HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-3 Staff Report - Resolutions Adopting Rotational Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Policy and Adopting Revised City ProtocolsSCHEDULED ITEM
D-3
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
MARCO A. MARTINEZ, CITY ATTORNEY
DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2024
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ADOPTING ROTATIONAL MAYOR & MAYOR PRO TEM
SELECTION POLICY; RESOLUTION ADOPTING REVISED CITY
PROTOCOLS AND GOVERNANCE STANDARDS
BACKGROUND:
Early this year, the City Council adopted Resolutions and Ordinances to transition from its current
at-large electoral system to a by-district electoral system. The district system that was selected
included 5 voting districts spread out through the City and eliminates the position of a directly-
elected Mayor. The first election under that system will occur in November of this year.
On June 17, 2024, the City Council discussed a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem selection system
that would require these positions to rotate among sitting councilmembers. In addition, the City
Council requested that staff review the adopted Protocols and Governance policies to reconcile them
with the newly adopted district voting system and clarify their application to other elected and
appointed members of boards and commissions.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended the City Council consider adoption of the following Resolutions:
1.A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AMENDING
AND RESTATING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-007 CONCERNING THE SELECTION
CRITERIA AND TERM OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM; and
Approved
City Council
October 21, 2024
Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem Selection and Governance Standards and Protocols
October 21, 2024
Page 2
2. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AMENDING
EXHIBIT “A” OF RESOLUTION NO. 2022-C09 RELATING TO AMENDED
PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY BUSINESS.
DISCUSSION:
On June 17, 2024, the City Council provided direction concerning a revised Mayor and Mayor Pro
Tem selection policy that would provide for a rotation system between both positions. The new
policy is similar to the current rotation policy adopted for the selection of Mayor Pro Tem, but
incorporates that selection procedure for both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. Further, the new
policy starts a new rotation beginning after the November 2024 election.
The policy provides as follows:
1. Selection Criteria - January of 2025.
After the first election at which Councilmembers are elected based on district voting, at the
City Council meeting on the third Monday in January (2025), the Mayor and Mayor Pro
Tem shall be selected. The Mayor shall be that Council member with the greatest
uninterrupted seniority, which has not previously served as a rotational Mayor. However,
if such Council member does not accept the nomination for Mayor, then the next most
senior Council member shall be offered the position of Mayor. The Mayor Pro Tem shall
be that Council member with the next greatest uninterrupted seniority on the Council,
which has not previously served as a rotational Mayor Pro Tem. However, if such Council
member does not accept the nomination for Mayor Pro Tem, then the next most senior
Council member shall be offered the position of Mayor Pro Tem.
2. Selection Criteria – Post 2025.
Annually, at the City Council meeting on the third Monday in January, the Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tern shall be selected. The Mayor shall be that Council member that is currently
serving as Mayor Pro Tem. If such Council member does not accept the nomination for
rotational Mayor, then the next most senior Council member which has not yet served as
Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem, shall be offered the position of Mayor. However, if two or more
Councilmembers qualify for the position of Mayor by virtue of having equal seniority, then
that Council member who received the highest number of votes in their previous
November General City Election shall be the Mayor. The person who received the next
highest vote total in their previous election shall be Mayor Pro Tem. The incumbent Mayor
Pro Tem shall not serve consecutive terms.
Revised Protocols & Governance Standards
On February 7, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-C09 adopting protocols and
procedures (“Protocols”) for the conduct of City business. Certain references in the Protocols were
specific to the former directly-elected Mayor position. Thus, they needed to be updated to the new
district-based election system where there is no longer a directly-elected Mayor. In addition, the
Protocols were revised to apply to all elected officials and appointed members of City boards and
Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem Selection and Governance Standards and Protocols
October 21, 2024
Page 3
commissions. The attached Resolution amends Resolution No. 2022-C09 by amending the
Protocols that were attached as Exhibit “A” to that Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Marco A. Martinez Nico De Anda-Scaia
City Attorney Deputy City Manager
Fiscal Review by: Reviewed and Approved by:
Talika M. Johnson Sergio Gonzalez
Director of Administrative Services City Manager
Attachments:
1. Rotational Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem Resolution
2. Amended Protocols and Procedures Resolution
3. Revised Protocols and Governance Standards
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RESOLUTION NO. 2024-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA
AMENDING AND RESTATING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-007
CONCERNING THE SELECTION CRITERIA AND TERM OF THE
MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM.
