REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Review, Discussion and Potential Action to Adopt Council Policy 7.3.31 Council Action on Matters Outside Its Subject Matter Jurisdiction, and Amend or Delete Selected Policies in the Council Policy Manual
Report
BACKGROUND
Staff periodically reviews Council Policies to ensure the Council Policy Manual remains current, clear, and aligned with applicable law and Council direction. When proposed edits are limited to minor clarifications that do not alter the original intent of the policy, such as clarifying Council's intent or memorializing existing practice, those changes are typically approved by the City Manager, shared with Council, and processed without formal Council action. When proposed changes represent a substantive change in Council's original intent or introduce new policy direction, the revisions are brought forward for formal Council consideration.
The current Council Policy review effort has been incorporated into the Strategic Framework Workplan under the Responsive Government Goal as an operational project suggested by staff (Workplan Item GO-37, Update Council Policies).
On February 3, 2026, the Mayor announced the formation of an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Council Policy Review and Updates, consisting of Mayor Larry Klein, Vice Mayor Richard Mehlinger, and Councilmember Charlsie Chang (RTC 26-0263). The Committee is working with staff to review the Council Policy Manual and Public Meeting Handbook and to recommend updates for consideration by the full Council.
This report reflects the first set of policy recommendations advanced following review and input from the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Strategic Goal - Responsive Government
Council Policy 7.3.1, Legislative Management - Goals and Policies
* Goal 7.3B Assure that City policy is established, documented and enacted according to established procedures and legal principles.
* Policy 7.3B.2 Maintain Official records of City action a...
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