Councilmember Scott Moore, who holds Position 2 and was up for re-election this November, announced his intention to resign during a city council meeting last month.
Councilmember Moore played an instrumental role in pushing for the passage of Prop 1, the attempt to take away voters’ right to elect their mayor. He also appeared to have attempted to prevent Mayor Klaas from producing a public document detailing the cost of changing our existing form of government by filing a PDC complaint against her. The PDC later exonerated the Mayor.
Due to his resignation before completing his four-year term, the City Council will appoint a replacement who will hold the seat until the certification of the 2023 election. The appointed individual may declare themselves a candidate during the May 15-19 filing period open to all candidates who wish to seek election to the position.
State law (RCW 42.12.070) gives the city a time limit of 90 days to make an appointment before authority is given to the County Council. The City Council has the authority to decide the processes and procedures for determining who should be appointed to the council.
Clyde Hill Council Rules have outlined the process in section 1.7. It states:
The council will approve an application form including set questions posed by council and the specific interview process. The application form will be used in conjunction with an interview of each candidate to aid the council’s selection of the new council member.
As far as the interview process is concerned, it states:
Where practical, all candidates who submit an application by the deadline will be interviewed by the council during a regular or special council meeting.
And finally, to make a selection, it states:
The council may recess into executive session to discuss the qualifications of all candidates. Interviews of candidates may be conducted in an open public meeting. Nominations, voting and selection of a person to fill a vacancy will be conducted during an open public meeting.
It’s important to note that the rules provide the council with a significant amount of discretion and that the council can change the council rules at any time.
In addition to Council Position 2, two other positions will be on the ballot: Mayor and Council Position 4.
Mayor Marianne Klass said she isn’t running for re-election because, as she put it, “I do not wish to endure [the City Council’s] personal and professional attacks for another term.”
Council Position 4 is held by Bruce Jones. He has not said publicly whether or not he is running for another term.
If you’re interested in running for any of these positions, you can read more here and contact the Clyde Hill Coalition at [email protected], and we can help. Filing week begins May 15 and ends May 19.