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Azusa as follows:
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Azusa hereby amends Resolution
No. 2023-007 in its entirety and adopts the following Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem selection
criteria and term of office.
(1) Intent. The intent of this Resolution is to ensure that the City's Mayor and Mayor
Pro Tem are selected based on objective criteria. Criteria such as seniority and
public support as expressed in the number of votes received in an election are to be
used as the basis for selecting the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. It is the Council's
intent to ensure that each member serving on the Council receives the opportunity
to serve as Mayor and/or Mayor Pro Tern at least once during his or her four-year
term as a Council member.
(1) Selection Criteria - January of 2025. After the first election at which
Councilmembers are elected based on district voting, at the City Council meeting on
the third Monday in January (2025), the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be
selected. The Mayor shall be that Council member with the greatest uninterrupted
seniority, which has not previously served as a rotational Mayor. However, if such
Council member does not accept the nomination for Mayor, then the next most
senior Council member shall be offered the position of Mayor. The Mayor Pro Tem
shall be that Council member with the next greatest uninterrupted seniority on the
Council, which has not previously served as a rotational Mayor Pro Tem. However,
if such Council member does not accept the nomination for Mayor Pro Tem, then
the next most senior Council member shall be offered the position of Mayor Pro
Tem.
(2) Selection Criteria – Post 2025. Annually, at the City Council meeting on the third
Monday in January, the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern shall be selected. The Mayor
shall be that Council member that is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem. If such
Council member does not accept the nomination for rotational Mayor, then the next
most senior Council member which has not yet served as Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem,
shall be offered the position of Mayor. However, if two or more Councilmembers
qualify for the position of Mayor by virtue of having equal seniority, then that
Council member who received the highest number of votes in their previous
November General City Election shall be the Mayor. The person who received the
next highest vote total in their previous election shall be Mayor Pro Tem. The
incumbent Mayor Pro Tem shall not serve consecutive terms.
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(3) Term. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern shall serve from January until January
of each year succeeding year. A new successor shall be selected on the third
Monday in January of every year. Notwithstanding this section, the Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tem shall continue to serve until his or her successor takes office.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this ______ day of October, 2024.
Robert Gonzales
Mayor
ATTEST:
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.
City Clerk
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF AZUSA )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024- was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of Azusa, at a meeting thereof held on the ____ day of
__________ 2024, by the following vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Marco A. Martinez
City Attorney
Best Best & Krieger LLP
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RESOLUTION NO. 2024-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA
AMENDING EXHIBIT “A” OF RESOLUTION NO. 2022-C09
RELATING TO AMENDED PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES FOR
THE CONDUCT OF CITY BUSINESS
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City Council of the City of Azusa to support the
orderly, efficient, and responsive conduct of City business; and
WHEREAS, certain parliamentary procedures have been found to be useful in order to
ensure that the communication and process of government is fair, reasonable and just;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish uniform protocols and procedures in
order to accomplish these goals; and
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-C09
adopting protocols and procedures for the conduct of City business; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to amend the protocols and procedures to
incorporate changes necessitated by the City’s transition to a rotational mayor and mayor
pro tem and to make clear they apply to all elected members and all City boards and
commissions; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Azusa
does hereby:
SECTION 1. Exhibit “A” of Resolution No. 2022-C09 is hereby amended in its
entirety as shown on the attached Exhibit “A: of this Resolution.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this ______ day of October, 2024.
