HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 95-61 RESOLUTION NO. 95 61
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING RESOLUTION NO. 2194
AND APPROVING AMENDED RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR
COUNCIL MEETINGS AND RELATED FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
The purpose and intent of the City Council in amending and adopting these rules is to
provide directory guidelines relating to the conduct of public business by or on behalf of
the City Council, and in the event of any non-compliance with or violation of any provision
herein, such will not be deemed to affect the validity of any action taken, unless otherwise
specifically provided by law, and to comply with the Brown Act.
All references to gender include the masculine, feminine and neuter.
The City Council of the City of San Jacinto, does hereby resolve to adopt the following
Rules of Procedure:
1. MEETINGS
1.1 REGULAR MEETINGS
Commencing with the effective date of this resolution, January 1, 1996 the
City Council of the City of San Jacinto shall hold regular meetings at the Community
Center, 625 South Pico, San Jacinto, California, on the first and third Tuesday of each
month, beginning at 6:00 P.M. If the day for a regular meeting of the Council falls on a
legal holiday, no meeting shall be held on such holiday, but a regular meeting shall be
held at the same hour on the next succeeding business day thereafter that is not a`
holiday.
1.2 ADJOURNED MEETINGS
Any meeting may be adjourned to a time, place and date certain, but not
beyond the next regular meeting. Once adjourned the meeting may not be reconvened.
1.3 SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special Meetings may be called by the Mayor or majority of
Councilmembers on 24-hour notice, as set forth in Section 54956 of the Government
Code of the State of California. Only matters contained in the notice may be considered
and no ordinances (other than urgency ordinances) may be adopted.
1.4 STUDY SESSIONS
Members of the City Council may meet in a regular Study Session at the
Community Center, 625 South Pico, San Jacinto, on the fourth Tuesday of each month,
at 6:00 P.M. (See Section 10.1).
1.5 NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Notice of regular meetings or regular study sessions is not required. Mailed
or personally delivered notice is required of special meetings, unless otherwise waived.
Posted notice is required of meetings adjourned by the City Clerk. Posted notice is
required of all other adjourned meetings and continued public hearings (Section 54955
of the Government Code).
1.6 QUORUM
Unless otherwise provided for by Resolution, a majority of the Council shall
be sufficient to do business and motions may be passed 2-1 if only three
Councilmembers attend. The following matters, however, require three affirmative votes:
a) adoption of ordinance, b) resolutions granting franchises, and c) order for payment of
money.
1.6.1 LEGALLY REQUIRED PARTICIPATION
If a majority of the Council shall be disqualified to vote on a matter
by reason of actual or apparent conflict of interest, the Council shall select by lot or other
means of random selection, or by such impartial and equitable means as the Council
shall determine, that number of its disqualified members which, when added to the
members eligible to vote, shall constitute a quorum.
1.7 MEETINGS TO BE PUBLIC
Study Sessions and all regular, adjourned or special meetings of the City
Council shall be open to the public, provided, however, the Council may hold executive
sessions from which the public may be excluded for the consideration of the following
subjects:
1.7.1 LICENSEIPERMIT DETERMINATIONS
To consider granting a license or permit pursuant to Government
Code Section 54956.7. Action of the legislative body shall be given in open session
during the meeting at which the closed session occurred or the next public meeting. All
matters relating to the closes session shall be confidential except by consent of the
applicant or in an action by the applicant to appeal the denial.
1.7.2 REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
To consider negotiations prior to the purchase, sale, exchange or
lease of real property and meet with negotiator. Must identify prior to such sessions the
real property in question and with whom negotiator may be negotiating, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54954.5 and 54956.8.
1.7. 3 ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS
To consider possible or pending litigation in which the City is or could
be a party pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 and 54954.5. If action has
been initiated the title of litigation must be publicly stated or posted on the agenda,
including the case number, unless stated it would jeopardize the city's ability to effectuate
service or process, or its ability to conclude settlement negotiations to its advantage.
1.7.4 PUBLIC SERVICES/EMPLOYMENT/LABOR NEGOTIATIONS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.5 and 54957 to
consider matters posing a threat to public services or facilities, or the appointment,
employment, evaluation of performance or dismissal of a public employee or to hear
complaints or charges brought against such person or employee by another person or
employee unless such employee requests a public session. The Council may exclude
from any scheduled session during the examination of a witness any or all other
witnesses in the matter being investigated, and to instruct representatives concerning
discussions with employee organizations and unrepresented employees regarding salaries
and fringe benefits.
