCW 42.30.100.
2.04.160 Adjournment
A. Any Committee of the Whole, Regular, adjourned Regular, Special or adjourned
Special Meeting may be adjourned in the manner as set forth in RCW 42.30.090.
B. All meetings of the Council shall adjourn no later than 11:00 p.m. If the Council
desires to extend the meeting, a motion shall be required of a majority plus one vote of
Councilmembers present. Items not acted on by the 11:00 p.m. deadline shall be deferred
to the next respective Council meeting as unfinished business, unless Council, by a
majority vote of members present, determines otherwise.
2.04.170 Questions of Parliamentary Procedure
Questions of parliamentary procedure not covered by this chapter shall be governed
by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (latest edition).
2.04.180 Council Committees and Representatives
A. There are four standing committees of the Council consisting of three members
each. The Council President shall appoint the membership of each committee and the
committee chair by the second Regular Meeting of each year. The chair for each
committee shall set the schedule of meetings and cause them to be published. In the event
a committee member is unable to attend a meeting, s /he may ask another
Councilmember to attend in his /her place.
B. The standing committees shall consider and may make policy and legislative
recommendations to the City Council on items referred to the committee by the Council
President, the Council, administrative departments, boards or commissions. If budgeted
in an amount less than or equal to $25,000, a committee can approve a bid or negotiation
award by an affirmative vote of three committee members. If a unanimous committee
vote is not obtained, the award will be referred to the City Council for action. The
standing committees, their scopes of authority, and the supporting City departments are
as follow:
1. Transportation Committee, which shall consider matters related to
transportation, transportation plans, traffic, transit, streets, street lighting, signals, street
LIDs, and rights of way in coordination with the Public Works Department and
Department of Community Development.
2. Utilities Committee, which shall consider matters related to water; sewer;
electric power; natural gas; telephone; cable television; telecommunications; solid waste
reduction, reuse and recycling; river basins; and levies in coordination with the Public
Works Department.
3. Finance and Safety Committee, which shall consider matters related to the
general fiscal and financial operations of the City; budget and financial reports; policy
matters related to personnel, including but not limited to, the salary grade schedule,
position classifications and salary changes in coordination with the Finance Department,
Administrative Services Department, and City Administrator. They will consider library
issues, tourism, administrative matters, and information technology issues in conjunction
Council Meeting Procedures
with the City Clerk, Library Advisory Board, Lodging Tax Advisory Board, Chamber of
Commerce, and Information Services They shall consider matters related to police and
fire protection; the municipal court; emergency services; and animal control in
coordination with the Police Department, Fire Department, Civil Service Commission,
Public Works Department, and Community Oriented Policing Board.
4. Community Affairs and Parks Committee, which shall consider matters
related to the planning of the physical, economic, aesthetic, cultural and social
development of the City, Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Building Code, code
enforcement, Sign Code and annexation policies, in coordination with the Department of
Community Development, Human Services, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner,
Sister Cities Committee, Human Services Advisory Board, and the Equity and Diversity
Commission. They shall consider matters relating to parks and park plans, recreation
facilities and community activities, in coordination with the Parks and Recreation
Department, the Arts Commission, and Park Commission.
B. The Council President may establish such ad hoc committees as may be
appropriate to consider special matters that do not readily fit the standing committee
structure or that require special approach or emphasis. The Council President shall
appoint Council representatives to intergovernmental councils, boards and committees as
needed.
C. Council trees shall consider all matters referred. Each committee chair
shall report to the Council the findings of the committee. Committees may refer items to
the Council with no committee recommendation
D. Each committee chair may review and approve his /her committee agenda and
will approve committee minutes before distribution. S /he can authorize the cancellation
of a committee meeting. An affirmative vote of three members of Finance and Safety
Committee is required when the committee approves unbudgeted items.
2.04.190 Filling Council Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs in the office of Councilmember, the Council will follow the
procedures outlined in RCW 35A.12.050. In order to fill the vacancy with the most
qualified person available until an election is held, the Council will widely distribute and
publish a notice of the vacancy, the procedure and any application form for applying.
