HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 6085 RESOLUTION NO. 6085
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ADOPTING A REVISED COUNCIL MANUAL
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Huntington
Beach that it does hereby adopt a City Council Manual, revised
1989, which manual is attached hereto and by this reference made
a part hereof .
Future amendments to the Council Manual shall be by
resolution of the City Council which may relate only to the
sections amended.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach at a regular meeting thereof held on
the 13th day of November 198
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Clerk ��3- City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT AND
AS INITIATING DEPARTMENT:
Mayor
COUNCIL MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 . 01, CITY COUNCIL
Sections
1 . 01 . 01 Rules of Office of Councilpersons
1 . 01 . 02 Vacancies
1 . 01 . 03 Attendance
1 . 01 . 04 Duties and Limitations of the City Council
1 . 01 . 05 Duties of the Mayor
1 . 01 . 06 Duties of Mayor Pro Tempore
1 . 01 . 07 Compensation of Councilpersons
1 . 01 . 08 Statewide ballot propositions
1 . 01 . 09 Appeals of Planning Commission Decisions
1 . 01 . 10 Guidelines for councilpersons representing city at
conferences or other such meetings
Chapter 1 . 02 , CODE OF ETHICS
1 . 02 . 01 Purpose of code
1 . 02 . 02 Definition
1 . 02 . 03 Responsibilities of public office
1 .02 . 04 Dedicated service
1 . 02 . 05 Fair and equal treatment--Unilateral communications
1 . 02 . 06 Standards of conduct
Chapter 1 . 03 , COUNCIL MEETINGS
1 . 03 . 01 Time and place of council meeting
1 . 03 . 02 Special meetings
1 . 03 . 03 Public input .
Chapter 1 . 04 , PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
1 . 04 . 01 Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised
1 . 04 . 02 Parliamentarian
1 . 04 . 03 Motions
1 . 04 . 04 Vote required -- Nonemergency
1 . 04 . 05 Emergency ordinances
1 . 04 . 06 Adoption of ordinances
1 . 04 . 07 Reading of ordinances
1 . 04 . 08 Alteration of ordinance after introduction
1 . 04 . 09 The vote
1 . 04 . 10 Division of question ( "split vote" )
1 . 04 . 11 Tie votes
1 . 04 . 12 Nomination and election
1 . 04 . 13 Rights of Mayor
1 . 04 . 14 Quorum
1 . 04 . 15 Ralph M. Brown Act
1 . 04 . 16 Fines , penalties and franchises
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Chapter 1 . 04 , PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE (continued)
1 . 04 . 17 Other actions
1 . 04 . 18 When minute action is a resolution
1 . 04 . 19 Minute actions
1 . 04 . 20 Motion to rescind
1 . 04 . 21 Motion to reconsider
1 . 04 . 22 Vote required on appellate matters
1 . 04 . 23 Appointments to boards and commissions
Chapter 1 . 05 , ROLE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
1 . 05 . 01 Apointment and removal
1 . 05 . 02 Compensation
1 . 05 . 03 Duties
1 . 05 . 04 Non-interference with administration
1 . 05 . 05 Acting City Administrator
Chapter 1. 06 , ROLE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY -
1 . 06 . 01 Term
1 . 06 . 02 Power and duties
1 . 06 . 03 Requests for ordinances and resolutions
Chapter 1 . 07, ROLE OF THE CITY TREASURER
1 . 07 . 01 Term
1 . 07 . 02 Powers and duties
Chapter 1 . 08 , ROLE OF THE CITY CLERK
1 . 08 . 01 Term
1 . 08 . 02 Powers and duties
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Chapter 1 . 01
CITY COUNCIL
1 . 1 . 1 Rules of Office of Council persons . The Huntington
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Beach City Council is comprised of seven (7) members elected
from the city at large for terms of four (4) years . Election of
City Council members is staggered into two (2) cycles . Four (4)
Council members are elected at one general municipal election,
followed in two (2) years by another general municipal election
where three (3) members are elected, and so forth. Elections
n h first T in November . The term of a City are held o the rst Tuesdayy
Council member begins on the first Monday after delivery of a
Certificate of Election . (Charter § 300)
1 . 01. 02 Vacancies . A vacancy on the City Council for
whatever reason shall be filled by appointment of the City
Council . (Charter § 312)
1 . 01 . 03 Attendance. If a City Council member absents
himself from all regular meetings of the City Council for thirty
(30) consecutive days after the last regular meeting the member
attended, without the permission of the City Council , or is
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be
an elector of the city, the City Council shall declare his
office vacant . In the event the City Council fails to fill the
seat by appointment within sixty (60) days, the City Council
shall cause an election to be held to fulfill the unexpired
term. (Charter § 312)
1 . 01 .04 Duties and Limitations of the City Council . All
powers of the city are vested in the City Council , except as
otherwise provided in the city Charter . (Charter § 301)
The duties of the City Council include, but are not limited
to .
(a) Holding regular meetings at least twice per month at
such time as shall be fixed by ordinance or resolution (Charter
§ 303) which is 7 : 00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each
month in the Council chambers except where a meeting falls on a
holiday, then it is to be held on the following day.
(b) Calling special meetings by the Mayor or a majority of
the City Council . (Charter § 303)
(c) Administering oaths and affirmations in any
investigation or proceeding pending before the Council, to
compel attendance of witnesses , to examine them under oath and
to compel the production of evidence . (Charter S 304)
(d) Adopting ordinances and resolutions . (Charter § 500)
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OFFICE OF
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CITY ATTORNEY
�-— P.0.Box 2740
�fcyp�T1 t'`�`� 2000 MAIN STREET
HUNTINGTON BEACH
CALIFORNIA 92647
OAIL HUTTON TELEPHONE
City Attorney 1714)5366WS
THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT
Government Code Sections
54950 — 54962
1g89 Edition
Section 54950. DECLARATION OF PUBLIC POLICY. In enacting this chapter, the
Legislature finds and declares that the public commissions, boards and councils and the
other public agencies in this State exist to aid In the conduct of the people's business. It
is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be
conducted openly.
The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the
agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public
servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for
them to know. The people insist on remaining Informed so that they may retain control
over the instruments they have created.
Section.5,4950.5. TITLE ,OF ACT. This chapter shall be known as the Ralph M. Brown
Act.
Section 54951: "LOCAL AGENCY.• As used in this chapter, "local agency" means a
county, city, whether general law or chartered, city and county, town, school district,
municipal corporation, district, political subdivision, or any board, commission or agency
thereof, or other local public agency.
Section 54951.1. PUBLIC MEETINGS BY ANTIPOVERTY ORGANIZATIONS. For the
purposes of this chapter, and to the extent not inconsistent with federal law, the term
"local agency" shall include all private nonprofit organizations that receive public money
to be expended for public purposes pursuant to the "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964"
(P.L. 88-452; 78 Stat. 508).
Section 54951.7. "LOCAL AGENCY." "Local agency" includes any nonprofit
corporation; created by one or more local agencies, anyone of the members of whose
.board of directors is appointed by such local agencies and which Is formed to acquire,
construct, reconstruct, maintain or operate any public work project.
Section 54952. !'LEGISLATIVE BODY." As used in this chapter, "legislative body"
means the governing board, commission, directors or body of a local agency, or any board
or commission thereof, and shall include any board, commission, committee, or other body
on which officers of a local agency serve in their official capacity as members and which
is supported in whole or in part by funds provided by such agency, whether such board,
commission, committee or other body is organized and operated by such local agent;, or
by a private corporation.
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Section 54952.2. ADDITIONAL DEFINITION OF "LEGISLATIVE BODY." As use?
this chapter, "legislative body" also means any board, commission, committee, or similar
multi—member body which exercises any authority of a legislative body of a local agency
delegated to it by that legislative body.
Section 54952.3. "LEGISLATIVE BODY": ADVISORY COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES,
.OR. BODIES." As used in this chapter "legislative body" also includes any advisory
commission, advisory committee or advisory body of a local agency, created by charter,
ordinance, resolution, or by any similar formal action of a legislative body or member of a
legislative body of a local agency.