1.7.5 MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Council may hold closed sessions pursuant to Government Code
Section 54957.8 if applicable and necessary.
1.8 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Pursuant to Section 54957.2 of the California Government Code, the City
Clerk may be required to attend an executive session of the City Council and keep and
enter in a minute book a record of topics discussed and decisions made at each meeting.
The confidentiality of such minutes shall be maintained pursuant to said section of the
Government Code Section 54957.2.
2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
2.1 AGENDA
The order of business of each meeting shall be as contained in the agenda
prepared by the City Clerk. The agenda shall be a listing by topics of the subjects which
shall be taken up for consideration in the following order:
Call to Order
Moment of Silence for Reflection
Pledge of Allegiance
Special Presentations
Public Comments
Redevelopment Agency/Industrial Development Authority/Financing Authority
Consent Calendar
Continued Items
Public Hearings
City Departments
Mayor and Councilmember Reports/Discussions
Closed Sessions
Adjournment
Except with majority consent of the Council, items may not be taken out of order.
Items to be considered for City Council action shall be submitted to the City Manager no
later than two weeks prior to the meeting for consideration. Staff reports for Council
action shall be submitted to the City Manager no later than Monday, one week preceding
the Tuesday meeting. All reports shall be submitted on the proper form with complete
information as to the subject matter, recommendation, fiscal impact, and contain the
necessary attachments, exhibits and approving signatures.
2.2 DELIVERY OF AGENDA
Barring insurmountable difficulties, the agenda shall ordinarily be delivered
to Councilmembers each Thursday preceding the Tuesday meeting to which it pertains.
The agenda shall also be available to the general public at the time it is delivered to the
City Council.
2.3 CALL TO ORDER
Before proceeding with the business of the Council, the City Clerk shall
record the names of those Councilmembers present and they shall be entered in the
minutes.
2.4 PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any person may address the Council on any subject pertaining to city
business not listed on the agenda during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
A limitation of three (3) minutes shall be set for each person desiring to address the
Council during the Public Comments designation on the agenda (See 5.2). Public
Comments on items listed on the agenda will be allowed as those items come up for
consideration by the Council.
2.5 CONSENT CALENDAR
Items of routine nature, and non-controversial, shall be place on the consent
calendar. All items may be approved by one blanket motion upon unanimous consent.
Any Councilmember may request that any items be withdrawn from the consent calendar
for separate consideration. However, any Councilmember may abstain from voting on
any consent calendar item without requesting its removal from the consent calendar, and
the City Clerk shall record such abstentions in the minutes.
2.5.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Unless requested by a majority of the City Council, minutes of the
previous meeting may be approved without public reading if the City Clerk has previously
furnished each Councilmember with a copy thereof.
Minutes shall be prepared in accordance with the agenda format and
as consistent as needed for the purpose of indexing legislative history. Minutes shall
contain the necessary information for auditing and providing a clean paper trail and in no
event anything less than the subject matter for consideration, the fiscal impact, identify
contracting firms and individuals, and the action taken. With the exception of identifying
individuals addressing the Council, and their general remarks, the comments of Council
shall be noted only when revising or amending a matter. The minutes shall reflect only
the motion and vote of the Council unless a Councilmember notes he wishes the record
to reflect the purpose of his dissenting on a matter. Abstentions by Councilmembers shall
be so stated along with their basis for such abstentions.
2.6 PUBLIC HEARINGS
Generally, Public Hearings, other than those of a quasi-judicial nature, shall
be conducted in the following order:
Staff Review
Questions of Staff by Council
Hearing Opened by Mayor
Proponents Testimony
Opponents Testimony
Proponents Rebuttal
Hearing Closed by Mayor to Public Testimony
Questions by Council
Discussion by Council
Action by Council
Questions or comments from the public shall be limited to the subject under
consideration. Depending upon the extent of the agenda, and the number of persons
desiring to speak on an issue. The Mayor may, at the beginning of the hearing, limit
testimony to three (3) minutes per individual. Any person may speak for a longer period
of time, upon approval of the City Council, when this is deemed necessary in such cases
as when a person is speaking as a representative of a group or has graphic or slide
presentation requiring more time. Quasi-judicial hearing shall be conducted in
accordance with the principles of due process, and the City Attorney shall advise the City
Council in this regard.
In any hearings before the City Council, notice of which is to be published
or posted, if the City Council, or any member thereof, or a proponent or opponent of the
matter requests that any or all participants in the proceedings testify under oath or
affirmation, the making of such request shall be set forth in the notice of hearing.
