[R.O. 1992 § 115.030; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
No person shall be Mayor unless he/she be at least thirty (30) years of age, a citizen of the United States and a resident of the City of Washington at the time of and for two (2) years next preceding his/her election. When two (2) or more persons shall have an equal number of votes for the office of Mayor, the matter shall be determined by the City Council.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.230, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.040; R.O. of 1942, § 351; CC 1970 § 2-68]
A. 
Every bill presented to the Mayor and returned to the Council with the approval of the Mayor shall become an ordinance, and every bill presented as aforesaid, but returned with his/her objections thereto, shall stand reconsidered. The Council shall cause the objections of the Mayor to be entered at large upon the journal, and proceed at its convenience to consider the question pending, which shall be in this form: "Shall the bill pass, the objections of the Mayor thereto notwithstanding?" The votes on this question shall be taken by "ayes" and "nays" and the names entered upon the journal, and if two-thirds (2/3) of all the members elect shall vote in the affirmative, the President shall certify the fact on the roll, and the bill thus certified shall be deposited with the proper officer, and shall become an ordinance in the same manner and with like effect as if it had received the approval of the Mayor. The Mayor shall have power to sign or veto any ordinance passed by the City Council, and shall also possess the power to approve all or any portion of the general appropriation bill, or to veto any item or all of the same; provided, that should he/she neglect or refuse to sign any ordinance and return the same with his/her objections, in writing, at the next regular meeting of the Council, the same shall become a law without his/her signature.
B. 
The Mayor shall also have the power to veto any resolution or order of the Council which calls for or contemplates the expenditure of the revenues of the City. Such vetoes shall be noted on the journal of the Council, and shall be effective and binding unless the Council, at a subsequent session thereof, general or special, shall pass the resolution or order by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all the members elected to the Council.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see §§ 77.270—77.280, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.070; R.O. of 1942, § 354; CC 1970 § 2-71]
The Mayor shall, from time to time, communicate to the Council such measures as may, in his/her opinion, tend to the improvement of the finances, the Police, health, security, comfort and general prosperity of the City.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.290, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.080; R.O. of 1942, § 355; CC 1970 § 2-72]
The Mayor shall have power to require, as often as he/she may deem it necessary, any officer of the City to exhibit his/her accounts or other papers or records, and to make report to the Council, in writing, touching any subject or matter pertaining to his/her office.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.310, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.090; R.O. of 1942, § 356; CC 1970 § 2-73]
The Mayor shall be active and vigilant in enforcing all laws and ordinances for the government of the City, and he/she shall cause all subordinate officers to be dealt with promptly for any neglect or violation of duty.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.350, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.100; R.O. of 1942, § 358; CC 1970 § 2-75]
The Mayor, with the consent of a majority of the members elected to the City Council, shall have power to appoint a City Engineer and such other officers as he/she may be authorized by this Code or other ordinance to appoint. He/she shall have authority to give such reasonable and lawful orders to the Chief of Police and Police Officers of this City as in his/her judgment the public good may require, and it shall be the duty of the Chief of Police and Police to obey such orders.
[1]
State Law Reference—Authority of mayor to appoint certain officers, see § 77.330, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.120; R.O. of 1942, § 360; CC 1970 § 2-77]
Whenever the Police Force of this City shall be insufficient for the suppression of any mob, insurrection, affray or other disturbances of the peace, the Mayor shall have the power and is hereby authorized to call on every male inhabitant of the City, over eighteen (18) years of age and under fifty (50), to aid in the suppression of such mob, insurrection, affray or other disturbances, and in enforcing the laws and ordinances of this City. He/she shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures and to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses arising under this Code or other ordinances of this City; but this Section shall not be so construed as to authorize the Mayor to remit any costs which may have accrued to any officer of the City by reason of any prosecution under the laws and ordinances of the City.
[1]
State Law Reference—Authority of mayor to remit fine, grant pardons, etc., see §§ 77.350-77.360, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.130; Ord. No. 4477 § 1, 10-21-1974; Ord. No. 5645 § 1, 6-28-1982; Ord. No. 99-8687 § 1, 11-1-1999]
A. 
