One of the greatest challenges of governance is finding a balance between the interests of the community as a whole and those who have a special stake in a particular issue. Citizens that serve on the City’s Boards and Commissions help strike that balance by looking for solutions that work for the entire community. A staff member from the City Clerk’s Department will explain the City’s Boards and Commissions, what they do and how they do it, and how citizens can become involved as a member of one of them.

By State law, cities in Kansas are divided into three classes.

Cities of the 3rd Class - When a city incorporates, it becomes a city of the 3rd class. To incorporate, a city must generally have either 300 inhabitants or 300 or more platted lots served by water and sewer lines. (Shawnee incorporated as a city of the 3rd class on June 10, 1922.)

Cities of the 2nd Class - A city may petition to become a city of the 2nd class when its population is more than 2,000 but less than 15,000. A city whose population is between 2,000 and 5,000 may elect to remain a city of the 3rd class, but must become a city of the 2nd class when it reaches 5,000 population. (Shawnee became a city of the 2nd class on January 29, 1957.)

Cities of the 1st Class - A city may petition to become a city of the 1st class when its population reaches 15,000. A city whose population is between 15,000 and 25,000 may elect to remain a city of the 2nd class but must become a city of the 1st class when it reaches 25,000 population. (Shawnee became a city of the 1st class on October 22, 1971).

The City of Shawnee is divided into four (4) wards, with two (2) Councilmembers elected to represent each ward. The Mayor is elected to serve the City at-large. General City elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. The term of office of members of the Governing Body elected at the City general election shall be four (4) years.

A primary election of City officers will be held on the first Tuesday in August of every odd-numbered year in the event there are more than two (2) candidates for any office. If there are not more than two (2) candidates, there shall be no primary election for such office but the names of the candidate or candidates shall be placed on the general election ballot.

The Mayor is elected at large to serve a four-year term (except for the 2012 election when members of the Governing Body elected will hold three year terms). The Mayor is compensated $16,271.58 annually.

City Council is elected by wards to serve four-year overlapping terms (except for the 2010 and 2013 elections when members of the Governing Body elected will hold three year terms). After every regular City election, the Council elects one of its members to serve as president of the council, who in the absence or disability of the mayor, becomes acting mayor. Councilmembers are compensated $9,615.32 annually.

City Council members attend three to four meetings a month. Regular City Council meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. and Council Committee meetings directly follow on the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the Shawnee council chambers. Occasionally, Council members may be asked to attend additional Committee of the Whole Meetings. These will most occur generally in the late spring and early summer during the budget process.

An important councilmember role is that of a community leader who initiates and directs civic policy promoting the welfare and development of Shawnee. The Municipal Code charges councilmembers with the role of policy makers. Collectively, the council determines current and future city goals and policy and decides the direction to achieve these goals.

Some councilmembers view their role as that of ombudsmen and therefore focus primarily on constituent services. In this capacity, a councilmember acts as a connection between his/her constituency and the city administration. This ombudsman role is an important component of the ward system.

The League of Kansas Municipalities offers some suggestions for effective and enjoyable public service. It is recommended that these guidelines be reviewed periodically to help avoid problems. An elected local official will probably be asked to resolve problems created by others. Conscientiously following these guidelines may help prevent difficult situations. The League guidelines (as amended to fit Shawnee) are as follows:

1. Learn all about Shawnee, its operation, and its financing. Do homework. Know city ordinances and about the Shawnee Municipal Code.
2. Take the budget preparation job seriously. The budget is the biggest policy development tool available to govern a city. The budget determines what the city does and does not do for the coming year, and will influence decisions and actions for future years.
3. Don't act as a committee of one. Governing a city requires a team effort, both practically and legally.
4. Establish Shawnee Policy Statements. Written policy statements let the public, the city staff, and the governing body itself know where they stand. Not only do policy statements help the governing body govern, writing them also provides a process to develop group consensus. "That's the way it’s always been done" is not good enough to either stay out of trouble or to get things done.
5. Make decisions based on public policy, and be consistent. Treat similar situations similarly.
6. Don't be stampeded into action. Don't be misled by the strong demands of special interest groups. Many groups will, in their own self-interest, pressure the council for action to be taken to their benefit. However, be cautious, and examine issues carefully. The job of the councilmember is to find the long-term public interest of the community as a whole, and not all groups represent the community as a whole.
7. Don't bypass the system! Governing body members should stick to policy making and avoid personal involvement in the day-to-day operations of the city. Allow the city manager to act as the administrative official for the city.
8. Individuals can not make policy alone. Councilmembers should not make promises they can't deliver! Most decisions and actions require majority approval of the governing body.
9. Be concerned with the long-term future. Avoid taking short-term gains at the expense of long-term losses.
10. Have goals and objectives. Think about both the short term and the long term future.
11. Remember that you represent all of the people of the community, not just neighbors and friends.
12. Don't let others bypass your system. Insist that people such as bond salesmen or equipment suppliers first work with city staff. If direct contact with governing body members is advisable, this should be with the governing body as a whole and not on a one-on-one basis.

City Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month at 6 p.m. held at Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas.

The City Council meeting begins with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a Moment of Silence. There is a fixed agenda for the Council meeting. You may speak on any item after the Mayor’s request for questions from the audience. To allow the meeting to move smoothly, the Mayor requests that you observe the following courtesies should you wish to participate.

• When addressing the Governing Body, please speak from the podium using the microphone. This will ensure that all public remarks are properly recorded. No more than one speaker should be at the podium at one time.
• Please clearly state your name and address the first time you begin speaking at any session, and repeat your name each time you return to the podium during the same meeting.
• All comments should be directed to the Mayor.
• Business from the Floor is intended for residents to discuss matters that directly involve City government business, but do not appear on the agenda. This item usually follows Council Items on the agenda.
• Please keep your comments brief. Comments should be tailored so as not to exceed five (5) minutes. In the event of extensive audience participation, the Mayor may further limit speaking time to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to address the meeting.
• Please do not clap or poll the audience (by the show of hands) during the discussion of an issue.
• If you have printed materials to present to the Governing Body, please give them to the City Clerk, who will see that they are distributed to the members. Additional copies should also be provided to the media, who are allowed access by State law to receive a copy of any materials presented to the Governing Body.

The Governing Body welcomes your comments and appreciates your cooperation.