Source: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35.22&full=true
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 11:26:38+00:00

Document:
Cities of the first class shall be organized and governed according to the law providing for the government of cities having a population of ten thousand or more inhabitants that have adopted a charter in accordance with Article XI, section 10 of the state Constitution.
First-class city, defined: RCW 35.01.010.
Cities having ten thousand or more population may frame charter for own government.
Any city with a population of ten thousand or more inhabitants may frame a charter for its own government.
may frame charters without change in classification: RCW 35.22.195.
permitted to frame charters: State Constitution Art. 11 § 10 (Amendment 40).
Election of freeholders to frame charter.
Whenever the population of a city is ten thousand or more, the legislative authority thereof shall provide by ordinance for an election to be held therein for the purpose of electing fifteen freeholders for the purpose of framing a charter for the city. The members of the board of freeholders must be qualified electors and must have been residents of the city for a period of at least two years prior to their election.
The board of freeholders shall convene within ten days after their election and frame a charter for the city and within thirty days thereafter, they, or a majority of them, shall submit the charter to the legislative authority of the city, which, within five days thereafter, shall cause it to be published in the newspaper having the largest general circulation within the city at least once each week for four weeks next preceding the day of submitting the same to the electors for their approval.
Submission of proposed charter, publication: State Constitution Art. 11 § 10 (Amendment 40).
Election on adoption of charter—Notice.
Within five days after the filing with the city clerk of affidavits of publication, which affidavits shall be filed immediately after the last publication, the legislative authority of the city shall initiate the proceedings for the submission of the proposed charter to the qualified voters of the city for their adoption or rejection at either a general or special election. At this election the first officers to serve under the provisions of the proposed charter shall also be elected. In electing from wards, the division into wards as specified in the proposed charter shall govern; in all other respects the then existing laws relating to such election shall govern. The notice shall specify the objects for which the election is held, and shall be given as required by law.
Election on adoption of charter, notice: State Constitution Art. 11 § 10 (Amendment 40).
The election of the members of the board of freeholders and that upon the proposition of adopting or rejecting the proposed charter and the officers to be elected thereunder, the returns of both elections, the canvassing thereof and the declaration of the result shall be governed by the laws regulating and controlling elections in the city.
Certificates of election to officers.
If a majority of the votes cast at the election upon the adoption of the proposed charter favor it, certificates of election shall be issued to each officer elected at that election. Within ten days after the issuance of the certificates of election, the newly elected officers shall qualify as provided in the charter, and on the tenth day thereafter at twelve o'clock noon of that day, the officers so elected and qualified shall enter upon the duties of the offices to which they were elected and at such time the charter shall be authenticated, recorded, attested and go into effect. When so authenticated, recorded and attested, the charter shall become the organic law of the city and supersede any existing charter and amendments thereto and all special laws inconsistent therewith.
Requisites of petition—Effect of favorable vote.
A petition containing the demand for the submission of the proposed charter amendment or for an election to be held for the purpose of electing a board of freeholders for the purpose of preparing a new charter for the city as provided in RCW 35.22.140 shall be filed with the city clerk and each signer shall write his or her place of residence after his or her signature. This and RCW 35.22.120 do not deprive city councils of the right to submit proposed charter amendments but affords a concurrent and additional method of submission.
Within ten days after the results of the election have been determined, if a majority of the votes cast favor the proceeding, the members of the board of freeholders elected thereat shall convene and prepare a new charter by altering, revising, adding to, or repealing the existing charter including all amendments thereto and within one year thereafter file it with the city clerk.
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 1: See note following RCW 35.22.055.
Election on adoption of new charter.
Upon the filing of the proposed new, altered, changed or revised charter with the city clerk, it shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the city at an election to be called therefor pursuant to the provisions of law applicable to the holding of elections in such city.