When any vacancy shall happen in the office of Mayor, by death, resignation, removal from the City, removal from office, refusal to qualify or otherwise, nominations of a successor may be made by any member of the Council and selected with the consent of a majority of the members of the Council. In the case of a temporary absence of the Mayor or disability to perform the duties of his/her office, the President Pro Tem of the Council shall perform the duties of the Mayor until the Mayor shall return or such disability be removed; and during the time the President Pro Tem of the Council shall act as Mayor, the President Pro Tem shall receive the same compensation to which the Mayor would be entitled.
B. 
If a vacancy occurs in any elective office other than the office of Mayor, a successor to the vacant office shall be selected by appointment by the Mayor with the advice and consent of a majority of the remaining members of the Council. The successor shall serve until the next regular election. If a vacancy occurs in any office not elective, the Mayor shall appoint a suitable person to discharge the duties of the same until the first regular meeting of the Council thereafter, at which time the vacancy shall be permanently filled.
[1]
State Law Reference—Vacancies, see § 77.450, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.135; Ord. No. 7735 § 1, 5-1-1995]
There is hereby established an expense allowance for mileage as set by the IRS Standard Mileage Rate, to be paid to the Mayor of the City of Washington, Missouri, in consideration of the travel and related expenses incurred by the Mayor. Such sums shall be payable after the date hereof. Furthermore, the Mayor shall be required to submit an itemization of miles driven, etc., as a condition of receiving the aforesaid expense allowance on a regular basis.
[R.O. 1992 § 115.137; Ord. No. 97-8208 §§ 1—2, 7-21-1997; Ord. No. 98-8425 § 1, 8-3-1998; Ord. No. 25-14191, 10-20-2025]
A. 
The Mayor of the City of Washington, Missouri, is hereby ordered and directed to give notification of the Mayor's nominations for appointment or reappointment to membership on the following Boards, Commissions, and Committees:
1. 
Board of Public Works;
2. 
Park and Recreation Commission;
3. 
Planning and Zoning Commission;
4. 
Board of Appeals;
5. 
Board of Adjustment;
6. 
Library Board of Trustees;
7. 
Washington Area Highway Transportation Committee;
8. 
Washington Historical Preservation Commission;
9. 
Industrial Development Authority;
10. 
Urban Forestry Council;
11. 
Phoenix Center II Community Improvement District (CID);
12. 
Washington Tax Increment Financing Commission (TIF); and
13. 
Washington Tourism Commission.
B. 
The Mayor of the City of Washington, Missouri, is hereby ordered and directed to give said notification of the above nominations for appointment by email to the City Council no later than seven (7) days prior to submission to the City Council as a whole at a regularly or specially called meeting of the City Council at which approval of said appointment is sought by the Mayor.
C. 
The Mayor of the City of Washington, Missouri is hereby ordered and directed to give said notification of the above nominations for reappointment by inclusion on the Agenda for the City Council Meeting. No other advance notification of the Mayor's nominations for reappointment shall be required.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.010; R.O. of 1942, § 65; CC 1970 § 2-9]
No person shall be a Councilman unless he/she is at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of the City for one (1) year next preceding his/her election, and a resident of the ward from which he/she is elected six (6) months next preceding his/her election.
[1]
State Law References: For similar State law, see §§ 77.060 and 77.380, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.020; R.O. of 1942, § 66; CC 1970 § 2-10]
Until otherwise provided by law, the City Council shall consist of eight (8) members, two (2) from each ward of the City, one (1) to be elected each year from each ward.
[1]
State Law Reference—Requiring division of City into wards, see § 77.030, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.030; R.O. of 1942, § 68; CC 1970 § 2-11; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
The Mayor shall be President of the Council, but shall not vote upon the passage of any bill, resolution or other matter coming before the Council, except in the case of a tie in the Council, when he/she shall cast the deciding vote; but provided that he/she shall have no such power to vote in cases when he/she is an interested party. At the first regular meeting of the Council after the election in each year, the Council shall elect one (1) of its members President Pro Tempore, who shall hold his/her office for the term of one (1) year, and who in the absence of the Mayor shall preside at the meetings of the Council; provided, that in the absence of both the Mayor and President Pro Tempore, the Council may select one (1) of its members present to preside at such meeting, who shall be styled the "Acting President Pro Tempore."
