Mayor Byrne has requested that this item be presented to the City Council for discussion.

Attached is City Policy C89-02: City Council Meetings/Orders of Council/Agenda Packets/Minutes of Meeting and Agenda Distribution.  

Section III of the Policy is entitled “Conduct of City Council Meetings”. Sub-section C is on Meeting Procedures for review of each item on the Agenda (with the exception of Public Hearings).  Sub-section C currently reads:

C.     Meeting Procedures for review of Each Item on the Agenda (with the exception of Public Hearings):

• The Mayor will read the agenda item under discussion.
• Staff will present a brief report.
• City Council questions of staff

Possible changes to Section III C on the process for considering agenda items could include the following: 

(1)        Mayor will read the agenda item under discussion.

(2)        Mayor will ask if any Councilmember wishes for a staff presentation

(3)        Mayor will ask staff to present a brief presentation if requested.

(4)        Mayor will ask City Council if there are any questions for staff

(5)        Mayor will ask for Public Comment in chambers and then remote

(6)        Mayor will ask Council for discussion.

(7)    Mayor will ask Council to take action for an action items including motions, resolutions, ordinances and requests for direction to staff.

Regarding Step (2) on requesting a staff presentation, the thought is that the Agenda packet for the Council meeting was posted with all Staff Reports at least 72 hours prior to the Council meeting so the Council and public have had an opportunity to review the Staff Reports and there may not need to be a staff presentation on the item unless a Councilmember requests a presentation.  The request could be for a full presentation by staff or only a presentation on certain points within the Staff Report. 

Section II B of the Policy is entitled “Orders of City Council Business”, which includes a subheading on “Public Appearances”.

Possible changes to Section II B “Public Appearances” could be adding a 3rd paragraph to include the following: 

Under the Brown Act, public comments for matters on the agenda must relate to that agenda item and public comments for matters not on the agenda must relate to the subject matter jurisdiction of this legislative body. If a member of the public attending the meeting remotely violates the Brown Act by failing to comply with these requirements of the Brown Act, then that speaker will be muted.

This language could be added to confirm the scope of public comment permissible under the Brown Act.

Next Steps

If the Council finds that one or more of the changes described to Policy C89-02 are appropriate, then staff can return to the Council at the March meeting with a revised Policy C89-02 incorporating those changes.