Chapter 1.07
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

Sections:

1.07.010    Meeting time.

1.07.020    Work sessions.

1.07.030    Special meetings – Notice.

1.07.040    Meeting place.

1.07.050    Executive sessions.

1.07.060    Holidays.

1.07.010 Meeting time.

The regular meetings of the city council shall be held on the second and fourth Thursday of each and every month, and all such meetings shall be open to the public. (Ord. 2000-07 § 1)

1.07.020 Work sessions.

Work sessions of the city council shall be held on the third Thursday of each and every month and on the first Thursday of each and every month, if such a work session is required. In the event a work session is required for the first Thursday of the month, council members will be notified no later than the Monday preceding the first Thursday of the month. The city council, at any work session, may study, discuss and debate among themselves and city staff such items as are on the work session agenda, but may not take formal action or receive public comment or testimony regarding work session agenda items. Formal action of the council and receipt of public comment or testimony shall take place only at a regular city council meeting or a special meeting called for such purpose. All work sessions of the city council shall be open to the public. (Ord. 2002-15 § 1; Ord. 2000-07 § 2)

1.07.030 Special meetings – Notice.

Special meetings may, at any time, be called by the mayor or by any three councilmembers by giving written notice to each member of the council and to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local radio or television station which has on file with the council a written request to be notified of such special meeting or of all special meetings. Such notice must be delivered personally or by mail at least 24 hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. Final disposition shall not be taken on any other matters at such meeting by the governing body. 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. Special meetings are open to the public. (Ord. 2000-07 § 3)

1.07.040 Meeting place.

All regular and special meetings, and regularly scheduled work sessions, shall be held at Wenatchee City Hall and shall commence at 5:15 p.m. unless another time is specified for a special meeting. (Ord. 2002-15 § 2; Ord. 2001-27 § 1; Ord. 2000-07 § 4)

1.07.050 Executive sessions.

The council may hold executive sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the following matters:

(1) Matters affecting national security;

(2) The selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased price;

(3) The minimum price at which real estate will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price. However, final action selling or leasing public property shall be taken in an open public meeting;

(4) To review negotiations on the performance of publicly bid contracts when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased costs;

(5) To receive and evaluate complaints or charges brought against a public officer or employee. However, upon the request of such officer or employee, a public hearing or a meeting open to the public shall be conducted upon such complaint or charge;

(6) To evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. However, subject to the provisions of RCW 42.30.140(4) relating to collective bargaining agreements, discussion of salaries, wages and other conditions of employment to be generally applied shall occur in a meeting open to the public and final action hiring, setting the salary of an individual employee or class of employees, or discharging or disciplining an employee, such action shall be taken in a meeting open to the public;

(7) To evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective office. However, any interview of such candidate and final action appointing a candidate to elective office shall be in a meeting open to the public;

(8) To discuss with legal counsel representing the city matters relating to enforcement actions, or to discuss legal representation of the city litigation or potential litigation which the city, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is or is likely to become a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the city. Before convening in executive session, the mayor shall publicly announce the purpose for excluding the public from the meeting place, and the time when the executive session will be concluded. (Ord. 2000-07 § 5)

1.07.060 Holidays.

Any regular meeting or work session falling on a holiday or the evening prior to a holiday shall be cancelled and may be rescheduled as a special meeting pursuant to WCC 1.07.030. (Ord. 2000-07 § 6)