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar state law, see §§ 77.070, 77.250, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.040; R.O. of 1942, § 86; Ord. No. 2350 § 1, 4-20-1959; Ord. No. 3789 § 2, 11-16-1970; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
At the hour designated for Council meetings, the President shall call the Council to order, and after calling the roll, if a quorum is present, he/she shall call for the correction and approval of the minutes of the last preceding meeting. He/she shall preserve order and decorum and decide all questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal to the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.050; R.O. of 1942, § 69; CC 1970 § 2-14; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
Regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Monday evening of each month, unless the first or third Monday shall be a legal holiday, in which event the meeting shall be held on the succeeding evening, and adjourned meetings may be held whenever the Council shall deem the same necessary. The hour of meeting shall be 7:00 P.M., or at such other time as the Council may designate from time to time.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.055; Ord. No. 02-9199 § 1, 7-15-2002; Ord. No. 07-10266 § 1, 6-18-2007; Ord. No. 11-10861 § 1, 7-18-2011]
A. 
All City of Washington, Missouri, board, commission and committee meetings shall be televised on the City's cable access channel unless specifically exempted by a majority vote of the City Council.
B. 
All of the said meetings referred to in Subsection (A) above shall be recorded by means of video and audio recording. The video and audio recording shall be maintained by the City Clerk until one (1) year from the date of the applicable meeting after which time the video and audio recording shall be destroyed.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.060; R.O. of 1942, § 70; CC 1970 § 2-15]
The Mayor or any two (2) Councilmen may call a special meeting at any time by causing the Chief of Police to serve a notice on members of the Council, in writing, stating the time and the object of such special meeting, and the special business to be transacted. Such notice may be served in the manner provided by law for serving other notices.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.070; R.O. of 1942, § 87; CC 1970 § 2-16]
A majority of the members-elect to the City Council shall constitute a quorum to do business, but the Mayor and any two (2) members, or any three (3) members, without the Mayor, may at any regular, adjourned or special meeting send for and compel the attendance of absent members, and make an order for their censure or fine, as provided by ordinance.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.080; R.O. of 1942, § 88; CC 1970 § 2-17]
No member shall absent himself/herself from meetings of the Council unless he/she has leave, or is sick and unable to attend, or is otherwise prevented from attendance by circumstances beyond his/her control.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.090; R.O. of 1942, § 89; CC 1970 § 2-18]
Upon a call of the Council, the names of the members shall be called alphabetically, and all absentees shall be noted by the Clerk. Members who do not appear and answer to their names may be sent for by the Sergeant-At-Arms, and he/she shall take them into custody whenever found and bring them before the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.100; R.O. of 1942, § 91; Ord. No. 3788 §§ 1-2, 11-16-1970; CC 1970 § 2-19; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
A. 
After the minutes of the preceding meeting shall have been read and approved, business of regular meetings shall be disposed of in the following order or as specified on the agenda:
1. 
Petitions, memorials, remonstrances and other communications.
2. 
Resolutions.
3. 
Reports of officers.
4. 
Reports of select committees.
5. 
Reports of standing committees.
6. 
Introduction of bills.
7. 
Second reading of bills.
8. 
Unfinished business.
9. 
New business.
B. 
At special meetings, the order of business shall be as follows:
1. 
Message or statement from the President of the Council, the cause of convening the Council in special session.
2. 
Consideration and disposition of the business mentioned in the President's message or statement.
3. 
Motion to adjourn.
C. 
No business, nor anything pertaining thereto, shall at any time be taken up or considered until the class to which it belongs shall be declared in order, but either of the above orders of business may be temporarily suspended by a majority vote of the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.110; R.O. of 1942, § 92; CC 1970 § 2-20]
Standing or special committees, when required to report in writing, shall in all cases report the state of facts, with their opinions or conclusions thereon, and all such reports shall be addressed to the "Mayor and Council of the City of Washington."
