14-A — Bellflower City Council, June 8, 2026

14-A
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

ATTENTION: Ryan Smoot, City Manager

FROM: Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk

SUBJECT: Consideration and possible action to receive and file the Senate Bill (SB) 707 Implementation Plan, establish and incorporate a Teleconferencing Disruption Policy pursuant to SB 707 into the City’s existing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings, and adopt Resolution No. 26-20 – A Resolution establishing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings within the City of Bellflower, and superseding Resolution No. 25-13.

DATE: June 8, 2026

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Senate Bill (SB) 707 is the most substantial revision to the Ralph M. Brown Act in several years. It imposes significant new requirements that either took effect January 1, 2026 or will take effect July 1, 2026. This staff report provides an overview of the changes in the law and how the City Clerk intends to implement protocols to comply with the new requirements. If adopted, Resolution No. 26-20 will update the City’s existing procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings to establish and incorporate a Disruption Policy pursuant to SB 707.

RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL

1) Receive and file SB 707 Implementation Plan; and

2) Adopt Resolution No. 26-20; or

3) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item.

FISCAL IMPACT

To support compliance with the teleconferencing requirements of SB 707, and continue to support other City teleconferencing and virtual communication needs, the City acquired subscriptions to the Zoom Webinar software platform. The annual cost of these subscriptions is approximately $4,000. Sufficient funds are budgeted within the Information Technology and Equipment Replacement Fund.

Other fiscal impacts may present themselves at a later time, such as additional funding for interpretation services and technology upgrades. Such impacts may be identified as part of future action items and presented for Council consideration as needed.

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Staff Report – SB 707 Implementation Plan and Disruption Policy June 8, 2026

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BACKGROUND

Among other requirements, SB 707 requires the Bellflower City Council to provide two-way remote public access to meetings and adopt a policy to address disruptions of telephonic or internet services during meetings. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and require adoption of a policy at a public meeting before that date.

The City currently conducts in-person City Council meetings, without the opportunity for the public to participate remotely. To comply with California law, the City must allow for both in-person and two-way remote public participation and formalize procedures for responding to disruptions in two-way remote public access consistent with Government Code § 54953.4.

DISCUSSION

SB 707 amends the Brown Act and applies to the City’s legislative bodies in the two phases below. The City already complies with Phase 1 requirements.

• Phase 1 Requirements – All Legislative Bodies (Effective January 1, 2026):
o Mandatory distribution of copies of The Brown Act to elected and appointed officials.
o Reporting obligations for approval of any changes in compensation of executive officials and department heads.
o ADA teleconferencing for members: Members with recognized disabilities may participate via teleconference as a reasonable accommodation and count toward a physical quorum. Additionally, agendas must explain how to request reasonable accommodations, and such requests must be addressed promptly.
o Optional “just cause” teleconferencing: Government Code § 54953.8.3 allows, but does not require, remote participation by members for “just cause” (e.g., illness, childcare, emergency circumstances), conditioned on full two-way remote public participation and other Brown Act requirements.

• Phase 2 Requirements – City Council as an Eligible Legislative Body (Effective July 1, 2026):
o Agenda translation: Agendas must be translated and posted in applicable languages; based on census data, Spanish is required for the City of Bellflower. Automated translation tools are permitted.
o Mandatory remote public access: The City Council must offer a two-way audiovisual and telephone platform, or two-way telephonic service only, with equal speaking time for in-person and remote participants and auto-captioning enabled for audiovisual platforms.
o Disruption policy – The City Council must adopt a policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet services, including good-faith restoration efforts and specific roll-call findings if the Council proceeds without restoring remote access. This is included in Draft Resolution No. 26-20.
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Staff Report – SB 707 Implementation Plan and Disruption Policy June 8, 2026

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DISCUSSION – Continued

o Meeting translation support and outreach: The City must reasonably assist members of the public in obtaining interpretation (e.g., space for interpreters, extra time) and must document reasonable outreach efforts to encourage participation from underrepresented groups.
o A system for the public to electronically sign up for the City Council Agenda Distribution List.
o Allow for any member of the public to post a translation of the City Council agenda in a physical location that is freely accessible to the public in reasonable proximity to the physical location in which the agenda and translations are posted.

The attached SB 707 Implementation Plan addresses how staff have reached compliance for Phase 1 requirements effective January 1, 2026. It also outlines the plan for complying with Phase 2 requirements effective July 1, 2026. The attached Draft Resolution No. 26-20 provides the required Disruption Policy pursuant to SB 707 , blends the Rosenberg rules of parliamentary procedure into the procedural rules for conducting legislative meetings for better reference, and incorporates other minor housekeeping updates.

ATTACHMENTS

A. SB 707 Implementation Plan … .............................................. ………………………… 4 B. Rules of Procedure – Redlined Version ...................................................................... 7 B. Resolution No. 26-20 … ........................................................ ………………………… 24

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ATTACHMENT A

SB 707 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The following will be implemented to reach compliance with requirements pursuant to SB 707. The City Clerk will continue to monitor the practicality of the solutions below to ensure the public’s needs are met. If there is a higher need in any area, the corresponding solutions will be re-evaluated and amended as needed to remain in compliance with Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code §§ 54950 through 54963.

Phase 1 - All Legislative Bodies (Effective January 1, 2026)

1) Mandatory distribution of copies of the Brown Act to elected and appointed officials.

o The Brown Act in its entirety was provided to all City Council Members and Commissioners before January 1, 2026. Moving forward, the City Clerk will provide a printed version of the Brown Act to all incoming Council Members and Commissioners when they take their oath of office. Previously, a synopsis and link to the Brown Act were provided as part of onboarding materials.

2) ADA teleconferencing for members: Members with recognized disabilities may participate via teleconference as a reasonable accommodation and count toward a physical quorum.

o Staff is aware of this requirement and will accommodate, as needed.

3) Removal of disruptive remote participants: Presiding officers may remove remote participants after a warning when their conduct actually disrupts the meeting, while ensuring that removal is not based solely on offensive speech.

o Staff is aware of this requirement and will accommodate it once remote participation is applicable pursuant SB 707.

4) Optional “just cause” teleconferencing: Government Code § 54953.8.3 allows, but does not require, remote participation by members for “just cause” (e.g., illness, childcare, emergency circumstances), conditioned on full two -way remote public participation and other Brown Act requirements.

o A new “Request to Appear Remotely” section was added to the City Council and Commission agendas to accommodate this requirement, when needed. A maximum allowed usage of five remote uses per year per Council Member or Commissioner applies. The City Clerk and Department Heads who oversee Commissions will monitor usage and reflect it in the official minutes of any applicable meeting.

