A. The mayor of the city shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the city council, a municipal judge for a term of four years. The term of a judge serving on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and of the municipal judge who is appointed to a term commencing before January 1, 1986, shall expire January 1, 1986. The term of his successor shall commence on January 1, 1986, and on January 1st of each fourth year thereafter. Appointment shall be made on or before December 1st of the year next preceding the year in which the term commences.

B. The person appointed as a municipal judge shall be a citizen of the United States of America, and of the state of Washington.