HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg 2021-05-03 Item 6B - Ordinance / Resolution - City Council Procedures UpdateCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
Initials
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Mayor's review
Council review
4/26/21
LH
5/3/21
LH
ITEM INFORMATION
ITEM No.
6.B.
STAFF SPONSOR: LAUREL HUMPHREY
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 4/26/21
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Legislation to update and adopt Rules of Procedure of the City Council
CATEGORY ® Discussion
Mtg Date 4/26/21
Motion
Mtg Date
Resolution
Mtg Date 5/3/21
® Ordinance
Mtg Date 5/3/21
Bid Award
Mtg Date
❑ Public Hearing ❑ Other
Mtg Date Mtg Date
SPONSOR ® Council ❑ Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&°R ❑ Police ❑ PlC
SPONSOR'S
SUMMARY
The City Council's procedures are largely included in TMC 2.04 and are in need of an update
to modernize and reflect current and best practices. The Council is asked to consider an
ordinance to remove much of the content from TMC 2.04 and a resolution that would adopt
a comprehensive update and a new Rules of Procedure document, along with establishing
an expectation for regular review in the future.
REVIEWED BY
❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ® Finance & Governance ❑ Planning & Community Dev.
❑ LTAC
DATE: 4/12/21
❑ Arts Comm.
❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
COMMITTEE CHAIR: IDAN
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN.
COMMITTEE Unanimous Approval; Forward to Committee of the Whole
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED
AMOUNT BUDGETED
APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
4/26/21
Forward to next Regular Meeting
5/3/21
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
4/26/21 Informational Memo dated 4/6/21 with attachments
Draft Ordinance, Resolution, and Rules of Procedure (updated after 4/12 Finance Cmte)
Minutes from the Finance & Governance Committee meeting of 4/12/21
5/3/21 Ordinance
Resolution
Rules of Procedure (in strike-thru underline format after 4/26/21 C.O.W.)
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City of Tukwila
Washington
Ordinance No.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS.
2024 AND 2209; REENACTING TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 2.04, "CITY COUNCIL"; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, written procedures of the City Council help to guide and facilitate the
business of the City Council, as well as provide the public with an understanding of the
Council's functions; and
WHEREAS, periodic review of the Council's internal management and procedures is
appropriate to ensure consistency with current statutes and best governmental practices;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council's procedures for the conduct of meetings and other
required functions are more appropriately formalized in the form of a City Council
resolution;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Repealer. Ordinance Nos. 2024 and 2209 are hereby repealed.
Section 2. TMC Chapter 2.04 Reenacted. Tu kwila Mu nicipal Code (TMC) Chapter
2.04 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
Sections:
2.04.010
2.04.020
2.04.030
CHAPTER 2.04
CITY COUNCIL
Composition; Duties
Meetings Declared Open and Public
Rules of Procedure of the City Council
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Section 3. TMC Section 2.04.010 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
2.04.010 Composition; Duties
A. The City of Tukwila is a non -charter code city underthe laws and statutes of the
State of Washington, and its City Council shall consist of seven members who shall be
elected at large and serve for four-year terms.
B. The duties of Councilmembers shall be those prescribed in RCW 35A.11.020
and as otherwise provided by law.
Section 4. TMC Section 2.04.020 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
2.04.020 Meetings Declared Open and Public
A. All meetings of the Tukwila City Council and its committees shall be open and
public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of these bodies except
as otherwise provided in the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act.
B. Notice of meetings shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of
Chapter 42.30 RCW, the Washington State Open Public Meetings Act. The City Clerk or
designee shall prepare meeting minutes containing an accountof all official actions of the
City Council.
C. Emergency meetings may be called by the Mayor or Council Presidentwhen by
reason of fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergency there is a need for expedited action
by the City Council to meet the emergency, in which case, the meeting site notice
requirements otherwise applicable shall not apply.
D. 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.
Section 5. TMC Section 2.04.030 is hereby reenacted to read as follows:
2.04.030 Rules of Procedure of the City Council
The Rules of Procedure of the City Council of the City of Tukwila, Washington, shall
be adopted by resolution as approved by a majority vote of the City Council and
periodically reviewed for consistency with applicable statutes and best governmental
practices.
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Page 2 of 3
Section 6. Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser Authorized. Upon
approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are authorized to make
necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the correction of clerical errors;
references to other local, state or federal laws, codes, rules, or regulations; or ordinance
numbering and section/subsection numbering.