The Council will draw up an application form, which contains relevant information to
answer set questions posed by the Council. The application forms will be used in
conjunction with an interview of each candidate to aid the Council selection of the new
Councilmember.
Section 2. Repealer. Section 1 of Ordinance No 1770, and Ordinance Nos. 1311,
1345, and 1421 are hereby repealed.
Section 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days
after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of
2003.
ATTEST AUTHENTICATED:
Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Office of the City Attorney
Council Meeting Procedures 7 7
(strike through version showing changes)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, SETTING COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES AND
REPEALING ORDINANCE NpuMEEItS. 1311, 1345, AND 1421; AND
SECTION 1 OF ORDINANCE Nfl a 770; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council has decided to alter the procedures under which it
operates,to provide for a more efficient and orderly governmental process; and
WHEREAS, several different ordinances from various years now have portions of
operating procedures that could more easily be followed in one ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 204 of the TMC is hereby amended to read as follows:
2.04.010 Meetings Declared Open and Public
All meetings of the Tukwila City Council and its tees shall be open and public
and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of these bodies, except as
otherwise provided in Section 204.140.
2.04.020 Regular Meetings
The City Council shall meet regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month
at 7:00 p.m., unless an alternative starting time is set and notice is given pursuant to
Section 2.04.040. If at any time any Regular Meeting falls on a holiday, the Council shall
meet on the next business day at the same hour. The City Council shall meet at Tukwila
City Hall, unless otherwise publicly announced.
2.0L030 Conunittee of the Whole Meetings
A. The Council shall sit as a Committee on the second and fourth Monday of each
month at 7:00 p.m, unless an alternate starting time is published, except if at any time any
t8thmittee meeting falls on a holiday, the Council shall meet on the next business day at
the same hour. The City Council shall meet at Tukwila City Hall, unless otherwise
publicly announced.
B. Meetings of the Committee of the Whole shall be held primarily for the purpose
of considering current issues of the City, coordinating the work of the City Council, and
discussing draft ordinances, resolutions and policy issues in detail The Committee of the
Whole will have no power to take final actions including, but not limited to, .•t..;. v a
=tiara, dopting ordinances or passing moth" n. resolutions.
C. The Committee of the Whole may meet in a retreat setting to plan their work at
the beginning of the year or at any time beneficial to in -depth deliberations by the
Council. Results of the Committee of the Whole's retreats will be discussed with the
Mayor and administration in order to establish and understand City goals. A report
summarizing the i. .sings will be made available following each retreat. No official
action will be taken at a retreat.
2.04.040 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, or any three Councilmembers by
written notice delivered by City employee(s) to each member of the Council at least 24
hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting and with public notice made
pursuant to RCW 42.30.080.
Council Meeting Procedures 1 1
1*
2.04.050 Quorum
At all meetings of the City Council, four members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
2 04.060 Seating
A. Members of the City Council will be seated at the Council table according to
seniority of the Council, except the Council President will be seated at the right of the
Mayor.
B. Seniority shall be determined by
1. Greatest consecutive number of years served.
2. Greatest consecutive number of years plus months or years served prior to
the current term(s).
3. Number of votes when elected.
2.04.070 Council President —Mayor Pro Tempore
A. At the first Regular Meeting in January of each year, members of the City Council
shall elect from their number a Council President who shall hold office at the pleasure of
the Council. The general policy of Council is to elect presidents in a rotating order. If a
vacancy occurs in the office of Council President, the City Council, at their next Regular
Meeting, shall select a new Council President to serve the remainder of the year.
B. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President shall become the Mayor Pro
Tempore and perform the duties of the Mayor except that s /he shall not have the power
to appoint or remove any officer or to veto any ordinance. If a vacancy occurs in the office
of the Mayor, the City Council, at their next Regular Meeting, shall elect from their
number a Mayor, who shall serve until a Mayor is elected and certified at the next
municipal election.
