RCW 35.23.101: Vacancies.

(1) The council of a second-class city may declare a council position vacant if the councilmember is absent for three consecutive regular meetings without permission of the council.

(2) A vacancy in an elective office shall occur and shall be filled as provided in chapter 42.12 RCW. An incumbent councilmember is eligible to be appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor.

Vacancies in offices other than that of mayor or city councilmember shall be filled by appointment of the mayor.

(3) If there is a temporary vacancy in an appointive office due to illness, absence from the city or other temporary inability to act, the mayor may appoint a temporary appointee to exercise the duties of the office until the temporary disability of the incumbent is removed.