Council moves to consider ordinance changing city‑manager signing authority and repealing outdated code

City Manager Mark presented a proposed ordinance (No. 2031‑0725) on Aug. 19 that would delete an obsolete municipal‑code chapter, add a new city‑manager signing‑authority section and amend the municipal code’s office‑hours language. Mark said the new code language would delegate signing authority to the city manager to award, execute and close out contracts below a $50,000 threshold (and would repeal Resolution No. 1170‑0820, which previously established a $30,000 staff signing limit). He said the change is intended to reduce procurement redundancies and increase operational efficiency. “Currently, the signing authority established by resolution is $30,000… 2.18 would add a delegated signing authority to award executed, close out contracts in amounts of less than $50,000,” Mark told the council. Council moved to place the ordinance on the Sept. 2 action agenda for further consideration; the motion carried. Council members asked procedural questions and were assured the ordinance could be amended later and that council oversight would remain via consent‑agenda reporting of delegated actions. A companion resolution (No. 1394‑0725) was introduced to repeal the 2020 signing‑authority resolution and likewise was placed on the Sept. 2 agenda. Why it matters: Increasing delegated signing authority changes how routine procurements are processed and can speed contracting; it also alters the balance of executive and council oversight on purchases below the new threshold. Details: The draft ordinance would also remove a redundant chapter describing city departments and would update the municipal code’s stated office hours (currently not accurate to actual operations) by authorizing the city manager to determine office hours consistent with RCW authority. Council will consider final adoption on Sept. 2.