Meetings of such advisory commissions, committees or bodies
concerning subjects which do not require an examination of facts and data outside the
territory of the local agency shall be held within the territory of the local agency and
shall be open and public, and notice thereof must be delivered personally or by mail at
'least 24 hours before the time of such meeting to each person who has requested, in
writing, notice of such meeting.
If the advisory commission, committee or body elects to provide for
the holding of regular meetings, It shall provide by bylaws, or by whatever other rule is
utilized by the advisory body for the conduct of its business, for the time and place for
holding such regular meetings. No other notice of regular meetings is required.
"Legislative body" as defined in this section does not Include a
committee composed solely of members of the governing body of a local agency which are
less than a quorum of such governing body. �)
The provisions of Sections 54954, 54955, 54955.1, and 54956 shall
not apply to meetings under this section.
Section 54952.5. "LEGISLATIVE BODY": PERMANENT BOARDS OR
COMMISSIONS. As used in this chapter "legislative body" also includes, but is not limited
to, planning commissions, library boards, recreation commissions, and other permanent
boards or commissions of a local agency.
Section 54952.6. "ACTION TAKEN." As used in this chapter, "action taken" means a
collective decision made by a majority of the members of a legislative body, a collective
commitment or promise by a majority of the members of a legislative body to make a
positive or a negative decision, or an actual vote by a majority of the members of a
legislative body when sitting as a body or entity, upon a motion, proposal, resolution,
order or ordinance.
Section 54952.7. GIVING COPY OF CHAPTER TO MEMBERS OF "LEGISLATIVE
BODY." A legislative body of a local agency may require that a copy of this chapter be
given to each member of the legislative body. An elected legislative body of a local
agency may require that a copy of this chapter be given to each member of each
legislative body all or a majority of whose members are appointed by or under the
authority of the elected legislative body.
Section 54953. MEETINGS TO BE OPEN AND PUBLIC.
(a) All meetings of the legislative body of a local agency sha:' be
open and public, and all persons shall be permitted to attend any meeting of the
legislative body of a local agency, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
2.
(e) Approving city contracts or authorizing the City
Administrator so to bind the city. (Charter § 613)
(f) By ordinance or resolution providing for the sale or
exchange of personal property not needed in city service, or not
fit for its intended purpose. (Charter § 613)
(g) Appointing the City Administrator and setting his
compensation. (Charter § 400)
(h) Removing the City Administrator by majority vote,
except during or within ninety (90) days of a municipal
election. (Charter § 400)
(i) Refraining from interference with the administrative
service; except for the purpose of inquiry, the City Council
must deal with the administrative service through the City
Administrator . (Charter § 307)
(j ) Providing by ordinance or resolution for the
organization, conduct and operation of the various offices and
departments of the city. (Charter § 401)'
(k) Controlling all legal business of the city. (Charter
304)
( 1) Designating depositories for city funds . (Charter
311)
(m) Fixing by ordinance or resolution amounts and terms of
official bonds of all officials or employees . (Charter § 308)
(n) Refraining from having any conflict of interest in any
transaction of the city. (Charter § 313 , See Government Code
87100 , et seq . )
(o) Refraining from engaging in nepotism. (Charter § 313)
(p) Appointing to and creating the various boards and
commissions of the city. (Charter § 405)
(q) Establishing by ordinance a comprehensive personnel
system. (Charter § 403)
(r) After public hearings, reviewing, considering and
adopting the annual budget of the city. (Charter §§ 602, 603 &
604) At any subsequent meeting after adoption, the City Council
may amend or supplement the budget . (Charter § 606)
(s) Establishing by ordinance the procedure for assessment ,
levy and collection of taxes upon property within the city.
(Charter § 608)
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(t) Incurring bonded indebtedness for the city which does
not exceed twelve percent (12%) of the total assessed valuation .
(Charter § 610)
(u) Providing for an independent audit of the city each
fiscal year . (Charter § 616)
(v) By ordinance, regulating the granting of franchises .
(Charter § 615)
1 . 01 . 05 Duties of the Mayor . At the first meeting after
any municipal election where a Council member is seated and at
any time where there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the
City Council shall meet and elect one of its members Mayor .
The Mayor is the ceremonial head of the city and shall have
the primary, but not exclusive, duty to interpret the policies ,
programs , and needs of city government to the people.
The Mayor may make and second motions and shall have both
voice and vote in all Council proceedings . The Mayor serves at
the pleasure of the City Council . (Charter § 305)
The Mayor may call special meetings of the City Council .
(Charter § 303)
The Mayor may execute contracts on behalf of the city when
the contracts have been approved by the City Council . (Charter
613)
When the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore and City Clerk are absent
from the city, all papers and documents required to be executed
by them may be executed by facsimile signature . (Resolution No .
3200 , 3 Aug . 70)
1 . 01 . 06 Duties of Mayor Pro Tempore. The Mayor Pro Tempore
shall perform the duties of the Mayor during his absence or
disability. (Charter § 306)
1 . 01 . 07 Compensation of Councilpersons . For their service
to the city, Councilpersons shall receive a salary of $175 per
month, and in addition shaall receive reimbursement on order of
the City Council for council-authorized travel and other
expenses upon submission of itemized expense accounts . In
addition, members shall receive such other reasonable and
adequate amounts established by ordinance as reimbursement for
other routine and ordinary expenses . (Charter § 302, Huntington
Beach Municipal Code S 2 . 28 . 010)
Councilpersons shall also receive all fringe benefits
granted to department heads of the city, and such fringe
benefits shall be included in the annual budget . (Huntington
Beach Municipal Code 2 . 20 . 020)
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body
of a local agency may use video teleconferencing for the benefit of the public or the
legislative body of a local agency in connection with any meeting or proceeding
authorized by law. The use of video teleconferencing, as authorized by this chapter, shall
be limited to the receipt of public comment or testimony by the legislative body and to
deliberations of the legislative body. If the legislative body of a local agency elects to
use video teleconferencing, it shall post agendas at all video teleconference locations and
adopt reasonable regulations to adequately protect the statutory or .constitutional rights
of the parties or the public appearing before the legislative body of a local agency. The
term "video teleconference" shall mean a system which provides for both audio and visual
participation between all members of the legislative body and the public attending a
meeting or hearing at any video teleconference location.
This section shall remain in effect until January I, 1994, and on that
date Is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, which is chaptered before January I,
1994, deletes or extends that date.
Section 54953. MEETINGS TO BE OPEN AND PUBLIC. All meetings of the
legislative .body of a local agency shall be open and public, and all persons shall be
permitted to attend any meeting of the legislative body of a local agency, except as
otherwise provided in this chapter.
This section shall become operative January 1, 1994.
Section 54953.1. RIGHT OF MEMBERS OF "LEGISLATIVE BODY" TO GIVE
TESTIMONY IN PRIVATE. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to
prohibit the members of the legislative body of a local agency from giving testimony In
private before a grand jury, either as individuals or as a body.
Section 54953.3. REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AS A CONDITION OF
ATTENDANCE AT A MEETING BY A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. A member of the
publicshall not be required, as a condition to attendance at a meeting of a legislative
body of a local agency, to register his or her name, to other information, to complete a
questionnaire, or otherwise to fulfill any condition precedent to his or her attendance.
If an attendance list, register, questionnaire, or other similar
document is posted at or near the entrance to the room where the meeting Is to beheld,
or Is circulated to the persons present during the meeting, It shall state clearly that the
signing, registering, or completion of the documentation is voluntary, and that all persons
may attend the meeting regardless of whether a person signs, registers, or completes the
document.
Section 54953.5. RECORDING PROCEDURE. Any person attending an open and
public meeting of a legislative body of a local agency shall have the right to record the
proceedings on a tape recorder in the absence of a reasonable finding of the legislative
body of the local agency that such recording constitutes, or would constitute, a disruption
of the proceedings.
Section 54953.7. ACCESS TO MEETINGS BEYOND MINIMAL STANDARDS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, legislative bodies of local agencies may
impose requirements upon themselves which allow greater access _to their meetings than
prescribed by the minimal standards set forth in this chapter. In addition thereto, an
_. elected legislative body of a local agency may impose such requirements on those
appointed legislative bodies of the local agency of which all or a .majority of the members
are appointed by or under the authority of the elected legislative body.
