HomeMy WebLinkAbout3344RESOLUTION NO. 3344
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of
Bremerton, Washington, repealing Resolution No. 3315 and adopting
new Rules & Procedures for the City Council to conduct its business.
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 3315 on February 205 2019, which
adopted Rules & Procedures for the City Council to conduct its business; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update the Rules &Procedures for the City Council;
NOW THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BREMERTON, WASHINGTON, DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Resolution No. 3315 is hereby repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 2. The Bremerton City Council Rules &Procedures attached hereto as Exhibit A
are hereby adopted and shall become effective upon passage of this resolution.
SECTION 3. Severability. If any one or more sections, subsections, or sentences of this
Resolution are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portion of this Resolution and the same shall remain in full force
and effect.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect and be in force immediately
upon its passage.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of
r , 2022.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
KYLIE FINNELL, City Attorney
Wasl�i�gton this�� day of
ODNOW, Council President
ATTEST:
��� .S• • v
Bremerton City Council
Rules & Procedures
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CONTENTS
RULE1 -MEETINGS...................................................................................................................3
RULE 2 -PRESIDING OFFICER -DUTIES.............................................................................5
RULE3 -COUNCIL MEMBERS................................................................................................6
RULE 4 -AGENDA CONTROL..................................................................................................7
RULE 5 -REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS -ITEMS OF BUSINESS................................7
RULE6 -DEBATES.....................................................................................................................8
RULE 7 -PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE..........................................................................9
RULE 8 -ORDINANCES -RESOLUTIONS.............................................................................9
RULE9 -MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................................................................9
RULE 10 -COUNCIL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.........................................................11
RULE 11—AUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS............................................................................11
RULE Al -CLOSED RECORD HEARINGS...........................................................................12
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RULE 1 - MEETINGS
1. Regular Meetings: The City Council shall meet in accordance with Rule 5, except as
follows:
(a) There shall be no regular meeting of the City Council during the week of
Thanksgg.
(b) If at any time any regular meeting of the City Council falls on a legal
holiday, then pursuant to RCW 42.30.070 such regular meeting shall be held on the next business
day.
i. Upon a motion, and majority vote, the Council may recess from a
meeting to a certain time and place set forth in the motion.
ii. Meetings may be relocated to accommodate special needs or
circumstances.
2. Special Meetings: Special meetings or any change in the time or location of a regular
meeting shall be called by the Council President, or a majority of the members of the City
Council, by delivering personally or by mail, e-mail, or fax, 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 City a written request to be notified of such special meeting or
of all special meetings. The notice must be delivered personally or by mail fax or e-mail at least
twenty-four hours before the time of the meeting as specified in the notice. The call and 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 matter at such meetings. Written notice may be
dispensed with:
(a) If a member, prior to the convening of the meeting, files waiver of notice
with the City Clerk, either written, by e-mail, or by FAX;
(b) If a member is actually present at the time the meeting convenes; or
(c) If the special meeting is called to deal with an emergency involving injury
or damage to persons or property, or the likelihood of such, where these requirements would
increase the likelihood of such injury or damage. (RCW 42.30.080)
3. Quorum: Four Council Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, and in the absence of a quorum the members present may adjourn the meeting to a later
date.
4. Open Public Meetings Act: All Council meetings shall be conducted in conformity with
the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30).
5. Appearance of Fairness/Conflict of Interest: In all its dealings, the Council and its
individual members shall be governed by RCW 42.36 (Appearance of Fairness Doctrine); RCW
42.20 (Misconduct of Public Officers) and RCW 42.52 (Ethics in Public Service) and Chapter
2.96 BMC.
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6. Executive Sessions: The Council may hold Executive Sessions during a regular or
special meeting to consider matters allowed under RCW 42.30.110 as it now exists or is
hereafter amended including:
(a) consideration of acquisition or sale of real property if public knowledge
would adversely affect the price;
(b) discussion with legal counsel of City enforcement actions or potential or
pending litigation in which the City is, or is likely to become, a party;
(c) to receive and evaluate complaints against a public employee, unless the
employee requests the consideration to be held in an open meeting;
(d) evaluate the performance of an employee or qualifications of an applicant
for City employment, so long as the final decision to hire and terms of employment, and
decisions to terminate or discipline, are taken in an open meeting;
(e) to review negotiations on the performance of publicly bid contracts when
public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of increased costs; and
(f) to evaluate the qualifications of a candidate for appointment to elective
office.
See RCW 42.30.110 for complete itemization of executive session topics.
