HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-119Resolution No. 96- //~
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TO ADOPT FOR THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND THE
CLASSIFICATION OF NONCHARTER CODE CITY, TO BE GOVERNED
BY THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 35A, REVISED CODE OF WASHINGTON
The City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, does resolve as follows:
WHEREAS, at the June 26, 1996 City Council retreat the Mayor and Council discussed the
advantages of reclassifying Port Townsend's municipal classification from a second-class city to code
city status. At the Council retreat, the Mayor recommended that the City consider reclassification;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council's Finance Committee met on August 2, 1996 to further discuss
and consider advantages and disadvantages of reclassification. The Finance Committee approved the
Mayor's recommendation to reclassify the City, and directed the City Attorney to prepare this
Resolution; and
WHEREAS, at its regular September 3, 1996 City Council meeting, the Council held a public
hearing to consider public comments on the reclassification proposal; and
WHEREAS, in the state of Washington, the vast majority of cities have recognized the
advantages of reclassifying to code city status. At present, Port Townsend is one of only 21 cities
retaining a second-class city status; and
WHEREAS, the primary advantage of reclassifying to code city status is to have greater
"home rule" authority in matters of local concern, and to benefit from a more expansive legislative
grant of authority similar to that accorded to first-class cities; and
WHEREAS, as a second-class city, Port Townsend has operated under a patchwork of
archaic enabling legislation, limiting the City's flexibility and limiting the City's ability to respond
creatively to problems and issues. In a complex era of change, Port Townsend now recognizes the
need for greater flexibility in its legislative enactments to meet the ever-changing needs of its citizens;
and
WHEREAS, the purpose and policy of legislative creation of code city status through
Title 35A RCW was to confer upon code cities the broadest powers of local self-government
consistent with the state constitution, with municipal power liberally construed in favor of the
municipality; and
WltEREAS, having considered documents provided to the Council and public testimony, the
Council is persuaded that advantages of reclassifying to code city status greatly outweigh any
disadvantages; and
WltEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend has determined that it would
serve the best interests and general welfare of the City to change the classification of the City to that
of noncharter code city, pursuant to the provisions of RCW 35A.02.030,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council for the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
1. For the benefit of the public, the City Council hereby declares its intention to adopt
for the City of Port Townsend the classification of"noncharter code city."
2. That it is the intention of the City Council to retain the plan of government under
which it is presently organized, to-wit: the Mayor-Council plan.
3. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish this Resolution at least
once within 10 days of the Resolution's adoption.
4. That if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, as is provided for
in Section 35A.02.035 RCW, at the next regular City Council meeting following 90 days from the
first publication of this Resolution, excluding the date of first publication, the City Council shall by
ordinance adopt for the City of Port Townsend, the classification of"noncharter code city" under the
Mayor-Council plan of government.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend and signed by the Mayor on
this 3rd day of September, 1996.
Attest: Approved as to
Pam Kolacy,
08/28/96 [96-035]CA§Res {CodeCity.res }
Fiarm~l~an, (~ity Attorney
2 Res. 96- / ! q