Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Committee Assignment Process
Date: November 08, 2022
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council discuss the committee assignment process and provide verbal direction to staff.
Background
Each year, the City Council reviews assignments to committees, commissions and regional assignments that are directly appointed by the City Council. This is typically done concurrently with the City Council reorganization on off-election years in December. If new City Council members join the City Council on election years, appointments are typically made at the first meeting in January.
At the September 27, 2022 City Council meeting, Councilmember Sparks requested an item to discuss revising the current process for committee appointments to make it a two-step process.
The Brown Act limits discussion around appointments prior to the City Council meeting, such that no more than two council members can discuss a particular appointment in advance. The proposed two-step process would agendize the item for a non-action discussion and then make the appointments at the next available City Council meeting.
Analysis/Discussion
When discussing appointments, staff provide the attached Cotati City Council Appointments and Assignments sheets, in both summary and detail form, for review and as a guide for the discussion.
This worksheet lists active committees and approximate time commitments, including a calendar of the various meetings, as many of the required meetings occur during normal work hours.
Adding a second meeting to approve appointments may result in a minor delay in sending representatives to regional bodies in post-election years. In those years, appointments would presumably not be made until the end of January.
Financial Considerations
Adding a second item to make appointments will not have a significant fiscal impact.
Environmental Issues
The action of assigning representatives and liaisons to various committees and commissions does not constitute a project as defined by California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378; therefore, no further environmental review is required.
Attachments:
Committee Appointment Summary (DOCX)
Committee Appointment Detail (DOCX)