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City of Bellflower
SB 707 Implementation Plan

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Phase 2 – City Council as an Eligible Legislative Body (Effective July 1, 2026)

1) Mandatory remote public access: The City Council must offer a two-way audiovisual and telephone platform, or two-way telephonic service only, with equal speaking time for in-person and remote participants and auto -captioning enabled for audiovisual platforms.

o Zoom Webinars was selected as the preferred platform for the virtual component of the meetings and is currently being tested. The City experienced successful virtual meetings using Zoom Meetings during the Pandemic and is generally familiar with the Zoom platform. Zoom Webinars provides more controls than Zoom Meetings to help prevent “Zoom Bombings” and other distractions that may occur.
o Zoom Webinars also provides closed captioning services, which is a requirement, and exceeds this requirement by providing the option for translated closed captioning services in multiple languages.

2) Disruption Policy: The City Council must adopt a policy addressing disruptions to telephonic or internet services, including good -faith restoration efforts and specific roll-call findings if the Council proceeds without restoring remote access.

o If there is disruption in internet service or virtual platform during the meeting, the City must pause the meeting proceedings for at least one hour and make a good faith effort to restore the service.
o If service remains unrestored after one hour, Council must take action to adopt a finding that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.
o This is included in Draft Resolution No. 26-20.

3) Agenda translation: Agendas must be translated and posted in applicable languages.

A language according to the most recent American Community Survey, spoken jointly by 20 percent or more of the applicable population, provided that 20 percent or more of the population that speaks that language in the city speaks English less than “very well.” Automated translation tools are permitted.

o According to the most-recent American Community Survey conducted in 2024, Spanish translation of the agenda will be required for the City of Bellflower. o 46.5% of Bellflower’s population speaks Spanish
o 37.8% of the Spanish-speaking population in Bellflower speaks English less than very well
o Staff intend to use Google Translate to facilitate automated translations of the agenda. A disclaimer will be included on the translated agendas to note that automated translation is being used as allowed by SB 707 and the City is not liable for the accuracy of the translation. Agenda materials do not need to be translated.

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City of Bellflower
SB 707 Implementation Plan

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Phase 2 – Continued

4) Allow for any member of the public to post a translation of the City Council agenda in a physical location that is freely accessible to the public in reasonable proximity to the physical location in which the agenda and translations are posted.

o Staff will allocate space near the current posting locations in the lobby and front windows of City Hall to allow for placement of public translations of agendas.

All agendas posted by the City and the public will be removed promptly following the City Council meetings.
o To avoid confusion or misinformation, a disclaimer will be added to posting locations of public translated agendas to make clear to the public that the translations listed there are not provided by the City.

5) Meeting translation support and outreach: The City must reasonably assist members of the public in obtaining interpretation (e.g., space for interpreters, extra time) and must document reasonable outreach efforts to encourage participation from underrepresented groups.

o Staff will modify standard language on the agendas to include reasonable accommodation language for translation requests, similar to the ADA language. o Agreement File No. 680.3 is in place with Language Network for interpretation services at Council Meetings, as needed. This agreement is currently funded at a not-to-exceed total amount of $3,000 and may need to be increased at a future date.
o Additional reasonable outreach efforts will include City Council meeting information in:
o social media posts;
o quarterly City Life magazine and the monthly City Life Now newsletters; and o an update to the Meetings and Agendas website to include additional information about how to participate in City Council meetings. A Google Translate feature is already available on the City’s website.

6) A system for the public to electronically sign up for the City Council Agenda Distribution List.

o The Agenda Distribution List was started in May 2017 and currently consists of approximately 98 people, including department directors and a few other staff.

Currently, members of the public may contact the City Clerk’s Office to sign up for the distribution list. The City Council meeting agendas are provided to the Agenda Distribution List via email shortly after the agenda has been posted. o Staff will create a web form on the Meetings and Agendas webpage where the public can sign up for the distribution list.
o The number of people on the Agenda Distribution List may grow beyond what is appropriate to be sent by email. Staff will explore other options for the dissemination of the agendas.

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ATTACHMENT B
[REDLINED VERSION]

MEETING RULES OF PROCEDURE
Rule 1. Authority and Purpose

The City Council establishes these “Rules of Procedure” (“Rules”) for conducting its meetings pursuant to Government Code § 36813. The following Rules become effective upon the City Council’s adoption and remain effective unless amended or superseded. In the absence of separate procedural rules for individual boards and commissions, the Rules adopted by this Resolution will apply to all City subsidiary boards and commissions. These Rules are intended to comply with the Ralph M.

Brown Act (Government Code §§ 54950-54962). The Brown Act will supersede any conflicting provision of the Rules.

Rule 1.1: Authority

These Rules govern the conduct of all meetings of legislative bodies within the City of Bellflower. For subordinate legislative bodies, the duties assigned to the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem by these Rules apply to the presiding officer.

Rule 1.2: Purpose

These Rules are adopted to facilitate orderly, efficient, fair, accessible, and legally compliant meetings, preserve meaningful public participation, and provide clear procedures for the conduct of City Council business.

Rule 1.3: Governing Law

All meetings must be conducted in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code §§ 54950, et seq., other applicable provisions of California law, the Bellflower Municipal Code, and these Rules. Any procedural issue not expressly addressed in these Rules may be decided by the Mayor, subject to appeal to the City Council and applicable law.

Rule 1.4: Procedural Nature of Rules

These Rules are adopted to expedite the City Council's business transactions in an orderly fashion and are procedural only. Failure to strictly observe these Rules will not affect the City Council's jurisdiction or invalidate any Council action conforming with applicable law.

Rule 1.5: Code of Conduct

The Council will abide by any Code of Conduct adopted by the City Council for use by its boards, councils, and committees, to the extent applicable.

Rule 2. Meetings General Rules

Rule 2.1: Public Meetings
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All meetings (except closed sessions as provided by California law) of the Council are open to the public.

Rule 2.2: Rules of Order

Pursuant to Bellflower Municipal Code (“BMC”) § 2.040.060, the City Council finds as follows:

A. City Council proceedings should be governed by common sense and good taste. Pursuant to applicable laws, including, without limitation, the BMC, any issue of procedure relating to the conduct of a meeting or hearing not otherwise provided for in these Rules may be determined by the Mayor, subject to a vote of the entire Council. In addition, the City Council may, upon majority vote, alter or modify any provision of this Policy when appropriate or desirable.

B. City Council proceedings are generally governed by Rosenberg’s Rules of Order on all matters pertaining to parliamentary law (attached as Exhibit “A,” and incorporated by reference). Notwithstanding Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, motions will be voted upon in the order in which they are made.

Moreover, nothing prevents the City Council expressly adopting a rule or procedure that may be inconsistent with Rosenberg’s Rule of Order. No City Council action can be invalidated, or the legality of otherwise affected, by the failure or omission to observe or follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order or any other City Council approved rule of procedure.

C. These Rules are adopted to expedite the City Council’s business transactions in an orderly fashion and are procedural only. Failure to strictly observe these rules will not affect the City Council’s jurisdiction or invalidate any Council action conforming with applicable law.

D. The Council will abide by Code of Conduct that may be adopted by the City Council for use by its boards, Councils, and committees.

