Chapter I · Administration

Article 2. Governing Body

Sections 1-201 to 1-207 · 7 sections

1-201 Governing body.

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

(Code 2018)

1-202 Same; powers generally.

All powers exercised by cities of the third class or which shall hereafter be conferred upon them shall be exercised by the governing body, subject to such limitations as prescribed by law. All executive and administrative authority granted or limited by law shall be vested in the mayor and council as governing body of the city.

(K.S.A. 12-103; Code 2018)

1-203 Regular meeting of council.

The city council shall have regular meetings on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the hour of seven (7) o’clock PM, and shall convene in the City Office Building, located at 121 N. Nelson St.; 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. 15-105; K.S.A. 25-2120; Ord. 231; Ord. 248; Ord. 258A; Ord. 328; Ord. 339; Ord. 375; Code 2018)

1-204 Quorum.

At all meetings of the governing body, a majority of the councilmembers-elect shall constitute a quorum to do business.

(K.S.A. 15-106; Code 2018)

1-205 Powers of the mayor.

The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the governing body. The mayor shall have the tie-breaking vote on all questions when the members present are equally divided. The mayor shall:

(a)Have the superintending control of all officers and affairs of the city;

(b)Take care that the ordinances of the city are complied with;

(c)Sign the commissions and appointments of all officers elected or appointed;

(d)Endorse the approval of the governing body on all official bonds;

(e)From time to time communicate to the city council such information and recommend such measures as he or she may deem advisable;

(f)Have the power to approve or veto any ordinance as the laws of the state shall prescribe;

(g)Sign all orders and drafts drawn upon the city treasury for money.

(Code 2018)

1-206 President of the council.

The city council shall elect one of its own body as president of the council. The president of the council shall preside at all meetings of the council in the absence of the mayor. In the absence of both the mayor and the president of the council, the council shall elect one of its members as “acting president of the council.” The president and acting president, when occupying the place of mayor, shall have the same privileges as other councilmembers.

(K.S.A. 15-310; Code 2018)

1-207 Vacancies on the governing body; how filled.

(a)In case of a vacancy in the council occurring by reason of resignation, death, or removal from office or from the city, the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the remaining council members, shall appoint an elector to fill the vacancy until the next election for that office. In case any person elected as a council member neglects or refuses to qualify within twenty (20) days after election, the council member shall be deemed to have refused to accept the office and a vacancy shall exist.

(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 council member becoming mayor.

(K.S.A. 12-104a; K.S.A. 15-201; K.S.A. 15-311; C.O. No. 10; C.O. No. 11; Code 2018)