Section 7. 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 8. Effective Date. This ordinance ora 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 , 2021.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Published:
Effective Date:
Ordinance Number:
CC: Legislative Development\Ordinances\City Council—TMC Ch 2.04 3-17-21
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City of Tukwila
Washington
Resolution No.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING RULES OF
PROCEDURE OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
WHEREAS, RCW 35A.11.020 gives the City Council of each code city the power to
organize and regulate its internal operations within the provisions of Title 35A RCW; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is committed to the highest standard of governance; and
WHEREAS, written rules and procedures of the City Council help to clarify and
facilitate the business of the City Council, as well as provide the public with an
understanding of the Council's functions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council's meeting procedures have not been updated since
2003; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to update its meeting and other business
procedures to align with the current environment and modern best practices; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends to periodically review and modify its Rules of
Procedure to ensure consistency with emerging realities, practices, trends, and laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Rules of Procedure of the City Council, attached hereto as Exhibit A,
is adopted.
Section 2. The Rules of Procedure shall be reviewed on at least a biennial basis and
updated as necessary.
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PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at
a Regular Meeting thereof this day of , 2021.
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Christy O'Flaherty, MMC, City Clerk Kate Kruller, Council President
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
Office of the City Attorney
Attachment: ExhibitA, Rules of Procedure of the Tukwila City Council (dated 4-27-21)
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Text shown in strike-through/underline format reflects changes following
the Committee of the Whole meeting on 4/26/21, as well as additional
proposed amendments from Council President Kruller.
Rules of Procedure of the Tukwila City Council
Introduction
The Rules of Procedure set forth herein are adopted for the sole benefit of the members
of the City Council to assist in the orderly conduct of Council business. These Rules of
Procedure do not grant rights or privileges to members of the public or third parties.
Failure of the City Council to adhere to these rules shall not result in any liability to the
City, its officers, agents, and employees, nor shall failure to adhere to these rules result
in invalidation of any Council act.
I. City Council Powers and Duties
A. City Council Authority
1. As the legislative branch of city government, the City Council is responsible
for passing laws, setting the municipal budget, establishing policy, and other
responsibilities defined by state law.
2. Decisions are made as a collective body and no individual member has any
extraordinary powers beyond those of other members, except as described
in Section I.B.
3. Members of the Council shall refrain from becoming directly involved in the
administrative affairs of the City, including intervening in staff decision-
making, scheduling or directing work, and executing priorities without the
prior knowledge and approval of the City Council as a whole.
4. The City Council has no policy direction over judicial matters and members
may not interfere with judicial processes or decisions.
B. Council President — Mayor Pro Tempore
1. 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 practice is to elect
presidents in a rotating order by seniority, which is determined by the:
a. Greatest consecutive number of years served;
b. Greatest consecutive number of years plus months or years served prior
to the current term(s);
c. Number of votes when elected.
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2. If the Councilmember who is next in line is unable to serve as Council
President, he or shothey will notify the City Council in writing by the last
Regular Meeting of the previous year. If this opt -out request is approved by
the City Council, service will fall to the next Councilmember in the order of
seniority. The Councilmember whose opt -out was accepted by the City
Council will remain at the top of the rotation with the opportunity to serve as
Council President the following year.
3. In the absence of the Mayor, the Council President shall become the Mayor
Pro Tempore and perform the duties of the Mayor except that the Council
President shall not have the power to appoint or remove any officer or to veto
any ordinance.
4. 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.
5. 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.
II. City Council Meetings
A. Regular Meetings
1. The City Council shall meet regularly on the first and third Mondays of each
month, except those designated as City holidays, at 7:00 p.m. unless an
alternative starting time is set and notice is provided to the public.
2. Regular Meetings will be held at Tukwila City Hall, 6200 Southcenter
Boulevard, unless otherwise publicly announcednoticed.
3. During Regular Meetings the City Council may take formal actions including,
but not limited to, adopting ordinances or passing motions or resolutions.
B. Committee of the Whole Meetings
1. The City Council shall meet as a Committee of the Whole on the second and
fourth Mondays of each month, except those designated as City holidays, at
7:00 p.m. unless an alternate starting time is set and notice is provided to
the public.