Additionally, the notice of hearing shall state that the giving of testimony under oath or
affirmation shall be voluntary as to each person wishing to be heard in the matter, and
that any person who has a question or concern regarding the giving of testimony under
oath or affirmation should consult an attorney of his or her own choosing and at his or her
own expense. Each person testifying under oath or affirmation in any such proceedings
shall, before testifying, state on the record that he or she agrees to testify under oath or
affirmation in the matter and has had an opportunity to consult with an attorney of his or
her own choosing in respect thereto. Notices of hearings shall be in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.6 as well as any other applicable codes.
3. PRESIDING OFFICER
3.1 PRESIDING OFFICER
(a) The Mayor shall be the Presiding Officer at all meetings of the
Council. In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem shall preside. In the absence
of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, the Council shall elect a temporary presiding
officer to serve until the arrival of the Mayor or the Mayor Pro Tem or until adjournment,
whichever first occurs.
(b) The Council shall meet annually to choose one of its number as
Mayor and another of its number Mayor Pro Tem. In the years in which a general
municipal election is scheduled, such meeting shall be held on the Tuesday after the
election canvass. In the years in which no general municipal election is scheduled, such
meeting shall be held on the first Tuesday of the month which falls twelve (12) months
after the most recent general municipal election.
(c) Selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern shall occur at a regularly
scheduled evening meeting of the Council. The City Clerk shall preside at the portion of
the Council meeting which is concerned with the nomination for the selection of the
Mayor.
(d) Nominations for the office of Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem may be made
by any member of the Council and need not be seconded in order to be effective. Each
selection shall be by three or more affirmative votes. In the event that no person receives
three or more votes in the selection process for one or both offices, the selection process
shall be repeated immediately provided, however, that the two persons receiving the
highest number of votes in the preceding selection process shall be the only nominees
for the office to be filled. If, upon repeating the selection process for Mayor or Mayor Pro
Tem, no person has yet received three affirmative votes for such office, the Council may
either repeat the selection process until the officer has been duly selected or may
continue the selection to the next regular meeting of the Council.
(e) Voting in the selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be by
written ballot unless the Council, by three or more affirmative votes, determines to
conduct the selection process by voice vote. If by written ballot, the vote of each member
of the Council shall remain undisclosed until all votes have been cast and have been
logged with the City Clerk, at which time the Clerk shall read aloud into the minutes of
the Council the identity of the voting Councilmember and the name of the person for
whom such member is voting. The written ballot shall be public documents and shall be
retained during the selection process which is not governed by this Section 3.1.
(f) Except as provided in Subsection (g) and (h) of this Section 3.1, the
Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem selected pursuant hereto shall serve until the next meeting
scheduled for selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem pursuant to Subsection (b) of this
Section 3.1 , and thereafter until their successors have been duly selected.
(g) The offices of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be deemed vacant
upon the happening of any of the following:
(1) The death of the holder of such office;
(2) The loss or resignation from membership on the Council by
the holder of such office;
(3) The acceptance by the Council of the resignation from such
office by the holder thereof.
(h) At its first regular meeting after the occurrence of a vacancy created
by one of the foregoing events, the Council shall select a successor to such office
pursuant to the selection procedures established by this Section 3.1.
3.3 PARTICIPATION OF PRESIDING OFFICER
The Presiding Officer may move, second, and debate from the Chair,
subject only to such limitations of debate as are imposed on all Councilmembers, and he
shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Councilmember by reason
of his acting as Presiding Officer. However, the Presiding Officer is primarily responsible
for the conduct of the meeting. If he desires to personally engage in extended debate on
questions before the Council, he should consider turning the Chair over to another
member.
3.4 QUESTION OR MOTION TO BE STATED
The Presiding Officer shall verbally restate or request the City Clerk to
restate each question or motion immediately prior to calling for the vote. Fallowing the
vote the Presiding Officer shall verbally announce whether the question carried or was
defeated. The Presiding Officer may also publicly state the effect of the vote for the
benefit of the audience before proceeding to the next item of business.
3.5 SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS
The Mayor, or Mayor Pro Tem, in the absence of the Mayor, shall sign
ordinances, resolutions and documents necessary to the conduct of City business
adopted by the City Council, The City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk shall attest to the
signature of the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem.
3.6 MAINTENANCE OF ORDER
The Mayor or Presiding Officer is responsible for the maintenance of order
and decorum at all times. No person is allowed to speak who has not first been
recognized by the Chair. All questions and remarks shall be addressed to the Chair.