204.080 Presiding Officer
A. All Regular and Special Meetings of the City Council shall be presided over by
the Mayor, or in his /her absence, by the Mayor Pro Tempore. If neither the Mayor nor
the Mayor Pro Tempore is present at a meeting, the presiding officer for that meeting
shall be elected by a majority of the vote of those Councilmembers present, provided
there is a quorum.
B. All Committee of the Whole meetings shall be presided over by the Council
President If the Council President is temporarily absent the Council shall elect a
Councilmember to serve in that capacity until the Council President returns.
C The City Clerk, or his /her designee will staff Regular and Special Council
meetings and Committees of the Whole meetings. In the absence of the Clerk, Deputy
Clerk or other qualified staff member appointed by the Clerk, the Mayor or Council may
appoint a staff person to act in that capacity.
D. The appointment of a Councilmember as Mayor Pro Tempore shall not in any
way abridge his /her right to vote on matters coming before the Council at such meeting.
E. The presiding officer shall 'r_c vc. strict order and d at all meetings of
the Council. The presiding officer shall state all questions coming before the Council,
Provide opportunity for discussion on each item on the table, and announce the decision
of the Council on all subjects. Procedural decisions made by the presiding officer may be
overruled by a majority vote of the Council.
2.04.090 Agenda for Regular or Special Council Meetings
All items to be included on the agenda for Council consideration must be submitted
to the City Clerk in full by .I2'110 p c Noon on the Wednesday preceding each Council
Meeting. The City Clerk shall then prepare a proposed agenda, with attachments,
according to the order of business. After the proposed agenda has been approved by the
Council President, or in his /her absence, by his /her designated member of the City
Council, the City Clerk shall prepare the final agenda, which shall be distributed to the
Mayor, Councilmembers, City Attorney and Department Heads no later than Noon on
the Friday preceding the Council Meeting. A copy of the agenda and subsequent
documents shall be posted on the bulletin board at City Hall. A copy of the Agenda face
sheet will be posted on the City's website.
Council Meeting Procedures 2 2
2.04.100 Agenda Format
The format of a Regular or Special City Council agenda shall be as follows:
A. Call to Order.
B. Pledge of Allegiance.
C Roll Call.
D. Special Presentations on key agenda items.
E Appointments and Proclamations of the Mayor.
F. Citizens' Comments. To give the audience a chance to comment on items not
listed on the agenda.
G. Consent Agenda.
1. Contains all consent agenda items approved by the Council President, from
a Committee of the Whole, or forwarded by unanimous committee action, and routine
items such as, but not limited to approval of minutes and approval of vouchers. No
ordinances, resolutions-or; bid awards, tn. w .H,,"
uuae.o 4 :1/4 will be included on the I
consent agenda.
2. The following rules shall apply to the consent agenda
a. Any member of the City Council may, by request and without a Council
vote, have any items removed from the consent agenda. That item will, by automatic
procedure, be placed under New Business for further discussion.
b. The remaining items shall be approved by motion.
H. Bid Awards. All competitive bid awards shall comply with RCW Title 39, and
those that require Council approval shall include the contractor /vendor name, the project
name, and the total dollar amount of the award. The award may or may not include
Washington State Sales Tax.
I. Public Hearings.
1. Par public hearings required by City, State or Federal law or as the Council
may direct. Examples may include, but not be limited to:
a. LID
b. Zoning
c. Budget
d. Revenue sharing grants
e. Annexation
Moratoria
g. Quasi-judicial decisions
2. The following procedures shall apply to public hearings, except public
hearings subject to TMC Chapters 18.104 to 18.116, which shall be subject to the
procedures specified therein:
a. The presiding officer may exercise a change in the procedures, but said
may be overruled by a majority vote of the City Council.
b. The proponent spokesman shall speak first and be allowed 15 minutes.
The Council may ask questions.
c. The opponent spokesman shall be allowed 15 minutes for presentation
and the Council may ask questions.
d. Each side shall then be allowed 5 minutes for rebuttal
e. After the proponents and opponents have used their speaking time,
Council may ask further questions of the speakers, who may respond.
