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Learn About Redmond's City Council
Redmond has a mayor-council, non-partisan form of government, with a strong-mayor. Seven Council Members and the Mayor, all representing the community at large, are each elected directly by the people for staggered four-year terms. The City Council adopts the City budget, establishes law and policy, approves appropriations and contracts, levies taxes, and grants franchises. The Mayor serves as the City's chief executive and administrative officer who oversees all departments and employees. The Mayor attends and presides over Council meetings but does not vote, except in the case of a tie.
- Legislative Branch
- Provides to the Mayor direction on policy goals and objectives for long-term vision based on community values and needs
- Adopts the budget, sets fees, accepts grants, and oversees financial and performance measures
- Adopts codes, zoning, and standards in city law and regulations
- Approves contracts, real estate transactions, claim settlements, and interlocal agreements
- Approves pay ranges and union contracts
- Advises Mayor to support staff implementation of policies
- Represents the majority position of the Council to the public
- Executive Branch
- Leads and directs staff
- Makes personnel decisions
- Proposes policies to achieve the city vision
- Chief representative to other governmental entities
- Face of the City
- Proposes the budget
- Responds to residents’ requests for service
- Partners with the Council to create consensus
- Represents the community interest
Council President
The Council President is elected from among the council members (to a two-year term) to serve as the chief liaison to the administration. Duties include:
- Presiding over Study Sessions
- Meeting with the Administration to schedule study sessions, briefings, and joint meetings with boards, commissions, and neighboring city councils on a regular basis
- Acting as Mayor Pro Tem, including presiding over business meetings during the Mayor’s absence
- Making Council committee assignments
- Monitoring expenditure of Council budget
- Tracking issues referred to committees
- Leading the planning and coordination of the Council retreat
- Acting as the Council spokesperson
Council Vice President
The Council Vice-President is a council leadership role and works in cooperation with the Council President and Mayor in setting the agenda and attending to council leadership duties such as retreat planning and other duties as assigned. The Vice-President of the Council acts in the President’s stead in the President’s absence.
Ombud
The Ombud responds on behalf of the entire Council to questions from the community and other stakeholders regarding policy matters related to the City of Redmond. Council members rotate the role of Ombud monthly.
City Clerk
The City Clerk’s Office supports the Council through the agenda process and finalizing legislation adopted by the Council.
Rules Governing the City
RCW 35 – Municipal code for Cities and Towns.
RCW 35A – Optional Municipal Code which provides an alternative to the basic statutory classification system of municipal government. It was designed to provide broad statutory home rule authority in matters of local concern.
Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) – Requires that all meetings of the Council and boards and commissions be open to the public and all action taken be done at meetings that are open to the public. The OPMA contains specific provisions regarding regular and special meetings, executive sessions, the types of notice that must be given for meetings, the conduct of meetings, and the penalties and remedies for violations.
Public Records Act (PRA) – Requires that all public records maintained by the City be made available to all members of the public, with very narrow statutory exemptions.
Open Government Training Act – Requires training for local government officials in the fundamentals of the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Records Act, and records retention requirements.