PRESS RELEASE - Port Townsend City Council Position 2 Vacancy Appointment

City Council finalizes application process and materials; applications now open for consideration

PORT TOWNSEND – The City Council has finalized the application process and materials for the appointment of a temporary City Council member to Position 2, following the resignation of Aislinn Palmer in May.

The materials outline eligibility, timeline, the role of Council, and requested materials. Materials can be accessed here.

Mayor David J. Faber says: “I encourage community members to consider applying to serve in this important role. The policy work of City Council ranges from technical to visionary and affects all of our daily lives. This is a critical time to fix our difficult problems and build on our successes for the future of Port Townsend.”

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must resident full time in the Port Townsend city limits, have been a resident for at least one year, be a registered voter in Jefferson County, a citizen of the United States, and be 18 years of age or older.

To be considered, applicants must be eligible for appointment and fill out an application form and supplemental questions. The application must be received by hard copy or email by the City Clerk by 4pm on July 5, 2024. City Council will shortlist candidates at their July 15 business meeting and interview finalist candidates at a City Council Special Business Meeting on Tuesday, July 23 from 3-6pm. City Council intends to deliberate and decide on appointment at their August 5 Business Meeting. The appointment requires a majority vote of the currently-serving 6 Councilmembers. The likely swearing in date and first meeting of the newly-appointed Councilmember is August 12, 2024. That member serves until the 2025 general election is certified, usually in November, when the elected member begins serving a four-year term.

As the City's governing body, Port Townsend’s seven elected part-time City Councilmembers establish City policies and laws, adopt an annual budget, approve appropriations, and contract for services. The Council hires and evaluates the City Manager, who is responsible for preparing a budget for the Council’s consideration; recruiting, hiring, and supervising City staff; operating the
services of City government; serving as the Council’s chief adviser; collaborating with local, regional, state, and federal agencies; and carrying out the Council’s policies, among other duties.
City Councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms; roughly half the Council is up for election every two years. All Councilmembers are "at-large", meaning that they are elected by and serve the City as a whole as opposed to a specific district in the City.

The City Council chooses a Mayor and Deputy Mayor from among its members at the first meeting of the new year following an election. The Mayor presides at Council meetings and represents the City at ceremonial functions and inter-governmental meetings. The Deputy Mayor presides in the Mayor's absence. They and the City Manager set the agenda for City Council meetings.

Most City Council meetings are held on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mondays at 6:00 p.m. Occasionally special meetings are scheduled as needed. There are no Council meetings on Mondays that are legal holidays. City Council meetings, procedures, duties, committees, relations with City administration, and more are codified in Articles 1-7 in the City Council Rules of Procedure.

Councilmembers may also serve on or liaise with Council committees, regional and local committees, and agency boards. Councilmembers also attend occasional workshops and conferences, particularly those most related to crucial topics like the Open Public Meetings Act.

Serving on the Port Townsend City Council is a part-time position. The position includes a nominal monthly salary, compared regionally and determined locally by a Salary Commission.

Agendas, minutes, and video recordings of Council meetings are available on the City’s website:
cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/agendasminutesvideos

More information including an application form and timeline can be found here.

More information about filling open City Council positions can be found here.
Council Rules Chapter 3, Section 2
RCW 42.12.70
MRSC