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Council adopts revised rules of procedure after debate on remote comment and procedural clarifications
Summary
Council passed Resolution 46‑26 to adopt updated council rules effective Sept. 1, 2026, after amending provisions on meeting adjournment times, subcommittee chair language, and removing remote public comment from the rules package.
City Clerk Stephanie Hauge presented Resolution 46‑26, which would adopt updated city council rules of procedure and become effective Sept. 1, 2026. The rewrite incorporated changes discussed at the council’s April retreat and in subsequent meetings to improve clarity and compliance with Washington law.
Councilmembers discussed several amendments during the meeting. Proposed changes included shortening the automatic adjournment trigger times (from 10:30/11:00 to 09:30/10:00), clarifying that subcommittees select their chair by majority vote, and whether to continue allowing remote public comment. After debate, the council amended the draft to include "continuous service" for seniority, revised the adjournment times as proposed, and voted to strike remote public comment from the rules. City Clerk Hauge confirmed the revisions would supersede the prior rules and take effect Sept. 1.
Residents who addressed the council raised concerns about removing remote public comment. Terry Davies said the change would be "shortsighted," arguing remote access increases participation; others urged technical solutions. The council adopted Resolution 46‑26 as amended on a 4‑2 vote, with Council members John Smart and Ben Stoker recorded as voting against the final motion.