Robert Gonzales
Mayor
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF AZUSA )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024- was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of Azusa, at a meeting thereof held on the ____ day of
__________ 2024, by the following vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr.
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Marco A. Martinez
City Attorney
Best Best & Krieger LLP
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EXHIBIT “A”
[REVISED PROTOCOLS]
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EXHIBIT A
CITY OF AZUSA
PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES
FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
CONDUCT IN GENERAL
All members of the City Council, other elected and appointed officials (“Members”) shall abide
by the following:
All Members should:
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity in every action and statement;
• Serve as a model of leadership and civility to the community;
• Strive to ensure fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims and transactions coming
before the City Council, Commissions and Boards;
• Inspire public confidence in Azusa government;
• Work for the common good, not personal interest;
• Prepare in advance of Council, Commission and Board meetings and be familiar with
issues on the agenda;
• Fully participate in City Council, Board and Commission meetings and other public
forums while demonstrating respect, kindness, consideration, and courtesy to others;
• Participate in scheduled activities to increase Council, Board and Commission
effectiveness;
• Represent the City at ceremonial functions;
• Be responsible for the highest standards of respect, civility and honesty in ensuring the
effective maintenance of intergovernmental relations;
• Respect the proper roles of all elected and appointed officials and City staff in ensuring
open and effective government; and
• Represent the official policies or positions of the City when designated as delegates for
this Purpose.
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CONDUCT WITH ONE ANOTHER
City Councils, City Commissions and Boards are comprised of individuals with a wide variety of
backgrounds, personalities, values, opinions, and goals. Despite this diversity, all have chosen to serve
in public office in order to improve the quality of life in the community. In all cases, this common goal
should be acknowledged even as Members may "agree to disagree" on contentious issues.
In Public Meetings:
• Use formal titles
Members should refer to one another formally during meetings as Mayor, Mayor
Pro Tern, Council Member, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Commissioner or Boardmember
followed by the individual's last name.
• Practice civility and decorum in discussions and debate
Difficult questions, tough challenges to a particular point of view, and criticism of ideas and
information are legitimate elements of a free democracy in action. Be respectful of diverse
opinions.
• Honor the role of the presiding officer in maintaining order and equity
Respect the presiding officer’s efforts to focus discussion on current agenda items.
Objections to the presiding officer’s actions should be voiced politely and with reason,
following approved parliamentary procedures.
• Demonstrate effective problem-solving approaches
Members have a public stage to show how individuals with disparate points of view can find
common ground and seek a compromise that benefits the community as a whole. Members are
role models for residents and other stakeholders involved in public debate.
• Be respectful of other people’s time
Stay focused and act efficiently during public meetings.
ROLE OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER
The Presiding Officer's position is as a leader among equals. The Presiding Officer is to preside at all
meetings of their individual meeting bodies and perform such other duties consistent with the position as
may be imposed by law or by vote of the people. The Presiding Officer does not possess any power of
veto. For purposes of the City Council, the Mayor is the presiding officer of the Council. The Mayor is
to faithfully communicate the will of the Council majority in matters of policy. The Mayor is also
recognized as the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes.
Authority of the Presiding Officer:
• The Mayor is the presiding officer at all City Council meetings. In the Mayor's absence,
the Mayor Pro Tem shall be the presiding officer. The Azusa Utility Board nay establish
its own separate rules.
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• The Chairperson is the presiding officer of at all Board and Commission meetings. In
the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson shall be the presiding officer.
• The Presiding Officers shall recognize the Members, City Manager, Staff and speakers desiring
to provide public comment. The Presiding Officer should allow other Members to speak first
on items before the body and then the Presiding Officer shall comment.
• The Presiding Officer should not permit inappropriate or unauthorized remarks from the
audience including applause, stamping of feet, whistles, yells or shouting, and/or similar
demonstrations.
• The Presiding Officer should manage the agenda in a manner that seeks to move the
meeting along. The Presiding Officer may call for a short recess during a meeting when
deemed necessary. The Presiding Officer and Members may consider setting reduced
time limits for public comment and for adjournment and carrying over certain matters in
order to complete the meeting at a reasonable hour, when necessary.
• The Presiding Officer will represent the majority opinion of the Council, Board or
Commission on all actions/positions taken by the body.
CONDUCT WITH CITY STAFF
Governance of a City relies on the cooperative efforts of Members, who set and/or recommend policy,
and City staff, who analyze problems and issues, make recommendations, and implement and administer
the City’s policies. Therefore, every effort should be made to be cooperative and show mutual respect for
the contributions made by each individual for the good of the community.
