Council approves wide administrative rewrite of Orting Municipal Code Title 1 with targeted amendments

The Orting City Council on July 30 adopted a comprehensive update to Title 1 (Administration) of the Orting Municipal Code with several targeted amendments and technical changes. The ordinance had been reviewed at a July 16 study session; staff presented the draft ordinance and a set of alternative language options for council consideration.

After several amending motions, the council approved language that clarifies quorum rules to explicitly allow virtual participation to count toward a quorum, modifies notice and timing language to use “business days” where appropriate, and accepts revised language governing when the city may retain outside counsel for special services. Council also instructed staff to preserve existing language for one section related to eligibility to hold elective office (OMC 1‑6‑2) rather than replace it during the current election period.

Councilmember Sprowl moved several of the alternative language items considered at study session; other councilmembers proposed and passed amendments to clarify appeals and to keep some existing provisions unchanged during the current election cycle. Staff said the update bundles overdue clean‑ups and procedural clarifications recommended in prior reviews and will be published by the code reviser after council action.

Outcome: Motion to adopt Title 1 revisions (ordinance in packet) made by Councilmember Hogan and seconded by Councilmember Gunther; council proceeded through a series of amendments (including quorum, business‑day timing, and outside‑counsel language) and adopted the updates by final vote. Council also directed that proposed changes to eligibility to hold office not be adopted at this time.