II. COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

The City Council acts as the official legislative and policy making body of the City of Yakima adopting all laws, ordinances, and resolutions, and approving contracts required by the City. The Council analyzes proposals to meet community needs, initiates action for new programs and determines the ability of the City to provide financing for City operations. The Council also reviews, modifies, and approves the annual municipal budget presented by the City Manager. Additionally, the City Council performs other miscellaneous duties, including appointments to various boards and commissions, acts as liaison with other governmental bodies, and responds to community groups and individual constituents. The Council has established approximately 13 subcommittees and shares assignments on at least 38 other local boards and commissions. Each Councilmember is expected to participate in serving on these boards and commissions, so as not to unduly burden any Councilmember.

How Much Time Does It Take To Be A Councilmember?

The City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 p.m., except that no Council meeting is scheduled for any fifth Tuesday of any month. Duration of meetings vary from one hour to four hours, usually averaging three hours. On the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 8:00 a.m., the Council may meet for an informal discussion among themselves about issues that need in-depth study. Other special and adjourned meetings are called as needed. Generally in November and December, extra meetings are called to review the proposed budget. In 2008, 16 special and adjourned meetings were held in addition to the regular Council meetings. On Thursday evenings prior to the Council meeting, a Council packet containing the agenda for the upcoming meeting, staff reports and other general information is delivered to the Councilmember. An information packet is provided on Friday when no Council meeting is scheduled the next week.

In addition to these meetings, you should allow time for other duties; i.e. out-of-town meetings, speaking engagements, conversing with citizens, and ceremonial events such as welcoming conventions to Yakima and groundbreaking events. As noted above, in November-December of each year, the Council is committed to approximately 20 to 25 extra hours in several special budget meetings per week.

Councilmembers can expect to spend 15-20 hours per week on Council related work; the Mayor spends approximately twice that amount of time.

III. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

Pursuant to Washington State law (RCW 42.17.240), candidates for public office and incumbent elected officials are required to file public disclosure records of their personal financial status. Within two weeks of becoming a candidate, a personal Financial Affairs Statement must be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), listing all your income, compensation, real estate, other assets, financial holdings, and creditors. These reports are required to be filed annually by elected officials. The purpose of the report is to give the public tangible proof that officials are acting in the public interest and not for their private gain.

Candidates may also be required to submit campaign finance reports with the PDC and should contact them for information and instructions.

IV. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE

Members of the City Council are required by law to comply with certain standards of conduct involving potential conflicts of interest and the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine. A Councilmember may not vote on any matter where he or she would be especially benefited because this would involve a conflict of interest. Further, state law strictly forbids city officials from having any personal financial interest in city employment or other city contracts, regardless of whether or not they vote on the matter. Public officials may not, directly or indirectly, give or receive any compensation, gift, or gratuity from a non-city source for any matter connected with or related to city business. The Appearance of Fairness Doctrine applies to all City Council actions that determine the legal rights, duties, or privileges of specific persons, such as in zoning and land use hearings.

V. QUALIFICATIONS

Article II, Section l.A. of the City of Yakima Charter states the elective officers of the City of Yakima shall be residents of the City. Members of the Council shall be qualified electors of the City. Qualified electors of the City elect one Councilmember from each of the four separate districts, and three members from the City at-large regardless of residence in any particular area of the City. Any member ceasing to possess any of the qualifications specified in general law or in the City Charter or is convicted of crime involving moral turpitude while in office shall immediately forfeit his office.

VI. SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS

The salary for Councilmembers is established by ordinance passed by the Council. No Councilmember may vote himself/herself an increase in salary. Therefore, increases for Councilmembers are effective only after a Councilmember has been re-elected for another term of office.

Current salaries in effect for Council positions are:

2009

(1) 4 District Positions $1,075.00

(2) 3 At-Large Positions $1,075.00

(3) Assistant Mayor $1,175.00

(4) Mayor $1,375.00

The fringe benefits include:

• Reimbursement for expenditures as provided by Section 2.20.086 of the Yakima Municipal Code.

• $5,000 life insurance policy; premium fully paid by the City.

• Workmen's Compensation insurance coverage (self-insured).

• Professional liability indemnification covering Councilmembers in their official capacity (self-insured).

• Payment by the City of its portion of Social Security payroll tax.

• Deferred Compensation Plan (no matching funds by City)

• Medical insurance offered (premium paid in full by Councilmember)

VII. ELECTION PROCESS

All elections, whether special or general, shall be conducted by the County Auditor (RCW 29.13.040).

Filing For Candidacy:

All candidates shall file declarations of candidacy with the County Auditor, not earlier than the fourth Monday of July, nor later than the next succeeding Friday in the year such regular City elections are held (RCW 29.21.060). A filing fee equal to one percent of the annual salary shall accompany the declaration of candidacy for any office with an annual salary of more than one thousand dollars per annum (RCW 29.18.050). State law makes provisions for candidates who lack sufficient assets or income to pay the filing fee. (See Section VII for current information on filing dates and fee)

A primary election is only necessary when more than two candidates have filed for the same position. The primary election shall be conducted in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Washington, according to Article III, Section 1 of the City Charter. Primary elections are held on the third Tuesday of the preceding September (before the November general election), or on the seventh Tuesday immediately preceding such general election, whichever occurs first (RCW 29.13.070). The two candidates with the highest votes shall advance to the general election provided that no name shall appear on the ballot unless said candidate shall receive at least five percent of the total votes cast for that office.

All cities' general elections shall be held throughout the State on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in the odd-numbered years (RCW 29.13.020).

VIII. HOW A VACANCY ON THE COUNCIL IS FILLED

If any Councilmember elected or appointed to an at-large position moves outside the City boundary, or in the event a Councilmember elected or appointed to a "district position" moves outside his/her district, then that Councilmember shall thereby forfeit the office of Councilmember and that position shall be deemed vacant.

In the event a vacancy occurs, for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointment of some qualified person by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council.

Such appointee shall hold office only until the next regular municipal election to fill the unexpired term of that position. If the vacancy occurs in a position held by a Councilmember originally nominated or elected from a district, then the appointee shall be a resident of that district, and so shall the member who is elected to serve the remainder of that term.

Generally, the Council opens up a filing period for the vacancy and requests each candidate to complete an application form. The candidates are then interviewed during a public Council meeting. Council may deliberate on the qualifications of the candidates in a closed session and then vote on the appointment in an open meeting.

IX. ELECTION INFORMATION

Positions Up for Election in 2009:

The three at-large positions are up for election in 2009.

Election Dates:

Filing for Candidacy June 1-5, 2009
Primary Election August 18, 2009
General Election.. November 3, 2009

X. Political Advertising

The County Election Department provides information regarding political advertising, addressed under State law. The City, in Chapter 15.08.040 of the Municipal Code, regulates political yard signs. Political signs which during a campaign, advertise a candidate or candidates for public elective office, a political party, or promote a position on a public issue, provided such signs shall not be posted more than ninety (90) days before the election to which they relate and are removed within fifteen (15) days following the election, are exempt from the application, permit and fee requirement of Title 15.

XI. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

An Election Information Report that provides general election information is available from the Yakima County Auditor's Election Office.

The City of Yakima's Website at www.ci.yakima.wa.us has information available, under the classification of City Council, on:

The Yakima City Charter
The Yakima Municipal Codes
The Mission and Vision Statement
Strategic Priorities
Boards and Commissions
Hot Topics

A Council agenda packet is available for you upon request at the City Clerk's Office.

Please call the Yakima City Clerk's Office at 575-6037 for additional information.