1 City of Cupertino
City Council Procedures
Manual
Attachments:
Ex. A – Elected Officials’
Compensation Program
Ex. B – Council Technology Policy
Ex. C – Resolution No. 07-103
Ex. D – Municipal Code Chapter 2.17
Effective Date:
March 20, 2024
Responsible Departments:
City Manager’s Office
Related Policies & Notes:
See Exhibits A–D.
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose. The purpose of this Manual is to promote communication, understanding, fairness, and trust among the members of the City Council, City staff, and members of the public concerning their roles, responsibilities, and expectations for management of the business of the City of Cupertino.
1.2 Values. Courtesy and respect for individual points of view should be practiced at all times. All Councilmembers shall respect each otherʹs right to disagree. All Councilmembers shall act with decorum and courtesy.
1.3 Brown Act. All actions of the City Council and City commissions, committees, and subcommittees shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
2. Selection of the Mayor and Vice Mayor
2.1 Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor. The Mayor and Vice Mayor shall be selected annually at a special meeting on the second Thursday of December. The Mayor and Vice Mayor shall not serve consecutive terms; provided, however, this provision shall not prevent the Vice Mayor from succeeding to the office of Mayor.
2.2 Removal of Mayor and Vice Mayor. The Mayor or Vice Mayor may be removed from office, for cause, by a 4/5ths affirmative vote of the members. Removal for cause shall mean removal of a Councilmember because of such memberʹs (a) willful and continued failure
2 substantially to perform their duties, (b) conviction for, or guilty plea to, a felony, or a crime involving moral turpitude, (c) abuse of illegal drugs or other controlled substances or habitual intoxication, or (d) other illegal activities. The removal should proceed with a formal warning, which states with proven evidence of the memberʹs failure to perform their duties and proposed corrective measures. The Mayor or Vice Mayor must be advised of the proposed cause for removal at least 72 hours before any action is taken. If the Mayor is removed from office, the Vice Mayor shall become Mayor. If either officer is removed from office, the Vice Mayor
3. Councilmember Committees and Subcommittees
3.1 Appointment. The Mayor shall appoint Councilmembers to standing and ad hoc committees and subcommittees established by the City Council, subject to ratification by the Council at its next regular meeting. It will be the responsibility of the committees and subcommittees to inform and submit recommendations to the Council.
3.2 Instructions and Expectations. The Council shall make certain that all Council committees and subcommittees are properly instructed in their assigned scope of work and responsibilities. The committeeʹs or subcommitteeʹs jurisdiction shall be defined in writing and approved by a majority of the City Council. All Council committees and subcommittees having a continuing or indefinite jurisdiction shall be subject to the Brown Act.
3.3 Reporting. Council committee and subcommittee members are to keep the Council informed of the work and progress of their committee or subcommittee. These reports or minutes shall be made in writing whenever a recommendation is made to the Council. 4 Other City Commissions and Committees
4.1 Responsibility. The Council will make appointments to Cityʹs commissions and committees. Qualifications to serve on commissions and committees shall be set forth in the Municipal Code or by a resolution or motion of the Council that is not inconsistent with the Municipal Code. Appointment of Councilmembers to City committees shall be governed by the procedures in Section 3. 3 4.2 Attendance at Council Meetings. At least one commission member, preferably the Chair or Vice Chair, must attend City Council meetings when the commission has an item of interest on the Council agenda, so as to be available to answer Council questions. Staff shall provide the commission with advance notice for the commission to select a member to attend the City Council meeting.The Chair or another commission member appointed by the Chair shall attend City Council meetings whenever the commission makes a recommendation to Council regarding an item of business on the Council agenda. The commission liaison shall promptly notify the Chair after an item requiring a commissioner’s appearance is placed on a future City Council agenda.
4.3 Performance Expectations. The Council shall make certain that all commissions and committees are properly instructed on their responsibilities and performance expectations. This will include the issuance of a Council‐ approved Commission and Committee Handbook and a mandatory annual training session for all Commission and Committee members.
4.4 Appointment. Commission and Committee applicants will be interviewed by the Council before being voted on by the Council in a noticed public meeting. Applicants are considered by motion and appointed by a majority vote of Council. Two members of an immediate family or persons residing in the same household shall not be allowed to serve simultaneously on the same commission or committee. Immediate family members residing in the same household as a Councilmember are not eligible for appointment to any commission or committee. Former Councilmembers are not eligible for appointment to any commission or committee within four years of having served on the City Council.
4.5 Removal. The City Clerk shall remove commission members for failure to comply with attendance policies adopted in the Commissionerʹs Handbook. Council retains full discretion to review commission and committee member performance and may take disciplinary action as needed, including removal from the commission or committee.