3. At public hearings and for issues where a public meeting is required or
requested and -a general audience is in attendance to present arguments for or against a
public issue:
a. A signup sheet for speakers will be available, and all citizens
considering speaking will be asked to write their name and address legibly. If they speak
without signing up, they will be asked to sign in after speaking.
Council Meeting Procedures 3 3
b. A person may speak for five minutes. No one may speak for a second
time until everyone wishing to speak has had an opportunity to speak.
c. After the speaker has used the allotted time, Council may ask questions
of the speaker and the speaker may respond, but may not engage in further debate.
d. Speakers should address their comments to the City Council and should
not address other audience members. No disparaging remarks, or remarks directed to
opponents will be allowed.
e. The hearing will then be dosed to public participation by the presiding
officer and open for Councilmember discussion.
J. Unfinished Business. This section of the agenda shall include items of a general
nature, including resolutions and ordinances previously discussed at a Council meeting.
The following procedures shall apply during this section of the agenda:
1. The item will be put on the table by motion.
2. The tee chair, s or a designated spokesman of each item may
give a presentation.
3. If a resolution or ordinance, the City Attorney or City Administrator may
read the item by title only, or, if requested by any Councilmember, the document may be
read in its entirety. A motion by Council shall rule.
4. The Council may then question the sponsor or designated spokesman of the
presented item.
5. When discussions conclude, the Council, by motion, will act upon the
resolution, ordinance, or other item.
K New Business. This section of the agenda shall include all items of a general
nature including resolutions and ordinances previously discussed at a Committee
Meeting and put forward to the Regular Meeting and items that have been removed
from the consent agenda. The procedures that applied during this section shall be the
same as those under Unfinished Business.
L. Reports. Reports on special interest items from the Mayor, City Council, staff,
City Attorney, and intergovernmental representatives.
M. Miscellaneous.
N. Executive Session.
0. Ad;...---sent.
2. 04.110 Miscellaneous Agenda Procedures
A. The City Council desires to provide adequate time for administration and staff
analysis, fact finding and presentation
1. Items to come before the City Council should first be placed on the agenda of
the appropriate committee for discussion before they are placed on the agenda of a
Regular Council Meeting.
2. All items that are not routine in nature and presented shall include a
completed Council Agenda Synopsis (CAS), a staff report, and Committee Minutes. The
City Clerk, or a designated person, shall be responsible for attaching a CAS number,
keeping the original CAS, and an index for future reference.
B. The agenda and provision for the Committee of the Whole shall be catizsu
Ca committee reports, discussion of items referred from committees, items
referred by three Councilmembers, and items set by the Council President. The agenda,
and any attachments, will be approved by the Council President or his /her designee, and
shall be prepared by the City Clerk for distribution to the Council by 17 p ry nr^
on Friday.
C. Items may be placed directly on the agenda of a Regular Meeting when the items
are approved by the Council President, and
1. The items are routine in nature, such as approval of vouchers;
proclamations; acknowledgement or receipt of petitions or documents; or discussion of
claims for damages.
Council Meeting Procedures 4 4
2. An emergency condition exists that represents a personnel hazard,
impending deadline, or risk of immediate financial loss. In such instances, the CAS
summary or staff memo should clearly define why the special procedure is n... j.
3. In the event the sponsor of any items to come before the City Council feels it
both appropriate and beneficial to the City, s /he may bring such items directly to the
Regular Meeting with the concurrence of three Counciimembers.
D. The Council President may affix an approximate time limit for each agenda item
at the time of approval of the agenda.
E. All proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be reviewed by the City Attorney
and tmtbaac her /his certification that they are in correct form before final passage. All
accompanying documents shall be available before ordinances and resolutions can be
passed.
F. Resolutions of the City Council shall be signed by the Council President
G A joint resolution of the City Council and the Mayor may be proposed when
1. The subject of the resolution is of broad City concern, and the subject
contains Council policy and administrative procedure; or
2. The subject of the resolution is of a ceremonial or honorary nature.
a Joint resolutions will be subject to the voting rules in Tn tr
:.nr.,... 1 hi dub urciata....c. and will be signed by the Mayor and Council President.