The election of the board of freeholders and that upon the proposition of adopting the proposed new, altered or revised charter, may be general or special elections and except as herein provided, said elections, the returns, the canvassing thereof and the declaration of the result shall be governed by the laws regulating and controlling elections in the city. In both cases the notice specifying the object of the election must be given at least ten days before the day of election.
Election on amendment to charter: State Constitution Art. 11 § 10 (Amendment 40).
If a majority of the voters voting upon the adoption of the proposed new, altered or revised charter favor it, it shall become the charter of the city and the organic law thereof, superseding any existing charter. All bodies or offices abolished or dispensed with by the new, altered or revised charter, together with the emoluments thereof shall immediately cease to exist, and any new offices created shall be filled by appointment of the mayor until the next general election subject to such approval by the city council as may be required by the new, altered or revised charter.
Powers of cities adopting charters.
Any city adopting a charter under Article XI, section 10 of the Constitution of the state of Washington, as amended by amendment 40, shall have all of the powers which are conferred upon incorporated cities and towns by Title 35 RCW, or other laws of the state, and all such powers as are usually exercised by municipal corporations of like character and degree.
Legislative powers of charter city: RCW 35.22.200.
Legislative powers of charter city—Where vested—Direct legislation.
The legislative powers of a charter city shall be vested in a mayor and a city council, to consist of such number of members and to have such powers as may be provided for in its charter. The charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum upon any matter within the scope of the powers, functions, or duties of the city. The mayor and council and such other elective officers as may be provided for in such charter shall be elected at such times and in such manner as provided in Title 29A RCW, and for such terms and shall perform such duties as may be prescribed in the charter, and shall receive compensation in accordance with the process or standards of a charter provision or ordinance which conforms with RCW 35.21.015.
Powers of cities adopting charters: RCW 35.22.195.
Separate designation of councilmembers in certain first-class cities.
Any city of the first class having a population less than one hundred thousand by the last federal census and having a charter providing that each of its councilmembers shall be the commissioner of an administrative department of such city, may by ordinance provide for the separate designation of such councilmembers as officers, in accordance with such administrative departments, and for their filing for and election to office under such separate designations.
Whenever any such city shall have passed such an ordinance providing for such separate designations and for filing for and election to office in accordance therewith, such city shall have no power to repeal the same except by ordinance passed by the council of such city and submitted to the voters thereof at a general or special election and ratified by a majority of the voters voting thereon.
All regular elections in first-class cities having a mayor-council form of government whose charters provide for seven councilmembers, one to be elected from each of six wards and one at large, for a term of two years, and for the election of a mayor, comptroller, treasurer and attorney for two year terms, shall be held biennially as provided in RCW 29A.04.330. The terms of the six councilmembers to be elected by wards shall be four years and until their successors are elected and qualified and the term of the councilmember to be elected at large shall be two years and until their successors are elected and qualified. The terms of the councilmembers shall be so staggered that three ward councilmembers and the councilmember at large shall be elected at each regular election. The term of the mayor, attorney, treasurer, and comptroller shall be four years and until their successors are elected and qualified and assume office in accordance with RCW 29A.60.280.
(37) To provide in their respective charters for a method to propose and adopt amendments thereto.
City and town license fees and taxes on financial institutions.
City license fees or taxes on certain business activities to be at a single uniform rate.
Nonpolluting power generation by individual—Exemption from regulation—Authorization to contract with utility.
Publication of ordinances or summary—Public notice of hearings and meeting agendas.
Promptly after adoption, the text of each ordinance or a summary of the content of each ordinance shall be published at least once in the official newspaper of the city. For purposes of this section, a summary shall mean a brief description which succinctly describes the main points of the ordinance. Publication of the title of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness shall constitute publication of a summary of that ordinance. When the city publishes a summary, the publication shall include a statement that the full text of the ordinance will be mailed upon request.
An inadvertent mistake or omission in publishing the text or a summary of the content of an ordinance shall not render the ordinance invalid.
