At its January 5 meeting, the Kirkland City Council unanimously selected Joan McBride to serve as Mayor and Penny Sweet as Deputy Mayor. Both positions are elected by the City Council to serve two-year terms. Kirkland City Clerk Kathi Anderson administered the oath of office to Council Members Joan McBride (Position No. 1), Penny Sweet (Position No. 3), Amy Walen (Position No. 5) and Doreen Marchione (Position No. 7) who were elected to office in the November 2009 general election. McBride has been on the City Council since 1998 and has served as Deputy Mayor since 2002. The newly elected members join Council Members Bob Sternoff (Position No. 2), Jessica Greenway (Position No. 4) and Dave Asher (Position No. 6).

The Mayor is elected from within the City Council and presides at City Council meetings and represents the City at various ceremonial functions and at community and intergovernmental meetings. This position does not exercise veto power. The Deputy Mayor is also elected from within the City Council and presides over meetings during the absence of the Mayor.

Council Member Asher nominated McBride; with Council Member Walen seconding the nomination. Council Member Marchione nominated Sweet; with Council Member Walen seconding the nomination. Both votes were 6 to 0. Council Member Sternoff was absent during the regular meeting.

The City of Kirkland has a Council-Manager form of government. The voters elect seven at-large part-time City Council Members. The Council chooses a City Manager to oversee the operations of the City. The City Council derives its powers from the laws and Constitution of the State of Washington. All seven City Council positions are elected for terms of four years. Members receive a monthly salary as established by the Salary Commission.

City Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The meetings are broadcast live on Kirkland KGOV (Comcast Channel 21; Verizon Channel 31) and video streamed to the City’s website at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us. For more information, call Kathi Anderson, City Clerk, at 425-587-3197. (01.05.10)