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Section 54954. RULES-. FOR CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; TIME AND PLACE FOR
HOLDING MEETINGS. The legislative body of a local agency shall provide, by ordinance,
resolu_tion, bylaws, or by whatever other rule is.;required for the conduct of business by
that body, the time for holding regular.meetings. Unless otherwise provided for in the act
under which the local agency was formed, meetings of the legislative body need not be
held within the boundaries of the territory over which the local agency exercises
jurisdiction. If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday, such regular meeting
shall be held on the next business day. If, by reason of fire, flood, earthquake or other
emergency, it shall be unsafe to meet In the place designated, the meetings may be held
.for the duration of the emergency at such place as is designated by the presiding officer
of the legislative body.
Section 54954.1. MAILED NOTICE. .OF MEETINGS ON REQUEST; FEES. The
legislative body of any district which is subject to the provisions of this chapter shall give
mailed notice of every regular meeting, and any special meeting which Is called at least
one week 'prior to the"date set for the meeting, to any owner of property -located'within
the district who has.filed a written,request for such notice with the legislative body..- Any
mailed notice.,requlred pursuant to this section shall-be.malted:at:least one week prior to
the date.set for .the meeting to which it appiles:except;.that:the;°legislative body may give
such notice, as-it deems practical of special meetings called less than seven days prior to
the date set for the meeting.
Any-request for- notice Jiled pursuant-Io` this section shall be valid
for one year from the date on which It Is filed unless a.renewal request: is filed. Renewal
requests for notice-shall!be filed within 90 days, after January;JI:iof'each..year: Any request
for. notice, or renewal request, filed pursuant to this section shah contain a description of
the property owned by the person filing the request. Such description may be in general )
terms but-shall be sufficient enough*.to readily identify such property.- 1-
The legislative body may establish a reasonable annual charge for
sending such notice based,on. the'estimated cost.of..providing such-a service.
Section 54954.2 POSTING AGENDAS
(a) At least 72 hours before a regular meeting, the legislative body
of the local agency, .'or.:lts_designee . shall post.' an%agenda cdntaini'n'g' a 'brief general
description of..each -ite.m of, business to be transacted or discussed, atthe .meeting. .. The
agenda.shall specify the Ltime and location of the regular meeting and,shall-be posted In a
location that- is free.ly .ac.cessible :to .members of .the public;:-:;No. action shall be takerl-.on
any Item not appearing on the posted agenda.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the legislative body may take
action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda -under any of the following
conditions:
I. Upon a determination by a majority vote of the
legislative body that an emergency situation exists, as
defined in Section 54956.5.
2. Upon a determination by a two—thirds vote of the
legislative body, or, If less than ,two—thirds of the
members are • present, a unanimous vote of those
members present, that the need to take action arose
subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in
subdivision (a).
4.
1 . 01 . 08 Statewide ballot propositions . The City Council
shall take no stand, either pro or con, with respect to any
statewide ballot proposition. (Minute action, 19 April 76 ;
Resolution No . 4344 , 26 Oct . 76)
1 . 01 . 09 Appeals of Planning Commission Decisions . The
Council or any member may appeal any decision or requirement of
the Planning Commission. The time limit for filing the appeal
is ten ( 10) calendar days after the decision. The appeal must
specify in detail the reasons for the appeal, and the hearing is
limited to the specified reasons . (Huntington Beach Ordinance
Code §§ 9880 , 9881) No fee is required for appeals by a Council
member .
1 . 01 . 10 Guidelines for councilpersons representing city at
conferences or other such meetings . At any conference or other
such meeting where the city is represented by one or more
members of the City Council, the following guidelines shall be
followed :
(a) Whenever possible, councilpersons shall represent the
city as "instructed delegates by majority vote of the City
council . "
(b) In the event no prior instructions or directions have
been given, a poll shall be taken of the delegates attending
such conference, or other such meeting, so that any vote or
action taken by such councilpersons shall reflect the wishes of
a majority of delegates .
(c) In the event no prior instructions or directions have
been given delegates, or in the event that the City of
Huntington Beach is not represented at a conference or other
such meeting, but the matter at issue is one on which the Orange
County League of Cities has taken a stand concurred in by the
City of Huntington Beach, the City Council shall be bound by the
action taken on such issue by the Orange County League of Cities .
(Resolution No . 4366, 6 Dec. 76)
Chapter 1. 02
CODE OF ETHICS
1 . 02 . 01 Purpose of code. The proper operation of
democratic government requires that public officials and
employees be independent, impartial , and responsible to the
people . The purpose of this code is to establish ethical
standards of conduct for all such officials .
1 . 02 , 02 Definition. The municipal officials and employees
of the City of Huntington Beach, whether elected or appointed,
are "public officials and employees" within the meaning of this
code .
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1 . 02 . 03 Responsibilities of public office .
(a) Public officials and employees are bound to observe in
their official acts the highest standards of morality and to
discharge faithfully the duties of their office regardless of
personal considerations , recognizing that the public interest
must be their primary concern. Their conduct in both their
official and private affairs should be above reproach.
(b) Public officials are bound to uphold the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of the State of
California and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation,
state and municipality.
1 . 02 . 04 Dedicated service . Public officials and employees
should not exceed their authority or breach the law or ask
others to do so , and they should work in full cooperation with
other public officials and employees unless prohibited from
doing so by law or by officially recognized confidentiality of
their work.
1 . 02 . 05 Fair and equal treatment--Unilateral communications .
No public official or employee should encourage, make, or accept
any application or communication from any party made out of the
presence and without the knowledge of other parties in a matter
under consideration when such application or communication is
designed to influence official decision or the conduct of the
official himself, or other officials, employees , or agencies in
order to obtain favored treatment or special consideration to
advance the personal or private interests of himself or others .
Any written unilateral communication received by a public
official or employee in matters where all interested parties
should have equal opportunity for a hearing should be made part
of the record by the recipient . Any oral unilateral
communication received under such conditions should be written
down in substance by the recipient and also made part of the
record.
1 . 02 . 06 Standards of conduct . Every officer of the city
shall attempt to be courteous and avoid making rude or personal
remarks . When speaking at a public meeting, the officers of the
city shall attempt to speak to the issue and avoid making
comments for the benefit of the audience or the press .
Chapter 1 . 03
COUNCIL MEETING
1 . 03 . 01 Time and place of council meeting . Regular council
meetings shall be held in the City Council Chambers on the first
and third Mondays of each month at 7 : 00 p .m. except where a
meeting falls on a holiday it shall be held on the next business
day. (Resolution No . 4161, 17 Nov 75)
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3. The item was posted pursuant to subdivision (a) for a
prior meeting of the legislative body occurring not more
than five calendar days prior to the date action is taken
on the Item, and at .the prior meeting the item was
continued to the meeting at which action Is being taken.
Section 54954.3 PUBLIC INPUT
(a) Every agenda for regular meetings shall provide an opportunity
for members of the public to directly address the legislative body on Items of interest to
the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body, provided
,that no action shall be taken on any Item not appearing on the agenda unless the action is
otherwise authorized by subdivision (b) of Section 54954.2. However, In the case of a
meeting of a city council in a city or a board of supervisors in a city and county, the
agenda need not provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the council
or board on any item that has already been considered by a committee, composed
exclusively of members of the council or board, at a public meeting wherein all interested
members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the
Item, unless the item has been substantially changed since the committee heard the Item,
as determined by the council or board.
(b) The legislative body of a local agency may adopt reasonable
regulations to ensure that the intent of subdivision (a) is carried out, including, but not
limited to, regulations limiting the total amount of time allocated for public testimony on
particular issues and for each Individual speaker.
Section 54955. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING. The legislative body of a local
agency may adjourn any regular, adjourned regular, special or adjourned special meeting
to a time and place specified in the order of adjournment. Less than a quorum may so
adjourn from time to time. if all members are absent from any regular or adjourned
regular meeting the clerk or secretary of the legislative body may declare the meeting
adjourned to a stated time and place and he shall cause a written notice of the
adjournment to be given in the same manner as provided in Section 54956 for special
meetings, unless such notice is waived as provided for special meetings. A copy of the
order or notice of adjournment shall be conspicuously posted on or near the door of the
place where the regular, adjourned regular, special or.adjourned special meeting was held
within 24 hours after the time of the adjournment. When a regular or adjourned regular
meeting is adjourned as provided in this section, the resulting adjourned regular meeting Is
a regular meeting for all purposes. When an order of adjournment of any meeting fails to
state the hour at which the adjourned meeting is to be held, It shall be held at the hour
specified for regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, by law, or other rule.
