Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: UPDATE TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING RULES
Date: July 8, 2025
Written by: Damien O'Bid, City Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution updating the City Council Rules to consolidate and clarify the City Council meeting agenda Background
Over the past several months, City Council meetings have routinely been disrupted by a member of the public who insists on speaking during routine ceremonial items, announcements, and other non-action agenda items. Despite ample opportunities to speak, including the Chair allowing the commenter to speak out of order to diffuse the situation, the meeting disruptions have continued.
Disruptions generally consist of approaching the speaker's podium and yelling over the Chair, which significantly delays the proceedings, creates a hostile environment in City Council meetings and generally makes it difficult to accomplish the public‘s business. As a result, the City has modified the City Council rules twice this year, which have not reduced the continual meeting disruptions.
Most recently, on June 24, 2025, the City Council reviewed a draft revision of the City Council Rules and directed staff to return with a final version that eliminates the distinction between Action and Non-Action items, as well as various other changes, to the July 8, 2025 for final consideration and approval. Additionally, a revised version of the City Council meeting agenda was requested for review and approval.
Analysis/Discussion
As stated previously, the primary revision in this version of the City Council Rules is to remove the Action, Non-Action distinction to reduce meeting disruptions and delays. Additionally, the ceremonial Pledge of Allegiance and Land Acknowledgment were included as headings on the agenda and placed after the Regular Calendar.
If approved by the City Council, the updated agenda order and rules will go into effect at the next City Council meeting on August 12, 2025.
Financial Considerations
There are no financial considerations with modifications to the City Council meeting rules, in accordance with Cotati Municipal Code Section 2.04.040 and Government Code Section 36813.
Environmental Issues
Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed resolution is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.