Rule 2.3: Quorum

Three members of the Council constitute a quorum. Should less than a quorum be in attendance, the City Clerk may list the attendees in the minutes, and they will adjourn the meeting to a later set time. In the event no members of the Council are present the City Clerk may adjourn the meeting to a later set time pursuant to Government Code § 54955.

Rule 2.4: Vote

A majority of a quorum is required to transact business. If an absence results in a lack of a majority to approve a substantive matter, the matter will be automatically continued to the next regular City Council meeting. If the substantive matter is neither approved nor denied at the next regular meeting, the project is deemed denied unless the applicant requests an additional vote at the next regular meeting.

No appeal fee will be charged for an appeal required as a result of a tie vote or -8-

due to the lack of four affirmative votes to approve a matter which is not subsequently denied.

Rule 2.5: Minutes of Proceedings

The City Clerk will record an account of all public proceedings of the City Council into the Council’s official minutes pursuant to Government Code §§ 36814 and 40801. These minutes will be in the form of “Action Minutes” and become public record after Council approval.

A. The following information will be reflected in the minutes:

1. The date, hour, and place of meeting

2. Name of the meeting body

3. Whether it is a regular, adjourned, or special meeting

4. Names of the members in attendance; if a member arrives late or departs before adjournment, the minutes should reflect the time of arrival and/or departure at that point in the minutes

5. Description of items

6. A listing of speakers, a reference to the subject matter addressed, whether they spoke for or against the matter under discussion, and direction (if any) given

7. A statement of action (motion) and how the members votes

8. Other information expressly requested by the body during the applicable meeting

9. Adjournment time and whether the meeting was adjourned to another time

B. With respect to hearings, the minutes will include:

1. The fact that required notice was given and that the hearing was held at the time and place specified in the notice (if such information is not incorporated in the staff report, ordinance, or resolution)

2. Appropriate reference to any written evidence in the form of statements, affidavits, reports, photographs, maps, correspondence, or other objects filed at the hearing and included as part of the record

3. Names of the people who spoke and whether their testimony was for or against the hearing subject

4. Findings of the body (if the findings are not incorporated in the ordinance, resolution, or staff report adopted/approved as a result of the hearing)

5. A statement of action (motion) and how the members voted

6. Other information expressly requested by the body during the applicable meeting

7. The date, time, and place of the hearing if it is continued

Rule 2.6: Right of Floor

Council Members wishing to speak must first be recognized by the Mayor and, with the exception of Council Reports, limit any remarks to the agenda matter being considered.

Rule 2.7: City Manager

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The City Manager will attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused. In his/her absence, the City Manager will designate an Acting City Manager to attend.

The City Manager may make recommendations and has the right to take part in all City Council discussions of the Council, but cannot vote.

Rule 2.8: City Attorney

The City Attorney or designee will attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused. The City Attorney or designee, upon request, may give opinions, either written or oral, on questions of law and act as the City Council’s parliamentarian.

Rule 2.9: City Clerk

The City Clerk will attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused. In his/her absence, the Deputy City Clerk will attend. The City Clerk will record, prepare, and maintain the City Council’s official record and perform other related duties as prescribed by the City Council and/or City Manager.

Rule 3. Mayor – Duties

Rule 3.1: Presiding Officer

The Mayor, if present, will preside at all meetings. In the Mayor’s absence, the Mayor Pro Tem will preside. In the absence of both, the Council Member with the most years of service will serve as Temporary Presiding Officer.

Rule 3.2: Call to Order

The Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem will bring the meeting to order at the time noticed in accordance with applicable law. In the absence of both, the meeting will be called to order by the City Clerk.

Rule 3.3: Point of Order

The Mayor will determine all points of order, subject to the right of any Council Member to appeal to a vote of a majority of the quorum.

Rule 3.4: Motion to Be Stated

The Mayor will state all motions submitted for a vote and announce the result. A roll call vote must be taken upon the request of any Council Member.

Rule 4. Preparation of Agenda

Rule 4.1: Agenda Preparation

The Agenda will be prepared in accordance with the procedure directed by the City Manager. The Agenda should be delivered to the Mayor and Council Members by the last working day preceding the Council’s regular Monday meeting. In the event of a Special Meeting, Agendas should be delivered as promptly as is practicable.

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Rule 4.2: Order of the Agenda

Notwithstanding circumstances which warrant that the presiding officer use his/her discretion in chairing the meeting, the following order of business for regular meetings is established:

5:30 p.m. Closed Session
Call to Order
Recess to Closed Session
Reconvene for Open Session

7:00 p.m. Open Session
Call to Order
Roll Call
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance
Announcements/Presentations
Public Comments
Public Hearings
Ordinances and Resolutions for Consideration
Consideration Items
Consent Calendar
Council Reports
Adjournment

Rule 4.3: Minutes

Unless requested by a majority of the quorum, minutes may be approved without reading.

Rule 4.4: Consent Calendar

Items listed under the Consent Calendar are those items the City Manager believes will not require Council discussion and are routine in content. Also listed under the Consent Calendar are resolutions confirming action from a previous meeting which are brought back for approval of form rather than approval of action.

Items may be pulled for separate discussion or clarification at any Council Member’s request, or upon receipt of a request for public comment on the item.

Rule 4.5: Council Reports

Items of interest that are not on the Agenda, such as conference or meeting reports, may be discussed under this item. No action, other than to “receive or refer to staff” may be taken.

Rule 4.6: Actions Limited to Posted Agenda

The City Council cannot take action on any item not appearing on the posted Agenda except under the conditions permitted by Government Code § 54954.2 or other applicable law.

Rule 4.7: Future Agenda Items
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Each Agenda may include an Agenda item entitled “Council Reports.” During this section of the Agenda any Council Member may make a motion only to place an item on a future Agenda. The motion is non -debatable. Placement of an item on a future Agenda requires a majority vote. The City Manager has discretion as to when the item will be placed on the Agenda, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.

Rule 4.8: Document Preparation

Unless otherwise directed by the Council or City Manager, all documents must, before being placed on the Agenda, be approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney or designee.

Rule 5. Public Participation and Decorum Citizens’ Rights

Rule 5.1: Public Right to Address the Council Addressing the Council

A. Any person may address the Council under the following portions of the Agenda, subject to these Rules and applicable law:

(1) Under the Public Comment portion of the Agenda

(2) Public Hearings

(3) With the consent of a majority of the quorum of the Council

Rule 5.2: Scope of Comment

For regular meetings, members of the public may address the City Council on matters within the Council’s subject-matter jurisdiction during the public comment portion of the agenda. For special meetings, public comment is limited to matters listed on the agenda as permitted by Government Code § 54954.3(a). Written comments must be received by the City Clerk at least 24 hours before a scheduled meeting to be included with the agenda packet.

B. Persons seeking to address the City Council must comply with the following:

(1) Members of the public may address the City Council only on items within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the Council. A determination of whether an item is appropriate for discussion will be made by the Mayor with the City Council’s consent.