4. RULES, DECORUM, AND ORDER
4.1 POINTS OF ORDER
The Presiding Officer shall determine all Points of Order subject to the right
of any Councilmember to appeal to the Council. If any appeal is taken, the question shall
be, "Shall the decision of the Presiding Officer be sustained?" in which event a majority
vote shall govern and conclusively determine such question of order.
4.2 DECORUM AND ORDER - COUNCILMEMBERS
(a) Any Councilmember desiring to speak shall address the Chair and,
upon recognition by the Presiding Officer, shall confine himself to the question under
debate.
(b) A Councilmember desiring to question the staff shall address his
question to the City Manager or City Attorney, in appropriate cases, who shall be entitled
either to answer the inquiry himself or to designate some member of his staff for that
purpose.
(c) A Councilmember, once recognized, shall not be interrupted while
speaking unless called to order by the Presiding Officer; unless a Point of Order is raised
by another Councilmember; or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from
another Councilmember.
(d) Any Councilmember called to order while he is speaking shall cease
speaking immediately until the question of order is determined. If ruled to be in order, he
shall be permitted to proceed. If ruled to be not in order, he shall remain silent or shall
alter his remarks so as to comply with the rules of the Council.
(e) Councilmembers shall accord the utmost courtesy to each other, to
city employees, and to the public appearing before the Council and shall refrain at all
times from rude and derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive comments
and statements as to motives and personalities.
(f) Any Councilmember may move to require the Presiding Officer to
enforce rules and the affirmative vote of a majority of the Council shall require him to so
act.
4.3 DECORUM AND ORDER - EMPLOYEES
Members of the administrative staff and employees of the city shall observe
the same rules of procedure and decorum applicable to members of the Council. The
City Manager shall insure that all City employees observe such decorum. Any staff
members, including the City Manager, desiring to address the Council or members of the
public shall first be recognized by the Chair. All remarks shall be addressed to the Chair
and not to any one individual Councilmember or member of the public.
4.4 DECORUM AND ORDER - PUBLIC
Members of the public attending Council meetings shall observe the same
rules of order and decorum applicable to the Council. Any person making impertinent
and slanderous remarks or who becomes boisterous while addressing the Council or
while attending the Council meeting may be ordered to leave the room by the Presiding
Officer and such person may be barred from further audience before the Council.
Unauthorized remarks from the audience, stamping of feet, whistles, yells and similar
demonstrations shall not be permitted by the Presiding Officer, who may order such
offenders to leave the room. Aggravated cases shall be prosecuted on appropriate
complaint signed by the Presiding Officer.
4.5 ENFORCEMENT OF DECORUM
As set forth in Government Code Section 54957.9, in the event that any
meeting is willfully interrupted by a group or 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 Council may
order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. Only matters appearing on the
agenda may be considered in such a session. Duly accredited 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 Council from establishing a procedure for readmitting an individual or individuals not
responsible for willfully disturbing the orderly conduct of the meeting.
4.6 PERSONAL PRIVILEGE
The right of a member to address the Council on a question of personal
privilege shall be limited to cases in which his integrity, character, or motives are assailed,
questioned or impugned.
4.7 CONFLICT OF INTEREST
All Councilmembers are subject to the provisions of California Law, such as
Chapter 7, Title 9, of the California Government Code, relative to conflicts of interest, and
to conflict of interest codes adopted by the City. Any Councilmember prevented from
voting because of a conflict of interest shall refrain from debate and voting. Such
Councilmember may choose to leave the Council Chambers during debate and voting on
the issue.
4.8 LIMITATION OF DEBATE
Councilmembers normally should speak not more than once upon any one
subject until every other Councilmember choosing to speak thereon has spoken.
Members shall limit their statements to five (5) minutes each time they have the floor,
unless the Council, by majority vote approves an extended period.
4.9 DISSENTS, PROTESTS, AND COMMENTS
Any member shall have the right to express dissent from, or protest to, or
comment upon, any action of the Council and have the reason entered in the minutes.
If such dissent, protest or comment is desired to be entered in the minutes, this should
be made clear by language such as, "I would like the minutes to show that I am opposed
to this action for the following reasons..."
4.10 RULINGS OF CHAIR FINAL UNLESS OVERRULED
In presiding over Council meetings, the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or
temporary Presiding Officer shall refer to "Roberts Rules of Order" to decide all questions
of interpretation of these rules, points of order or other questions of procedure requiring
rulings. Any such decision or ruling shall be final unless overridden or suspended by
majority vote of the Councilmembers present and voting, and shall be binding and legally
effective for purposes of the matter under consideration.
ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL
5.1 MANNER OF ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL
(a) Any member of the public desiring to address the Council shall proceed
to the podium and wait to be recognized by the Presiding Officer. After being recognized,
he shall state his name and address for the record.
(b) All remarks and questions shall be addressed to the Chair and not
to any individual Councilmember, staff member or other person. During a public hearing,
all remarks shall be limited to the subject under consideration. No person shall enter into
any discussion without being recognized by the Presiding Officer.
(c) Any member of the Council who has been recognized by the
Presiding Officer of the Council for such purpose may address or respond to a member
of the public who has addressed the Council pursuant thereto. Such address or response
shall be exercised only once for each member of the public, shall not exceed three
minutes in length, and shall be deemed to express the individual position or opinion of
the Councilmember offering the same and shall not be construed to bind the Council or
the City in any manner. Unless otherwise directed by the Council, the restrictions
imposed by this Subsection (a) shall apply only to those portions of the Council agenda
during which members of the public are permitted to make public comments to the
Council.
5.2 TIME LIMITATION
Any member of the public desiring to address the Council shall limit his
statement to three (3) minutes unless further time has been granted by the Presiding
Officer in the individual case, or in accordance with Section 2.6.
5.3 ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL AFTER MOTION IS MADE
After a motion has been made, or after a public hearing has been closed,
no member of the public shall address the Council without first securing permission by
a majority vote of the Council.
5.4 LIMITATIONS REGARDING PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REPORTS
The making of public comments to the Council by any member of the public
during the "Public Comments" portion of the agenda shall be subject to the following
limitations:
5.4.1 At any time, before or after the public comments is commenced, the
Presiding Officer may request to direct the communication to the City Manager or other
appropriate staff member during regular business hours, or in writing for subsequent
submittal to Counciimembers, pursuant to Section 5.5.
5.4.2 The Presiding Officer may limit the number of speakers heard on non-
agenda topics at a single meeting. Those whose presentations are postponed shall be
given priority at the next meeting during the "Public Comments" agenda item.
5.4.3 If it appears that several speakers desire to speak regarding a single
topic, the Presiding Officer may reasonably limit the number speaking as to each side of
an issue. In this regard, preference may be given to speakers who represent groups of
persons who have designated a spokesperson.
5.4.4 No public comments shall be allowed to include charges or
complaints against any employee of the City, regardless of whether such employee is
identified in the presentation by name or by any other reference which tends to identify
him. All charges or complaints against employees shall be submitted to the City Manager
for appropriate action, and may also be submitted to members of the Council by written
communication, in accordance with Government Code Section 54957 to protectthe rights
of employees.
5.4.5 No section or subsection of this resolution shall be construed as to
prohibit the right of the public to the criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or
services of the city or the acts or omissions of the City Council.
5.5 WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
The City Manager is authorized to receive and open all mail addressed to
the Council as a whole and give it immediate attention to the end that all administrative
business referred to in said communications, and not necessarily requiring Council action,
may be disposed of between Council meetings. A copy of such communication shall be
provided to each Councilmember marked "Information Only' .
Any communication relating to a matter pending, or to be brought before the
City Council shall be included in the agenda packet for the meeting at which such item
is to be considered.
Letters of appeal from administrative or commission decisions shall be
processed under applicable provisions of City ordinances.
Copies of all other communications sent to the Council will be transmitted
to them.
5.6 PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO BE WITHIN THE DIOCESE
No person except the City officials shall be permitted within the diocese area
in front of the Council table without the invitation or consent of the Presiding Officer.
6. MOTIONS
6.1 PROCESSING OF MOTIONS
When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Presiding
Officer before debate. A motion so stated shall not be withdrawn by the mover without
the consent of the person seconding it.
6.2 MOTIONS OUT OF ORDER
The Presiding Officer may at any time, by majority consent of the Council,
permit a member to introduce an ordinance, resolution, or motion out of the regular
agenda order.
6.3 DIVISION OF QUESTION
If the question contains two or more divisionable propositions, the Presiding
Officer may, and upon request of a member shall, divide same.
6.4 PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS
When a motion is before the Council, no motion shall be entertained except
the following, which shall have precedence in the following order:
a) Adjourn
b) Fix Hours of Adjournment
c) Table
d) Limit or Terminate Discussion
e) Amend
f) Postpone
6.5 MOTION TO ADJOURN (NOT DEBATABLE)
A motion to adjourn shall be in order at any time, except as follows:
a) When repeated without intervening business or discussion.
b) When made as an interruption of a member while speaking.
c) When discussion has been ended, and vote on a motion is pending,
and
d) While a vote is being taken.
