Sammamish council directs city manager to draft sample committee charter after split vote

The Sammamish City Council voted 4–3 to ask the city manager to prepare a sample charter for a proposed council committee structure, setting a path for further work on how committees would be appointed, staffed and scoped.

Mayor Josh Amato introduced the committee proposal as a way to "create a more effective city council and get results" by moving some policy deliberations into smaller groups that could vet details before items come to the full council. He said committees would remain open to the public and that public comment, recordings and livestreams would continue.

Councilmembers delivered sustained, sometimes skeptical, pushback. Councilmember Pamela Stewart cautioned committees could reduce transparency and result in prepackaged outcomes, saying "When I first got on the council, we had committees... I think sometimes even the people who proposed things in the committees, once they had the full council discussing it, would vote against their own proposals coming out of committees." Councilmember Michael Boyer raised concerns about staff time and the potential for redundant meetings; Councilmember O'Farrell urged starting small with a single pilot committee. Deputy Mayor Debbie Treen and other supporters said charters and clear charters/charters and minority reports could mitigate risks.

The motion on the floor asked the city manager to draft a sample charter that addressed concerns raised; the motion was seconded and the transcript records the council adopting the request with a 4–3 vote. The city manager said staff would evaluate staffing, scheduling, and notice requirements and bring back a draft charter and options.

What happens next: staff will produce a sample charter and recommendations for the council to review. The council emphasized it was not yet voting to implement a committee system; the vote only asked staff to prepare a draft for future consideration.