Rule 5.3: Speaker Procedures

(2) A. Persons addressing the City Council may sign in on the sign -in sheet provided, must provide any information reasonably requested by the City Clerk for the record, speak from the podium or approved remote platform, and state their name and address for the record unless not required by law.

(3) B. Each speaker may be limited to a time period determined by the Mayor for Public Comment and on all other items on the Agenda. In the absence of -12-

specific time determined by the Mayor, there is a maximum of three minutes for speaking. Exception – See Public Hearing Procedures under Section 7 and following.

(4) C. All remarks must be directed to the City Council as a body and not to any particular Council Member or City employee.

(5) D. No person, other than Council Members and the person having the floor are permitted to participate in the discussion except as otherwise requested by the Mayor.

(6) E. No question may be asked of Council Members or City employees except through the Mayor.

C. F. When any identifiable group of persons, as distinguished from the general public, seeks to address the City Council on the same agenda item, the Mayor has the discretion to ask that the group select a spokesperson to address the City Council. If additional issues are to be presented at the hearing by any other member of such group, the Mayor may limit the number of persons to address the City Council to avoid unnecessary repetition of information presented to the City Council.

Rule 5.2: Disrupting legal meetings

Any member of the public making disruptive remarks or who becomes disruptive while addressing the Council or attending the City Council meeting so as to disrupt, disturb or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the City Council meeting will be removed forthwith by the Presiding Officer and barred from further audience before the City Council at that meeting unless permission to continue is granted by a majority vote of the City Council.

Rule 5.4: Decorum and Disruption

All participants must conduct themselves in a manner that permits the orderly transaction of business. Disruptive conduct, including conduct that disturbs, disrupts, or impedes the meeting, is prohibited. A person who engages in disruptive conduct may be removed from the meeting and excluded for the remainder of that meeting unless the City Council permits continued participation by majority vote.

Rule 5.5: Recognition to Speak

Council Members wishing to speak must first be recognized by the presiding officer and, except during City Reports or as otherwise permitted, should limit remarks to the item under consideration.

Rule 5.6: Rules of Debate and Courtesy

Debate should address the pending matter and not personalities. The presiding officer may enforce decorum, maintain order, and ensure that speakers stay on topic, while preserving fair opportunity for Council and public participation.

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Rule 5.7: Interruptions for Privilege or Order

As a limited exception to the general rule against interrupting a speaker, a Council Member may raise a point of privilege, point of order, or appeal the ruling of the chair when necessary to protect the orderly conduct of the meeting. The presiding officer will rule on the point or process the appeal under Section 10.2.

Rule 5.8: Public Information During Proceedings

To support meaningful participation, the presiding officer should, when practicable, tell the public what the Council will be doing, keep the public informed while the Council is doing it, and announce what action the Council has taken after the vote or other disposition of the item.

Rule 6. Document Preparation

Unless otherwise directed by the Council or City Manager, all documents must, before being placed on the Agenda, be approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney or designee.

Rule 6. Remote Access and Technology Procedures

Rule 6.1: Recording and Virtual Meeting Notice

When meetings are conducted with remote public access, the meeting may be recorded, including public comment. Audience screen names or displayed telephone numbers may be visible as part of the recording. Unless a person is called to provide public comment, participant audio may be muted and video may be disabled. Closed sessions, if any, will not be recorded.

Rule 6.2: Methods of Remote Public Comment

When remote participation is offered, public comment may be submitted in writing before the meeting in the manner designated by the City Clerk, through the platform’s recognition feature during the meeting, or by telephone using the access procedures identified on the agenda or meeting notice. The City Clerk may also accept written communications during the meeting before the close of public comment to the extent feasible under the procedures stated on the agenda.

Rule 6.3: Remote Meeting Decorum

Anonymous attendance may be permitted for audience members, but anonymous participants need not be recognized for public comment. Participants using names that violate community standards, attempting to rename themselves contrary to host controls, or attempting to bypass host controls may be denied entry to, removed from, or blocked from the meeting platform.

Rule 6.4: Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service

effort to restore service. During the recess, the City Council may meet in closed session as permitted by law. The City Council will not reconvene open session until at least one hour has passed or service has been restored, whichever occurs first.

If service has not been restored when open session reconvenes, the City Council may continue only after adopting, by roll call vote, findings that good faith efforts were made to restore service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote access.

Rule 7. Motions, Debate, and Voting

Rule 7.1: Making Motions

Council action is ordinarily taken by motion. A Council Member must be recognized before making a motion. The presiding officer will state the motion before a vote and announce the result. A roll call vote must be taken upon request of any Council Member.

Rule 7.2: Seconding Motions

A motion may be debated after it is made. During debate, any Council Member may call for a second. If no second is forthcoming, the motion fails for lack of a second.

Rule 7.3: Debate on Motions

After a motion is made and seconded, Council Members may debate the motion subject to the direction of the presiding officer and these Rules. The Mayor retains the rights of a Councilmember and may move, second, and debate while serving as presiding officer.

A. Agenda Item Discussion Sequence
Unless a different sequence is required by law, the presiding officer may conduct each agenda item in the following order: announcement of the item; staff or presenter report and recommendation; Council clarifying questions; public comment or public hearing testimony as applicable; motion and second; Council debate; vote; and announcement of the result. The presiding officer may vary this sequence for good cause, for efficiency, or to comply with applicable law.

B. Chair’s Participation in Debate

To promote orderly and impartial meeting management, the presiding officer should ordinarily speak after other Council Members have had an opportunity to address the pending matter and should avoid making or seconding motions unless necessary to facilitate Council action. This provision is directory only and does not limit the full participatory rights of the Mayor or other presiding officer recognized elsewhere in these Rules.

C. Amendments and Substitute Motions

A pending main motion may be modified by a motion to amend. A substitute motion may be used to propose a different disposition of the matter. The -15-

presiding officer will determine whether a proposed motion is properly treated as an amendment or a substitute motion, subject to appeal under Section 10.2.

D. Priority of Motions

When multiple motions are pending, the Council should ordinarily consider the most recently made motion first, including a substitute motion before an amendment and an amendment before the main motion, unless applicable law or these Rules require otherwise. No more than three motions should be pending at the same time unless the presiding officer determines additional procedural flexibility is necessary and no Council Member objects.

E. Motions Not Ordinarily Debatable

The following motions are not ordinarily debatable and will be put to a vote promptly after a second, subject to applicable law and any controlling provision of these Rules: motion to adjourn; motion to recess; motion to fix the time to adjourn; motion to table; and motion to limit debate.

F. Supermajority Motions

A two-thirds vote is required for a motion to limit debate, a motion to object to consideration of an item, and a motion to suspend the rules, unless these Rules or applicable law prescribe a different standard. Nothing in this section alters any lower or higher vote threshold expressly established elsewhere in these Rules for substantive City action.

