Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL*
Sections:
2.04.010 Election of councilmembers—Terms.
2.04.020 Eligibility requirements.
2.04.030 Compensation.
2.04.040 Meetings.
2.04.050 Order of business.
2.04.060 Rules of procedure.
2.04.070 Council seating order.
2.04.080 Presiding officers.
*Prior history: Ords. 2966 and 2971. Prior code Ch. 1.08.
2.04.010 Election of councilmembers—Terms.
A. In the election of city councilmembers, all seven shall be elected at large for four-year terms subject to the provisions of Kelso City Charter Section 2.01.
B. The four-year terms shall commence and terminate as provided in RCW 29.04.170.
C. The city council shall have the powers and authority granted to it in the Kelso City Charter. (Ord. 3279 § 2(g)–(i), 1995)
2.04.020 Eligibility requirements.
No person shall be eligible to hold elective office under the Kelso City Charter plan of government unless he shall have been a resident of the city for a period of at least one year next preceding his election, and a registered voter. Councilmembers are prohibited from holding other public office or employment as provided in Kelso City Charter Section 2.05(a). (Ord. 3279 § 2(j), 1995)
2.04.030 Compensation.*
A. Subject to Kelso City Charter Section 2.04, members of the city council shall be compensated at a rate of four thousand eight hundred dollars per year payable in twelve equal monthly installments.
B. In addition to the compensation provided for in subsection A of this section, the mayor shall be paid an annual salary of four thousand eight hundred dollars payable in twelve equal monthly installments.
C. The compensation herein provided shall apply to all members of the council to which it may constitutionally and legally be applied and shall be expanded to include ineligible members as they become eligible. (Ord. 3660 § 1, 2007; Ord. 3584 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3489 § 1, 2001; Ord. 3279 § 2(k)–(m), 1995)
*Code reviser's note: Ordinance 3660, which increased city councilmember compensation from three thousand six hundred dollars to four thousand eight hundred dollars, shall be in full force and effect on January 1, 2008, for positions four, five, six, and seven of the city council and on January 1, 2010, for positions one, two and three of the city council.
2.04.040 Meetings.
A. The city council shall hold regular meetings on the first Tuesday and third Tuesday of each month, which meetings shall commence at the hour of 7:00 p.m. In cases where said regular meeting date falls on a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next business day.
B. All meetings of the city council shall be held in the council chambers in City Hall or at such other place in the city as the council may direct. (Ord. 3312 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3279 § 2(a)–(c), 1995)
2.04.050 Order of business.
Pursuant to Kelso City Charter Section 2.09(b), the following matters shall be within the order of business of the council:
A. Call to order;
B. Roll call;
C. Reading and approval of minutes of previous meetings;
D. Public hearings on petitions, applications, complaints, appeals and related matters;
E. Citizens' business;
F. Consent agenda, including auditing of accounts;
G. Ordinances, resolutions, orders and related business;
H. Consideration of bids, LID's or related matters;
I. Reports of city officers;
J. Reports of city council committees or councilmembers;
K. Other business;
L. Adjournment. (Ord. 3279 § 2(d), 1995)
2.04.060 Rules of procedure.
Rules of procedure are as follows:
A. Robert's Rules of Order, as revised, shall govern the deliberations of the council, except when in conflict with any rule established by the council.
B. No member shall speak more than twice on the same subject without permission of the presiding officer; provided, however, that if this rule of procedure is waived by the presiding officer as to one member it shall be deemed as waived as to all members.
C. No person, not a member of the council, shall speak more than twice on the same subject without permission of the presiding officer; provided, however, that if this rule of procedure is waived as to one person, it shall be deemed as waived to all persons.
D. Motions shall be reduced in writing when required by the presiding officer.
E. Motions to reconsider must be made by a member who voted with the majority, and at the same or next succeeding meeting of the city council.
F. All questions of procedure shall be decided by the presiding officer with the advice of the city attorney subject to the right of appeal to the full council by any member.
G. A motion for adjournment shall always be in order.
H. The rules of the city council may be altered, amended or temporarily suspended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. (Ord. 3279 § 2(f), 1995)
2.04.070 Council seating order.
The seating order for council and the voting order shall be rotated quarterly by the city clerk. The presiding officer's vote shall always be called last. (Ord. 3279 § 2(e), 1995)
2.04.080 Presiding officers.
A. The provision for a presiding officer of the council shall be in accordance with Kelso City Charter Section 2.03. In addition to the powers conferred upon the presiding officers they shall continue to have all the rights, privileges, and immunities of a member of the council. If both the mayor and the deputy mayor are absent, meetings of the council may be presided over by a member of the council selected by a majority of the councilmembers at such meeting.
B. Specific Duties Enumerated. It shall be the duty of the presiding officer of the council to:
1. Call the meeting to order;
2. Keep the meeting to the order of business;
3. State each motion and require a second to that motion before permitting discussion;
4. Handle discussion in an orderly way:
a. Give every councilmember who wishes an opportunity to speak,
b. Permit audience participation at appropriate times,
c. Keep all speakers to the rule and to the question,
d. Give opponents and proponents alternating opportunities to speak;
5. Put a motion to a vote and count the outcome;
6. Suggest but do not make motions for adjournment. (Ord. 3279 § 2(n), (p), 1995)