HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/14/2008 - STAFF REPORTS - 1.C. F ?ALM SA
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9L1p�6N� CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 14, 2008 STUDY SESSION
SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE
WITH RESPECT TO THE PLACEMENT OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
BY MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: City Clerks Department
SUMMARY
At a previous City Council meeting, Councilmember Weigel requested staff place on a
future agenda, a discussion with respect to the procedure and placement of items on a
future agenda by Members of the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and direct staff as appropriate regarding the procedure of how Members of the
City Council may place items on future agendas.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On February 9, 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 21201 establishing Rules
of Procedure. Moreover, it has been a long standing practice that any Member of the
City Council may individually request that an item or discussion be placed on a future
agenda.
The current policy provides a great deal of flexibility for an individual Councilmember to
place an item of concern or interest on a future agenda. A specific challenge for staff,
however, is that such requests frequently require significant effort and resources which
compete with other Council priorities and day to day departmental service operations.
At this time, staff would like to nominate a revised "agenda model" for Council's
consideration. We suggest amending the Rules of Procedure to a bifurcated approach
for the placement of Councilmember requests on the Agenda. Under such a process,
Councilmember requests would be categorized as either "Service/Expenditure/Minor
Legislation" requests or "Policies/Programs" requests.
City Council Staff Report
May 14, 2008-- Page 2
Meeting Procedures
Councilmember requests for "Service/Expenditures/Minor Legislation" would be handled
consistent with current practice; and placed on an upcoming Agenda for City Council
consideration, as they have minimal impact on staff resources. Examples of these
requests might be: event sponsorships, a presentation From an organization, creation of
a City Council Subcommittee, a resolution of support, etc.
"Policies and Programs" requests would require an additional step in the process. After
a Councilmember makes a request in this category, the Management Team would
prepare a brief outline of the level of staff effort required, estimated resource
requirements, potential costs, and a general time frame for completion. This briefing
report would then be placed on the next regular meeting under New Business for the
City Council, as a whole, to discuss the matter and provide direction to proceed, modify
or withdraw the item. Examples of "policies and programs" requests would be: the
preparation of an ordinance, review of options and/or alternatives of a new or current
City policy, initiation of a zone text amendment, etc.
Agenda setting is one of the most powerful legislative tools of local government, yet
perhaps, one of its least understood processes. As the current rules and procedures
are limited as to the agenda setting process for Council Members, this new structure will
be clarifying for Council, staff and our citizens for this important aspect of governance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
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?MES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK DAVID H. READY, GER