G. Withdrawal of Motion

Before voting begins, the maker of a motion may request to withdraw it. If the motion has not yet been seconded, the withdrawal is effective upon request. If the motion has been seconded or has become the subject of Council debate, the presiding officer may recognize the seconder or another Council Member to renew the motion or may allow withdrawal unless a Council Member objects.

H. Orders of the Day

A Council Member may call for the orders of the day to require return to the posted agenda or the pending agenda item. If the presiding officer determines that the meeting has deviated from the agenda or pending item, the presiding officer will direct the body back to the proper order of business, subject to appeal under Section 10.2.

Rule 7.4: Order of Voting and Result

Unless a different vote is required by law, a majority of a quorum is required to transact business. The presiding officer will announce whether the motion passed or failed. Tie votes are governed by Section 9.6 and other applicable provisions of these Rules.
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Rule 7.5: Votes Required for Certain Substantive Matters

Except where two Councilmembers are recused because of a legal conflict, three affirmative votes of the Council are required to approve General Plan amendments, amendments to the BMC, zone changes, variances, conditional use permits, prezoning for annexations, subdivision maps, and parcel maps. If approval of such a substantive matter fails because three affirmative votes are not obtained, the matter will automatically be continued to the next regular City Council meeting. If the matter is neither approved nor denied at that next regular meeting, it is deemed denied unless the applicant requests an additional vote at the next regular meeting. No appeal fee will be charged for an appeal required because of a tie vote or the lack of sufficient affirmative vote s where the matter is not subsequently denied.

Rule 8 7. Procedures Regarding Public Hearings

Rule 8 7.1: Introduction

Conflicts, if any, are declared and ex parte contacts, if any, are disclosed.

Rule 8 7.2: Staff and Written Material Presentation

A. Staff summary report and other written material included in the Agenda packet is received and filed. Written comments (e.g., protest) are noted for the record.

B. Written material not in the Agenda packet, if any, is received and filed.

C. Oral staff report, if any, is presented by staff member.

D. Staff responds to Council Members’ questions.

Rule 8 7.3: Public Testimony

A. Purpose is to provide opportunity to interested persons wishing to support or oppose the matter being considered.

B. Mayor instructs members of the audience:

(1) To fill out a form prepared by the City Clerk;

(2) To speak from the podium;

(3) To give their name and address before speaking;

(4) That the time limit for each speaker is generally five minutes; and

(5) That repetition should be avoided.

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C. The applicant/representative will normally speak first.

Applicant/representative presentation is limited to ten minutes, any portion of which can be used for rebuttal.

D. Questions by speakers will be noted and, if possible, answered before Council deliberation.

E. Following public testimony, the applicant/representative will have an opportunity for rebuttal, if time remains.

Rule 8 7.4: Council Deliberation

A. After the Mayor determines that no other member of the audience wishes to speak the City Council may deliberate.

B. The Council may ask questions of speakers for clarification.

C. Staff and/or Council answers prior speakers’ questions.

D. The Council makes a motion and debates.

Rule 8 7.5: Council Action

A. The Council may, at this time, continue the open Public Hearing.

(1) This should be done if any additional information is requested (e.g., a staff report).

(2) Continuing a Public Hearing to a specific date does not require additional notice.

B. The Council may vote on the item.

C. The Council may offer amendments or substitute motions allowing additional public comment.

D. The Council may close the Public Hearing and continue the mater to a later date for a decision (note that no additional reports or testimony may be received if the Public Hearing has been closed).

Rule 9 8. Miscellaneous Rules

Rule 9 8.1: Silence

During a collective vote (Ayes and Nays), silence of any Council Member denotes an affirmative vote unless a different voting method is used or the Council Member states an abstention or disqualification.

Rule 9 8.2: Continuance of an Item

A. Continuance by a Council Member.

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Upon a Council Member’s request and by majority vote, an item (not subject to a deadline) may be continued to the next agreed upon meeting.

B. Continuances Requested by Someone Not a Council Member.

Anyone may request a continuance of an item and the City Council, by majority vote, may grant a continuance.

Rule 9 8.3: Failure to Vote and Abstentions

Every Council Member should vote unless disqualified by reason of a Conflict of Interest. A Council Member abstaining due to a legal conflict of interest is not counted as part of the quorum and is not deemed to vote. A Council Member abstaining for reasons other than a legal conflict remains counted for purposes of quorum.

If a member abstains because of a legal conflict of interest, he/she is not counted as part of the quorum and is not deemed to be voting.

If a member abstains for reasons other than a legal conflict of interest, he/she will be counted in establishing a quorum. Such an abstention will be counted with the majority vote of the quorum unless there is no majority in which case it will not be counted as a vote.

Rule 9 8.4: Lost Motions

A lost motion is one that fails to receive the necessary number of votes to carry.

To revive a lost motion at the same meeting, the proper action is a motion to reconsider.

If a motion is lost on an Ordinance or action for the expenditure of money, or any motion when the legally required number of votes for passage is three; when two Members of the City Council are absent, the matter will be automatically continued to the next regular meeting. In the case of an Urgency Ordinance, the matter will be automatically continued when one Council Member is absent.

Rule 9 8.5: Motion to Reconsider

A motion to reconsider any action taken by the City Council may be made in accordance with the following:

A. The motion must be made by a Council Member, the majority vote, or, in the case of a lost motion, by any Council Member and may be seconded by any Council Member.

B. The motion must be made before the adjournment of the meeting at which the original action was taken.

C. The motion is debatable and has precedence over a pending motion.

D. Except as otherwise provided, if the action to be reconsidered is a Public Hearing item, it must be re-noticed in the event the motion to reconsider -19-

passes. Where it is clearly established that all interested members of the public are still present, the item may be reconsidered without further notice.

Rule 9 8.6: Tie Votes

If a tie vote occurs when a Member of the City Council is absent, the item will be automatically continued once to the next regular meeting of the City Council.

Except in the event of an appeal to the City Council, if a tie vote occurs as a result of the abstention of a Council Member, the motion is lost. If a tie vote on an appeal occurs as a result of the abstention of a Council Member, the appeal is deemed denied.

Rule 9 8.7: Changing the Vote

A Council Member may change a his/her vote only if the change is made immediately following the announcement of the vote by the Mayor and before the next agenda item is announced.

Rule 9 8.8: Abstention

A Council Member who publicly announces that the member he/she is abstaining from voting on a particular matter will not subsequently be allowed to withdraw the abstention.

Rule 9 8.9: Recusal – Non-Profit Organization Board of Directors Member

City Council Members must recuse themselves from contract and/or funding allocation decisions if they sit on boards of directors of non-profit organizations which are being considered for funding from the City.

Rule 9 8.10: Presentation of Evidence

A. Oral Evidence

Oral evidence may be taken under oath or affirmation if requested by the Council.

B. Exhibits and Documents

Documentary evidence, exhibits, written communications, and documents used and relied upon by the Council during Council meetings must be made part of the record.

C. Communications and Petitions

A reading in full must be made at the request of a majority of the City Council. All such communications and petitions may be placed into evidence at the Council’s discretion.