The Council may provide for all Councilmembers to sign the joint resolution enacted
under TMC Chapter 204.110 G.
2.04.120 Speaking Procedures
A. Speaking procedure for agenda items under consideration is as follows:
1. A Councllmember desiring to speak shall address the chair, and upon
recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine him /herself to the question under
debate. Recognition of Councilmembers shall be by seniority.
2. Any member, while speaking, shall not be interrupted unless it is to call him
or her to order.
3. No Councilmember shall speak a second time on the same motion before
opportunity has been given each Councilmember to speak on that motion.
B. Addressing the Council for items under Council discussion shall Y c J as
follows:
1. Any person, with the permission of the presiding officer, may address the
Council, but the presiding officer shall be required to recognize speakers in the following
order.
a. A person designated by the presiding officer to introduce the subject
under discussion.
b. Those whose request to be heard is contained in the written agenda.
c. Those who have submitted their request to be heard lrrwriting or to the
City Clerk before the meeting.
d. Those who ask recognition from the floor.
2. In addressing the Council each person shall advance to the podium, and
after recognition, give name and address, and unless further time is given by the
presiding officer, shall limit his /her address to five minutes. All remarks shall be made to
the Council as a body and not to any individual member, or to the audience.
3. No person shall be permitted to enter into any discussion from the floor
without first being recognized by the presiding officer.
4. Any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks while
addressing the Council shall be barred from further audience participation by the
presiding officer unless permission to continue is granted by a majority vote of the
Council.
2.04.130 Voting
Council Meeting Procedures rJ 5
1
A. Silence of a Councilmember during a voice vote shall be recorded as an
affirmative vote except where such a Councilmember abstains because of a stated conflict
of interest. Each member present must vote on all questions before the Council and may
abstain only by reason of conflict of interest
B. A roll-call vote may be requested by the presiding officer or any member of the
Council. Voting normally shall be by seniority; however, this procedure may be changed
by the presiding officer.
C. Confirmations of appointments by the Mayor; budget transfers; personnel levels;
and formal motions, resolutions, ordinances and amendments thereto; shall require the
affirmative votes of four Councilmembers.
2.04.140 Executive Sessions
The City Council may hold an Executive Session during a Regular Meeting, Special
Meeting or Committee of the Whole meeting to consider certain matters as set forth in
RCW 42.30.110.
2.04.150 Continuances
Any hearing being held or ordered to be held by the City Council may be continued
in the manner as set forth by RCW 4230.100.
2.04.160 Adj ent
A. Any Committee of the Whole, Regular, adjourned Regular, Special or adjourned
Special Meeting may be adjourned in the as set forth in RCW 42.30.090.
B. All meetings of the Council shall adjourn no later than 11:00 p.m. If the Council
desires to extend the meeting, a motion shall be required of a majority plus one vote of
Councilmembers present Items not acted on by the 11:00 p.m. deadline shall be deferred
to the next respective Council meeting as unfinished business, unless Council, by a
majority vote of members present determines otherwise.
2.04.170 Questions of Parliamentary Procedure
Questions of parliamentary procedure not by this chapter shall be governed
by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (latest edition).
204.180 Council Committees and Representatives
A. There are four standing committees of the Council consisting of three members
each. The Council President shall appoint the membership of each ____Lttee and the
committee by the second Regular Meeting of each year. The chain
for each committee shall set the schedule of meetings and cause them to be published. In
the event a committee member is unable to attend a meeting, s /he may ask another
Councihnember to attend in his /her place.
tr. The standing committees shall consider and may make policy and legislative
recommendations to the City Council on items referred to the ___..:thee by the Council
President the Council, administrative departments, boards or commissions. If budgeted
in an amount leas than or equal to $3825,000, a committee can approve a bid or
negotiation award by an affirmative vote of three committee members. If a unanimous
committee vote is not obtained, the award will be referred to the City Council for action.