Section 54955.1. CONTINUANCES. Any hearing being held, or noticed or ordered to
be held, by a legislative body of a local agency at any meeting may by order or notice of
continuance be continued or recontinued to any subsequent meeting of the legislative body
in the same manner and to the same extent set forth In Section 54955 for the. adjournment
of meetings; provided, that if the hearing Is continued to a time less than 24 hours after
the time specified in the order or notice of hearing, a copy of the order or notice of
continuance of hearing shall be posted immediately following the meeting at which the
order or declaration of continuance was adopted or made.
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Section 54956. SPECIAL MEETINGS. A special meeting may -be called at any time
by the presiding officer of the legislative body of a local agency, or by a majority of the
members of the legislative body, by delivering' personally or by mail written 'notice to
each member of`the legislative body and -fo each -local newspaper of general circulation,
radio or 'teie'vision station requesting notice In writing. The notice shall-be delivered
personally or by mail and shall be received at least 24 hours before the time of the
meeting as specified In the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of
the special meeting and the business to be transacted.. No other. business shall be
considered 'at 'these meetings by the -legislative body. , -•The.wrltten notice , may be
dispensed 'with- as' to any member who at or prior to the-time. the meeting convenes files
with the clerk or'se'cretary of the legislative body a- written walver:,of notice. :The!.walver.
may be' givan 'by telegram. The written notice may `also be dispensed with as to any
member who is actually present at the meeting at the time It convenes. Notice shall be
required pursuant to this section regardless of whether any action is taken at the special
meeting.
The call and notice shall be posted at least 24 hours prior to the
special meeting in a location that is freely accessible to m-embe'rs-of the public.
Section 54956.5. EMERGENCY MEETINGS; NOTICE:' In the• case of -an emergency
situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or
threatened disruption. of public facilities, a legislative body may hold an emergency
meeting without complying. wltfi either, the '24-hour' notice requirement or the 24—hour
posting requirement of Section 54956 or both of the notice and posting requirements.
For purposes of this section, "emergency situation" means any of the
following:
(a) Work .stoppage or other activity which severely impairs public
health, safety,- or .both, as determined by a majority' of -the members of 'the legislative
body. = r
` b Cr lin disaster which- severe) �Im' airs public health "safet
O P p g Y_ P P y,
or both, as determined by a majority 'of.the members of the legislativebody.'
However, each' foci'I'newspaper' of`-ge"rieral 'circulation' and radio or
television station' which has requested "notice ''of special' meetings pursuant "to 'Section
54956 shall * be notified` by the presiding"officer`of the legislative'body, or designet
thereof, one hour prior to the emergency mbeting'�by telephone"and'all telephone, numbers
provided In ''the most recent "request -of such`n_bwspaper or station -for notification of
special meetings shall be exhausted. In the event that telephone services are not
functioning, the notice requirements of this section shall be deemed waived, and the
legislattve body, or designee of the legislative 'body, shall notify those newspapers, radio
stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of -fhe emergency meeting, the
purpose of the meeting, and any action taken 'at the meeting is soon after the meeting as
possible.
Notwithstanding Section 54957, the legislative body shall not meet
in closed session during a meeting called pursuant to this section.
All special meeting requirements, as prescribed In Section 54956
shall be applicable to a meeting called pursuant to this section, with the exception "of the
24—hour notice requirement.
6.
1 . 03 . 02 Special Meetings . Special City Council meetings
may be called by the Mayor or a majority of the members of the
Council, and the call and notice shall specify such time and
place . (Charter S 303)
1 .03 . 03 Public Input . Each regular meeting shall provide
an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council
on items that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the
Council . The Mayor , subject to appeal as a decision of the
chair, may establish time limits for particular issues and
individual speakers . Speakers shall fill out a form provided by
the City Clerk and give it to the City Clerk prior to the
meeting . No person may donate his or her time to another
speaker .
Chapter 1 . 04
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
1 . 04 . 01 Roberts Rules of Order , Newly Revised. In all
matters of parliamentary procedure which are not expressly
provided for in the city Charter or the ordinances or
resolutions of the city, the procedure contained in "Roberts
Rules of Order, Newly Revised, " as it now exists or future
revisions thereof, shall control .
1 . 04 . 02 Parliamentarian. The City Attorney is
parliamentarian for the City Council, and upon the request of
the Mayor or upon his own initiative, shall make rulings on
points of parliamentary procedure.
1 . 04 . 03 Motions . Motions may be made by any member of the
Council and require a second, except when a second is not
required by "Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised . " A motion
may be withdrawn by the mover with the consent of the second and
in the absence of objection from any other member of the Council .
1 . 04 . 04 Vote required. A few actions require more than
four (4) votes . They include five (5) votes for zoning
moratoria (Government Code § 65858 as limited by Charter S 501) ,
five (5) votes for a resolution to condemn property (C.C.P.
§1245 . 360) , and five (5) votes for certain taxes or other
measure whose principal purpose is raising revenue (Charter
§ 608) . For all other nonemergency ordinances , four (4)
affirmative votes are required. In addition, four (4) votes are
required for the making or approving any order for the payment
of money. (Charter § 500)
1 . 04 . 05 Emergency ordinances . Any ordinance declared by
the City Council to be necessary as an emergency measure for the
immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety,
and containing a statement of the reasons for its urgency, may
be introduced and adopted at a meeting if passed by at least
five (5) affirmative votes . (Charter § 501)
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i
1 . 04 . 06 Adoption of ordinances . With the sole exception of
emergency ordinances which take effect upon adoption, no
ordinance shall be adopted by the City Council on the day of its
introduction nor within five (5) days thereafter nor at any time
other than a regular or adjourned regular meeting . (Charter
500)
1 ,04 . 07 Reading of ordinances . At the time of introduction
or adoption of an ordinance it shall be read by title only.
(Charter S 500)
1 . 04 . 08 Alteration of ordinance after introduction. In the
event that any ordinance is altered after its introduction, the
same shall not be finally adopted except at a regular or
adjourned regular meeting being held not less than five (5) days
after the date upon which such ordinance was so altered. The
correction of typographical or clerical errors shall not
constitute the making of an alteration within the meaning of
this section. (Charter § 500)
1 , 04 . 09 The vote. The vote on all motions shall be by roll
call , and may be recorded by electronic or mechanical means .
1 . 04 . 10 Division of question ( "split vote" ) . If the
question contains two (2) or more divisible propositions , the
Mayor may, and at the request of any councilperson shall, divide
the question ( also called "split vote" ) . Example:
( 1) Waive further reading of ordinance/resolution (requires
unanimous vote) .
(2) Adopt .
1 . 04 . 11 Tie votes . If a vote is a tie, the motion fails
except that on appellate matters a tie vote on a motion to
sustain the lower body' s decision has the effect of sustaining
the decision of the lower body. A tie vote on a negative motion
does not approve the affirmative side of the motion. Thus a tie
vote on a motion to disapprove or not to do something does not
automatically adopt the opposite. After such tie vote the
question should be made in the affirmative mode.
1 . 04 . 12 Nomination and election. Nomination and election
for the offices of mayor and mayor pro tempore shall follow the
following procedure:
(a) At the time set for nomination and election, the mayor
and mayor pro tempore shall vacate their respective offices as
such, and the City Clerk or other presiding officer shall call
the Council to order and proceed to conduct an election for the
office of mayor .
-7-
The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of
persons who the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee of the legislative
body, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any actions taken at
the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of 10 days in a public place as soon after the
meeting as possible.
Section 54956.6. FEES. No fees may be charged by the legislative body of a local
agency for carrying out any provision of this chapter, except as specifically authorized by
this chapter.
