[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to calling special meetings in second class cities and code cities; amending RCW 35.23.181 and 35A.12.110; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The open public meetings act provides that a special meeting may be called by the presiding officer or by a majority of the members of a city or town council.

The statute relating to special meetings for mayor-council second class cities allows only the mayor to call a special meeting and not a majority of the council.

The statute relating to special meetings for code cities allows the mayor or any three councilmembers to call a special meeting, but that is not a majority in cities that have a seven-member council.

It is the legislature's intent to amend the laws relating to special meetings for second class cities and code cities to make them consistent with the open public meetings act.

Sec. 2. RCW 35.23.181 and 1993 c 199 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The city council and mayor shall meet in January next succeeding the date of each general municipal election, and shall take the oath of office, and shall hold regular meetings at least once during each month but not to exceed one regular meeting in each week, at such times as may be fixed by ordinance.

Special meetings may be called by the mayor or by a majority of the members of the city council by written notice as provided in RCW 42.30.080. No ordinances shall be passed or contract let or entered into, or bill for the payment of money allowed at any special meeting.

All meetings of the city council shall be held at such place as may be designated by the city council. All final actions on resolutions and ordinances must take place within the corporate limits of the city. All meetings of the city council must be public.

Sec. 3. RCW 35A.12.110 and 1993 c 199 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The city council and mayor shall meet regularly, at least once a month, at a place and at such times as may be designated by the city council. All final actions on resolutions and ordinances must take place within the corporate limits of the city. Special meetings may be called by the mayor or ((~~any three~~)) by a majority of the members of the council by written notice delivered to each member of the council at least twenty-four hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting. All actions that have heretofore been taken at special council meetings held pursuant to this section, but for which the number of hours of notice given has been at variance with requirements of RCW 42.30.080, are hereby validated. All council meetings shall be open to the public except as permitted by chapter 42.30 RCW. No ordinance or resolution shall be passed, or contract let or entered into, or bill for the payment of money allowed at any meeting not open to the public, nor at any public meeting the date of which is not fixed by ordinance, resolution, or rule, unless public notice of such meeting has been given by such notice to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local radio or television station, as provided in RCW 42.30.080 ((~~as now or hereafter amended~~)). Meetings of the council shall be presided over by the mayor, if present, or otherwise by the mayor pro tempore, or deputy mayor if one has been appointed, or by a member of the council selected by a majority of the council members at such meeting. Appointment of a council member to preside over the meeting shall not in any way abridge his or her right to vote on matters coming before the council at such meeting. In the absence of the clerk, a deputy clerk or other qualified person appointed by the clerk, the mayor, or the council, may perform the duties of clerk at such meeting. A journal of all proceedings shall be kept, which shall be a public record.