In addition to the requirement that a city publish the text or a summary of the content of each adopted ordinance, every city shall establish a procedure for notifying the public of upcoming hearings and the preliminary agenda for the forthcoming council meeting. Such procedure may include, but not be limited to, written notification to the city's official newspaper, publication of a notice in the official newspaper, posting of upcoming council meeting agendas, or such other processes as the city determines will satisfy the intent of this requirement.
Every city of the first class may lease, purchase, or construct, and maintain public auditoriums and art museums and may use and let them for such public and private purposes for such compensation and rental and upon such conditions as shall be prescribed by ordinance; it may issue negotiable bonds for the purchase and construction thereof on such conditions and in such manner as shall be prescribed by its charter and by general law for the borrowing of money for corporate purposes.
Leasing of land for auditoriums, etc.
If a city of the first class has acquired title to land for public auditoriums or art museums, it may let it or any part thereof, together with the structures and improvements constructed or to be constructed thereon for such term as may be deemed proper and may raise the needed funds for financing the project, in whole or in part, by transferring or pledging the use and income thereof in such manner as the corporate authorities deem proper.
Any lessee under any such lease may mortgage the leasehold interest and may issue bonds to be secured by the mortgage and may pledge the rent and income of the property to accrue during the term of the lease or any part thereof for the due financing of the project: PROVIDED, That the corporate authorities may specify in any such lease such provisions and restrictions relating thereto as they shall deem proper.
Collection of cost of filling cesspools, etc.
Every city of the first class by general ordinance may prescribe the mode and manner of assessing, levying and collecting assessments upon property for filling and closing cesspools thereon and removing garbage, debris, grass, weeds, and brush and provide that the charges therefor shall be a lien on the property upon which such work is done and collected in such manner as is prescribed in the ordinance.
Every city of the first class maintaining a harbor department may install, maintain, and operate in connection therewith wireless telegraph stations for the handling of official and commercial messages and for communicating with wireless land and shore stations under such regulations as the corporate authorities may prescribe and in accordance with the statutes and regulations of the federal government.
Streets—Railroad franchises in, along, over, and across.
Every city of the first class may by ordinance authorize the location, construction, and operation of railroads in, along, over, and across any highway, street, alley, or public place in the city for such term of years and upon such conditions as the city council may by ordinance prescribe notwithstanding any provisions of the city charter limiting the length of terms of franchises or requiring franchises to contain a provision granting the city the right to appropriate by purchase the property of any corporation receiving a franchise, license, privilege, or authority: PROVIDED, That this does not apply to street railroads nor to railroads operated in connection with street railroads in and along the streets of such city.
Every city of the first class which owns and operates a waterworks system, a light and power system, a street railway or other public utility, shall have power, through its proper officers, to deal with and to enter into contracts for periods not exceeding one year with its employees engaged in the construction, maintenance, or operation thereof through the accredited representatives of the employees including any labor organization or organizations authorized to act for them concerning wages, hours and conditions of labor in such employment, and every city having not less than one hundred forty thousand nor more than one hundred and seventy thousand population is empowered and authorized to immediately place in effect any adjustment or change in such wages, hours and conditions of labor of such employees as may be required to conform to the provisions of any such contract, irrespective of the provisions of any annual budget or act relating thereto: PROVIDED, That not more than one such contract not in conformity with any annual budget shall be made during any budget year, nor shall any such adjustment or change be made which would result in an excess of expenditures over revenues of such public utility.
Labor regulations: Title 49 RCW.
Notwithstanding any annual budget or statute relating thereto, any city of the first class owning and operating a public utility, or the city's public utility department, may make an adjustment or change of the rate of daily wages of employees of any such public utility if such adjustment or change is accompanied by or is approximately coincidental with a shortening of the workweek of the employees and if the adjustment or change will not result in any increase in pay per week, or excess of expenditures of the public utility over its revenues.
Nuclear thermal power facilities—Joint development with public utility districts and electrical companies.
Public transportation systems in municipalities—Financing.