[R.O. 1992 § 110.130; R.O. of 1943 § 96; CC 1970 § 2-22; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
The title to every bill shall indicate the purpose and subject sought to be accomplished thereby.
[1]
State Law Reference—As to style and passage of ordinances, see § 77.080, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.140; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
The style of the ordinances of the City shall be: "Be it Ordained by the Council of the City of Washington, Missouri, as follows:" No ordinance shall be passed except by bill, and no bill shall become an ordinance unless on its final passage a majority of the members elected to the Council shall vote therefor, and the ayes and nays shall be entered on the journal. Every proposed ordinance shall be introduced to the Council in writing and shall be read by title or in full two (2) times prior to passage, both readings may occur at a single meeting of the Council. If the proposed ordinance is read by title only, copies of the proposed ordinance shall be made available for public inspection prior to the time the bill is under consideration by the Council. No bill shall become an ordinance until it shall have been signed by the Officer presiding at the meeting of the Council at which it shall have been passed. When so signed, it shall be delivered to the Mayor for his/her approval and signature, or his/her veto.
[1]
State Law Reference—For similar provisions, see § 77.080, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.150; R.O. of 1942, § 100; CC 1970 § 2-24]
When a member is about to speak, he/she shall respectfully address himself/herself to the President, but shall not proceed with his/her remarks until recognized and named by the chair.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.160; R.O. of 1942, § 122; CC 1970 § 2-25]
In all proceedings of the City Council for which no rule is herein provided, Robert's Rules of Order shall be the rule and guide for the transaction of business.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.170; R.O. of 1942, § 101; CC 1970 § 2-26]
When two (2) or more persons shall address the chair at once, the President shall name the person who is to speak first; the other having preference next to speak.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.200; R.O. of 1942, § 104; CC 1970 § 2-29]
A member, if called to order, shall immediately obey unless permitted to explain. But if the member appeals to the Council from the decision of the chair, the Council shall decide the question without debate.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.210; R.O. of 1942, § 105; CC 1970 § 2-30]
Every member who shall be present when a question is stated by the chair shall vote thereon, unless excused by the Council, or unless he/she be directly or particularly interested in the question, in which case he/she shall not vote.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.220; R.O. of 1942, § 106; CC 1970 § 2-31]
After a motion or resolution is stated by the President, or read by the Clerk, it shall be deemed in the possession of the Council, but may be withdrawn at any time before decision or amendment; but afterwards only by unanimous consent of the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.240; R.O. of 1942, § 108; CC 1970 § 2-33]
No new motion or proposition shall be permitted under color of amendment or as a substitute for the pending motion or proposition, which does not relate to the subject matter of the original motion or proposition.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.250; R.O. of 1942, § 109; CC 1970 § 2-34]
A. 
When a question is under debate, no motion or proposition shall be entertained except for the previous question:
1. 
To postpone indefinitely.
2. 
To adjourn it to a certain day.
3. 
To amend.
4. 
To refer to a standing or special committee or to an officer of the City.
5. 
To lay on the table.
6. 
To adjourn.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.260; R.O. of 1942, § 110; CC 1970 § 2-35]
A. 
A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, except:
1. 
When a member is in possession of the floor.
2. 
While the "ayes" and "nays" are being called.
3. 
While the members are voting.
4. 
When it was the last preceding motion.
5. 
