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City of Vancouver, Washington

 Vancouver seeks applicants to fill mid-term vacancy on City Council

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Contact: Jan Bader, City Manager's Office at (360) 487-8606

The Vancouver City Council is seeking applicants for the City Council position vacancy created by the election of Councilmember Tim Leavitt as Mayor. Applications are available online at www.cityofvancouver.us or by calling the City Manager's Office at (360) 487-8600 and will be accepted Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 18. Applicants must use the form supplied by the City Manager's Office. Applications may be delivered to: City Manager's Office, 3rd floor, City Hall, 210 E. 13th St. or mailed to City Manager's Office, City of Vancouver, P.O. Box 1995, Vancouver, Wash., 98668-1995.  

Qualifications/requirements for City Council members are as follows:

• Registered voter

• City resident for a continuous period of two years prior to November 2010.

• Hold no other public office or employment under Vancouver City Government

• Submit a completed State of Washington Public Disclosure Form (form F-1) as part of the application

• Submit a completed Washington State Patrol Criminal Background Check form

• Be interviewed in public session by City Council which will be televised on CVTV Channel 23

The vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Vancouver City Council. If the appointee wishes to continue to serve, he or she would be required to stand for election at the next general election in November, 2010 with any other candidates who may run at that time. The successful candidate in 2010 will also be required to stand for election again in the November 2011, the next regularly scheduled Councilmember election, if he or she wishes to continue to serve.

City Council members are subject to the Washington State Public Disclosure Law.  Further information can be provided by contacting Ted Gathe, City Attorney, at (360) 487-8500 or ted.gathe@ci.vancouver.wa.us. 

Council members' powers and duties are found in the City Charter, Section 2.05.  The City Council members enact ordinances and resolutions; adopt rules and regulations; appoint and remove the City Manager; fix all salaries; adopt the budget; control indebtedness and the issuance of bonds; provide for an independent audit of any department or office; hear an annual report from the head of each city department; approve payment of bills, invoices or claims against the city government and approve payrolls.  All other powers of the city and the determination of all matters of policy are vested in the City Council. 

City Council members receive $1,781 per month and are also eligible to receive a health benefit package and other employee benefits for the duration of their term. 

The following timetable for selection is subject to change as determined necessary by the City Council:

Application period: Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, 2009

Notify candidates to be interviewed:       January 6, 2010

Interviews (Open Meeting):         January 11, 3 to 6 p.m.

Decision by Council:     January 11, 7 p.m.

Swearing-in Ceremony: January 25, 6 p.m.

For more information about the appointment process, please contact Jan Bader, City Manager's Office at (360) 487-8606.

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