2. The Committee of the Whole shall meet at Tukwila City Hall, 6200
Southcenter Boulevard, unless otherwise publicly announcednoticed
3. Meetings of the Committee of the Whole shall be held primarily to consider
current issues, discuss policy matters in detail, and coordinate the work of
the City Council. 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.
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C. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, Council President, or any three
Councilmembers by delivering written notice personally, by mail, by fax, or by
electronic mail 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.
D. Executive Sessions
1. The City Council may hold an Executive Session during a Regular Meeting,
Special Meeting, or Committee of the Whole to privately consider certain
matters of confidential concern as set forth in RCW 42.30.110.
2. Before convening an Executive Session, the Presiding Officer must publicly
announce the purpose and the time upon which the Executive Session will
be concluded. An Executive Session may be extended to a later time by
public announcement by the Presiding Officer.
3. Councilmembers must keep confidential all written materials and verbal
information provided during Executive Sessions.
E. Retreats and Work Sessions
1. The full Council may meet periodically in a retreat or work session setting as
deemed appropriate by the Council President or a quorum of the Council
respectively.
2. No final action will be taken at a retreat or work session.
3. Retreat and work session meetings are open to the public and subject to the
requirements of RCW 42.30.
F. Attendance
1. Councilmembers are expected to maintain reliable attendance at all types of
meetings described above.
2. Pursuant to RCW 35A.12.060, a City Council position shall be forfeited if the
Councilmember fails to attend three consecutive Regular Meetings without
being excused by the Council.
3. A Councilmember wishing to be excused from a Regular Meeting will provide
advance notice in writing to the Council President and Legislative Analyst,
who will in turn notify the other members of the City Council in advance of
the meeting.
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G. Remote Meetings
1. In the event of an emergency as declared by the City, State and/or Federal
government, the City Council may arrange for electronic participation at a
Regular Meeting, Committee of the Whole, Special Meeting, Executive
Session, Retreat, standing committee meeting, or work session.
2. During a remote meeting, Councilmembers may attend by phone or other
electronic means that allow all participants to hear one another.
3. Remote meetings are open to the public and arrangements must be
conducted such that the public can hear the meeting while it is occurring,
subject to the requirements of RCW 42.30.
Ill. Legislative Process
A. City Council Business
1. Matters to be considered by the Council shall be placed on a standing
committee, Committee of the Whole, or Regular Meeting agenda and include
items required by law to be presented to Council, items requested by a
majority of the Council, staff -initiated items in accordance with the City's
strategic priorities and work plan, and items referred from previous meetings.
2. In generalAs a general practice, legislative actions to come before the City
Council for a decision should appear first before a standing committee, then
the Committee of the Whole, then a Regular Meeting. Informational items
not requiring a decision may be scheduled with more flexibility as the
situation requires.
3. Items may be placed directly on the agenda of a Committee of the Whole or
a Regular Meeting when the items are approved by the Council President,
and the items are routine or in the event of an emergency.
B. Legislative Actions
1. Ordinances are legislative items used to regulate matters of local concern,
such as land use, animal control, local law enforcement and health and
safety issues. Ordinances must comply with the terms of the U.S. and
Washington State constitutions and the general laws of the City and State.
Many ordinances are classified as "codifiable," meaning the ordinance will
be incorporated into the Tukwila Municipal Code, which makes the laws of
the City easily accessible by subject matter. Examples of non-codifiable
ordinances include the annual property tax levy and adoption of the budget.
Public emergency ordinances may take effect immediately upon final
passage if passed by an affirmative vote of 5 Councilmembers.
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2. Resolutions are legislative items that are advisory or policy -oriented in
nature. Resolutions may be used to offer support for ballot measures, set
hearing dates for a street vacation or update fee schedules. Resolutions are
not a part of the Tukwila Municipal Code. Resolutions are signed by the
Council President but are sometimes signed jointly with the Mayor, or
prepared for signature by all Councilmembers, particularly when ceremonial
or honorary in nature.
3. Motions are generally short statements adopted by the Council to direct that
a specific course of action be taken on behalf of the City.
4. All proposed ordinances and resolutions shall be reviewed by the City
Attorney and bear the Attorney's certification that they are in correct form
before final passage.
