Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS1
Sections:
2.04.020 Location – Opening time.
2.04.050 Council actions prohibited when.
2.04.060 Resolutions or ordinances – Passage requirement.
2.04.065 Nonemergency ordinances – Reading requirements.
2.04.070 Public meetings required – Exception.
2.04.010 Dates held.
The city council shall hold its regular meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. [Ord. 486 § 1, 1979].
2.04.020 Location – Opening time.
All regular meetings of the city council shall be held in the council chambers of the City Hall, and all regular meetings shall open at 7:30 p.m. [Ord. 88-2, 1988; Ord. 486 § 2, 1979].
2.04.030 Holiday date change.
When a regular meeting date shall fall on a legal holiday, the date thereof shall be changed to the next regular business day. [Ord. 486 § 3, 1979].
2.04.040 Special meetings.
Special meetings of the city council may be called by the mayor or any three members of the city council by written notice delivered to each member of the council at least 24 hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting. Such written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the clerk-treasurer or secretary of the governing body a written waiver of notice. Such waiver may be given by telegram or facsimile. Such written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. The notices provided in this section may be dispensed with in the event a special meeting is called to deal with an emergency involving injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such injury or damage, when time requirements of such notice would make notice impractical and increase the likelihood of such injury or damage. [Ord. 94-02, 1994; Ord. 486 § 4, 1979].
2.04.050 Council actions prohibited when.
No ordinance or resolution shall be passed, or contract let or entered into, or bill for the payment of money allowed, at any meeting not open to the public, nor at any public meeting the date of which is not fixed by ordinance, resolution or rule, unless public notice of such meeting has been given by such notice to the local press, radio, and television, as will be reasonably calculated to inform inhabitants of the city of that meeting. [Ord. 486 § 5, 1979].
2.04.060 Resolutions or ordinances – Passage requirement.
No resolution or ordinance shall be valid unless passed by the votes of at least three council members. [Ord. 486 § 6, 1979].
2.04.065 Nonemergency ordinances – Reading requirements.
A. Except as hereinafter provided, no proposed ordinance shall be adopted at the first meeting in which it is presented for consideration. The meeting at which a proposed ordinance is presented shall be deemed the ordinance’s first reading.
B. All proposed ordinances presented as described in subsection (A) of this section shall be considered at the next subsequent regular meeting of the council, at which time a period for public input shall be provided at the beginning of said meeting. After allowance for said public input, the council may adopt, amend, or reject the ordinance. The meeting at which public input on the proposed ordinance is allowed shall be deemed an ordinance’s second reading.
C. First and second readings of proposed ordinances shall not be required in either of the following cases:
1. When an ordinance is deemed to be an emergency ordinance defined by Washington law.
2. When a proposed ordinance is adopted by unanimous vote of the city council, all five members present and voting. [Ord. 591, 1985].
2.04.070 Public meetings required – Exception.
All regular and special meetings of the city council shall be public except for executive sessions as provided by state statute. [Ord. 486 § 7, 1979].
For statutory provisions on city council meetings, see RCW 35A.12.110.