A motion to adjourn "to another time" shall be debatable only as to the time
to which the meeting is adjourned.
6.6 MOTION TO FIX HOUR OF ADJOURNMENT
Such a motion shall be to set a definite time at which to adjourn and shall
be undebatable and shall be unamendable except by unanimous vote.
6.7 MOTION TO TABLE
A motion to table shall be used to temporarily by-pass the subject. A
motion to table shall be undebatable and shall preclude all amendments or debate of the
subject under consideration. If the motion shall prevail, the matter may be "taken from
the table" at any time prior to the end of the next regular meeting.
6.8 MOTION TO LIMIT OR TERMINATE DISCUSSION
Such a motion shall be used to limit or close debate on, or further
amendment to, the main motion and shall be undebatable. If the motion fails, debate
shall be reopened; if the motion prevails, a vote shall be taken on the main motion.
6.9 MOTION TO AMEND
A motion to amend shall be debatable only as to the amendment. A motion
to amend an amendment shall be in order, but a motion to amend an amendment to an
amendment shall not be in order. An amendment modifying the intention of a motion
shall be in order, but an amendment relating to a different matter shall not be in order.
A substitute motion on the same subject shall be acceptable, and voted on before a vote
on the amendment. Amendments shall be voted first; then the main motion as amended.
6.10 MOTION TO CONTINUE
Motions to continue to a definite time shall be amendable and debatable as
to propriety of postponement and time set.
7. VOTING PROCEDURES
7.1 VOTING PROCEDURE
In acting upon every motion, the vote shall be taken by mechanical means
and the vote on each motion shall be entered in full upon the record. Members shall
respond "aye", "nay" or "abstain", and any Councilmember not responding "no" or
"abstain" or otherwise registering an objection shall have his vote recorded as "aye".
In the event of a malfunction of the mechanical voting apparatus, the order
of voting shall be alphabetical with the Mayor voting last. The City Clerk shall call the
names of all members seated when a roll call vote is ordered or required.
7.2 ROLL CALL VOTING
Every ordinance (other than urgency ordinances) and any resolutions or
orders for franchise or payment of money require three (3) affirmative votes. Urgency
ordinance require four (4) affirmative votes. Any question before the Council shall not
require a roll call vote unless demanded by any member. It shall not be in order for
members to explain their vote during the vote. Any member may change his vote before
the next order of business.
7.3 FAILURE TO VOTE
Every Councilmember should vote unless disqualified for cause.
7.4 RECONSIDERATION
Any Councilmember who voted with the majority may move a
reconsideration of any action at the same meeting. After a motion for reconsideration has
once been acted upon at the same meeting, no other motion for a reconsideration thereof
shall be made without unanimous consent of the Council at the same or subsequent
meetings.
7.5 TIE VOTES
Tie votes shall be lost motions. When all Councilmembers are present, a
tie vote on whether to grant an appeal from official action shall be considered a denial of
such appeal unless the Council takes other action to further consider the matter. If a tie
vote results at a time when less than all members of the Council are present, the matter
shall automatically be continued to the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Council,
unless otherwise ordered by the Council.
8. RESOLUTIONS
8.1 DEFINITIONS
As a rule of thumb, it can be said that legislative acts of the City Council
(usually a rule of public conduct for long-term application) are taken by ordinance,
whereas more routine business and administrative matters (usually more temporary and
transitory in nature) are accomplished by resolutions. The term "resolution" in its general
sense will note any action taken affirmatively via a vote of the Council, other than one
taken by ordinance. As used in this City, however, two terms are in general used to
denote such (non-ordinance) actions: "resolution", and "motion" (thereafter recorded by
minute entry). Technically, all three are equally as legally effective and binding; they vary
in the formality of respective memorialization. The most formal is referred to locally as
a "resolution". This, in addition to being referenced in the minutes, will be recorded by
a separate document, numbered in sequence and preserved in a separate set of books.
Such "resolutions" are used in this City for various reasons, such as when specifically
required by law, when needed as a separate indentiary document to be transmitted to
another governmental agency, or where the frequency of future reference back to its
contentwarrants a separate document(with the additional "whereas" explanatory material
it often recites) to facilitate such future reference and research.
A "motion" (assuming it was one which passed) is a Council action which
is recorded simply by an item entry in the minutes of the meeting at which it was
accomplished, and no separate document is made to memorialize it.