Before convening in Executive session, the presiding officer shall announce the purpose of the
session and the anticipated length of such session, and whether further action is anticipated.
Should the session require more time, a public announcement shall be made that the session will
be extended. The Council will return to the open meeting, as applicable, for Adjournment of the
meeting. Confidential discussions during Executive Sessions shall not be disclosed by any
Council Member or City official in attendance to any person unless confidentiality is waived by
a majority of the Council. Violation of confidentiality may result in a censure motion by the
Council during a regular meeting.
7. Telephonic Appearance: Council Members may appear at a council meeting via
telephone under limited circumstances. Telephonic appearances are for the benefit of the City of
Bremerton and not for the benefit of an individual Council Member. Telephonic appearances
may occur as follows:
(a) The Council President may approve a Council Member's appearance at a
council meeting via telephone when one or more of the following circumstances exists:
i. Due to fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergency, there is a need
for action by a governing body to meet the emergency;
ii. A vote of the council of the whole is required for action; or
iii. A unanimous vote of the whole council is required for passage of a
measure; or
iv. On a case -by -case basis.
(b) In the event that subsection 7(a) of Rule 1 of the Bremerton City Council
Rules and Procedures has Ueen satisfied and more than one Council Member is absent,
reasonable efforts shall be given to provide all absent members an opportunity to appear via
telephone. In no event shall the Council President approve a Council Member's telephonic
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appearance unless satisfactory equipment is available. Satisfactory equipment shall mean any
telephone equipped with a speakerphone function capable of broadcasting the Council Member's
voice attending via telephone clearly and sufficiently enough to be heard by those in attendance
at the meeting. The telephone must allow the Council Member to take and answer questions as
posed from time to time.
(c) During any meeting that a Council Member is attending via telephone, the
Council President or presiding Council Member shall state for the record that a particular
Council Member is attending via telephone and the reasons for such attendance.
(d) Council members appearing via telephone may participate and vote during
the meeting as if they were physically present at the meeting.
(e) Council Members appearing via telephone shall comply with all rules and
procedures as if they were physically present at the meeting.
RULE 2 -PRESIDING OFFICER -DUTIES
1. Conduct of Meeting: The presiding officer at all meetings of the Council will be the
President of the Council, or in the absence of the President, the Vice President of the Council,
who shall conduct the business and deliberations of the Council under these rules. Reference
herein to Council President shall also apply to the Council Member acting in the Council
President's place as presiding officer. The Presidentlinayor pro tempore and Vice President shall
be elected by a majority of the Council Members at the start of the first meeting of each year, or
at such time as necessary due to a vacancy. If both the President and Vice President are absent
and a quorum is present, the Chair of the Finance, & Investment & Parking Committee shall act
as Presiding Officer. If the Chair of that Committee is unavailable, the Chair of the Public
Works Committee shall act as presiding officer.
The Council President shall:
(a) Preserve order and decorum during meetings;
(b) Observe and enforce all rules adopted by the Council for its government;
(c) Decide all questions on order, in accordance with these rules, subject to a
challenge as provided in Rule 6 Subsection 4., below; and
(d) Recognize members of the Council in the order in which they request the
floor. No member shall be recognized and given the floor to speak on the same matter more than
once until all other members of the Council have had an opportunity to be recognized and be
heard;
(e) The presiding officer, as a member of the Council, shall have only those
rights, and shall be governed in all matters and issues by the same rules and restrictions as other
Council Members.
2. Check Register: The Council President shall be assigned the responsibility for signing
off on the Check Register, following Council approval.
3. Council Committees: The Council President shall make all committee assignments, as
well as Intergovernmental Representative assignments. To the degree possible, assignments will
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be consistent with special skills, interests and time constraints. Assignments will be made to the
Following:
(a) Standing Committees:
i. Committee of the Whole consisting of the full council
membership, with the Council President as chair, to serve the 2nd and 4th Wednesday as a
regularly scheduled Study Session in the Council Conference Room, or other times and locations
as designated, to hear matters to be placed on the regular Council Meeting agendas and other
council business
ii. Finance, � Investment &Parking Committee to serve as directed
by the Council President;
ilia Public Works Committee to serve as directed by the Council
President;
iv. Public Safety Committee to serve as directed by the Council
President;
v. Audit Committee per the City Charter and Chapter 2.18 BMC; and
via Lodging Tax Advisory Committee per Chapter 67.28 RCW and
Chapter 3.64 BMC.
The above listed standing committees may be restructured or reorganized as authorized and
approved by the City Council without formal amendment of these rules and procedures.
