City Council Meeting
January 12, 2026
Agenda Item 13-A
Ordinance No. 1452:
CITY COUNCIL VOTING REQUIREMENTS
8825 Artesia Boulevard
1 Background: How we got here
Before: General law city
Relied on default state law voting rules.
For example: Government Code § 36936 required three Bellflower City Council votes to approve resolutions, orders for the payment of money, and all ordinances.
Now: Charter city
Legislative procedures are a “municipal affair.”
The Bellflower Charter allows the City to tilor and codify voting rules by ordinance.
2 Proposed Ordinance & Requirements
Ordinance adds Section 2.04.080 to the BMC.
Ordinances, resolutions, and motions pass via majority of Councilmembers present (with quorum present).
What the Ordinance does not change:
Any Charter-required or state law supermajority votes, e.g., urgency ordinances and fiscal emergencies.
3 Example: Ordinance Adoption
Before: General law city
Only three Council members present.
Two “yes” votes cannot approve ordinance.
Now: Charter city
Only three Council members present.
Two “yes” votes can approve ordinance.
4 Recommendation
Reading by title only, waiving further reading, and introducing Ordinance No. 1452 adding § 2.04.080 to the BMC to establish voting requirements for ordinances, resolutions, and other City Council actions consistent with the City Charter; or
Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.
5