D. Staff Reports

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A written staff report should be prepared and orally reviewed as part of the staff presentation. Such report is evidence and part of the record.

E. Large Maps and Displays

Large size maps and displays presented for use at the hearing should be displayed in full view of the Council. When practicable, such maps or displays, or their authentic reductions, will be placed into the record.

F. Admissible Evidence

A Public Hearing need not be conducted according to legal rules of evidence. Any relevant evidence may be accepted if it is relevant and the type of evidence upon which reasonable persons rely upon in conducting serious affairs. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious evidence will be excluded.

Rule 9 8.11: Personal Privilege

The right of a Council Member to address the Council on a question of personal privilege is limited to cases where the integrity, character, or motives of the Council Member is in question or where the Council’s welfare is concerned. The Council Member may not interrupt the speaker, however, until recognized by the Mayor.

Rule 9 8.12: Protests

Any Council Member has the right to enter into public record reasons for dissent or protests against any motion carried by the majority.

Rule 10 9. Rules of Debate

Rule 10 9.1: Mayor as Presiding Officer

The Mayor may move, second, and debate from the Chair, retains all rights and privileges of a Council Member.

Rule 10 9.2: Appeals

Any ruling of the Mayor may be appealed at the request of any Council Member.

The Mayor must call for a roll call vote to determine if the ruling is upheld.

Rule 10 9.3: Motions

A motion may be debated by the City Council after it is made. During debate, any Member of the City Council may “Call for a second.” If a second is not forthcoming, the motion dies for lack of a second. If the motion is seconded, the debate may continue.

Rule 10 9.4: Precedence of Motions

When a motion is before the City Council, no other motion may be considered except:

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A. Motion to Amend - Debatable only as it relates to the amendment.

An amendment which modifies the motion is an order; however, a substitute motion is in order if the intent is changed. Amendments are voted on first, the main motion vote is last. A motion may be amended more than once with each amendment being voted on separately. There may only be one amending motion on the floor at any one time.

B. Motion to Postpone - A motion to postpone indefinitely is debatable.

If such a motion is adopted, the principal question is lost. Motion to postpone to a definite time is subject to debate and amendment as it relates to propriety of the postponement and time set.

C. Motion to Table - Undebatable and not subject to amendment.

The purpose of a motion to table is to temporarily bypass the item. If a motion to table is adopted, the item may be taken from the table at any time before the adjournment of the next regular meeting. If the item is not taken from the table in the time specified, the business of the item is lost.

D. Motion for Previous Question

A motion for previous question closes debate on the main motion and is non-debatable. If motion fails, debate is reopened; if motion passes, then vote must be taken on the main motion.

Rule 11 10. Adjournment

At 11:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m., if business has not concluded, no new business will be considered unless by a majority vote the City Council agrees to begin new business.

Items under consideration at 11:00 p.m. 10:30 p.m. may be concluded. Any remaining items will be postponed to the next City Council meeting.

Rule 12 11. Amendment/Suspension

The City Council may amend or suspend these rules at any time upon majority vote of the City Council, subject to applicable law. Failure to comply with these Rules does not affect any action taken by the City Council in accordance with applicable law .

Rule 13 12. Certificates and Proclamations

Rule 13 12.1: Presentation of Certificates and Proclamations

Presentation of Certificates of Achievement, Appreciation, Recognition, and so forth, will be publicly presented at regular meetings under “Announcements/Presentations.” Requests for such presentations must be made at least seven days before the requested date.

Rule 13 12.2: Presentations Concerning City-Sponsored Events

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The Mayor or Presiding Officer will conduct all presentations concerning events, groups, individuals, and organizations that are sponsored all, or in part, by the City of Bellflower and/or affiliated with the City of Bellflower.

Rule 13 12.3: Specific Events – Requests for Certificates

To ensure timely and appropriate completion of certificates and to avoid duplication of certificate preparation, all requests for certificates should be provided to the City Manager’s Office.”

Rule 14 13. Administrative Mandamus

Persons who are dissatisfied with a decision of the City Council may have the right to seek review of that decision by a court. In addition, the City has adopted §1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to ninety (90) days the time wit hin which the decision of City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.

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CITY OF BELLFLOWER

RESOLUTION NO. 26-20

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PROCEDURAL RULES FOR

CONDUCTING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS WITHIN THE CITY OF
BELLFLOWER, AND SUPERSEDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-13

THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Adoption of Rules. The City Council adopts the attached Rules of Procedure, which are incorporated by reference, for conducting meetings of all legislative bodies within the City of Bellflower. These Rules become effective upon adoption and remain effective unless amended, repealed, or superseded. These Rules are intended to comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act, Government Code §§ 54950 through 54963, and other applicable law. To the extent of any conflict, applicable law controls.

SECTION 2. Supersession. Unless specifically referenced, this Resolution supersedes all previous resolutions purporting to establish rules and procedures for City Council meetings, including virtual meeting protocols and related procedures, to the extent they conflict with or duplicate this Resolution, including the prior procedural resolutions identified in Resolution No. 25-13. Nothing in this Resolution is intended to, nor does it, supersede the City's most recently adopted Conflict of Interest Code.

SECTION 3. Severability. If any part of this Resolution or its application is held invalid, the remainder will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Electronic Signatures and Recordation. This Resolution may be executed with electronic signatures consistent with Government Code § 16.5. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is authorized to sign this Resolution, and the City Clerk, or duly authorized deputy, may attest to it.

SECTION 5. Recordation. The Mayor, or presiding officer, is authorized to sign this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of Bellflower and the City Clerk, or her duly appointed deputy, may attest thereto.

SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Resolution will become effective immediately upon adoption and will remain effective unless repealed or superseded.

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///
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City of Bellflower
Resolution No. 26-20

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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELLFLOWER THIS 8TH DAY OF JUNE 2026.

________________________________
Sonny R. Santa Ines, Mayor
ATTEST:

_________________________
Mayra Ochiqui, City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

__________________________
Karl H. Berger, City Attorney

ATTACHMENT:

Meeting Rules of Procedure

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MEETING RULES OF PROCEDURE

(Resolution No. 26-20, adopted June 8, 2026)

Rule 1. Authority and Purpose

Rule 1.1: Authority

Rule 1.2: Purpose

Rule 1.3: Governing Law

Rule 1.4: Procedural Nature of Rules

Rule 1.5: Code of Conduct

The Council will abide by any Code of Conduct adopted by the City Council for use by its boards, councils, and committees, to the extent applicable.

Rule 2. Meetings

Rule 2.1: Public Meetings

All meetings (except closed sessions as provided by California law) of the Council are open to the public.