The standing ttees, their scopes of authority, and the supporting City departments
are as follow:
1. Transportation Committee, which shall consider matters related to
transportation, transportation plans, traffic, transit, streets, street lighting, signals, street
LIDS, and rights of way in coordination with the Public Works Department and
Department of Community Development
2. Utilities Committee, which shall consider matters related to water sewer;
electric power; natural gas; telephone; cable television; telecommunications; solid waste
reduction, reuse and recycling river basins; and levies in coordination with the Public
Works Department
3. Finance and Safety Committee, which shall consider matters related to the
general fiscal and financial operations of the City; budget and financial reports; policy
matters related to personnel, including but not limited to, the salary grade schedule,
position classifications and salary changes in coordination with the Finance Department,
Council Meeting Procedures 6 6
Administrative Services Department, and City Administrator. Tha ..•iii rnne;Aa,• l; brat',
issiiae fnn••icn a rlmin;c. lh.P maFtnre and infnrmaHnn fnrhnnln05• i canPC ;n min; ,,.u inn
with thp City Clark T ihrary A civic/Iry Rnarrl T nAang Tav Arivicnlgr Rnara, (1r n,bar
Cennmarra and Tnfnrmatinn goralces—may shall consider matters related to police and
fire protection; the municipal court emergency services; and animal control in
coordination with the Police Department, Fine Department; Civil Service Commission,
...teak. L. -a u cmuran a i ...LIT Works Department, .nd La4
Oriented Policing Board; Clinutuer cil kJ. d,utunce,
..,at
4. c___._ :y Affairs and Parks Committee, which shall consider matters
related to the planning of the physical, economic, aesthetic, cultural and social
development of the City, Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code, Building Code, code
enforcement, Sign Code and annexation policies, in coordination with the Department of
Community Development, Human Services, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner,
mitt Sjeter cities committee Timmnn C rv;rPC Arllrienro Rnarel .nrl a F.T..;tr. 51 n4
I
I2;1n. r'mmn,iccinn They shall consider matters relating to parks and park plans,
recreation facilities and Tity activities, in coordination with the Parks and
Recreation Department, the Arts Commission, and-Park Commissiorr;.
T.:av r•aa uunau. aim; the E i .u m L vavc.may ._uaaui
B. The Conseil President may establish such ad hoc __..__tees as may be
appropriate to consider special matters that do not readily fit the standing _..-.__ttee
structure or that require special approach or emphasis. The Council President shall
appoint Council representatives to intergov,-._- .:_.al counts, boards and committees as
needed.
C. Council committees shall consider all matters referred. TheBach committee I
ci shall report to the Council the findings of the committee. Committees may
refer items to the Council with no committee recommendation
D. Each committee chair may review and approve his /her committee agenda and
will approve committee minutes before dislribution.SLhn ran ,nthnr;•n tha r,nr. };nn
mPP';ng An affirmative vote of three members of Finance and Safety
Committee is required when the committee approves =budgeted items.
204.190 Filling Council Vacancies
If a occurs in the office of Councilmember, the Council will follow the
procedures outlined in RCW 35A.1132050. In order to fill he vacancy with the most I
ll
qualified person available until an election is held, the Council will widely distribute and
publish a notice of the vacancy, the procedure and any application form for applying.
The Council will draw up an application form, which contains relevant information to
answer set questions posed by the Council. The application forms will be used in
conjunction with an interview of each candidate to aid the Council selection of the new
eci
Section 2. Repealer. Section 1 of Ordinance No. 1770, and Ordinance Nos. 1311,
1345, and 1421 are hereby repealed.
Section 3. "Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to
be invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the
remaining portions of this ordinance or its applicationto any other person or situation.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force five days
after passage and publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF TfiB CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
at a Regular Meeting thereof this day of
2003.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk Filed with the City Clerk:
Council Meeting Procedures 7 7
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
'
Council Meeting Procedures 8
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
8