4.6 Undue Influence on Commissioners. Councilmembers should not attempt to influence or publicly criticize commission recommendations or to influence or lobby individual commission members on any item 4 under their consideration. It is important for commissions to be able to make objective recommendations to the City Council on items before them. Councilmembers that attempt to influence commission positions on an item may prejudice or hinder their role in reviewing the commissionʹs recommendation as a member of the City Council.
Individual Councilmembers shall have the right to attend meetings of Cupertino commissions and other Cupertino governmental bodies but shall refrain from speaking or becoming involved in deliberations.
5. Administrative Matters
5.1 Attendance. City Councilmembers acknowledge that attendance at lawful meetings of the City Council is part of their official duty.
Councilmembers shall make a good faith effort to attend all such meetings. Council members shall notify the Mayor or the City Clerk if they will be absent from a meeting.
Council attendance will be noted in the agenda of the next regular meeting and thereafter for that calendar year, if five or more regular meetings are missed.
5.2 Correspondence. Proposed correspondence from the Mayor or other Councilmembers on City stationery should generally be reviewed by the Council in draft form prior to release. On occasion, there are urgent requests from the League of California Cities for correspondence concerning legislation directly affecting municipalities. If the Mayor and the City Manager agree that the Leagueʹs position corresponds with that of the Council, the Mayor may send a letter without first obtaining Council approval. City letterhead will be made available for routine correspondence (e.g., thank you notes). Official correspondence (including email) from Councilmembers should be respectful and professional.
5.3 Regional Bodies. The Mayor shall appoint Councilmembers to represent the City of Cupertino on regional bodies subject to ratification by the Council at its next regular meeting. The Mayor should endeavor to provide all Councilmembers a fair opportunity to represent the City. The positions taken by the appointed representatives should be in alignment with the positions that Council has taken on issues that directly impact the City of Cupertino. If an issue arises that is specific to Cupertino and Council has not taken a position, the issue should be discussed by Council prior to taking a 5 formal position at a regional board meeting to assure that it is in alignment with Councilʹs position. Council representatives to such various boards shall keep the Council informed of ongoing business through brief oral or written reports to the Council. Councilmembers shall make a good faith effort to attend all regional meetings that require a quorum of the appointed members to convene a meeting.
Attendance should not be less than 75% of all scheduled meetings. If a Councilmember is unable to attend, they should notify their alternate as far in advance of the meeting as possible so as to allow the alternate to attend.
5.4 Responses to Public. It will be the responsibility of the City Manager to ensure a response is provided to public correspondence for informational requests addressed to the Council. Staff shall respond to all requests for services as appropriate, and the City Manager shall keep Council informed of the City response.
5.5 Reimbursement. City Councilmembers may be reimbursed for expenses for travel to and lodging at conferences or meetings related to their role as a Councilmember as stated in the Elected Officialsʹ Compensation Program, as may be amended from time to time (Exhibit A). Any additional expenses that fall outside the scope of this policy may be reimbursed only if approved by the City Council, at a public meeting before the expenses are incurred. Any request for reimbursement of expenses shall be accompanied by an expense form and receipts to document the expenditure. These documents are public records subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.
Councilmembers shall be eligible to receive City‐issued hardware and software for the conduct of official business pursuant to the Council Technology Policy (Exhibit B).
5.6 Council Training. Any member of the City Council and City commissions or advisory committees formed by the City Council shall receive ethics and anti‐ harassment training required by state law.
New members must receive the training within their first year of service and shall comply with ongoing training requirements imposed by state law. Members shall attend training sessions that are offered locally in the immediate vicinity of Santa Clara County, by completing online a state‐approved public service ethics education program, or through a state‐approved training which may be provided at a conference attended by the member. The City Clerk 6 shall keep ethics training records for five years.
5.7 Mayorʹs Initiative Budget. The Mayor may use the Mayorʹs initiative budget established as part of the City Managerʹs discretionary fund for projects that the Mayor deems appropriate during the Mayorʹs term of office, subject to the requirements of Resolution No. 07‐103 (Exhibit C). The amount of the Mayorʹs initiative budget is determined by the City Council.
6. Relationship with City Staff
6.1 Incorporation of Municipal Code by Reference. Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 2.17 (Exhibit D) governs the City Councilʹs relationship with the City Manager and their staff under the Council‐ Manager form of government. To the extent that the provisions of Chapter 2.17 are not set below, they are incorporated by reference into this Manual.