Rule 2.2: Rules of Order

Pursuant to Bellflower Municipal Code (“BMC”) § 2.04.060, the City Council finds as follows:

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Meeting Rules of Procedure

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B. City Council proceedings are generally governed by Rosenberg’s Rules of Order on all matters pertaining to parliamentary law. Notwithstanding Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, motions will be voted upon in the order in which they are made. Moreover, nothing prevents the City Council expressly adopting a rule or procedure that may be inconsistent with Rosenberg’s Rule of Order. No City Council action can be invalidated, or the legality of otherwise affected, by the failure or omission to observe or follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order or any other City Council approved rule of procedure.

D. The Council will abide by Code of Conduct that may be adopted by the City Council for use by its boards, Councils, and committees.

Rule 2.3: Quorum

Rule 2.4: Vote

No appeal fee will be charged for an appeal required as a result of a tie vote or due to the lack of four affirmative votes to approve a matter which is not subsequently denied.

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Rule 2.5: Minutes of Proceedings

A. The following information will be reflected in the minutes:

1. The date, hour, and place of meeting

2. Name of the meeting body

3. Whether it is a regular, adjourned, or special meeting

4. Names of the members in attendance; if a member arrives late or departs before adjournment, the minutes should reflect the time of arrival and/or departure at that point in the minutes

5. Description of items

6. A listing of speakers, a reference to the subject matter addressed, whether they spoke for or against the matter under discussion, and direction (if any) given

7. A statement of action (motion) and how the members votes

8. Other information expressly requested by the body during the applicable meeting

9. Adjournment time and whether the meeting was adjourned to another time

B. With respect to hearings, the minutes will include:

3. Names of the people who spoke and whether their testimony was for or against the hearing subject

4. Findings of the body (if the findings are not incorporated in the ordinance, resolution, or staff report adopted/approved as a result of the hearing)

5. A statement of action (motion) and how the members voted

6. Other information expressly requested by the body during the applicable meeting

7. The date, time, and place of the hearing if it is continued

Rule 2.6: Right of Floor

Council Members wishing to speak must first be recognized by the Mayor and, with the exception of Council Reports, limit any remarks to the agenda matter being considered.

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Rule 2.7: City Manager

The City Manager will attend all meetings of the City Council unless excused. In his/her absence, the City Manager will designate an Acting City Manager to attend.

The City Manager may make recommendations and has the right to take part in all City Council discussions of the Council, but cannot vote.

Rule 2.8: City Attorney

Rule 2.9: City Clerk

Rule 3. Mayor – Duties

Rule 3.1: Presiding Officer

Rule 3.2: Call to Order

The Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem will bring the meeting to order at the time noticed in accordance with applicable law. In the absence of both, the meeting will be called to order by the City Clerk.

Rule 3.3: Point of Order

The Mayor will determine all points of order, subject to the right of any Council Member to appeal to a vote of a majority of the quorum.

Rule 3.4: Motion to Be Stated

The Mayor will state all motions submitted for a vote and announce the result. A roll call vote must be taken upon the request of any Council Member.

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Rule 4. Preparation of Agenda

Rule 4.1: Agenda Preparation

Rule 4.2: Order of the Agenda

Notwithstanding circumstances which warrant that the presiding officer use his/her discretion in chairing the meeting, the following order of business for regular meetings is established:

5:30 p.m. Closed Session
Call to Order
Recess to Closed Session
Reconvene for Open Session

Rule 4.3: Minutes

Unless requested by a majority of the quorum, minutes may be approved without reading.

Rule 4.4: Consent Calendar

Items may be pulled for separate discussion or clarification at any Council Member’s request, or upon receipt of a request for public comment on the item. -30-

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Rule 4.5: Council Reports

Items of interest that are not on the Agenda, such as conference or meeting reports, may be discussed under this item. No action, other than to “receive or refer to staff” may be taken.

Rule 4.6: Actions Limited to Posted Agenda

The City Council cannot take action on any item not appearing on the posted Agenda except under the conditions permitted by Government Code § 54954.2 or other applicable law.

Rule 4.7: Future Agenda Items

Rule 4.8: Document Preparation

Unless otherwise directed by the Council or City Manager, all documents must, before being placed on the Agenda, be approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney or designee.

Rule 5. Public Participation and Decorum

Rule 5.1: Public Right to Address the Council

Any person may address the Council under the following portions of the Agenda, subject to these Rules and applicable law:

(1) Under the Public Comment portion of the Agenda

(2) Public Hearings

(3) With the consent of a majority of the quorum of the Council

Rule 5.2: Scope of Comment

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Rule 5.3: Speaker Procedures

A. Persons addressing the City Council may sign in on the sign -in sheet provided, must provide any information reasonably requested by the City Clerk for the record, speak from the podium or approved remote platform, and state their name and address for the record unless not required by law.

B. Each speaker may be limited to a time period determined by the Mayor for Public Comment and on all other items on the Agenda. In the absence of specific time determined by the Mayor, there is a maximum of three minutes for speaking. Exception – See Public Hearing Procedures under Section 7 and following.

C. All remarks must be directed to the City Council as a body and not to any particular Council Member or City employee.

D. No person, other than Council Members and the person having the floor are permitted to participate in the discussion except as otherwise requested by the Mayor.

E. No question may be asked of Council Members or City employees except through the Mayor.

F. When any identifiable group of persons, as distinguished from the general public, seeks to address the City Council on the same agenda item, the Mayor has the discretion to ask that the group select a spokesperson to address the City Council. If additional issues are to be presented at the hearing by any other member of such group, the Mayor may limit the number of persons to address the City Council to avoid unnecessary repetition of information presented to the City Council.

Rule 5.4: Decorum and Disruption

Rule 5.5: Recognition to Speak

Council Members wishing to speak must first be recognized by the presiding officer and, except during City Reports or as otherwise permitted, should limit remarks to the item under consideration.

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Rule 5.6: Rules of Debate and Courtesy

Rule 5.7: Interruptions for Privilege or Order

Rule 5.8: Public Information During Proceedings

Rule 6. Remote Access and Technology Procedures

Rule 6.1: Recording and Virtual Meeting Notice

Rule 6.2: Methods of Remote Public Comment

Rule 6.3: Remote Meeting Decorum

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Rule 6.4: Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service

If telephonic or internet service is disrupted so that the public cannot observe or attend through the authorized two-way telephonic or audiovisual platform, the City Council will recess open session for at least one hour and make a good faith effort to restore service. During the recess, the City Council may meet in closed session as permitted by law. The City Council will not reconvene open session until at least one hour has passed or service has been restored, whichever occurs first.

Rule 7. Motions, Debate, and Voting

Rule 7.1: Making Motions

Rule 7.2: Seconding Motions

A motion may be debated after it is made. During debate, any Council Member may call for a second. If no second is forthcoming, the motion fails for lack of a second.

Rule 7.3: Debate on Motions

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B. Chair’s Participation in Debate

C. Amendments and Substitute Motions

A pending main motion may be modified by a motion to amend. A substitute motion may be used to propose a different disposition of the matter. The presiding officer will determine whether a proposed motion is properly treated as an amendment or a substitute motion, subject to appeal under Section 10.2.