Section 54956.7. CLOSED SESSION ON ISSUANCE OF LICENSE OR RENEWAL TO A
PERSON WITH CRIMINAL RECORD. Whenever a legislative body of a local agency
determines that it Is necessary to discuss and determine whether an applicant for a
license or license renewal, who has a criminal record Is sufficiently rehabilitated to obtain
the license, the legislative body may hold a closed session with the applicant and the
applicant's attorney, if any, for the purpose of holding the discussion and making the
determination. If the legislative body determines, as a result of the closed session, that
issuance or renewal of the license should be denied, the applicant shall be offered the
opportunity to withdraw the application. If the applicant withdraws the application, no
record shall be kept of the discussions or decisions made at the closed session and all
matters relating to the closed session shall be confidential. If the applicant does not
withdraw the application, the legislative body shall take action at the public meeting
during which the closed session is held or at its next public meeting denying the
application for the license but all matters relating to the closed session are confidential
and shall not be disclosed without the consent of the applicant, except in an action by an
l applicant who has been denied a license challenging the denial of the license.
Section 54956.8. CLOSED SESSIONS WITH NEGOTIATOR REGARDING PURCHASE,
SALE, EXCHANGE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this chapter, a legislative body of a local agency may hold a closed session
with its negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or
for the local agency to give instructions to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of
payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease.
However, prior to the closed session, the legislative body of the
local agency shall hold an open and public session In which it Identifies the real property
or real properties which the negotiations may concern and the person or persons with
whom its. negotiator may negotiate.
For the purpose of this section, the negotiator may be a member of
the legislative body of the local agency.
For purposes of this section, "leasem includes renewal or
renegotiation of a lease.
Nothing in this section shall preclude a local agency from holding a
closed session for discussions regarding eminent domain proceedings pursuant to Section
54956.9.
Section 54956.9. CLOSED SESSIONS REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a legislative body of a local agency, based on
advice of its legal counsel, from holding a closed session to confer with, or receive advice
from, its legal counsel regarding pending litigation when discussion in open session
concerning those matters would prejudice the position of the local agency in the litigation.
6085
7.
For purposes of this chapter, all expressions of the lawyer—client
privilege other than those provided in this section are hereby abrogated. This section is
the exclusive expression of the lawyer—client privilege for 'purposes of conducting
closed—session meetings pursuant to this chapter. For purposes of this section, Aitigation
shall be considered pending when any of the following circumstances-exist:
-(a). An adjudicatory proceeding before a court, administrative
body exercising its adjudicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator, to which the
local agency is a party, has been initiated formally.
(b) (I) A ,point has been reached -where.;-ln the opinion•-of-;the
legislative body.of the focal agency on;the advice of its
legal counsel, based on- existing facts and circumstances,
there is a significant exposure to litigation against -the
local agency.
(2) - ,based- -on existing. facts. - -and 'cIrcu'mstanc-es,- 'the
legislative body of the local agency Is -meeting only-to
decide whether a closed. session is authorized pursuant to
paragraph (1) of this subdivision.
(c) Based.'
on existing facts and circumstances,'- the e-gislativ-e'body
of the local agency has decided to initiate or is 'deciding whether to-initiate litigation;
Prior- -to .holding a , closed session pursuant to this section, the
legislative body of the local agency shall state publicly to which subdivision it is
pursuant. If the session is closed pursuant to subdivision (a), the body shall state the title fi
of or otherwise specifically identify .the litigation to be discussed, unless the body states
that to do so would jeopardize the agency's ability to--effectuate service of process upon
one. or more unserved parties, or that -to .do so would jeopardize Its ability to conclude
existing settlement negotiations:to Its advantage:
The legal counsel.-of the legislative body of the local agency shall
prepare and submit to the body a, memorandum stating the specific, reasons and legal
authority for the closed session. If, the closed session is pursuant to subdivision (a), the
memorandum shall Include the .title of.the litigation. If the closed session"Is pursuant to
subdivision (b) or (c), the memorandum shall include the existing facts and-circumstances
on which it is based. The legal .counsel shall-submit the memorandum 'to 'the body-prior to
the closed session if feasible, and in any.case no later than one :week after the closed
session. The memorandum shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to Section 6254.1.
For purposes of this section, "litigation" includes any adjudicatory
proceeding, including eminent domain, before a court, 'administrative body exercising its
adjudicatory authority, hearing officer, or arbitrator. -
Section 54957. CLOSED SESSIONS. Nothing contained in this chapter .shall be
construed to prevent the legislative body of a local agency from holding closed sessions
with the Attorney General, district attorney, sheriff, or chief of police, or their
respective deputies, on matters posing a threat to the security of public buildings or a
threat to the public's right of access to public services or public facilities, or from holding
closed sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment,
employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear
complaints or charges brought against such employee by another person or employee
unless such employee requests a public hearing. The legislative body also may exclude
from any such public or closed meeting, during the examination of a witness, any or all
other witnesses in the matter being investigated by the legislative body.
8.
(b) Any member may nominate any other member, no seconds
being required, and nominations shall be open until _a motion to
close shall be adopted.
(c) The vote shall then be conducted on the nominees and if
no nominee secures a majority of votes cast, a vote shall be
taken on the two nominees with the highest number of votes .
(d) All votes on nominees shall be by roll call and may be
recorded by electronic or mechanical means .
(e) No write-in votes shall be counted and any such
write-in votes shall be considered as a failure to vote.
(f) In the case of a tie for the second highest vote,
run-off ballots on such tie nominees shall be cast to break the
tie . The tie is broken when one tie nominee receives the
highest number of votes cast on such ballot . When such tie is
broken, a vote shall be taken on the nominee who has the highest
vote and the tie-breaking nominee .
(g) In case of a tie of more than two (2) nominees for the
highest vote, a vote shall be taken on such tie nominees,
eliminating all others .
(h) All run-off or tie-breaking ballots are subject to the
same elimination rules as apply to the first ballot .
(i) Successive ballots shall be cast until a nominee is
elected.
(j ) A nominee shall be elected at any time such nominee has
a majority of votes cast on any ballot in which all nominees
eligible for a final ballot .are in competition.
(k) Each member shall be entitled to nominate one nominee
for each office. No member shall nominate himself .
( 1) A mayor pro tempore shall then be selected by the same
process as set forth in this section for the office of mayor .
(m) The mayor and mayor pro tempore, following such proper
election, shall serve for terms of one year and until such time
as their successors have been elected, qualified and installed .
The annual election of the mayor and mayor pro tempore shall be
held at the first regular meeting following delivery of a
certificate of election, or, in years when no general or special
municipal election is held, at the second regular council
meeting in November .
1 . 04 . 13 Rights of Mayor . The Mayor has the right to make
motions , second motions and vote on motions . The practice of
some deliberative bodies where the chairman does not vote except
to break a tie does not apply to the City Council .
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6085
1 . 04 . 14 Quorum. A quorum for all meetings of the City
Council is four (4) councilpersons .
1 . 04 . 15 Ralph M. Brown Act . Any meeting, gathering or
coming together of four (4) or more councilpersons at which city
business is discussed is subject to the Brown Act . (Government
Code S 54950, et seq. ) A copy of the Brown Act is found in the
appendix to this manual .
1 . 04 . 16 Fines , penalties and franchises . In addition to
such other acts of the City Council as are required by the
Charter to be taken by ordinance, every act of the City Council
establishing a fine or other penalty, or granting a franchise,
shall be by ordinance . (Charter S 500)
1 , 04 . 17 Other actions . Actions which are not required by
the city Charter or city ordinances to be in the form of
ordinances or resolutions may be effectuated by minute action.
1 , 04 . 18 When minute action is a resolution. In all
situations where an action of the City Council under the express
provisions of the city Charter or ordinances shall or may be by
resolution, a "minute action" of the City Council adopted by at
least four (4) affirmative votes , shall be deemed a resolution
for all purposes , and such action shall not fail merely because
it lacks the form or title of a resolution.
1 , 04 . 19 Minute actions . Minute actions require the
affirmative votes of a majority of councilpersons present and
voting, but not less than three (3) , except when less than a
quorum is present, the lesser number may adjourn from time to
time . (See S 1 . 04 . 04 for requirements of higher votes . )
1 . 04 . 20 Motion to rescind . A motion to rescind a minute
action without advance notice requires five affirmative votes ;
with notice (in the formal Council agenda) the motion requires
four affirmative votes .