C. Meeting Agendas
1. The City Clerk shall be responsible for preparing agendas for Regular,
Special, and Committee of the Whole meetings, and presented in a timely
manner to the Council President or designee for approval. After the
proposed agenda has been approved, the City Clerk shall publish the final
agenda in accordance with the provisions of RCW 42.30.
2. The order of a Regular Meeting agenda shall be:
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Roll Call
d. Land Acknowledgement
e. Public Comments — including comment on items both on and not on the
meeting agenda.
f. Appointments and Proclamations
g.
Presentations — Items pertinent to the City but not relating to other
agenda business, including honoring of guests, special awards, or
speakers external to the City.
h. Consent Agenda — Items that are routine or non -controversial in nature
approved for inclusion by the Council President, Committee of the
Whole, or forwarded by unanimous Committee action. Any
Councilmember may request to remove an item from the Consent
Agenda and place under New Business for further discussion.
i. Public Hearings — May be required by City, State, or Federal law or
directed by the Council. Examples include but are not limited to Local
Improvement Districts, zoning changes, biennial budget, annexation,
moratoria, and quasi-judicial decisions.
Unfinished Business — Items of a general nature, including resolutions
and ordinances previously before a standing committee, the Committee
of the Whole or full Council.
J.
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k. New Business — Items of a general nature, including resolutions and
ordinances not previously before a standing committee, the Committee
of the Whole or full Council
I. Reports — Brief summaries of significant City -related activities from the
Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator.
m. Miscellaneous — Significant City -related items that may need further
Council discussion, action, or City Administration follow-up.
n. Executive Session
o. Adjournment
3. The order of a Committee of a Whole meeting agenda shall be:
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Land Acknowledgment
d. Public Comments — including comment on items both on and not on the
meeting agenda.
e. Presentations
f. Public Hearings
g. Special Issues — Items referred from Council committees, referred at a
previous Council meeting, or approved for discussion by the Council
President.
h. Reports
i. Miscellaneous
j. Executive Session
k. Adjournment or Adjournment to a Special Meeting
4. The order of a Special Meeting agenda follows the same order of Regular
Meetings based on what items need to be addressed. The City Council may
not take action on anything not listed on a Special Meeting agenda.
IV. Meeting Conduct
A. Presiding Officer
1. All Regular and Special Meetings of the City Council shall be presided over
by the Mayor or, in the Mayor's absence, by the Mayor Pro Tempore.
2. If neither the Mayor nor the Mayor Pro Tempore is present at a Regular or
Special Meeting, the presiding officerPresiding Officer for that meeting shall
be appointed by a majority vote of those Councilmembers present, provided
there is a quorum, and the appointment of a Councilmember as Mayor Pro
Tempore shall not abridge their right to vote on matters before the Council.
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3. 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.
4. The presiding officerPresiding Officer shall preserve strict order and
decorum, 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
officerPresiding Officer may be overruled by a majority vote of the Council.
B. Parliamentary Procedure
Questions of parliamentary procedure not covered by these Rules of Procedure
shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (latest edition).
C. Quorum
1. At all meetings of the City Council, four members shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
2. 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.
D. Seating
Members of the City Council will be seated at the Council dais in order of
seniority, except that the Council President will be seated in the center during
Committee of the Whole Meetings and at the right of the Mayor during Regular
and Special Meetings.
E. General Meeting Decorum
1. While the City Council is in session, the members must preserve order and
decorum and a member shall neither delay nor interrupt the proceedings or
the peace of the Council, nor disrupt any member while has
the floor.
2. Meeting participants should focus on the meeting agenda and confine
remarks to the question or matter under discussion.
3. A Councilmember desiring to speak shall address the presiding
officerPresiding Officer and when recognized shall confine their remarks to
the question under debate. Councilmembcrs will be rccognized in the order
position.
4. Councilmembers shall not be interrupted unless it is to be called to order.
5. No Councilmember shall speak a second time on the same item until each
Councilmember has been given an opportunity to speak.
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Motions, Debate, and Voting at Regular or Special Meetings
1. Prior to discussion of an action item, a Councilmember must make a motion,
which must be seconded by another Councilmember, to place it on the table,
except those motions described in 2 below, which do not require a second.
2. Motions are generally made by a Committee Chair and seconded by a
Committee member for those action items previously discussed in standing
committees.
3. Motions not requiring a second include nominations, withdrawal of a motion,
request for a roll call vote, and point of order.