D. Priority of Motions

E. Motions Not Ordinarily Debatable

F. Supermajority Motions

G. Withdrawal of Motion

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H. Orders of the Day

Rule 7.4: Order of Voting and Result

Rule 7.5: Votes Required for Certain Substantive Matters

Rule 8. Procedures Regarding Public Hearings

Rule 8.1: Introduction

Conflicts, if any, are declared and ex parte contacts, if any, are disclosed.

Rule 8.2: Staff and Written Material Presentation

A. Staff summary report and other written material included in the Agenda packet is received and filed. Written comments (e.g., protest) are noted for the record.

B. Written material not in the Agenda packet, if any, is received and filed.

C. Oral staff report, if any, is presented by staff member.

D. Staff responds to Council Members’ questions.

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Rule 8.3: Public Testimony

A. Purpose is to provide opportunity to interested persons wishing to support or oppose the matter being considered.

B. Mayor instructs members of the audience:

(1) To fill out a form prepared by the City Clerk;

(2) To speak from the podium;

(3) To give their name and address before speaking;

(4) That the time limit for each speaker is generally five minutes; and

(5) That repetition should be avoided.

C. The applicant/representative will normally speak first.

Applicant/representative presentation is limited to ten minutes, any portion of which can be used for rebuttal.

D. Questions by speakers will be noted and, if possible, answered before Council deliberation.

E. Following public testimony, the applicant/representative will have an opportunity for rebuttal, if time remains.

Rule 8.4: Council Deliberation

A. After the Mayor determines that no other member of the audience wishes to speak the City Council may deliberate.

B. The Council may ask questions of speakers for clarification.

C. Staff and/or Council answers prior speakers’ questions.

D. The Council makes a motion and debates.

Rule 8.5: Council Action

A. The Council may, at this time, continue the open Public Hearing.

(1) This should be done if any additional information is requested (e.g., a staff report).

(2) Continuing a Public Hearing to a specific date does not require additional notice.

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B. The Council may vote on the item.

C. The Council may offer amendments or substitute motions allowing additional public comment.

D. The Council may close the Public Hearing and continue the mater to a later date for a decision (note that no additional reports or testimony may be received if the Public Hearing has been closed).

Rule 9. Miscellaneous Rules

Rule 9.1: Silence

Rule 9.2: Continuance of an Item

A. Continuance by a Council Member.

Upon a Council Member’s request and by majority vote, an item (not subject to a deadline) may be continued to the next agreed upon meeting.

B. Continuances Requested by Someone Not a Council Member.

Anyone may request a continuance of an item and the City Council, by majority vote, may grant a continuance.

Rule 9.3: Failure to Vote and Abstentions

Every Council Member should vote unless disqualified by reason of a Conflict of Interest. A Council Member abstaining due to a legal conflict of interest is not counted as part of the quorum and is not deemed to vot e. A Council Member abstaining for reasons other than a legal conflict remains counted for purposes of quorum.

Rule 9.4: Lost Motions

A lost motion is one that fails to receive the necessary number of votes to carry.

To revive a lost motion at the same meeting, the proper action is a motion to reconsider.

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Rule 9.5: Motion to Reconsider

A motion to reconsider any action taken by the City Council may be made in accordance with the following:

A. The motion must be made by a Council Member, the majority vote, or, in the case of a lost motion, by any Council Member and may be seconded by any Council Member.

B. The motion must be made before the adjournment of the meeting at which the original action was taken.

C. The motion is debatable and has precedence over a pending motion.

D. Except as otherwise provided, if the action to be reconsidered is a Public Hearing item, it must be re-noticed in the event the motion to reconsider passes. Where it is clearly established that all interested members of the public are still present, the item may be reconsidered without further notice.

Rule 9.6: Tie Votes

If a tie vote occurs when a Member of the City Council is absent, the item will be automatically continued once to the next regular meeting of the City Council.

Rule 9.7: Changing the Vote

A Council Member may change a vote only if the change is made immediately following the announcement of the vote by the Mayor and before the next agenda item is announced.

Rule 9.8: Abstention

A Council Member who publicly announces that the member is abstaining from voting on a particular matter will not subsequently be allowed to withdraw the abstention.

Rule 9.9: Recusal – Non-Profit Organization Board of Directors Member

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Rule 9.10: Presentation of Evidence

A. Oral Evidence

Oral evidence may be taken under oath or affirmation if requested by the Council.

B. Exhibits and Documents

Documentary evidence, exhibits, written communications, and documents used and relied upon by the Council during Council meetings must be made part of the record.

C. Communications and Petitions

A reading in full must be made at the request of a majority of the City Council. All such communications and petitions may be placed into evidence at the Council’s discretion.

D. Staff Reports

A written staff report should be prepared and orally reviewed as part of the staff presentation. Such report is evidence and part of the record.

E. Large Maps and Displays

F. Admissible Evidence

Rule 9.11: Personal Privilege

Rule 9.12: Protests

Any Council Member has the right to enter into public record reasons for dissent or protests against any motion carried by the majority. -40-

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Rule 10. Rules of Debate

Rule 10.1: Mayor as Presiding Officer

The Mayor may move, second, and debate from the Chair, retains all rights and privileges of a Council Member.

Rule 10.2: Appeals

Any ruling of the Mayor may be appealed at the request of any Council Member.

The Mayor must call for a roll call vote to determine if the ruling is upheld.

Rule 10.3: Motions

Rule 10.4: Precedence of Motions

When a motion is before the City Council, no other motion may be considered except:

A. Motion to Amend - Debatable only as it relates to the amendment.

B. Motion to Postpone - A motion to postpone indefinitely is debatable.

If such a motion is adopted, the principal question is lost. Motion to postpone to a definite time is subject to debate and amendment as it relates to propriety of the postponement and time set.

C. Motion to Table - Undebatable and not subject to amendment.

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D. Motion for Previous Question

A motion for previous question closes debate on the main motion and is non-debatable. If motion fails, debate is reopened; if motion passes, then vote must be taken on the main motion.

Rule 11. Adjournment

At 11:00 p.m., if business has not concluded, no new business will be considered unless by a majority vote the City Council agrees to begin new business. Items under consideration at 11:00 p.m. may be concluded. Any remaining items will be postponed to the next City Council meeting.

Rule 12. Amendment/Suspension

Rule 13. Certificates and Proclamations

Rule 12.1: Presentation of Certificates and Proclamations

Rule 12.2: Presentations Concerning City-Sponsored Events

Rule 12.3: Specific Events – Requests for Certificates

To ensure timely and appropriate completion of certificates and to avoid duplication of certificate preparation, all requests for certificates should be provided to the City Manager’s Office.

Rule 14. Administrative Mandamus

Persons who are dissatisfied with a decision of the City Council may have the right to seek review of that decision by a court. In addition, the City has adopted §1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to ninety (90) days the time within which the decision of City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.

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Bellflower City CouncilJune 8, 2026

Bellflower City Council
June 8, 2026