• Treat all staff as professionals
Clear, honest communication that respects the abilities, experience, and dignity of each
individual is expected. As with your colleagues, practice civility and decorum in all
interactions with City staff.
• Council-Manager form of government
Members shall respect and adhere to the City's Council-Manager form of government, with the
City Council acting as the legislative body of the City, and the City Manager serving as the
administrative head of the City responsible for the implementation of Council-majority
policies. Council members should always feel free to speak directly with the City Manager on
matters of interest or concern. Board and Commission members should feel free to speak
directly with their assigned City staff member.
• Channel requests of staff through the City Manager or Assigned Staff Member
Members should work through the City Manager or their assigned Department head in dealing
with City staff, when possible. Requests of City staff shall be directed to the City Manager or
his/her designee or with notice provided to the City Manager. Board and Commission members
should work through their assigned Department Head. Members shall not set up meetings with
department staff directly, and should avoid staff interactions that may be construed as trying to
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direct or shape staff recommendations. Members shall refrain from coercing staff in making
recommendations to the body as a whole.
• Refrain from public criticism of staff
Members should avoid publicly criticizing Staff, individual employees or other
Members. Criticism is differentiated from questioning facts or opinions. All critical
comments about staff performance should only be made to the City Manager or assigned
Department Head through private correspondence or conversation.
• Consistent and equal sharing of information
All Members should have the same information with which to make decisions. Information
requested by an individual Member will be made available to all Members. All information
requests should respect the "one hour" rule (See below).
• Respect the "one hour" rule for staff work
Requests for staff support should be made to the City Manager or City Department assigned to
a Board or Commission, according to the protocol for channeling communications. Any request,
which would require more than one (1) hour of staff time to research a problem and/or prepare
a response, will need to be approved by the full body to ensure that staff resources are allocated
in accordance with overall Council or Board/Commission priorities. Once notified that a request
for information or staff support would require more than one (1) hour, the Member may request
that the City Manager or assigned Department head place the item on an upcoming agenda.
COUNCIL CONDUCT WITH BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The City has established several Boards and Commissions as a means of gathering broader meaningful
community input. Citizens who serve on Boards and Commissions become more involved in
government and serve as advisors to the City Council. Therefore, they are a valuable resource to the
City's leadership and should be treated with appreciation and respect. Council Members typically serve
as liaisons to Boards and Commissions, according to appointments made by Council, and in these roles
are expected to represent the full Council in providing guidance to the Board or Commission. In other
instances, Council Members may attend Board or Commission meetings as individuals, and should
follow these protocols:
• When attending meetings in a non-official capacity
Council Members may attend any Board or Commission meeting that is open to the public in a
non-official capacity. However, any public comments by a Council Member at a Board or
Commission meeting - when that Council Member is not the formal liaison to the Board or
Commission - should be clearly made as individual opinion and not as a representation of the
feelings of the entire City Council.
• Limit contact with Board and Commission members to questions of clarification
It is inappropriate for a Council Member to contact a Board or Commission member to lobby
on behalf of an individual, business, or developer, or to advocate a particular policy
perspective. It is acceptable for Council Members to contact Board or Commission members
in order to clarify a position taken by the Board or Commission.
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• Boards and Commissions are advisory to the Council as a whole
The City Council body appoints individuals to serve on Boards and Commissions, and it is the
responsibility of Boards and Commissions to follow policy established by the Council. Boards
and Commissions are therefore advisory to the Council as a whole, not to individual Council
Members. Council Members should not feel they have the power or right to threaten Board and
Commission members in any way if they disagree about an issue. A Board or Commission
appointment should not be used as a political "reward."
• Concerns about an individual Board or Commission member should be pursued with tact
If a Council Member has a concern with the effectiveness of a particular Board or Commission
member and is comfortable in talking with that individual privately, the Council Member may do
so. Alternatively, or if the problem is not resolved, the Council Member should consult with the
Mayor or City Manager, who can bring the issue to the Council as appropriate.