4. After a motion has been made and seconded (if required), Councilmembers
may discuss their opinions on the issue prior to the vote, including why they
will vote for or against the motion.
5. Councilmembers may request a presentation or ask clarifying questions of
staff prior to beginning debate.
6. If a resolution or ordinance, the City Clerk may read the item by title only or,
if requested by any Councilmember, the document may be read in its
entirety.
7. A motion may be withdrawn by the maker of the motion at any time -without
•
8. A motion to amend is defined as amending a motion that is on the floor and
has been seconded, by inserting or adding, striking out, striking out and
inserting, or substituting.
9. A motion to call for the question shall close debate on the main motion and
is nondebatable. This motion requires a second and fails without a two-thirds
majority. Debate is reopened if the motion fails.
10. Motions shall be entertained in the order of precedence outlined in the
current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (latest edition).
11. The Regular or Special Meeting Consent Agenda is adopted by a single
motion.
12. When the discussion is concluded, the pre„iding officerPresiding Officer
shall repeat the motion prior to voting.
13. Unless otherwise provided for by statute, ordinance, or resolution, votes will
be taken by voice, unless a roll call vote is requested by the Presiding Officer
or any Councilmember. Voting normally shall be by seniority; however, this
procedure may be changed by the Presiding Officer.
14. Each member present must vote on all questions before the Council and
may abstain only by reason of conflict of interest.
15. 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.
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16. No vote may be cast by proxy.
17. The City Council votes on the motion as restated and the Presiding Officer
will state the results of the vote. -
shall state that the motion has been passed unanimously by the number of
Councilmembers present, such as "7 0." If the vote is not unanimous, the
presiding officer shall state the number of Councilmembcrs voting in the
passed or failed.
18. In case of a tie vote on any motion, the motion fails.
19. In cases where there seems to be no opposition, or on questions of little
importance, the presiding officerPresiding Officer may seek approval by
unanimous consent.
20. When the Council concurs with an item that does not require a formal motion,
the presiding officerPresiding Officer will summarize the Council's
consensus at the conclusion of the discussion.
G. Reconsidering a Vote
After the question has been decided, any Councilmember who voted in the
majority may move for reconsideration of the motion. The motion being
reconsidered must be made at the same or next Regular Meeting.
H. Questions of Order
All questions of order shall be decided by the presiding ^fficerPresidinq Officer
with the right of appeal to the majority of Councilmembers present.
I. Adjournments
1. All meetings of the Council shall adjourn no later than 10:00 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 11:0010:00 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. 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.
V. Public Participation
A. Public Hearings: The following procedures shall apply to public hearings,
except public hearings subject to Tukwila Municipal Code Chapters 18.104
through 18.116, which shall be subject to the procedures specified therein.
1. City staff will provide a report summarizing and providing context to the issue
at hand.
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2. The proponent shall speak first and is allowed 15 minutes to make a
presentation. The Council may ask questions.
3. The opponent is allowed 15 minutes to make a presentation. The Council
may ask questions.
4. Each side is then allowed 5 minutes for rebuttal.
5. After the proponents and opponents have used their speaking time, the
Council may ask further clarifying questions of the speakers.
6. Members of the public who wish to address the Council on the hearing topic
may speak for 5 minutes each.
7. Speakers are asked to sign in on forms provided by the City Clerk.
8. The Council may ask clarifying questions of speakers and the speakers may
respond.
9. Speakers should address their comments to the City Council.
10. If a large number of people wish to speak to the issue, the Council may limit
the total amount of comment time dedicated to the Public Hearing.
11. Once the presiding officerPresiding Officer closes the public hearing, no
further comments will be accepted, and the issue is open for Councilmember
discussion.
12. 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.
B. Public Comment
1. Time is set aside at each Committee of the Whole and Regular Meeting for
members of the public to address the Council about items both included and
not included on the agenda.
2. Public comment is to allow members of the community to provide input to
the City Council and should not interfere with the ability of the City Council
to conduct its business.
3. The City Council will also accept public comment on an item at the point
when that item is presented during the meeting agenda. Speakers will be
limited to commenting once per item during a meeting.
64. Speakers are asked to sign in on forms provided by the City Clerk.
45. Speakers must wait to be recognized by the presiding officerPresiding
Officer.