Notwithstanding that the charter of a city of the first class may forbid the city council from redividing the city into wards except at stated periods, if the city has failed to redivide the city into wards during any such period, the city council by ordinance may do so at any time thereafter: PROVIDED, That there shall not be more than one redivision into wards during any one period specified in the charter.
Municipal airport located in unincorporated area—Subject to county comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances.
Whenever a first-class city owns and operates a municipal airport which is located in an unincorporated area of a county, the airport shall be subject to the county's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances in the same manner as if the airport were privately owned and operated.
Severability—1979 ex.s. c 124: See note following RCW 35A.14.015.
Omnibus grant of powers to first-class cities.
Any city adopting a charter under the provisions of this chapter shall have all the powers which are conferred upon incorporated cities and towns by this title or other laws of the state, and all such powers as are usually exercised by municipal corporations of like character and degree.
Diversion of local improvement moneys prohibited—Refund of excess.
Whenever any city of the first class shall levy and collect moneys by sale of bonds or otherwise for any local improvement by special assessment therefor, the same shall be carried in a special fund to be used for said purpose, and no part thereof shall be transferred or diverted to any other fund or use: PROVIDED, That any funds remaining after the payment of the whole cost and expense of such improvement, in excess of the total sum required to defray all the expenditures by the city on account thereof, shall be refunded on demand to the amount of such overpayment: PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section shall not be deemed to require the refunding of any balance in any local improvement fund after the payment of all outstanding obligations issued against such fund, where such balance accrues from any saving in interest or from penalties collected upon delinquent assessments, but any such balance may be turned into the general fund or otherwise disposed of, as the legislative authority of such city may direct by ordinance. The provisions of this section relating to the refund of excess local improvement district funds shall not apply to any district whose obligations are guaranteed by the local improvement guaranty fund.
Bonds voted by people—Transfer of excess to redemption fund.
(1) Whenever the issuance or sale of bonds or other obligations of any city of the first class has been authorized by vote of the people, as provided by any existing charter or laws, for any special improvement or purpose, the proceeds of the sale of such bonds including premiums if any shall be carried in a special fund to be devoted to the purpose for which such bonds were authorized, and no portion of such bonds shall be transferred or diverted to any other fund or purpose: PROVIDED, That nothing herein shall be held to prevent the transfer to the interest and redemption fund of any balance remaining in the treasury after the completion of such improvement or purpose so authorized: PROVIDED FURTHER, That nothing herein shall prevent the city council from disposing of such bonds, or any portion thereof, in such amounts and at such times as it shall direct, but no such bonds shall be sold for less than par. Such bonds may be in any form, including bearer bonds or registered bonds as provided in RCW 39.46.030.
Police officers—Appointment without regard to residence authorized.
Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 35.21.200, as now or hereafter amended, all cities of the first class shall have the right and authority to appoint and employ a person as a regular or special police officer of said city regardless of his or her place of residence or domicile at the date of his or her appointment.
This provision shall supersede any provision of any city charter to the contrary.
Residence requirements for appointive city officials and employees: RCW 35.21.200.
Public works or improvements—Limitations on work by public employees—Small works roster—Purchase of reused or recycled materials or products.
(1) As used in this section, the term "public works" means as defined in RCW 39.04.010.
(2) A first-class city may have public works performed by contract pursuant to public notice and call for competitive bids. As limited by subsection (3) of this section, a first-class city may have public works performed by city employees in any annual or biennial budget period equal to a dollar value not exceeding ten percent of the public works construction budget, including any amount in a supplemental public works construction budget, over the budget period. The amount of public works that a first-class city has a county perform for it under RCW 35.77.020 shall be included within this ten percent limitation.
If a first-class city has public works performed by public employees in any budget period that are in excess of this ten percent limitation, the amount in excess of the permitted amount shall be reduced from the otherwise permitted amount of public works that may be performed by public employees for that city in its next budget period. Twenty percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax distributions to that city shall be withheld if two years after the year in which the excess amount of work occurred, the city has failed to so reduce the amount of public works that it has performed by public employees. The amount so withheld shall be distributed to the city when it has demonstrated in its reports to the state auditor that the amount of public works it has performed by public employees has been so reduced.