8.2 RESOLUTIONS PREPARED IN ADVANCE
Where a resolution has been prepared in advance, the procedure shall be:
motion, second, discussion, vote pursuant to methods prescribed in Section 7.1, and
result declared. It shall not be necessary to read a resolution in full or by title except to
identify it. Any member may require that the resolution be read in full.
8.3 RESOLUTIONS NOT PREPARED IN ADVANCE
Where a resolution has not been prepared in advance, the procedure shall
be to instruct the City Manager or the City Attorney to prepare a resolution for
presentation at the next Council meeting.
8.4 URGENCY RESOLUTIONS
In matters of urgency, a resolution may be presented verbally, in motion
form together with instructions for written preparation for later execution. After the
resolution has been verbally stated, the voting procedure in 8.2 above shall be followed.
Urgency resolutions shall be avoided except when absolutely necessary;
and shall be avoided entirely when resolutions are required by law, improvement acts,
zoning matters, orforce account work on public projects. Where the resolution has been
drafted in written form, either before or during the meeting, this paragraph shall not be
deemed applicable.
9. ORDINANCES
9.1 INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
Ordinances shall not be passed within five days of their introduction, or at
other than a regular meeting or at any adjourned regular meeting. However, an urgency
ordinance may be passed immediately upon introduction and either at a regular or special
meeting. Except when, after reading the title, further reading is waived by regular motion
adopted by unanimous vote of the Councilmembers present, all ordinances shall be read
in full, either at the time of introduction or passage. When ordinances, other than urgency
ordinances, are altered after introduction, they shall be reintroduced only at a regular or
at an adjourned meeting held at least five days after alteration.
Correction of typographical or clerical errors are not alterations within the
meaning of this section.
9.2 EFFECTIVE DATE
All ordinances, except as provided in Section 36937 of the Government
Code, shall take effect 30 days after adoption, but may be made operative at such later
date as may be designated in the ordinance.
9.3 PUBLISHING
It shall be the duty of the City Clerk to publish a summary of all ordinances
in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code within 15 days after adoption.
9.4 URGENCY ORDINANCES
All urgency ordinances must receive four(4) affirmative votes to be adopted
and to become effective immediately. If such an ordinance fails to receive 4/5ths
majority, it may thereafter be considered and passed in the same manner as regular
ordinances.
10. STUDY SESSIONS
10.1 STUDY SESSIONS
Councilmembers able to attend scheduled study sessions will meet at the
Community Center, 625 South Pico, San Jacinto, on the fourth Tuesday of each month
(and such other times as deemed necessary) at 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of reviewing
the agenda for a City Council meeting, discussion of special subjects of immediate
concern; and meeting and conferring with City Commissions, Committees, Boards; Civic
Organizations; and City Officials relative to pending City business.
The time for sessions as specified may be altered by the City Council or by
the Mayor, on individual occasions when appropriate, to the convenience of the
Councilmembers, provided that when this occurs, written notice of the change shall be
provided in accordance with the standard noticing requirements.
10.2 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Study sessions shall at all times be open to the public and the news media,
except executive sessions held at such times pursuant to Government Code.
10.3 PURPOSE
Study sessions are not intended to constitute a meeting of the City Council
and they may be carried on regardless of the number of Councilmembers in attendance.
At such study sessions, no formal action shall be taken, no motion shall be
offered, nor debates entered into; the sole purpose of said meetings being to provide
background information to members of the City Council and to allow Councilmembers to
ask questions. This shall not, however, be deemed to apply with respect to executive
sessions.
10.4 AGENDA
The agenda for each study session shall be prepared and posted in
accordance with the same rules applicable to regular City Council meetings.
Any Councilmembers may request that a matter be placed on the agenda
for a study session. Except in urgent situations, Councilmembers should submit, on the
appropriate form, such request seven (7) working days before a study session, along with
any available supporting information.
11. CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES
11.1 The City Council or Mayor may designate as necessary subcommittees. No
more than two members of the City Council shall be appointed to a single subcommittee
and any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any
staff support necessary shall be provided by the City Manager representation and/or other
staff at the direction of the City Manager.
11.1.1 REPRESENTATIVE:
The Mayor shall select representatives, with confirmation by the full
Council, to other agency committees, who shall serve for a term of one year. The Mayor
shall review these appointments annually, upon any vacancy, or as deemed necessary,
for the continuing necessity. Such subcommittees will receive staff support from other
agencies, including any needs to comply with the Brown Act. The representative
appointments are for; Childcare Consortium, EMWD Planning Task Force, Groundwater
Association, Riverside Transit Authority (RTA), Valley Youth Task Force, WRCOG
Executive Committee, Ramona Pageant Advisory Committee, City-to-City Recycling
Standing Committee, Riverside County City Selection Committee, and Senior Housing Ad
Hoc Citizens Committee.
