No. 83-10

Summary for publication:

The full text of this ordinance is available for reading at the Town Hall and will be mailed upon

request. Requests should be directed to the Town of Cathlamet, P.O. Box 68, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

THE TOWN OF CATHLAMET

ORDINANCE NO. 530-10

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING Cathlamet MUNICIPAL CODE

(CMC), TITLE 2 - ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL;

ADDING CHAPTER 2.00, DEFINING MAYOR AND COUNCIL

ROLES AND PROVIDING FOR THE ORDERLY SUCCESSION IN

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR IN THE EVENT OF ABSENCE OR EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, the Town of Cathlamet has historically operated under a Mayor - Council form of government; and

WHEREAS, RCW 35.27.070 enumerates the Town Officers which include a Mayor and a council consisting of five members and a Treasurer, all elective; and

WHEREAS, RCW 35.27.160 prescribes certain duties and powers to be performed by a mayor, and authorizes the designation of a mayor pro tempore, who may be chosen by the council for a specified period of time, not to exceed six months, to act in the absence of the mayor; and

WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Cathlamet has experienced in the past, and contemplates future occasions where both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are out of town or otherwise not able to perform the duties of mayor, and

WHEREAS, the Council, as part of its contingency planning in the event of a catastrophic event, desires to establish a line of succession for the office of Mayor,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF Cathlamet AS FOLLOWS:

1. Cathlamet Municipal Code TITLE 2 - ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL, is hereby amended by adding the following sections:

Chapter 2.00. MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL.

Sections:

2.00.010 Mayor.

2.00.020 Town Council.

2.00.030 Mayor Pro Tempore.

2.00.040 Mayoral Succession in Absence of Mayor.

The Mayor is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Town in charge of carrying out the policies set by the Town Council and of seeing that local laws are enforced. Pursuant to state statute, the mayor has the following duties and responsibilities: preside over all meetings of the council at which (s)he is present and call special meetings of the council; prepare a proposed budget; sign all warrants drawn on the treasury; sign and enforce all written contracts entered into by the town; sign all conveyances made by the town and all instruments which require the seal of the town; appoint a clerk and a marshal; report to the council on the financial and other affairs and needs of the town; perform ceremonial duties as head of the town; approve or disapprove all official bonds and contractor's bonds. ... [See full text].

2.00.020 Town Council.

The Town Council is the legislative authority of the town and has the power to enact laws and policies, consistent with state law, needed or desired to regulate local and municipal affairs within the jurisdiction of the Town or its service areas. The council, comprised of five elected at-large council members, has the specific authority to: enact a town budget; define the powers, functions an duties of town officers and employees; fix the compensation of officers and employees; ... [See full text].

2.00.030 Mayor Pro Tempore.

A Mayor Pro Tempore may be chosen by the council for a specified period of time, not to exceed six months, to act as the mayor in the absence of the mayor. The Mayor Pro Tempore shall be appointed from the ranks of the Town Council members for six-month periods of service, on a continuous rotation by Council position numbers from one to five.

2.00.040 Mayoral Succession in Absence of Mayor.

In the event that both the elected Mayor and the then-designated Mayor Pro Tempore are out of town or otherwise unavailable to perform the duties and functions of mayor, or in the event of a catastrophic emergency in which the mayor and then-designated mayor pro tempore are unavailable, the office of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the next available council member whose council position number would be the next following in the rotation for Mayor Pro Tempore until all the council rotation has been exhausted. ... [See full text].

2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force five (5) days after passage and publication.

Passed first reading: 05/17/10

Passed second, third and final reading: 06/21/10

ATTEST:

________________________

Tina Schubert,

Clerk-Treasurer

Approved As To Form:

THOMAS M. DOUMIT

Thomas M. Doumit

Town Attorney,

WSB No. 28209

Publish July 1, 2010