1 , 04 . 21 Motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider, when
appropriate under Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, may be
made at the same meeting or no later than the next regular
meeting of the City Council by a councilperson who voted on the
prevailing side of the motion to which it applies . The vote
required to adopt a motion to reconsider shall be a simple
majority of councilpersons present and voting, except that such
motion shall require four (4) affirmative votes in order to
reconsider any motion which required four (4) affirmative votes
for adoption. A motion to reconsider may be made only once with
respect to any motion to which it applies; however, a motion to
reconsider a main motion does not preclude the making of a
motion to reconsider the main motion as amended. A motion to
amend may be reconsidered . A motion to reconsider a motion to
reconsider is not permitted . The vote on the motion to
-9-
For the purposes of this section, the term "employee" shall not
include any person elected to office, or appointed to an office by the legislative body of a
local agency; provided, however, that non—elective positions of city manager, county
administrator, city attorney, county counsel, or a department head or other similar
administrative officer of a local agency shall be considered employee positions; and
provided, further that non—elective positions of general manager, chief engineer, legal
counsel, district secretary, auditor, assessor, treasurer, or tax collector of any
governmental district supplying services within limited boundaries shall be deemed
employee positions.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any board,
commission, committee, or other body organized and operated by any private organization
as defined in Section 54952 from holding closed sessions to consider (a) matters affecting
the national security, or (b) the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or
dismissal of an employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against such employee
by another person or employee unless such employee requests a public hearing. Such body
also may exclude from any such public or closed meeting, during the examination of a
witness, any or all other witnesses in the matter being Investigated by the legislative body.
Section 54957. 1. PUBLIC REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT DECISIONS. The legislative
body of any local agency shall publicly report at the public meeting during which the
closed session is held or at its next public meeting any action taken, and any rollcall vote
thereon, to appoint, employ, or dismiss a public employee arising out of any closed session
of the legislative body.
Section 54957.2. MINUTE BOOK.
(a) The legislative body of a local agency may, by ordinance or
resolution, designate a clerk or other officer or employee of the local agency who shall
then attend each closed session of the legislative body and keep and enter in a minute
book a record of topics discussed and decisions made at the meeting. The minute book
made pursuant to this section is not a public record subject to inspection pursuant to the
California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7
of Title 1), and shall be kept confidential. The minute book shall be available only to
members of the legislative body or, if a violation of this chapter is alleged to have
.occurred at a closed session, to a court of general jurisdiction wherein the local agency
lies. Such minute book may, but need not, consist of a recording of the closed session.
(b) An elected legislative body of a local agency may require that
each legislative body all or a majority of whose members are appointed by or under the
authority of the elected legislative body keep a minute book as prescribed under
subdivision (a).
Section 54957.5 AGENDA AND OTHER WRITINGS AS PUBLIC RECORDS.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 6255 or any other provisions of law,
agendas of public meetings and other writings, when distributed to all, or a majority of
all, of the members of a legislative body of a local agency by a member, officer,
employee, or agent of such body for discussion or consideration at a public meeting of
such body, are public records under the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5
(commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1) as soon as distributed, and shall
be made available pursuant to Sections 6253 and 6256. However, this section shall not
include any writing exempt from public disclosure under Section 6253.5, 6254, or 6254.7.
9. 6085
(b) Writings which are public records under subdivision (a) and
which are distributed prior to commencement of a public meeting shall be made available
for: public-inspection upon request prior to commencement of such meeting.
(c) Writings which are public records under subdivision (a) and
which are distributed during a public meeting and prior to commencement of their
discussion, at -such meeting shall be made available for public Inspection- prior to
commencement of, and during, their discussion at such meeting.
(d) A ritings which are public records under subdivision (a) and
_which. are: distributed-during their discussion at a public meeting shall be -made,`aval'lable
for. public inspection immediately•or-as soon thereafter as Is'practicable:
(e) Nothing In• this section shall be construed, to -prevent: :the
legislative,body .of,ia.local agency from charging a fee-or deposit for a,copy .ofra;•.public
record pursuant ito Section 6257. The .writings described In subdivisions, (b); (c).; and (d) are
subjectto t the.',.requirements- of .�the--California > Publlci 'Records -'Adt_, (Chapter 13.5
(commoncing with Section 6250); Division 7,= Title 1), and subdlvlsions-(b), (c),=ar d'(d) shall
not be construed -to ie'xempt from public inspection any recor-d covered by-,that act,"''or to
Ilmlt the,pubild's-•righl to Inspect any record= required to be disclosed'- by 'th4t 'ac`t.- This
section shall, not,be,'construed to' be •`applicable to, Any"wrltings solely:' because they:pare
properly discussed 1w a'- closed session'of- a' legislative.body of"the"local agency. "'Nothing
in this chapterfshall' be construed to require a legislative body 'or a local"agency't'o place
any paid advertisement or any other paid notice in any publicatlon '
(f) "Writing" for purposes of-tthis section means "writing" as
defined under Section 6252.
Section 54957:6. CLOSE U,SESSIONS RECORDING EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
. r , .-, .- - . . . .. _ _
(a) - Notwithstanding any other-provision -of•law;;-a legislative :body
of a local agency ; may hold,-.closed sessions - with the ' `local % agency's designated
representatives regarding -the salarles;�,salary'schedules, or compensation paid In the form
of fringe benefits of its represented and unrepresented employees. C.losed sessions of a
legislative body of a local agency 'as permitted`in this`section 'shall mbe!for the purposi,`bf
reviewing- Its position- and Instructing,-the, local agency's designated repre'sent-atives.
Closed :sessions; asr permitted':In this'-section,, mays take ',place,( prior 'tor- nd during
consultations and 'discussions-' with representatives of employee organizations and
unrepresented employees.
For the purposes. enumerated in this section, a legislative body of a
local agency may also meet with a state conciliator who has intervened in the proceedings.
(b) In addition to the closed sessions authorized by subdivision (a),
the legislative body, as defined by Sections 54952, 54952.2, 54952.3, and 54952.5, of a
public agency, as defined by subdivision (c) of Section 3501, may hold closed sessions with
its designated representatives;on mandatory subjects within the 'scope of representation of
its represented employees, as determined pursuant to Section 3504.
Section 54957.7. STATEMENT., OF REASONS FOR CLOSED SESSIONS. Prior to or
after holding any- closed session, the legislative body of the local agency shall state the
general reason or reasons for the closed session, and may cite the statutory authority,
including the specific-section-and subdivision, - or other legal authority under which the
session is being held. In the closed session, the legislative body may consider only-those
matters covered in its statement. In the case of special, adjourned, and continued
10.
reconsider shall be taken at the time the motion to reconsider
is made except that the vote on a motion "to reconsider and
enter upon the minutes" shall be taken at the next regular
meeting of the City Council . The effect of the adoption of a
motion to reconsider is to vacate the vote taken on the motion
to which it applies and to present the motion to which it
applies to the body for action as if no vote had been taken on
it . The new vote on the motion to which it applies neither
sustains nor overrules such motion because the old vote is
vacated, and the new vote is taken as though no previous vote
had been taken.
1 . 04 . 22 Vote required on appellate matters . Where action
has been taken by a lower body that would be final if not
appealed, such as decisions by the Board of Zoning Adjustments
or the Planning Commission, and is subsequently appealed to the
higher body, the following procedure applies :
(a) If the motion is to sustain the lower body' s decision,
a majority of those present and voting is sufficient (four (4)
affirmative votes not required) . It is not necessary to make a
motion to overrule. When there is a tie vote, the lower body is
sustained. However, if the motion to sustain gets less than a
tie vote, a motion to overrule must be made.
(b) If the motion is to overrule the decision of the lower
body, four (4) affirmative votes are required. If there are
less than four (4) affirmative votes, the decision of the lower
body is deemed sustained and no further vote is required.
(c) If a motion is made to modify the decision of the lower
body, two separate steps must be taken:
(1) First, the motion to modify requires four (4)
affirmative votes .
(2) Second, if the motion to modify is adopted, a
motion to sustain the decision of the lower body as modified
requires the same vote as the motion to sustain.
(3) A motion to overrule the decision of the lower
body, as modified, requires four (4) affirmative votes . If
there are less than four (4) affirmative votes, the decision
of the lower body, as modified, is deemed sustained without
further vote.