11.1.2 STANDING:
The City Council shall determine the need for and appoint Standing
Subcommittees as deemed necessary. Such Subcommittees will require staff support
and meet the requirements of the Brown Act and will be reviewed annually, upon any
vacancy, or ad deemed necessary for continuing necessity.
11.1.3 AD HOC:
The Mayor shall appoint ad hoc subcommittees as deemed necessary
and as such would not be required to meet requirements of the Brown Act.
11.2 COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE POLICIES
11.2.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of Council Subcommittees are to act as sounding boards
and fact finding for the City Council on various matters concerning pertinent issues which
are brought to the attention of Councilmembers or City staff.
11.2.2 POLICY
It shall be the policy of each subcommittee to review the issues which
are brought before the subcommittee and provide feedback to staff for consideration by
the full Council.
11.2.3 POWERS
The subcommittees shall act as a fact finding body only, and have
no authority to act independently in the decision making process, but shall instead report
back to the full Council.
11.2.4 PROCEDURES
The subcommittees shall meet as necessary, at the call of a
subcommittee member, the Council or no less than quarterly depending upon the type
of subcommittee. Representative staff shall prepare an informal agenda listing the topics
to be covered at each meeting. The City Manager shall designate the staff
representation, who shall be present at each meeting to present information and provide
follow up actions.
12. COUNCIL APPOINTED CITIZEN BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES
The purpose of this procedure is to outline those actions that will be taken in
appointing members of the City of San Jacinto Boards, Commissions and Committees.
12.1 THE MADDY ACT
The Maddy Act takes into consideration the vast and largely untapped
reservoir of talent among the citizenry that is not aware of the opportunities for
participation on advisory boards and commissions. For that reason, the Maddy Act was
enacted for maximum public awareness of both regulatory and advisory boards and
commissions open for appointments by the City Council (Government Code Section
54970).
12.2 APPOINTMENTS LIST
On or before December 31 of each year the City Clerk shall cause to be
posted a list of appointments of all ongoing boards, commissions and committees which
are appointed by the City Council. This list must include where and when they meet, the
present membership and terms of office for each member and the necessary
qualifications for the position (Government Code Section 54972).
12.3 AVAILABILITY TO PUBLIC
One month prior to the scheduled expiration of a board or commission term
of office, the City Clerk shall give notice of such expiration and qualifications for the
position in a posted notice and a press release to the newspapers of general circulation
within the City. Appointment to that vacancy shall not be made prior to 10 working days
after the release of such notice (Government Code Section 54974).
12.4 NOTIFICATION OF INCUMBENT
The incumbent whose term is expiring will be given notice of the expiration
of the term of office and requested to submit a letter requesting reappointment to an
additional term if that is their desire.
12.5 UNSCHEDULED VACANCIES
Whenever an unscheduled vacancy occurs due to resignation, death,
termination or other reason, the same noticing will be accomplished as for a scheduled
vacancy, within 20 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. Appointment to that vacancy
shall not be made prior to 10 working days after the release of such notice (Government
Code Section 54974).
12.6 SUBMISSION OF CANDIDATES TO THE COUNCIL
A list of candidates requesting appointment to a term of office will be
submitted to the City Council for their consideration at it's next regular meeting.
12.7 INTERVIEWS
Any City Councilmember may request a time set for interviewing candidates
for appointment, at which time all Councilmembers may participate in the interview
process. If more than two Councilmembers participate in the interview session, it will be
an open meeting with notice given and the public invited.
12.8 FOLLOW-UP AFTER APPOINTMENTS
After the City Council has appointed a candidate to fill a position, the City
Clerk shall notify the new appointee, including such information as their term of office,
when and where they meet and the staff member to contact if they have questions. In
addition, the appropriate staff contact shall be notified of the appointees name, address
and phone number for follow up. The City Clerk shall also notify unsuccessful
candidates, thanking them for their interest in serving the City of San Jacinto.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO DOES HEREBY
RESOLVE to adopt the foregoing amended rules and procedures for the City of San
Jacinto to be effective immediately.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 19thh day of December, 1995, by the following
vote:
AYES: Cornett, Smedley, Solorio, Williams and Mayor Conner
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Pamela L. Lee, City Clerk
C
Jim'Conner, Mayor