Title
Adoption of Resolution Amending Various Sections of Resolution Nos. 15382 and 15697 to Amend the Rules of Order Governing City Council Meetings. (City Clerk 2210)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council adopts Rules of Order to govern the proceedings of City Council meetings. A City Council subcommittee is proposing amendments for City Council consideration.
BACKGROUND
On May 15, 2018, the City Council adopted Rules of Order governing City Council meetings. The Rules of Order were amended on September 15, 2020. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft formed a subcommittee composed of Councilmember Knox White and herself to consider revisions to the Rules of Order.
DISCUSSION
The subcommittee of Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Councilmember Knox White reviewed and discussed ways to streamline meetings, including preventing the Consent Calendar from delaying Regular Agenda Items from being heard. The proposal to amend the Rules of Order is an initial step and is attached in redline as Exhibit 1. If additional measures are needed, the subcommittee could reconvene and return with other amendments in the future.
The prosed amendments to the Rules of Order are:
1) under Oral Communications, speakers would have two minutes to comment;
2) under the Consent Calendar:
a. members of the public would comment once on the entire Consent Calendar and not be able to withdraw items for discussion;
b. up to eleven speakers would have two minutes for comments and twelve or more speakers would have one minute;
c. Councilmembers would not pull items simply to record a non-affirmative vote and would have up to five minutes to speak on each item pulled for discussion;
3) under Regular Items and Council Referrals, 12 or more speakers would have one minute to speak; and
4) all presentations would be limited to 10 minutes.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council could:
1) adopt the changes as presented;
2) amend the proposed changes;
3) suggest other changes; or
4) take no action.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from revising the Rules of Order.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Municipal Code Section 2-1.7 addresses Rules of Order being set by Resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines section 15061 (b) (3) as there is no possibility that this action may have a significant effect on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Consider adopting a resolution revising the Rules of Order.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager defers to the recommendations of the City Council subcommittee.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Exhibit:
1. Rules of Order - Redline
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager