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Council reviews code changes to allow limited remote attendance and codify leaves of absence
Summary
Council considered ordinance language to permit remote meeting participation (capped at 60 times per year and two consecutive meetings), clarified roll‑call voting order and a leave‑of‑absence application process, and discussed statutory consequences for repeated unexcused absences under state RCW; council tabled final action pending legal and drafting clarifications.
Members reviewed proposed amendments to municipal code sections addressing remote attendance, voting procedures, and leaves of absence during the May 5 meeting.
Staff and council discussed a proposed cap on remote participation — a maximum of 60 remote attendances per calendar year and no more than two consecutive council meetings — with the language revised to clarify the phrase should read "in a row" rather than the packet wording. Council also proposed that all council votes be taken by roll call conducted by the city clerk in order of seniority, moving from most junior to most senior.
On leaves of absence, a council member asked how the provision would apply to service members called to active duty. A staff presenter referenced state law (chapter C 35A of the Revised Code of Washington was cited in discussion) that deems a seat vacated after more than three unexcused absences, and council members requested explicit language to protect service members called to active duty so that leaves for deployment would not automatically create a vacancy.
Council made a motion to table the item while staff confirms wording, statutory references and drafting (including whether the leave language should explicitly exclude military service from counting as an unexcused absence). The item will return once the legal and drafting questions are resolved.
