REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Amendments to Council Policy 7.3.19 (Council Meetings) Adding a Process for City Council Colleague Memorandums to Propose new Agenda Items
Report
BACKGROUND
On January 12, 2021, Councilmember Fong sponsored Study Issue OCM 21-03 (Consider the Creation of a Formal Process for City Council Colleague Memorandums). Mayor Klein along with Councilmembers Melton, Cisneros and Din cosponsored the Study Issue. The Study Issue described the purpose of a Colleagues Memorandum as an opportunity that allows Councilmembers to prepare memoranda on topics coming before the Council or on any matter within Council's subject matter jurisdiction.
On September 14, 2021, the City Council provided feedback on this Study Issue during a study session. During the study session, Councilmembers discussed whether a colleagues memorandum policy should address items already on a Council agenda or be used to add items to a future agenda. Additional discussion included concerns about Councilmembers commenting on agenda items prior to the public hearing on the item. There was general consensus for a follow up study session outlining a process for memorandums to add items to future agendas.
On October 26, 2021, the Council reviewed draft Colleagues Memorandum language for potential inclusion in Council Policy 7.3.19 (Council Meetings) during a study session. There was general consensus for adding the proposed language to Council Policy 7.3.19. Additional discussion involved treating the proposed language as a pilot amendment to the Council Policy either through scheduling a review of the language 1-year after the language is added or by including automatic removal of the language after 1-year.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 7.3.19 (Council Meetings)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in th...
Click here for full text