(b) Special and Ad Hoc Committees - May be established for a specific
purpose or a specific time frame to serve as authorized by the Council President.
(c) Intergovernmental Committees, Commissions, and Boards —Established
committees i.e. Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council,
RULE 3 -COUNCIL MEMBERS
1. Comments: Council members shall address all comments to the Council President,
except when a member moves to adopt a resolution, or when a member seconds a motion.
2. Leaving Place: No member shall leave his or her place while a question is being put or a
count is being taken.
3. Voting: A vote on any matter shall be taken by roll call and any member may abstain
from voting.
4. Questioning: Any member of the Council, including the Council President, shall have
the right to question any individual, or staff member, on matters germane to the issue before the
Council. Such questioning shall not be conducted so as to ridicule or denigrate the individual
being questioned.
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5. Information Requests: A Council member may seek clarification or additional
information before voting on an issue. If such request delays consideration to another date,
approval of a majority of the Council is required.
RULE 4 -AGENDA CONTROL
1. Agenda Control: Consideration of any subject, matter, or cormnunication by the Council
inay be initiated by the Mayor or any Council Member. All written materials supplementing an
agenda bill should be filed with the City Clerk and presented to the Council Legislative Office
Manager or Legislative Assistant for distribution to the Council Members. The Council President
may reject any agenda item not complying with this procedure. Upon presentation, the Council
as a whole may decline further consideration or request information before further consideration.
2. Committee or Study Session Review: Each Agenda Bill item shall be presented to a
Council Committee or the City Council at a Study Session,
3. Removing Items: At the Briefing, any item may be removed from the agenda for any
reason upon the request of any Council Member. However, two Council Members may demand
the item be reinstated to the agenda. The item shall be brought before the Council as regular
business on the agenda and only tabled, continued or rejected by majority vote.
RULE 5 —REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGS -ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Regular Business Meeting: A Council Briefing to discuss the agenda and/or General
Council Business will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. Immediately
following, the Council Meeting -shall meet -in the designated First Floor Meeting Chambers,
unless a different location is so designated, on the first and third Wednesday of each month at
3:30 p.m. or at such other day and time as designated by ordinance. The Council Meeting shall
consist of the following items with the sequence and any other added items as determined by the
Council President:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(0
(g)
h)
(
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Call to Order
-Pledge of Allegiance
-Invocation
Mayors Report
Public Recognition.
Consent Agenda
Public Hearings
General Business
Council Member Reports
Adjournment.
2. Study Session: The Study Session shall meet mine designated Council Conference
Room, unless a different location is so designated, on the second and fourth Wednesday of each
month at 5:00 p.m. or at such other day and time as designated by ordinance. The Study Session
shall consist of the following items with the sequence and any other added items as determined
by the Council President:
(a) Briefings on Agenda Items
(b) Other General Council Business as authorized by the Council President.
(c) Adjournment
3. Executive Session/Recess: The agenda maybe interrupted for a stated time to adjourn to
Executive Session or recess at the prerogative of the Council President, unless overruled by
Council majority.
4. Consent Agenda Items: Any Council member may request a Consent Agenda Item be
moved to the regular agenda, for which no second is required.
5. Agenda Rearrangement: The Council President may rearrange, change the sequence, or
add to or remove items from the Agendas outlined in Rule 5(1) and (2) above.
6. Regular Council Meetings Televised: The Regular Council meetings shall be televised
unless otherwise directed by Council.
RULE 6 -DEBATES
1. Interruption: No member, including the Council President, shall interrupt or argue with
any other member while such member has the floor.
2. Courtesy: All speakers, including Council members, during comments, discussion or
debate of any issue, shall address their comments to the Council President with courtesy and
proper deportment. Comments shall not contain personalities, derogatory remarks or insinuations
toward any member of the Council, Staff and Public, but shall be confined to facts that are
germane and relevant to the issue.
3. Transgression: Upon transgression of these rules, the Council President shall call such
person to order, in which case that person shall be silent except to continue in order. If the
Council President transgresses these rules, or fails to call a transgressor to order, any other
member of the Council may, under a point of order, call the transgressor to order.
4. Challenge to Ruling: Any member of the Council shall have the right to challenge any
action or ruling of the Council President, or member, as the case may be, in which case the
decision of the majority of the members of the Council present, including the Council President,
shall govern.
