HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VIII-B-7
AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM
Agenda Subject King County Library System’s Proposition #1 (Capital Date: July 21, 2004
Replacement Bond Measure)
Department: Planning Attachments: Resolution No. 3753, Budget Impact:
and Memorandum dated August 15,
2002
Administrative Recommendation:
City Council adopt Resolution No. 3753.
Background Summary:
The King County Library system asked the Auburn City Council to support its upcoming bond issue (a
Capital Replacement Bond Measure). There was a willingness among councilmembers to do so,
however, there are some legal considerations that must be met.
State law limits what city councils may do in support of or regarding political actions, ballot measures or
campaigns.
The City Council may express support for or opposition to ballot propositions so long as certain
requirements are met. One of the attachments to this document is a previously provided memorandum
dated August 15, 2002, addressing political actions of city councils. As noted in that memorandum, state
laws specifies certain requirements that must be addressed if a city council wishes to take action
expressing support for or opposition to a ballot proposition.
Such requirements include making sure that the ballot proposition is sufficiently referenced and that
members of the City Council and/or public are afforded an opportunity of approximately equal time to
express opposing views.
Alternatively, the City Council could choose not to pass such a Resolution, and, for that matter, the City
Council could pass a Resolution opposing the ballot proposition. However, if any action were taken, one
way or the other, the statutory requirements of RCW 42.17.130 would need to be satisfied.
L0802-1
O4.4.5
Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions:
Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Building M&O
Airport Finance Cemetery Mayor
Hearing Examiner Municipal Serv. Finance Parks
Human Services Planning & CD Fire Planning
Park Board Public Works Legal Police
Planning Comm. Other Public Works Human Resources
Action:
Committee Approval: Yes No
Council Approval: Yes No Call for Public Hearing ___/___/____
Referred to _________________________________ Until ____/___/____
Tabled ______________________________________ Until ___/___/____
Councilmember: Singer Staff: Heid
Meeting Date: August 2, 2004 Item Number: VIII.B.7
Agenda Subject King County Library System’s Proposition #1 (Capital Date: July 21, 2004
Replacement Bond Measure)
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42.17.130 Forbids use of public office or agency facilities in campaigns.
No elective official nor any employee of his office nor any person appointed to or employed by
any public office or agency may use or authorize the use of any of the facilities of a public office or
agency, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting a campaign for election of any person to any
office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition. Facilities of public office or agency
include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, and equipment, use of employees of
the office or agency during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications of the office or agency, and
clientele lists of persons served by the office or agency: PROVIDED, That the foregoing provisions of this
section shall not apply to the following activities:
(1) Action taken at an open public meeting by members of an elected legislative body to express
a collective decision, or to actually vote upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance, or to
support or oppose a ballot proposition so long as (a) any required notice of the meeting includes the title
and number of the ballot proposition, and (b) members of the legislative body or members of the public
are afforded an approximately equal opportunity for the expression of an opposing view;
(2) A statement by an elected official in support of or in opposition to any ballot proposition at an
open press conference or in response to a specific inquiry;
(3) Activities which are part of the normal and regular conduct of the office or agency.
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