Councilor Roles & Responsibilities and Citizen Appointment Forms

The Mayor and City Councilors, as representatives of the City of Molalla, can render better service if they understand their duties, are aware of their responsibilities, and are informed of the best methods for carrying out their charge. Among their public duties, the Mayor and City Councilors provide leadership for constituents, arbitrate conflicting interests, and make sound decisions by studying problems and reviewing alternatives to determine the best course of action. The Mayor and City Councilors are responsible for establishing policy, adopting the City’s budget, and providing direction to the City Manager. The Mayor and City Councilors represent the City on local, regional, and state boards, Councils, and committees.

The City Manager is responsible for implementing the policy decisions of the Mayor and Council. Because the City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of City government, the Council issues all priority orders and directives through the City Manager. On occasion, the Mayor or a Councilor may use the less formal process of making a request or suggestion directly to a department director. If the request or suggestion raises any policy or procedural questions, it should be brought to the attention of the City Manager.

As per Charter: 

Council. The Council consists of a Mayor and six Councilors nominated and elected from the City at large.

Mayor. The Mayor presides over and facilitates Council meetings, preserves order, enforces Council rules and determines the order of business under Council rules. The Mayor is a voting member of the Council and has no veto authority. The Mayor, with the consent of Council, appoints members of Boards, Commissions and Committees established by Ordinance or Resolution. The Mayor must sign all records of Council decisions. The Mayor serves as the political head of the City government.

Council President. At its first meeting each year, the Council must elect a president from its membership. The president presides in the absence of the Mayor and acts as Mayor when the Mayor is unable to perform duties.

Term Limit. No Councilor may be elected to a City office, or any combination of such offices, for a period to exceed eight consecutive years.

Rules. The Council must adopt by Resolution rules to govern its meetings and proceedings.

Meetings. The Council must meet at least once a month at a time and place designated by Council rules, and may meet at other times in accordance with the rules.

Quorum. A majority of the Council members is a quorum to conduct business.

Vote Required. The express approval of a majority of a quorum of the Council is necessary for any Council decision, except when this Charter requires approval by a majority of the Council.

Record. A record of Council meetings must be kept in a manner prescribed by the Council rules.