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RULE 7 - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Procedure Guide. Robert's Rules of Order shall be used as a guide to govern the conduct of
business of the City Council while in Legislative session. However, the Council President shall
have the authority to make a final ruling on all issues of procedure, subject to Rule 6, Subsection
4 of these Rules.
RULE 8 -ORDINANCES -RESOLUTIONS
1. Actions: Any action of the Council shall be by ordinance, resolution or motion and shall
be conducted only in open public meetings unless otherwise provided by law. Such action shall
be deemed approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of those Council members present,
unless otherwise provided by law. Any such action shall contain only a single subject matter and
may not be amended to include a different subject.
2. Submittal: No ordinance shall be submitted to the Council for consideration until
approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney and copies have been furnished to Council
Members and the City Clerk. No such ordinance shall contain any interlineations or marginal
notes.
3. Presentations: Reading of ordinances and resolutions at all Council meetings shall be
deemed sufficient by the reading of a brief synopsis of the title of the ordinance or the purpose of
the resolution. The full text of an ordinance or resolution under consideration by the Council will
be provided to any member of the public upon request.
4. Reading of Ordinances: Every ordinance shall have one reading except that, upon a
request of a Council Member, an ordinance shall have two or more readings unless otherwise
Erected by the Council.
RULE9-MISCELLANEOUS
1. Agenda: By direction of the Council President, the Legislative Office Manager or
Assistant shall prepare the Agenda for each session of the Council in regular order in accordance
with these rules, which order shall not be departed from, except as provided in these rules. Such
Agenda shall include all resolutions, ordinances and matters requested by any Council Member,
or the Mayor, with no items deleted from the Agenda except as provided in Rule 4 of these rules.
2. Public Comment on Agenda Items: Any person has the right to speak on any Agenda
item at the time the item is discussed and prior to a vote by the Council. Such remarks must be
confined to those that are germane and relevant to the item being discussed and shall be subject
to a time limit. If numerous speakers are addressing the issue, the Council President may further
restrict speaker time. Written comments shall, to all intents and purposes, be considered the same
as oral comments.
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3. Public Recognition: Any member of the public shall have the right to address the
Council and the Mayor on issues not on the Agenda. No member of the public shall engage in
discussion or comment which a) is obscene, indecent or libelous; b) promotes the sale of
products, or services; c) promotes any lottery or contest which offers prizes dependent in whole
or in part upon lot or chance. It is suggested that questions from the public posed to the Council
that cannot be answered at the Council meeting should be put in writing in order to receive a
written response from the appropriate party or parties within a reasonable time. Letters addressed
to City officials will not be read in Public Recognition unless an exception is granted by Council
President based upon exceptional circumstances. Argumentative Rebuttal is not permitted during
Public Recognition,
4. Ballot Issues: During the election period, beginning on the deadline for elective office
or ballot issues, or from the time an individual announces candidacy, whichever comes first,
through the November General Election, all announcements or advertising concerning candidates
are prohibited. Discussion of ballot issues is prohibited after the issue has qualified for the ballot.
Meetings for political parties may be announced, with the exception of fundraising events (i.e.
dinners, drawings, etc.) or meetings where the title of the function expresses support or
opposition for any candidate, political party, or issue.
5. Public Hearings: The Council President may allocate the time allotted to Public Hearing
equally among the members of the public who wish to speak.
6. Complaints: Personal complaints, especially those of a derogatory nature against any
official or employee of the City shall not be discussed at a Council meeting. Citizens wishing to
make such complaints shall be instructed that the same should be first processed and handled
through the Mayor's office. Then, if the citizen feels appropriate action has not been taken, it
shall be proper for the complaint to be communicated in writing to the members of the Council.
Complaints against a Council Member shall be submitted to the Council President. If the
complaint is against the Council President, the complaint shall be submitted to the Vice.
President. Acceptance by the Council of a written complaint shall not, however, give rise to
public discussion thereon. The City Attorney should be consulted regarding confidentiality,
rights to privacy and other legal concerns.
7. Amendments to Rules &Procedures: Amendments to these rules shall be made by
resolution of the Council.
8. The City Clerk: The City Clerlc, or duly authorized representative, shall attend all
business meetings of the City Council and maintain a permanent journal of its proceedings. All
votes shall be recorded by calling the names of each member on a positional rotation basis with
Council President's vote called last.
9. Maintain Record: All of the regular and special meetings of the City Council and each
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and every part thereof shall be recorded electronically. These records shall be maintained for a
period in conformance with Chapter 40.14 RCW.