When it has been decided that the previous question shall be taken.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.270; R.O. of 1942, § 111; CC 1970 § 2-36]
The previous question shall be in this form: "Shall the main question be now put?" It shall only be permitted on demand of two (2) members and sustained by the majority vote of the members present, and until decided, shall preclude all amendments and further debate. Its effect shall be to bring the Council to a direct vote; First, upon a motion to refer to a committee, if such motion shall have been made; and if this motion does not prevail, then upon amendments in their proper order, and then upon the main question.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.280; R.O. of 1942, § 112; CC 1970 § 2-37]
A motion for the previous questions, to lay the question on the table, or to refer to a committee, and a motion to postpone the question indefinitely, or to adjourn to a certain day, shall, until it is decided, preclude all discussion of further amendment to the main question.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.290; R.O. of 1942, § 113; CC 1970 § 2-38]
When a bill is put upon its passage or a motion is made and carried in the affirmative or negative, it shall be in order for any member who voted on the side which prevailed to move for a reconsideration thereof at the same meeting, but not thereafter; but no question shall have passed from the possession of the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.300; R.O. of 1942, § 114; CC 1970 § 2-39]
All questions shall be put in the order in which they are made, except privileged questions; and in filing blanks, the largest sum and the longest time shall be first put.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.310; R.O. of 1942, § 115; CC 1970 § 2-40]
When a question stands postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be acted upon during the year for which the Council is elected, unless by two-thirds (2/3) vote.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.320; R.O. of 1942, § 116; CC 1970 § 2-41]
If the question in debate contains several distinct propositions, any member may have the same divided.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.330; R.O. of 1942, § 117; CC 1970 § 2-42]
All questions relating to the priority of business to be acted upon shall be decided without debate, and when the reading of any is called for and the same is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.340; R.O. of 1942, § 118; CC 1970 § 2-43]
If the President of the Council or any two (2) members shall require it, the "ayes" and "nays" upon any question shall be taken and entered on the minutes.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.350; R.O. of 1942, § 119; CC 1970 § 2-44]
In electing any officer by the Council, in considering confidential communications and in all proceedings to be had on nominations for office by the Mayor, the Council shall cause the room to be cleared of all persons except the members, Clerk and Sergeant-At-Arms, and so continue during the whole time until the matter be disposed of or the Council otherwise orders.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.360; R.O. of 1942, § 120; CC 1970 § 2-45; Ord. No. 99-8542 § 1, 2-15-1999; Ord. No. 03-9467 § 1, 11-17-2003]
A. 
After consideration of any nomination for office by the Mayor, except a nomination to fill a vacancy on the City Council, the Council shall proceed to vote thereon; but no nomination shall be concurred until it shall have been ratified by a majority of all the members elected to the Council.
B. 
After consideration of any nomination by the Mayor to fill a vacancy on the City Council, the Council shall proceed to vote thereon; but no nomination shall be concurred until it shall have been ratified by a majority of the remaining members of the City Council.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.370; R.O. of 1942, § 123; CC 1970 § 2-46]
The rules may be temporarily suspended by unanimous consent of the members present, but shall not be repealed, altered or amended, unless by concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all members-elect. No standing rule or order of the Council shall be rescinded or changed, nor any new rule introduced unless notice of the motion therefor shall be given at a preceding meeting.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.380; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
The City Council shall publish a full and detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures and indebtedness of the City at the end of each fiscal year and six (6) months after the end of each fiscal year in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. Each such statement shall be for the six-month period preceding the date of the statement.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.110, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.390; R.O. of 1942, § 74; CC 1970 § 2-48]
By a majority vote of its members, the Council may require the attendance of witnesses and production of papers relating to any subject under consideration in which the interest of the City is involved and to that end may authorize subpoenas to be issued by the City Clerk and require the Chief of Police to serve the same. The President of the Council or President Pro Tempore are authorized to administer oaths or affirmations to such witnesses.
[1]
State Law Reference: For similar provisions, see § 77.100, RSMo.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.410; R.O. of 1942, § 76; CC 1970 § 2-50]
No member of the City Council shall be permitted to vote for or against any ordinance appropriating money, or for the allowance of any account or claim, or for the award or approval of any contract in which such member is directly or indirectly interested.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.430; R.O. of 1942, § 78; CC 1970 § 2-52]
The Chief of Police shall be ex officio Sergeant-At-Arms of the Council, and shall attend all its meeting and execute all its orders.
[R.O. 1992 § 110.440; Ord. No. 6301 § 1, 1-19-1987; Ord. No. 7230, 6-15-1992]
The annual salary of all members of the City Council shall be as set out by ordinance by the City Council from time to time.