• Be respectful of diverse opinions
A primary role of Boards and Commissions is to represent various points of view in the
community and to provide the Council with advice based on a full spectrum of concerns and
perspectives. Council Members may have a closer working relationship with some
individuals serving on Boards and Commissions, but must be fair to and respectful of all
citizens serving on Boards and Commissions.
• Keep political support away from public forums
Board and Commission members may offer political support to a Council Member, but not in a
public forum while conducting-official duties. Conversely, Council Members may support Board
and Commission members who are running for office, but not in an official forum in their
capacity as a Council Member.
• Maintain an active liaison relationship
Appointed Council liaisons are encouraged to attend all regularly scheduled meetings of their
assigned Board or Commission, or to arrange for an alternate.
CONDUCT WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, PARTNERS & AGENCIES
An important role of a Member is communication—communication with the public to assess community
opinions and needs, communication with staff to provide policy direction, communication with external
partners to foster productive collaboration and trust-building, and communication to gain an
understanding of the implications of various policy alternatives. Because the Member is a part of a larger
body (that is, acting based on the will of the majority as opposed to individuals), it is important that general
guidelines be understood when speaking for the body and interacting with different stakeholder groups.
• Conduct with the Public
Members should make the public feel welcome and should listen courteously and attentively
to all public comments without partiality, prejudice or disrespect. Members should make no
promises to the public on behalf of the City and avoid debating issues with members of the
public.
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• Conduct with Other Agencies
Members should project a positive image of the City when dealing with other agencies, and be
clear about representing the City or personal interests to external groups. Typically, the Presiding
Officer will be charged with transmitting the City's position on policy matters to outside agencies
on behalf of the body. In the case that individual Members lobby or discuss with other legislators,
government officials, or members of the public issues that have been adopted by the body; they
should not represent themselves as the City if it is only an individual issue. Members should
show tolerance and respect for other agencies' opinions and issues, and agree to disagree
with them when necessary.
• Conduct with the Media
Members will refrain from providing "off the record" information (discussing inside
information). Providing background information is acceptable. Typically, the Mayor and/or City
Manager's Office will be charged with transmitting official public information to the media on
behalf of the City. In the specific case that individual Council Members interact with the media,
they shall represent the City's official position when speaking on behalf of the City [or refer
comment to the City Manager’s Office]. Individual Members should indicate if they are making
comments that represent their own opinion and not of the City or majority of the governing
body. Council Members shall inform the City Manager of interview requests or comments made
to the media about City projects or issues, so that the City Manager may appropriately inform
the rest of the City Council of issues that could be of interest. Should non-City Council elected
or appointed Members be contacted by media organizations for comment on City matters, these
Members shall refer such inquiries or requests directly to the City Manager’s Office or assigned
Department Head.
• Conduct on Social Media
Members should follow general best practices and guidance on social media platforms as they
do in their interactions with the general news media as outlined above. Individual Members
should clearly indicate if they are making comments that represent their own opinion and not
of the City. Members shall also be cognizant of the fact that their stated positions on social
media discourse (particularly on social media platforms), may be misconstrued as the voice of
the City, and may therefore put the full City at a disadvantage if and when an issue comes
before them when extensive discussion and deliberation has already taken place in an informal
public social media setting.
ROLE OF CITY STAFF
In addition to executing general city operations, it is staff's role to make recommendations to the
City Council, Boards and Commissions based on professional judgment and analysis of issues,
and to implement all adopted policies as directed by the City Manager or assigned Department
Head.
• Respect the role of Members
Staff is expected to provide its best professional recommendations on issues. Staff should not
try to determine Member support for particular positions or recommendations in order to craft
recommendations. Members must be able to depend upon the staff to make independent
recommendations. Staff should provide information about alternatives to staff
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recommendations as appropriate, as well as pros and cons for staff recommendations and
alternatives
• Respond to questions fully and expeditiously
The protocol for staff time devoted to research and response should be as provided in these
protocols. The City Manager and staff will be available to answer questions of prior to and
during meetings. Staff will respond to questions from the public during meetings when
requested to do so by the City Manager. If a Member forwards a complaint or service request to
the City Manager and/or Department Head, there will be follow-through as is practical.
• Professionalism and non-partisanship
Staff shall demonstrate professionalism and non-partisanship in all interactions with
Members, the community and in public meetings.