10. Prepare Minutes: Subsequent to each meeting, the Legislative Office Manager or
Assistant shall prepare brief and concise minutes of all Council meetings and submit the same to
the Council for approval. Such minutes shall contain an accurate resume of official Council
actions, with reference to all matters before it.
11. Verbatim Transcript: No member of the Council, nor any member of the administrative
staff of the City, shall be empowered or authorized to require the Legislative Office Manager or
Assistant to insert in said official minutes any verbatim transcript of all or any part of the
proceedings. Verbatim transcripts shall be made a part of the minutes only when authorized by a
majority vote of the entire Council, made at the meeting wherein such verbatim request is made.
12. Non -Compliance with Rules and Waiver: Failure of a Council member to challenge
the non-compliance of Council proceedings with any rule or procedure herein, prior to the vote
or other action taken on the item under consideration, shall constitute a waiver and such non-
compliance shall not affect the outcome of any action taken by the Council unless such
compliance is required by law.
13. Council Comments: No Council member may advertise or promote a private business
or enterprise during Council meetings except that Council members may make announcements to
welcome a new business or announce special events regarding a private business or enterprise.
RULE 10 -COUNCIL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
Members of the City Council shall observe the Expense Reimbursement Claim Policies that have
been established by ordinance or resolution. Reimbursement for travel by any member of the
Council outside the State of Washington shall be made only with the prior approval of the majority
Athe Council. All Council Member expenses shall be subject to approval by the Council President.
RULE 11 - QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS
1. Quasi -Judicial Body: In hearing matters requiring application of law and determination
of facts which predominantly affect particular parties rather than the public generally or a class
or group, the Council sits as a Quasi -Judicial body. It will conduct the hearing in accordance
with Rule 11 and 12.
(a) Council President convenes hearing.
(b) Item is introduced by City Clerk.
(c) Council President inquires:
i. "All Council Members should now give consideration as to
whether they have: 1.) a demonstrated bias or prejudice for or against any party to the
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proceedings; 2.) a direct or indirect monetary interest in the outcome of the proceedings; 3.) a
prejudgment of the issue prior to hearing the facts on the record; or 4.) ex parte contact with any
individual, excluding administrative staff, with regard to an issue prior to the hearing. If any
Council member should answer in the affirmative, then the Council member should state the
reason for their answer at this time so that the Chair may inquire of the City Attorney as to
whether a violation of the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine or a Conflict of Interest exists."
ii. "If any member of the public believes any Council member should
excuse themselves due to a conflict with the Appearance of Fairness doctrine, or for another
concern, please state the reasons now."
(d) Council President calls upon Administrative Staff to present the
recommendation or decision of the Administrative Hearing Examiner, or other applicable
commission or board, to provide a general background and to answer Council questions.
(e*) Council President designates the length of argument to afford a fair
hearing of the issues. Correspondence is read and testimony taken from proponents, then
opponents and those neutral. Council may ask questions of those testifying.
(f*) Limited questioning of opposing witnesses on technical matters by either
side may be allowed in the discretion of the Council President. The City Attorney will advise the
Council President when such questioning may be a lawfiil requirement of the hearing.
(g*) President closes the public testimony portion of the hearing. Council
deliberates and may ask questions of the presenters.
(h) A decision by motion is made. The Council may accept, reject or modify a
recommendation or decision based upon its application of code criteria and appropriate findings.
(i) No motion to rescind or reconsider the initial quasi judicial decision may
be brought by any Council member following close of the meeting.
* Not applicable to closed record hearing.
RULE 12 -CLOSED RECORD HEARINGS
1. Hearing Procedure:
(a) Closed record hearings on land use applications shall be conducted in
accordance to this rule. The provisions of Rule 11 are applicable to closed record hearings
except as otherwise noted therein. After the appearance of fairness inquiry, the President or staff
will announce that the decision will be based on materials received in evidence at the previous
open record hearing of the Administrative Hearing Examiner or other applicable commission or
board; minutes of the prior hearing; and the recommendation or decision from the open record
hearing.
(b) The Council may consider the following limited evidence not set forth in
the record:
i. The Council may take official notice of information such as any
law, ordinance, resohrtion, rule or other fact generally known and verifiable from reliable
sources.
ii. Council Members may view the area in dispute, but shall note the
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time, manner and circumstances of such view on the record.
Council deliberates and may ask questions of the staff
iv. A motion incorporating the decision is made. The Council may
accept, reject, or modify the Administrative Hearing Examiner's recommendation based upon its
application of code criteria and appropriate findings.
Dated this 2nd day of
OW, 2022 City Council President
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