REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update the 2026 Seating Arrangements for City Council
Report
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Council Policy 7.3.11 (Attachment 1) provides a process to determine the seating arrangements of Councilmembers at Council meetings. City Council selected their 2026 seats at the January 27, 2026 Council meeting (RTC No. 26-0248).
Since January 2026, seats for the City Attorney and City Manager have been added to the Council Chambers Dais. Councilmember Le has agreed to adjust their position in the seating arrangement to maintain the Mayor’s position in the center of the Dais and accommodate the addition of the City Attorney and City Manager sitting on the Dais.
This report provides Council the opportunity to approve moving Councilmember Le’s new position on the Dais as shown in Attachment 2. Attachment 2 also reflects the seating locations for the City Manager and City Attorney on the Dais.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.11. Seating Arrangements/City Council (Attachment 1)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental, organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Updating City Council seating arrangements does not have a fiscal impact.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Update the City Council seating arrangements for 2026 as shown in Attachment 2 to the report.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 7.3.11 Seating Arrangements/City Council
2. City Council Seats Diagram