Whenever a first-class city has had public works performed in any budget period up to the maximum permitted amount for that budget period, all remaining public works within that budget period shall be done by contract pursuant to public notice and call for competitive bids.
The state auditor shall report to the state treasurer any first-class city that exceeds this amount and the extent to which the city has or has not reduced the amount of public works it has performed by public employees in subsequent years.
(3) In addition to the percentage limitation provided in subsection (2) of this section, a first-class city shall not have public employees perform a public works project in excess of ninety thousand dollars if more than a single craft or trade is involved with the public works project, or a public works project in excess of forty-five thousand dollars if only a single craft or trade is involved with the public works project or the public works project is street signalization or street lighting. A public works project means a complete project. The restrictions in this subsection do not permit the division of the project into units of work or classes of work to avoid the restriction on work that may be performed by day labor on a single project.
(4) In addition to the accounting and recordkeeping requirements contained in RCW 39.04.070, every first-class city annually may prepare a report for the state auditor indicating the total public works construction budget and supplemental public works construction budget for that year, the total construction costs of public works performed by public employees for that year, and the amount of public works that is performed by public employees above or below ten percent of the total construction budget. However, if a city budgets on a biennial basis, this annual report may indicate the amount of public works that is performed by public employees within the current biennial period that is above or below ten percent of the total biennial construction budget.
Each first-class city with a population of one hundred fifty thousand or less shall use the form required by RCW 43.09.205 to account and record costs of public works in excess of five thousand dollars that are not let by contract.
(5) The cost of a separate public works project shall be the costs of materials, supplies, equipment, and labor on the construction of that project. The value of the public works budget shall be the value of all the separate public works projects within the budget.
(6) The competitive bidding requirements of this section may be waived by the city legislative authority pursuant to RCW 39.04.280 if an exemption contained within that section applies to the work or contract.
(7) In lieu of the procedures of subsections (2) and (6) of this section, a first-class city may let contracts using the small works roster process in RCW 39.04.155.
Whenever possible, the city shall invite at least one proposal from a minority or woman contractor who shall otherwise qualify under this section.
(8) The allocation of public works projects to be performed by city employees shall not be subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
(9) This section does not apply to performance-based contracts, as defined in RCW 39.35A.020(4), that are negotiated under chapter 39.35A RCW.
(10) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any first-class city from allowing for preferential purchase of products made from recycled materials or products that may be recycled or reused.
(11)(a) Any first-class city may procure public works with a unit priced contract under this section for the purpose of completing anticipated types of work based on hourly rates or unit pricing for one or more categories of work or trades.
(b) For the purposes of this section, "unit priced contract" means a competitively bid contract in which public works are anticipated on a recurring basis to meet the business or operational needs of the city, under which the contractor agrees to a fixed period indefinite quantity delivery of work, at a defined unit price for each category of work.
(c) Unit priced contracts must be executed for an initial contract term not to exceed three years, with the city having the option of extending or renewing the unit priced contract for one additional year.
(d) Invitations for unit price bids shall include, for purposes of the bid evaluation, estimated quantities of the anticipated types of work or trades, and specify how the city will issue or release work assignments, work orders, or task authorizations pursuant to a unit priced contract for projects, tasks, or other work based on the hourly rates or unit prices bid by the contractor. Contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder as per RCW 39.04.010. Whenever possible, the city must invite at least one proposal from a minority or woman contractor who otherwise qualifies under this section.
(e) Unit price contractors shall pay prevailing wages for all work that would otherwise be subject to the requirements of chapter 39.12 RCW. Prevailing wages for all work performed pursuant to each work order must be the prevailing wage rates in effect at the beginning date for each contract year. Unit priced contracts must have prevailing wage rates updated annually. Intents and affidavits for prevailing wages paid must be submitted annually for all work completed within the previous twelve-month period of the unit priced contract.
Competitive bidding violations by municipal officer, penalties: RCW 39.30.020.
Public works or improvements—Inapplicability of RCW 35.22.620 to certain agreements relating to water pollution control, solid waste handling facilities.
RCW 35.22.620 does not apply to the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop water pollution control facilities or to provide water pollution control services under RCW 70.150.040 or the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop solid waste handling facilities or to provide solid waste handling services under RCW 35.21.156.
Public works or improvements—Cost amounts—How determined.
The cost of any public work or improvement for the purposes of RCW 35.22.620 and 35.22.640 shall be the aggregate of all amounts to be paid for labor, material, and equipment on one continuous or interrelated project where work is to be performed simultaneously or in close sequence: PROVIDED, That the cost of water services and metering equipment furnished by any first-class city in the course of a water service installation from the utility-owned main to and including the meter box assembly shall not be included as part of the aggregate cost as provided herein. The breaking down of any public work or improvement into units or accomplishing any public work or improvement by phases for the purpose of avoiding the minimum dollar amount prescribed in RCW 35.22.620 is contrary to public policy and is prohibited.
Public works or improvements—Low bidder claiming error—Prohibition on later bid for same project.
A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract with a city for a public works project is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project.
Public works or improvements—Minority business, employees—Contract, contents.
"Contractor agrees that the contractor shall actively solicit the employment of minority group members. Contractor further agrees that the contractor shall actively solicit bids for the subcontracting of goods or services from qualified minority businesses. Contractor shall furnish evidence of the contractor's compliance with these requirements of minority employment and solicitation. Contractor further agrees to consider the grant of subcontracts to said minority bidders on the basis of substantially equal proposals in the light most favorable to said minority businesses. The contractor shall be required to submit evidence of compliance with this section as part of the bid."
As used in this section, the term "minority business" means a business at least fifty-one percent of which is owned by minority group members. Minority group members include, but are not limited to, blacks, women, native Americans, Asians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Hispanics.
Effective date—2002 c 307: See note following RCW 1.20.130.
If a first-class city zones pursuant to its inherent charter authority and not pursuant to chapter 35.63 RCW, and does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones or areas that are designated for single-family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini-day care centers and day care centers in zones or areas that are designated for any residential or commercial uses, the city shall conduct a review of the need and demand for child care facilities, including the cost of any conditional or special use permit that may be required. The review shall be completed by August 30, 1990. A copy of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations resulting from the review shall be sent to the *department of community development by September 30, 1990.
Definitions for RCW 35.22.660: See RCW 35.63.170.
First-class cities subject to limitations on moratoria, interim zoning controls.
A first-class city that plans under the authority of its charter is subject to the provisions of RCW 35.63.200.
With respect to the National Scenic Area, as defined in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, P.L. 99-663, the exercise of any power or authority by a city pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to and in conformity with the requirements of chapter 43.97 RCW, including the Interstate Compact adopted by RCW 43.97.015, and with the management plan regulations and ordinances adopted by the Columbia River Gorge commission pursuant to the Compact.
A city of the first class may contract to purchase from a joint operating agency electric power and energy required for its present or future requirements. For projects the output of which is limited to qualified alternative energy resources as defined by RCW 19.29A.090(3), the contract may include the purchase of capability of the projects to produce electricity in addition to the actual output of the projects. The contract may provide that the city must make the payments required by the contract whether or not a project is completed, operable, or operating and notwithstanding the suspension, interruption, interference, reduction, or curtailment of the output of a project or the power and energy contracted for. The contract may also provide that payments under the contract are not subject to reduction, whether by offset or otherwise, and shall not be conditioned upon the performance or nonperformance of the joint operating agency or a city, town, or public utility district under the contract or other instrument.
The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this chapter, but the same shall be liberally construed for the purpose of carrying out the objects for which this chapter is intended.

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