SR-100-000-04 (2)
SD
F:\CMANAGER\Staff Reports\Council Meeting Time Final.doc
Council Meeting: July 24, 2001
p 11
Santa Monica, CA
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
City Staff
Subject:
Modification to the Start Time for City Council Meetings, Discussion of the
Deliberation Process and Resolution Effecting Changes as Recommended
or Direction to Staff to Return with a Resolution Reflecting Council
Preferences
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council take public comment, consider a
modification to the start time for City Council meetings, discuss the deliberation process
and other potential changes in the meeting process that will help insure the efficiency
and timeliness of the Council meetings, and adopt the attached Resolution effecting
changes or direct that a Resolution with alternate content be prepared,
Backqround
At the January 9, 2001 City Council meeting, staff was directed to return with
recommendations for changing the start time of Council meetings and altering the
categories and order of business with the objective of increasing the efficiency of
meetings while ensuring broad public participation. On January 23,2001, Council
adopted a resolution changing the start time for Council meetings to 5:15 p.m. and
certain other changes to the categories and order of business for Council agendas.
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Discussion
During the past six months the Council meetings have been scheduled to commence at
5:15 p.m. This earlier start time was desirable so that 1) Public Sessions could begin
and end at hours convenient for public participation with the goal of concluding Council
meetings by 11 :00 p. m. 2) Closed Sessions would not be rushed early in the evening
or conducted at so late an hour that some Council members could not be present and
3) given there is generally a larger number of staff present for Consent Calendar items,
these items would be heard at the beginning of the meeting and staff could be
released, thus not incurring overtime in most cases.
During Council discussion on the earlier start time, concern was expressed that 5:15
p.m. might be too early for some Council members, especially those working presently
and from time-to-time outside the city. It was, however, agreed that the earlier start time
would be tried and modified later, if necessary.
Over the past six months, with exception of the special meeting schedule associated
with the annual budget process and two special Closed Session meetings, the Council
has had only one special meeting in addition to the two regularly scheduled meetings
per month. However, Council has not regularly had a quorum at the earlier start time to
begin the meeting. Generally, the meetings have begun 15 to 20 minutes after the
scheduled start time. As well, the Council meetings have not concluded before 11 :00
p.m. Several Council members have expressed concern with the early start time as well
and the lateness of the meetings,
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The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tempore have met with staff to assess the Council meeting
modifications approved in January along with the concerns expressed by various
Council members.
Generally, the order of business is working well. However, modifying the start time to
5:45 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. might ensure a quorum to begin the Council meeting. The
Consent Calendar would continue to be considered first. Closed Session would follow
with the continued goal of reconvening open session by 6:45 p.m,
The length of Council meetings is often governed by the high level of public input that
occurs on some matters. There are strategies that Council should consider that could
help achieve more efficiency and timeliness of the meetings, yet maintain healthy
deliberation on matters before Council. The following are strategies for Council to
consider.
1) When an item is presented by staff, Council members have the opportunity to
ask questions for clarification before pubic comment is taken. Council members
should avoid deliberating the item and merely ask questions for clarification.
2) Public Comment is the opportunity for the public to provide input for Council to
consider as it deliberates on a specific item. Council members, again, should
merely ask questions for clarification and avoid appearing to debate or cross-
examine the person making the public comment.
3) With respect to Council deliberations, Council members may want to concur on
how best to communicate in the most efficient manner that will allow members to
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feel that their points of view have received adequate consideration. Some
additional reminders that might be helpful to consider include, avoid repeating
the same point by several individuals, always be mindful of the length of one's
comments, and perhaps limit the number of "rounds" of comment on an item.
Finally, staff will continue to place items on agendas to support the efficiency and
timeliness of the Council meetings.
BudQet /Financiallmpact
The proposed modification in the start time of City Council meetings will have no direct
fiscal impact, although as indicated, it is possible that overtime expenditures are being
reduced by having the Consent Calendar handled at the beginning of the meeting.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council take public comment, discuss the above
changes and adopt the attached Resolution, if desired, or direct staff to return with a
Resolution reflecting Council's preference for change.
Prepared by: Gordon R. Anderson, Assistant City Manager
Attachment: Resolution amending Resolution Number 9614 (CCS) Regarding the
Rules of Order and Procedure for the Conduct of City Council Meetings
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f: \atty\mu ni\l aws \mjm\amend cou ncil rules. wpd
City Council Meeting 7-19-01
Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER _ (cCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER
9614 (CCS) REGARDING THE RULES OF ORDER AND PROCEDURE
FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
WHEREAS, the Santa Monica City Council wishes to modify the start time of City
Council meetings,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS
SECTION 1 Rule 2 contained in Resolution Number 9614 (CCS) is hereby
amended to read as follows:
RULE2. TIMEAND PLACE FOR HOLDING REGULAR MEETINGS.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 611 of the Santa Monica City
Charter, the City Council establishes the second and fourth Tuesday of each
month as the days for holding regular meetings of the City Council. The
regular meeting shall commence at 5:4-5 5:45 p.m. for consideration of a
Closed Session, Consent Calendar, or Study Session It is the intention of
the City Council that all other agenda items shall commence no later than
6:45 p.m. If any such Tuesday falls on any day designated by law or by the
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City Council as a day for public feast, Thanksgiving or holiday, such regular
meeting shall be held on the date ofthe regular meeting next following said
Tuesday at the hour heretofore fixed or at such other day as may be fixed.
The City Council Chamber in City Hall is established as the place for holding
its regular meetings,
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APpROVED AS T~ FORM'
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