(4) If a motion to modify fails, the next motion is
either to sustain or to overrule the subordinate body.
1 . 04 . 23 Appointments to boards and commissions . When a
vacancy occurs for any reason on any board or agency over which
Council has power to fill by appointment, subject to the
provisions of the Maddy Act (Government Code § 54970) . The
following procedure shall be followed to fill such vacancy:
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-.---- '-,•- 1 - - - -
(a) On or before December 31 of each year, Council shall
prepare an appointments list of regular and ongoing boards ,
commissions and committees appointed by Council .
(b) When an unscheduled vacancy occurs, a special vacancy
notice shall be posted not earlier than twenty (20) days before
or not later than twenty (20) days after the vacancy occurs .
Final appointment shall not be made for at least ten ( 10)
working days after posting . If Council finds that an emergency
exists, it may fill the vacancy immediately, provided that the
person appointed shall serve only on an acting basis until the
final appointment is made.
(c) The Council shall, as soon as is reasonably possible,
fill any such vacancies, but nothing herein shall be construed
to limit its choice to a person who has, submitted an
application, as outlined above.
(d) Interviews of candidates for positions on boards or
commissions shall be held in public at regular or adjourned
regular meetings of the City Council . A list of uniform
questions developed by the appropriate department will be asked
of each applicant to be interviewed . Applicants will be rated
on a numerical scale which will be made public .
Chapter 1 . 05
ROLE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
1 , 05 . 01 Appointment and removal . The City Administrator is
the chief administrative officer in the city. He shall be
appointed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
members of the City Council and shall serve at the pleasure of
the City Council . He shall not be removed from office during or
within any ninety (90) day period following any municipal
election when a councilperson is elected. He may be removed
only at a regular meeting by majority vote and thirty (30) days
prior to termination, he must be given notice of intent to
remove and, if requested, the reasons therefor . Within seven
(7) days after receipt of such notice, the City Administrator
may request a public hearing before the City Council within the
thirty (30) day period before his removal . The City Council may
suspend him but his compensation will continue until removal .
The City Council has uncontrolled discretion regarding such
removal . (Charter S 400)
1 . 05 . 02 Compensation The City Council shall set the
salary of the City Administrator by ordinance or resolution.
(Charter 403)
-11-
r•� meetings, the statement shall be made as part of the notice provided for the special
adjourned, or continued meeting. Nothing In this section shall require or authorize the
giving of names or other Information which would constitute an Invasion of privacy or
otherwise unnecessarily divulge the particular facts concerning the closed session.
Section 54957.8. CLOSED SESSIONS OF A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL DRUG LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to
prevent the legislative body of a multijurlsdlctional drug law enforcement agency, or an
advisory body of a multijurisdictional drug law enforcement agency, from holding closed
sessions to discuss the case records of any ongoing criminal investigation of the
multijurisdictionai drug law enforcement agency or of any party to the joint powers
agreement, to hear testimony from persons Involved In the Investigation, and to discuss
courses of action in particular cases.
"Muitijurisdictional drug law enforcement agency," for purposes of
this section, means a joint powers entity formed pursuant to Article i (commencing.with
Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title I, which provides drug law enforcement
services for the partiesto the joint powers agreement.
The Legislature finds and declares that this section Is within the
public Interest, in that Its provisions are necessary to prevent the Impairment of ongoing
law enforcement investigations, to protect witnesses and informants, and to permit the
discussion"of effective courses of action in particular cases.
Section 54957.9. AUTHORIZATION TO CLEAR ROOM WHERE WILLFUL
INTERRUPTIONS. In the event that any meeting Is willfully Interrupted by a group or
j groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such meeting unfeasible and order
cannot be restored by the removal of Individuals who are willfully interrupting the
- meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the
meeting room cleared and continue In session. Only matters appearing on the agenda may
be considered in such a session. Representatives of the press or other news media, except
those participating in the disturbance, shall be allowed to attend any session held pursuant
to this section. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the legislative body from
establishing a procedure for readmitting an Individual .or Individuals not responsible for
willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Section 54958. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. The.provislons of this chapter shall
apply to the legislative body of every local agency notwithstanding the conflicting
iprovisions of any other state law.
Section 54959. ATTENDANCE IN VIOLATION A MISDEMEANOR. Each member of
a legislative body who attends a meeting of such legislative body where action is taken in
violation of any provision of this chapter, with knowledge of the fact that the meeting Is
In violation thereof, Is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 54960. ACTION AGAINST VIOLATION OR THREATENED VIOLATIONS.
Any interested person may commence an action by mandamus Injunction or declaratory
relief for the purpose of stopping or preventing violations or threatened violations of thl.s
chapter by members of the legislative body of a local agency or to determine the
applicability of this chapter to actions or threatened future action of the legislative body.
6085
Section 54960.1 JUDICIAL REVIEW
(a) Any interested person.may c.ommenc"e...an action by mandamus
or injunction for the purpose of obtaining a judicial determ"ination that,an action taken, by
a legislative body of a local agency In violation of Section 54953, 54954.2, or 54956 Is.null
and void under this section. Nothing in this chapter shall, be construed" to prevent a
legislative body from curing or correcting an action challenged pursuant to this section.
(b) Prior to any action being commenced pursuant to subdivision
(a), the lnte�rested'person shah make a demand of the legislative body to cure or correct
the action alleged to have been taken In violation of Section 54953, 54954.2,ror 549,56.
The demand shall be In writing and clearly.. describe .the chailen,ged, action ,of..the
legislative body and 'nature of the alleged violation The:,w�rlttendemand. shall be -made
within 30 days from the date the action was taken.- ,Within 30 days of receipt of the
demand, the legislative body shall cure. or.. correct the challenged ac,t.ion and inform..the
demanding party in�wr.iting of Its act(ons to cure or..correct.or Inform ,th,e. dem.anding party
in writing of its, decision not to" cure or correct the challenged�a,cktiony If, the.,legislative
body takes no action within the _30—day period, ,the„inaction,,shall be;deemed, a .decision not
to cure or correct the 'challenged action, and the 15-day period to commence the action
described in.subdivision.(a) shall co"mmence.-to run the day, after ,the 30-day period to. cure
or correct expires. Within 15 days of re"ce)p,t of the w,ri,tte.n ,notic.e of., the. legislativo
body's decision to cure or correct, the explratlon of the 30-day pteriod to cure. or ,correct,
or not to cure or correct, within 15'days of o_r within 75 .days from ,the„date the challenged
action was 'taken, whichever is *e'ariior, the demanding party shall. be required -to
commence the action pursuant to subdivision (a) or thereafter be barred from commencing
the action.
(c) An action taken shall not be determined to be null and void if
any of the following conditions exist:
I. The action taken was In substantial .compliance with
Sections 54953, 54954.20 and 54.956.
2. The action ' taken was In conn-ectfon ,with the safe. ,or
issuance . of notes, bonds, or other evidence of
indebtedness or:any. contract,_Instrument" or .agreeme,nt
thereto.
3. The action taken gave rise to a contractual obligation,
including a contract let by competitive bid, upon which, a
party has, In.good faith, detrimentally relied.
4. _ The action taken" was In connection with the collection
of any tax.
(d) During any action seeking, a judicial +determination pursuant to
subdivision (a) if the court determines, pursuant to a showing by the legislative body that
an action alleged"to have been taken in violation of.Section _54953, 54954.2, or 54956 has
been cured or corrected by a subsequent action of the legislative body, the action filed
pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be dismissed with prejudice.
(e) The fact that a legislative body takes "a subsequent action to
cure or correct an action taken pursuant to this section shall not be construed or
admissible as evidence of a violation of this chapter.
12.
1 , 05 . 03 Duties. The City Administrator shall be
responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of
all affairs of the city. His duties include, but are not
limited to : appointment, promotion, demotion, suspension and
removal of all employees and department heads except where this
function is vested in the City Council . Appointment or removal
of a department head requires City Council approval . The City
Administrator shall prepare and submit to the City Council the
city budget, an annual or more frequent report on city finances
and a report on current administrative activities . He shall
keep the City Council informed of the financial condition and
future needs of the city and make appropriate recommendations .