• Timely notification of controversial or sensitive issues
The City Manager should inform Council as soon as possible of upcoming issues, particularly
issues that will impact the City significantly and may be coming before the Council on short
notice. The City Manager should advise department heads and managers to become aware of,
and sensitive to, potentially political or controversial issues affecting the City. Department
Heads assigned to Boards and Commissions should communicate such issues as appropriate.
OTHER PROCEDURAL ISSUES
Public correspondence and use of letterhead
• Elected Members may use City letterhead with the City seal only for responses to
constituent letters, or for stating City adopted positions. Members of Boards and
Commissions do not have access to such resources.
• City letterhead may not be used for personal business or to present an opposing view
once an official position has been taken by the City Council.
• Elected Members may respond to e-mail inquiries using City email if they are comfortable
doing so, and assuring the response is consistent with any adopted Council policy and/or stand
on the issue; if not, Members are free to refer an e-email inquiry to the City Manager.
City Council Meetings
• The City Manager is responsible for setting the agenda for Council Meetings in order to obtain
timely and necessary policy direction from Council on important matters facing the City. The
current Mayor may meet with the City Manager and other staff as necessary, ahead of Council
meetings to: 1) Identify any issues or questions that may need greater staff preparation for the
meeting; 2) Plan ahead on how the meeting will be conducted; and/or 3) Discuss or coordinate
future meetings. The purpose of these meetings shall not be to work on policy issues.
• It is expected that the Council Members will read the agenda packet and adequately prepare for
each meeting ahead of time. Council Members will be given sufficient lead and preparation
time for doing so. When possible, Council Members should seek answers to questions on an
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item on the agenda from the City Manager prior to the meeting. Council Members are also
encouraged to let the City Manager know of questions that will be asked publicly or during the
Council Meeting to allow staff an opportunity to be prepared to give a response. This should
improve the efficiency and flow of meetings while allowing for the bulk of Council discussions
to be focused on policy deliberation.
• Consistent with requirements of the Brown Act, the Mayor or a majority of the body may
call a special meeting
• Correspondence received by a Member or City staff regarding an agendized item should
be forwarded to the City Clerk and City Manager or assigned Department Head to be
retained as part of the record and for distribution to the body and public as required by
law. A summary of the correspondence may be provided at the meeting.
• On any agenda item the Mayor may: 1) move placement of the item on the agenda to facilitate
the flow of all agenda business; 2) may limit the time allotted to individual speakers on an item;
3) may limit the total allotted for public comment on an individual item.
• Direction provided at noticed meetings should be in the form of consensus or motion and
vote, as necessary. Individual direction provided by a Member during a meeting will be
evaluated by the City Manager or Department Head.
Closed Session Confidentiality
• All matters discussed during closed sessions shall be private and confidential, and the
disclosure by any person of the topics or details of such matters is expressly prohibited.
• Although the City Attorney will maintain a record of reportable action, other notes in closed
session should not be taken. However, if a Member feels it is necessary, then only cursory notes
should be permitted. Any written reports or materials presented during closed session should be
turned in to staff at the end of closed session.
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
• Members have the primary responsibility to ensure that ethical standards are understood,
and that the public can continue to have full confidence in the integrity of government.
• It is the role of the Presiding Officer and Members to intervene when actions of other
Members are in violation of the standard protocols and procedures.
• Failure of a Member to observe and conduct himself/herself in accordance with these adopted
protocols and procedures may result in, but not be limited to, the following actions by a majority
of the body: 1) private counseling of the Member by the Presiding Officer, City Manager or City
Attorney; 2) letter of warning/reprimand from the body; 3) removal from serving as City
representative/liaison to internal Boards and Commissions and to intergovernmental
organizations; 4) censure by the City Council; and 5) in the most serious cases, referral of the
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matter to the Fair Political Practices Commission, District Attorney or grand jury for ethics
investigation and/or criminal prosecution pursuant to the authority contained in the Brown Act.
ADMINISTRATION
• On a recurrent basis determined by City Council, or as required by law, the City
Council shall review and revise these protocols and procedures as needed by
amendment