56. Speakers shouldare requested to first state their name for the record.
67. Speakers should limit their remarks to 5 minutes or less, unless granted
additional time by the presiding officerPresiding Officer or majority of the
Council.
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78. All remarks should be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to
individual Councilmembers, City staff, or members of the audience.
89. No speaker may donate speaking time to another individual.
910. If a large number of people wish to speak to a particular issue, the Council
may limit the total amount of comment time dedicated to that issue.
.1-911. Comments should not be taken on items subject to quasi-judicial
consideration unless it is during a specified public hearing.
.1412. Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk or designee for
distribution to the City Council. If seven copies are not provided by the
submitter, copies will be distributed to the City Council by the next day.
.1-213. The Council has the right to invite anyone to speak at times other than the
public comment period, which is done by consensus, unanimous consent or
majority vote.
1-314. Councilmembers should refrain from engaging in dialogue with commenters.
C. Disruptions
1. Disruptions of a Council meeting are prohibited and include but are not
limited to the following:
a. Failure of a speaker to comply with the allotted public comment time.
b. Outbursts from members of the public who have not been recognized by
the presiding officerPresiding Officer.
c. Interfering with other individuals desiring to provide public comment.
d. Behavior that intentionally disrupts or impedes attendance or
participation at a meeting.
2. If an individual is disruptive, the presiding officerPresiding Officer may
terminate that individual's comment period, request assistance to direct an
individual to their seat or, in extreme cases, request assistance in removing
the individual from the meeting room.
3. If a meeting has become disrupted to the point of a failure of resuming
business, the presiding officerPresiding Officer should call for a motion to
recess.
4. If order cannot be restored, the City Council may order the meeting room
cleared and continue in session or may adjourn the meeting and reconvene
at another location selected by majority vote of the members pursuant to
RCW 42.30.050.
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VI. City Council Committees
A. Standing Committees
1. The City Council may choose to implement a framework of four standing
committees, comprising three Councilmembers each, to aid in the
transaction of its business.
2. The standing committee titles, scopes of authority, and schedule will be
adopted by resolution in January of each year.
3. The scopes of the standing committees will be balanced in accordance with
the City's workload
4. The Council President shall appoint the chair and membership of each
Committee by the second Regular Meeting of each year.
5. The standing committees shall consider and make policy recommendations
to the City Council as a whole. Committees may at times refer items to the
full Council with no recommendation.
6. Each Committee Chair shall report to the Council the findings of the
committee.
7. Each Committee Chair may review and approve the Committee agenda and
will approve Committee minutes before distribution. The Committee Chair
can authorize the cancellation of a Committee meeting.
8. In the event a Committee member is unable to attend a meeting, another
Councilmember may attend in the absent member's place. If no
replacement can be found, the meeting may still take place with two
members.
B. Ad Hoc Committees
The City Council 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 a special approach or emphasis.
VII. Council Vacancies
A. Vacancy
A Council position becomes vacant upon the resignation, recall, forfeiture of
position, or death of a Councilmember. The remaining members of the governing
body shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position.
B. Resignation
1. A written resignation including an effective date must be submitted to the
City Council in writing.
2. The City Council accepts a resignation by a motion and vote.
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C. Appointment
If a vacancy occurs in the office of Councilmember, the Council will follow the
procedures outlined in RCW 35A.12.050. 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 application forms will be used in conjunction with an
interview of each candidate to aid the Council selection of the new
Councilmember.
VIII. Public Records Compliance
A. Compliance
1. Each Councilmember is responsible for complying with RCW 42.56, laws
that govern public records.
2. Paper and electronic records that relate to the functional responsibility of the
recipient or sender as a public official constitute a public record, which is
subject to public inspection in accordance with RCW 42.56.
3. Councilmembers should send and receive messages related to City
business through the City's email system
4. Emails and/or text messages transmitted through personal accounts and
devices are public records and must be retained accordingly.
5. Councilmembers shall not communicate in any electronic format with
another Councilmember during a Council meeting.
6. Social media posts are a public record. Wherever possible, posting should
contain links directing users back to the City's official website for in-depth
information, forms, documents, or online services necessary to conduct
official City business.
7. Public records created or received by a Councilmember will be transferred
to the Legislative Analyst for retention by the City in accordance with
retention requirements under state law.
8. Public records that are duplicates of those in the possession of City staff,
such as meeting agendas, are not required to be retained.
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