Camas City Council to hold special meeting to interview candidates
CAMAS — The city of Camas is now accepting applications from Camas residents to fill the position of mayor. The deadline to apply is Oct. 26, 5 p.m.
The Camas City Council will hold a special meeting on Nov. 14, at 4:30 p.m., in Camas City Hall, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., to conduct candidate interviews. Special meetings are open to the public, but public comment may not be submitted. An executive session and council vote will follow. The mayor appointee will take the oath of office at the next regular meeting of the city council, scheduled for Nov. 19.
The mayor appointee’s term is anticipated to run from Nov. 19, 2018, through Dec. 2, 2019, the remainder of former Mayor Scott Higgins’ term. On June 11, Higgins announced his resignation, effective Sept. 30, to spend more time with family. Council Member Don Chaney is currently serving as mayor pro tempore.
Candidates must reside in the city of Camas, have been a resident of the city of Camas for at least one year prior to the mayor appointment, and a be registered voter of the city of Camas. Applications are available at www.cityofcamas.us and at City Hall, 616 NE 4th Ave.
The city of Camas operates under a council-mayor form of government. The mayor is the chief executive of the city. The city of Camas has a city administrator to carry out the day-to-day administration of the city through the delegation or direction of the mayor.
The mayor presides over all meetings of the city council, when present, but only votes in the case of a tie in the votes of the council members with respect to matters other than the passage of any ordinance, grant, or revocation of franchise or license, or any resolution for the payment of money. The mayor reports to the council concerning the affairs of the city and its financial and other needs, and makes recommendations for council consideration and action.
The mayor has the power to veto ordinances passed by the city council and submitted to the mayor as provided in RCW 35A.12.130, but such veto may be overridden by the vote of a majority of all council members, plus one more vote. The mayor is the official and ceremonial head of the city and represents the city on ceremonial occasions, except that when illness or other duties prevent the mayor’s attendance at an official function and no mayor pro tempore has been appointed by the council, a member of the council or some other suitable person may be designated by the mayor to represent the city.
The duties will likely involve an average minimum commitment of 60-80 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at various meetings and community activities.
The stipend is $2,300 per month, plus a $50 per month wireless phone allowance, a $25 per month technology allowance, and a $300 per month vehicle allowance.
For more information, potential applicants may contact City Administrator Pete Capell at 616 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607; (360) 834-6864; or pcapell@cityofcamas.us.
In the Nov. 5, 2019, regular election, Camas residents will vote in a mayor to hold office from Dec. 3, 2019, through Dec. 31, 2023. Interested candidates should contact (360) 397-2345 or www.clark.wa.gov/elections/candidates.
Located in the eastern Clark County, city of Camas is home to approximately 23,000 residents. Camas boasts a vibrant historic downtown, approximately 60 miles of trails, numerous hi-tech manufacturing industries, and a state-leading educational system. From its origins over 100 years ago as a paper mill town, Camas continues to successfully blend a mix of cultures, values, and vision. For more information, visit www.cityofcamas.us.
