City Council Rules of Procedure December 12, 2022
Agenda • Why update the City Council Rules of Procedure • Key changes proposed • Next steps
City Council Rules of Procedure • City Charter Section 2.16 allows Council to determine its own rules of procedure for meetings. • First adopted on September 8, 1964. • Amended 26 times, including seven times in the last five years. They were most recently amended on October 3rd, 2022. • City staff have researched best practices for the conduct of business and have consolidated these into a comprehensive revision. Staff recommends a comprehensive update be completed in order to avoid a continued piecemeal approach.
Key Changes • Inserts Rules of Procedure into Section 1.01 of City Code. • Amends update regarding Regular Meetings preceding election. • Changes order of business for Regular Meeting Agenda • Removes the prayer from opening of meeting • Provide for Council Comments immediately after Citizen Comments • Defines Consent Agenda items, Non-Ordinance Action items, and Ordinances • Council roundtable at end of meeting • Staff roundtable at end of meeting.
Key Changes • General business items (contracts and Planning applications) shall be added by staff. • Remainder of agenda items must be approved by the Mayor or at the request of two (2) Councilmembers. • All Council requested items must be submitted on or before 9 a.m. two Thursdays prior to the City Council Meeting for which the agenda is being published. • Any matter not submitted to the City Clerk in a timely manner as required may be considered and acted upon by the City Council, if a two-thirds majority of the City Councilmembers present vote to consider the matter.
Key Changes • Contemplates videoconferencing • Meeting conduct • Avoid using cell phone or computer to text or use social media • Presiding Officer and all City Councilmembers shall remain in their designated places during the meeting unless a recess is called or the member is excused. A vote shall not be taken during a member's absence from their chair.
• Adds rules of order • Majority vote to direct City Manager and in the form of a motion.
Key Changes • City Council Standing Committees • Appointed by Mayor (including designating Chair/Vice-Chair and one alternate) • Audit & Finance • Legislative/Intergovernmental Relations • Rules • Note: recommend adding Employee Advisory Committee)
• Creates Council Code of Conduct • Council/Staff relations • Council/Public relations • Conduct with: colleagues, other public agencies, media.
Key Changes • Adds section defining relationship between Council and Council employees (City Manager, City Clerk, Management Analyst, Other) • Recruitment: handled by HR • Appointment: by resolution • Reviews: no less than annually • Termination: by resolution
• All activities related to shall be conducted in executive session.
Next Steps • Council provide feedback on proposed changes • Prepare ordinance for City Council consideration • 1st Reading: 1/3/23 • 2nd Reading: 1/17/23
Questions?