The Sammamish City Council approved, 5-1, initiative and referendum powers Monday night.

Or, in Councilmember Ramiro Valderrama-Aramayo’s words, the council gave residents a voice.

The limited rights that allow citizens to create or repeal laws within the city would begin Oct. 11.

Valderrama-Aramayo reminded the council that the desire for the initiative and referendum powers were not derived from a single issue.

“This is a reaction to the council itself and the city and the need to be heard,” he said.

Sammamish residents showed their desire for the powers in the April special election, when the nonbinding advisory vote passed with a 55 percent approval.

Citizens can block the council’s action by way of referendum 90 days from the date the resolution of intent was published, July 13. The council had passed the resolution of intent at its July 7 meeting.

Deputy Mayor Kathy Huckabay voted against the initiative and referendum powers ordinance. Councilmember Tom Odell descended, as he was absent from the meeting for family reasons.