Winlock City Council appoints Connie Sneed as mayor pro tempore at its regular meeting on Jan. 29, 2019 in Winlock. Anne Randt previously held the position.
The Winlock City Council appointed Connie Sneed as the new mayor pro tempore at its regular meeting Monday evening. Sneed will replace former mayor pro tempore and councilor Anne Randt, who was appointed in April 2018.
Three out of five city council members voted in favor of Sneed, while two opposed. This decision came after the council tabled the appointment at its last meeting on Jan. 14. According to RCW 35a.12.065, the city council can appoint the mayor pro tempore at any time.
“Appointments can just be made at your will,” said city attorney Erin Hillier at the Jan. 14 meeting. “You guys can do that at any time by a majority of council. You can even do it at a meeting-by-meeting basis just for that specific meeting. So it’s really up to you.”
Hillier said Winlock does not have an ordinance or resolution that dictates when the council must appoint a new mayor pro tempore.
According to RCW 35a.12.065, “Biennially at the first meeting of a new council, or periodically, the members thereof, by majority vote, may designate one of their number as mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor for such period as the council may specify, to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor; or, in lieu thereof, the council may, as the need may arise, appoint any qualified person to serve as mayor pro tempore in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor. In the event of the extended excused absence or disability of a councilmember, the remaining members by majority vote may appoint a councilmember pro tempore to serve during the absence or disability.”
The council tabled the appointment on Jan. 14, after there weren’t enough votes for any of the nominations to appoint a council member to the position.
On Jan. 14, councilor Barbara Pedersen nominated Sneed, but Sneed mouthed the word “no” and no one seconded the nomination. Sneed nominated councilor Jodie Curtis and Curtis seconded the nomination, but they were the only two who voted in favor of appointing Curtis. Sneed asked to table the appointment.
Councilor Andrew Maloney asked Monday for clarification on the duration of the position.
“I think each mayor sets that,” said Mayor Don Bradshaw. “I would like to see it on an annual basis, based upon the calendar year.”
Hillier said there could potentially be a need to elect an alternate mayor pro tempore, if the previously elected mayor pro tempore was not present.
“Let’s make sure we get that on the record and that will be our establishment that mayor pro tem will be addressed, elected or appointed every year by calendar year,” Maloney said.
On Monday, Pedersen nominated Sneed for the position again and Curtis seconded the nomination. Pedersen, Curtis and Sneed voted in favor of Sneed. Randt and Maloney opposed. Neither commented during the meeting on why they opposed Sneed’s nomination.