He shall establish a centralized purchasing system and prepare
rules and regulations regarding contracting, purchasing, and
attendant controls for City .Council approval and adoption by
ordinance . He shall supervise the enforcement of the law of
the state, city ordinances, charter provisions , franchises and
rights of the city. He shall, subject to policy established by
the City Council , exercise control over all administrative
offices and departments, all appointive officers and employees
not appointed directly by the City Council, and prescribe
general rules and regulations for the conduct of such offices
and departments . He shall perform such other duties consistent
with the city Charter as may be required by the City Council .
(Charter § 401)
1 . 05 . 04 Meetings . The City Administrator shall be
accorded a seat without a vote at all meetings of the City
Council and all boards and commissions except where his removal
is under consideration.
1 05 05 Non-interference with administration. Except as
otherwise provided in this Charter, no member of the City
Council shall order, directly or indirectly, the appointment by
the City Administrator, or by any of the department heads in
administrative service of the City, of any person to any office
or employment, or removal therefrom. Except for the purpose of
investigation and inquiry, the members of the City Council shall
deal with the administrative service under the jurisdiction of
the City Administrator solely through the City Administrator,
and no member of the City Council shall give orders to any
subordinate of the City Administrator, either publicly or
privately. (Charter § 307)
1 05 06 Acting City Administrator . The City Administrator
may appoint , subject to City Council approval, any officer or
department head to serve in his absence as acting City
Administrator . If he fails to do so, the City Council may make
such appointment . (Charter § 402)
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6085
Chapter 1 . 06
ROLE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
1 . 06 . 01 Term. The City Attorney is the attorney for the
municipal corporation known as the City of Huntington Beach.
The City Attorney shall be elected from the city at large, as
provided by the city Charter, and shall serve for a term of four
(4) years and until a successor qualifies . (Charter § 309)
1 , 06 . 02 Power and duties . The City Attorney' s duties
include, but are not limited to : representing and advising the
City Council in all matters of law pertaining to their offices .
The City Attorney shall prosecute on behalf of the people all
criminal matters arising from violations of ordinance or Charter
provisions or state law misdemeanors within the city' s power to
prosecute unless otherwise provided by the City Council . The
City Attorney shall represent and appear for the city in all
actions or proceedings in which the city is concerned or is a
party, and shall appear on behalf of any present or former city
employees in any action or proceeding arising out of their
employment or by reason of their official capacities . The City
Attorney shall attend all regular meetings of the City Council
unless excused, and act as parliamentarian, and the City
Attorney' s decision rendered with respect to parliamentary
procedures , shall be final . The City Attorney shall give advice
or opinion orally or in writing whenever requested to do so by
the City Council or any of the boards or officers of the city.
The City Attorney shall approve as to form all contracts made by
and all bonds and insurance given to the city, and prepare all
ordinances , resolutions and amendments thereto . The City
Attorney shall devote such time to his duties and at such place
as the City Council directs by vote of that body, and perform
such legal functions and duties incident to the exercise of the
foregoing powers as may be necessary. The City Attorney shall
surrender to the successor all files, books and documents
pertaining to city affairs . (Charter § 309)
The City Council shall control all legal business,
proceedings and all property of the legal department, and may
employ other attorneys to take charge of or contract for
prosecutions, litigation or other legal matters . (Charter § 304)
Chapter 1 . 07
ROLE OF THE CITY TREASURER
1 . 07 . 01 Term. The City Treasurer is the custodian of
public funds of the City of Huntington Beach. The City
Treasurer shall be elected from the city at large, as provided
in the city Charter , and shall serve for a term of four (4)
years and until a successor qualifies . (Charter 300 , 311)
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Section 54960.5. COSTS AND ATTORNEY FEES. A court may award court costs an
reasonable attorney fees to the plaintiff in an action brought pursuant to Section 54960 or
54960.1 where it is found that a legislative body of the local agency has violated this
chapter. The costs and fees shall be paid by the local agency and shall not become a
personal liability of any public officer or employee of the local agency.
A court may award court costs and reasonable attorney fees to a
defendant In any action brought pursuant to Section 54960 or 54960.1 where the defendant
has prevailed In a final determination of such action and the court finds that the action
was clearly frivolous and totally lacking In merit.
Section 54961. MEETING PLACES NON-DISCRIMINATORY. No local agency shall
conduct any meeting, conference, or other function In any facility that prohibits the
admittance of any person, or persons, or the basis of race, religious creed, color, national
origin, ancestry, or sex. This section shall apply to every local agency as defined in
Section 54951, 54951.1 or 54951.7.
Section 54962. LIMITATION. Except as expressly authorized by this chapter, or by
Sections 32106 _and 32155 of the Health and Safety Code as they apply to hospital
districts, no closed session may be held by the legislative body of any local agency.
(Chapter 1320, § 6, 1987 Stats.)
(NOTE: This reprint of the Brown Act Includes legislative changes
made through December 31, 1988 Including AB 2674, Chapter 641, 1986 Stats.; SB 2451,
Chapter 248, Section 97, 1986 Stats.; SB 200, Chapter 1320, 1987 Stats.; and AB 777,
Chapter 1327, 1987 Stats; AB 2561, Chapter 55, 1988 Stats.; AB 3 19 1, Chapter 399, 1988
Stats.; and AB 857, Chapter 1346, 1988 Stats.)
GCH:RCS:sg
0007L
1 2/3 1/88
6085
13.
1 . 07 , 02 Powers and duties . The City Treasurer shall have
the power and shall be required to receive on behalf of the city
all taxes, assessments, license fees and other revenues of the
city, or for which the city is responsible. The City Treasurer
shall receive all taxes or other money receivable by the city
from the county, state, Federal government or any court or other
department, office or agency of the city. The City Treasurer
shall have control of all funds coming into the City Treasurer ' s
hands and deposit them in such depository as the City Council
designates by resolution or, if none is fixed, as the City
Administrator directs . The City Treasurer shall act in
compliance with the state Constitution and law in handling,
depositing and securing the public funds . The City Treasurer
shall pay out proper orders or warrants as provided in the city
Charter, prepare and submit to the Finance Director monthly
reports of all receipts, disbursements and fund balances with a
copy to the City Administrator . The City Treasurer shall
perform such other duties consistent with the city Charter as
the City Council directs by ordinance or resolution, and appoint
such deputies at such salaries as the City Council may prescribe
by ordinance or resolution. (Charter § 311)
Chapter 1 . 08
ROLE OF THE CITY CLERK
1 . 08 . 01 Term. The City Clerk is the official recorder and
keeper of the records of the City of. Huntington Beach. The City
Clerk shall be elected from the city at large as provided in the
city Charter, and shall serve for a term of four (4) years and
until a successor qualifies . (Charter §§ 300, 310)
1 . 08 . 02 Powers and duties . The Clerk' s duties include but
are not limited to : attending all meetings of the City Council
unless excused, and keeping a full and true record of such
proceedings . Recording and maintaining all ordinances,
resolutions , written contracts and official bonds . Keeping all
books and records properly indexed and open to public
inspection. The clerk shall be the custodian of the city seal,
and administer oaths , affirmations, take affidavits and
depositions pertaining to city affairs and certify copies of
official records . The Clerk shall be ex officio assessor unless
the City Council by ordinance provides otherwise. The City
Clerk shall have charge of all city elections The City Clerk
shall issue subpoenas on behalf of the city. (Huntington Beach
Municipal Code § 1 . 16 . 080) The City Clerk shall accept and
consent to deeds and grants of real property to the city for
public purposes . (Resolution No . 3537, 7 Aug . 72) The City
Clerk may, with the consent of the City Council, appoint such
deputies at such salaries as the City Council may prescribe by
ordinance or resolution, and perform such other duties ,
consistent with the city Charter as the City Council may require
by ordinance or resolution. (Charter § 310)
4727L
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Res. No. 6085
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I. CONNIE BROCKWAY, the duly elected, qualified City
Clerk of the City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of said City, do hereby certify that the whole number of
members of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach is seven;
that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the affirmative
vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council
at a regular adjourned meeting thereof held on the 13th day
of November 19 89 , by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers:
MacAllister, Green, Winchell , Bannister, Silva, Erskine
NOES: Councilmembers:
None
ABSENT Councilmembers:
Mays
city Clerk and ex-officio LffrK
of the City Council of the City
of Huntington Beach, California