Chapter 2.15
MAYOR DUTIES AND AUTHORITY
Sections:
2.15.010 Mayor – General duties.
2.15.020 Mayor – Appointment and removal authority.
2.15.030 Department heads authority.
2.15.060 Director of public works.
2.15.010 Mayor – General duties.
The mayor shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the city in charge of all departments and employees. The mayor shall be responsible for faithfully enforcing all laws and ordinances and maintaining law and order in the city. The mayor shall have general supervision over the administration of city government. The mayor shall report to the council concerning the affairs of the city and its financial and other needs, and shall make recommendations for council consideration and action. The mayor shall preside over council meetings as set forth in RMC 2.25.050. (Ord. 1725 § 1, 2007; 1958 code § 1.08.010. Formerly 2.08.010)
2.15.020 Mayor – Appointment and removal authority.
The mayor shall have the power of appointment and removal of all appointive officers and employees, subject to any applicable law, policy, rule, or regulation relating to civil service. All appointments shall be made based on ability and training or experience of the appointees in the duties they are to perform, from among persons having proper qualifications. The mayor shall consult with the city council to review vacant department head position(s) (clerk/treasurer, police chief, public works director, fire chief and/or city attorney). The review shall consist of job description, potential internal employee advancement, and budget constraints. The mayor’s determination of the job description and minimum qualifications for the position shall be final and binding on the civil service commission.
All appointments under this section shall be subject to confirmation by the city council in accordance with RCW 35A.12.090 as presently enacted or hereafter amended. (Ord. 1911, 2022; Ord. 1725 § 1, 2007)
2.15.030 Department heads authority.
The mayor may authorize the department head or office responsible to them to appoint or remove subordinates in such department or office consistent with adopted city regulations and policies. An employee who may be appointed by a department head may be removed by the department head or mayor at any time consistent with employment contracts associated with that individual. The decision of the department or mayor shall be final, and there shall be no appeal therefrom to any other officer, body, or court whatsoever. (Ord. 1911, 2022)
2.15.040 Clerk/treasurer.
The city clerk/treasurer shall be responsible to fulfill the requirements of the office as detailed in RCW 35A.21.030, 35A.42.010 and 35A.42.040. The clerk/treasurer serves as the chief financial officer and shall plan, organize, direct, and control the city finance department. They administer the general accounting system, utility billing, purchasing, and investment of funds and data processing functions. The clerk/treasurer shall also carry out all duties as prescribed by statute, including, but not limited to, the keeping of records of all council proceedings, city correspondence and the preparation of reports under the supervision of the mayor, and shall assist the mayor in the conduct of their duties when required by them to do so.
The clerk/treasurer shall prepare financial reports, develop capital improvement plans, and financial projections including preparing financing packages for city capital projects. (Ord. 1911, 2022)
2.15.050 Police chief.
The police chief is the chief law enforcement officer of the city. They plan, organize, direct, and control the efficient operation of the police department and may spend a portion of the day doing patrol work. (Ord. 1911, 2022)
2.15.060 Director of public works.
The director of public works plans, organizes, directs, and controls the efficient functions of the department of public works. The functions of the public works department include water, sewer, storm water, streets, parks, sanitation, planning and community development as well as operating and maintaining city facilities, such as the library, theater, and museums. The director of public works coordinates with the fire chief in management of the code and building official’s responsibilities. (Ord. 1911, 2022)
2.15.070 Fire chief.
The fire chief plans, organizes, directs, and controls the efficient functioning of the fire department, including the north Pacific County ambulance service. The fire chief also coordinates with the director of public works to manage the code and building official’s responsibilities. (Ord. 1911, 2022)
2.15.080 City attorney.
Pursuant to RCW 35A.12.020 the mayor and the city council shall appoint the city attorney and enter into a contract for professional services. The city attorney shall be the legal advisor to the city council and of all officers of the city in relation to matters pertaining to their respective offices. The city attorney shall represent the city in all civil litigation in all courts in which the city is a party or directly interested and shall perform and act generally as attorney for the city and the departments of the city. The city attorney shall perform such other duties as the city council shall direct pursuant to the city attorney contract. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the city attorney and the city council from agreeing to retain and utilize the services of a special attorney to assist the city attorney in cases of a specialized nature upon prior authorization by the city council. (Ord. 1911, 2022)