Chapter I · Administration

ARTICLE 2. GOVERNING BODY

Sections 1-201 to 1-211 · 11 sections

1-201 Governing body.

The governing body of the city shall consist of the mayor and six councilmembers to be elected as set out in chapter 6 of this code.

(K.S.A. 12-104; Code 2016; C.O. No. 10)

1-202 Powers generally.

All powers conferred upon cities of the second class by the laws of the State of Kansas shall be exercised by the governing body subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by law. All executive and administrative authority granted or limited by law shall be vested in the mayor and council of the city as the governing body of the city.

(K.S.A. 12-103)

1-203 Ordinance powers.

The governing body shall have the care, management and control of the city and its finances, and shall have the power to enact, ordain, alter, modify or repeal any and all ordinances not repugnant to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Kansas and such as it shall deem expedient for the good order, the suppression of vice and immorality, the benefit of trade and commerce, the health of inhabitants thereof and such other ordinances, rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry such power into effect.

(Article 12, Section 5, Kansas Constitution)

1-204 Regular meeting of council.

The city council shall have regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at the hour of seven (7) o’clock p.m., and shall convene in the city hall; provided, that when a day fixed for a regular meeting shall fall on a holiday regularly observed in the city, the regular meeting of the council shall convene on the succeeding secular or business day at the appointed hour.

(K.S.A. 14-111)

1-205 Special meetings; calling; minutes.

Special meetings of the council may be called by the mayor (or acting mayor in the absence of the mayor from the city) on the written request of any three (3) members of the council, specifying the object and purpose of such meeting, which request shall be read at the meeting and entered at length on the journal by the city clerk. The call of the mayor for any such special meeting shall be endorsed upon the written request and shall specify the time and place of such meeting, and shall be filed with the city clerk. Thereupon, the city clerk shall give notice of such meeting to each member of the council.

(K.S.A. 14-111)

1-206 Adjourned meeting; time and place.

Any regular or special meeting of the city council may be adjourned for the completion of its business at such subsequent time and place as the council may determine in the motion to adjourn.

(K.S.A. 14-111)

1-207 Quorum; attendance of members.

At all meetings of the city council, a majority of the councilmen elect shall constitute a quorum to do business, but any less number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members of the council by attachment issued in the name of the city and directed by the city marshal demanding him to arrest such absent members and bring them before the council.

1-208 Presiding officer; mayor.

The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council and shall have general supervision over the affairs of the city.

(K.S.A. 14-301)

1-209 President of council; election; duties.

The city council shall elect one of its members as “President of the Council”. When any vacancy shall happen in the office of mayor, the president of the council for the time being shall exercise the office of mayor, and all the rights, privileges and jurisdiction of the mayor, until such vacancy be filled at the next city election or until such disability be removed, or in the case of temporary absence, until the mayor shall return.

(Code 2016)

1-210 President of council; acting president.

In the absence of the mayor, the president of the council shall preside at meetings of the city council. In the absence of the mayor and president of the council, the council shall elect one of its members to preside who shall be styled “Acting President of the Council”. The president of the council and acting president, when occupying the place of the mayor as presiding officer, shall have the same privileges as other members of the council.

1-211 Vacancies on the governing body; how filled.

(a)If any council member moves from the ward from which elected, the office shall be deemed vacant. Whenever a vacancy occurs, for any reason (e.g., resignation, death, or removal from office or from the city or ward), it shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the governing body; the governing body shall appoint an elector of the ward where the vacancy occurs to be council member for the balance of the unexpired term

(b)In case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, the president of the council shall become mayor until the next regular election for that office, and a vacancy shall occur in the office of the councilman becoming mayor.

(K.S.A. 12-104a; K.S.A. 14-204; Code 2016; C.O. No. 10)