SR-100-000-04 (4)
CC:f\ctyclerk\ms\staffrpts\codeofconduct. Santa Monica, California
City Council Meeting: February 24, 2004
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Resolution Modifying the Time for Holding Study Sessions During
Council Meetings and Clarifying the Placement of Councilmember
Items on City Council Agendas
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution complying
with Council’s direction to modify the time for holding study sessions during City
Council Meetings, and clarifying the process for Councilmembers placing items on the
agenda.
Background
The proposed resolution complies with Council direction to change the time for holding
study sessions when closed sessions have been scheduled on the same agenda. As
currently written, the rules for holding council meetings have the closed sessions and
study sessions occurring immediately after the consent calendar. Because there is not
enough time to consider both matters prior to the 6:45 p.m., return to regular agenda
items, the resolution has been modified so that the study session will be held after the
6:45 p.m., return from closed sessions. The related section of Rule 2 of the resolution
will read as follows:
“The regular meeting shall commence at 5:45 p.m., for consideration of the
Consent Calendar and Closed Session, or for Consent Calendar and Study Session,
provided a Closed Session is not scheduled. It is the intention of the City Council that
all other agenda items shall commence no earlier than 6:45 p.m. If a Closed Session
and a Study Session are scheduled for the same meeting, then the Closed Session will
be held after the Consent Calendar and the Study Session will be held immediately
after Council reconvenes at 6:45 or as soon as possible thereafter. “
On January 13, 2004, Council directed staff to clarify the rules to reflect that
Councilmembers placing a “12-item” on an agenda may not combine the item with any
other item on the agenda. The Councilmember may, however, request that the phrase
“May be considered with Item ___” be included as part of his/her item, and that the City
Council will vote at the beginning of the meeting on whether to combine the items.
Council also clarified that City staff had the authority to combine staff items, as needed.
The related section of Rule 5 of the resolution will read as follows:
Councilmember items may only be combined with other items on the agenda by
a vote of the Council. A Councilmember who wishes to combine his or her item with
another item on the agenda may direct that the following language be included with the
agenda item: “This item may be considered with Item .” The City Manager may
combine staff items on the agenda in order to ensure that the public’s business is
handled efficiently and conveniently.”
Budget Impact
There is no fiscal impact.
Recommendation
It is recommended that Council adopt the proposed resolution.
Prepared by: Maria M. Stewart, City Clerk
Marsha Moutrie, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution (See adopted Resolution No. 9932 (CCS)