6.2 Council/Manager Form of Government. Under the Council/Manager form of government, the City Council sets policy direction as the direct representatives of the community with the City Manager providing the professional expertise to manage the organization and carry out the Councilʹs direction. The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the Councilʹs policy direction through the day‐to‐day management of City functions, including the oversight of City operating departments.
Neither individual Councilmembers nor the Council as a whole shall interfere with the City Managerʹs performance of the administrative duties conferred upon them in Cupertino Municipal Code section
2.28.040.
6.3 Council‐Manager Relations. The City Council and its members shall deal with the administrative services of the City only through the City Manager, except for the purpose of inquiry, and neither the City Council nor any Councilmember shall give orders to any subordinates of the City Manager. The City Manager shall take instructions from the City Council only when given at a duly held meeting of the City Council, and no individual Councilmember shall give any instructions to the City Manager.
6.4 Individual Councilmember Influence on Staff Decisions Prohibited. Individual Councilmembers shall not attempt to influence staff decisions, recommendations, workloads, and 7 schedules, and department priorities without prior knowledge and approval of the City Council. If a Councilmember wishes to influence the actions, decisions, recommendations, workloads, work schedules and priorities of staff, that member must prevail upon the City Council to do so as a matter of Council policy.
6.5 Decorum. All Councilmembers and City staff shall treat each other with dignity, courtesy, and respect. In exercising the City Councilʹs policymaking authority, Councilmembers must often critique, modify, or reject a staff recommendation. While thorough vetting and criticism of staff policy recommendations or decisions is a necessary component of Councilʹs policymaking role, criticism should focus on the policy recommendations and decisions and should avoid personal attacks. Councilmembers shall refrain from publicly criticizing the general abilities, character, or motivations of any staff member and should share any such concerns privately with the City Manager or City Attorney.
6.6 Councilmember Access to Information. City Councilmembers have free access to the flow of any information related to the operation of the City. The City Manager shall ensure that such information is communicated by staff in full and with candor to the Council. City staff will make every effort to respond in a timely and professional manner to all requests made by individual council members for information or assistance, provided that, in the judgment of the City Manager, the request is not of a magnitude either in terms of workload or policy, which would require that it more appropriately be assigned to staff through the collective direction of the City Council, based on the guidelines set forth in Cupertino Municipal Code section 2.17.043. The City Manager shall place requests that impose a significant workload on staff on the Council agenda for review by the full Council, along with a statement from that Councilmember as to why the information is needed. No Councilmember shall circumvent the City Managerʹs direction regarding a request for information by seeking information through a Public Records Act request.
6.7 Authority of City Council. Nothing in this Manual shall limit the City Councilʹs power to accept, reject, amend, or otherwise guide and direct staff actions, decisions, recommendations, workloads and schedules, department priorities, and the conduct of city business 8 through the office of the City Manager. This power cannot be delegated to individual Councilmembers, nor to committees composed of Councilmembers consisting of less than a quorum of the City Council.
7. Agendas and Staff Reports
7.1 Future Agenda Items. The City Manager, the City Attorney, the Mayor, or any two Councilmembers may request that an item be added to a future agenda for Council action. The City Manager shall provide a quarterly report to Council regarding the status of future agenda items, which may include a request to remove items from the list of future agenda items. Any item may be removed for the future agenda items list by a majority vote of the City Council.
7.2 Preparation of Agenda. The City Clerk shall prepare the agenda in consultation with the City Manager, the Mayor, and the City Attorney. Absent exigent circumstances, an item will be scheduled for Council action no sooner than 14 days after receipt of a request to add the item to the future agenda items list. Any item requiring preparation of a staff report requires City Manager approval or, in case of a report prepared by City Attorneyʹs Office staff, City Attorney approval, before being added to an agenda. The Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager and the City Clerk, shall determine the order of items on the agenda.
7.3 Agenda Item Descriptions. Each agenda item shall include a brief general description of the matter to be discussed (approximately 20 words in length), including any action that may be taken under the California Environmental Quality Act, and should generally include the recommendation of the City Manager.
7.4 Staff Reports. Staff reports should include the following sections:
1. Subject
2. Recommended Action
2. Reasons for Recommendation
3. Sustainability Impact
4. Fiscal Impact
5. California Environmental Quality Act
7.5 Agenda Publication. Agenda packets for a regular meeting should be 9 published and delivered to Councilmembers no later than the Wednesday prior to a Tuesday Council meeting. Councilmembers are encouraged to contact staff in advance for answers to questions regarding an agenda packet. Written communications addressed to Council shall be forwarded to Council and made available to members of the public, consistent with the requirements of the Brown Act.
7.6 Supplemental Materials. Supplemental reports and materials received by the City Clerk after the agenda is published but before 12:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the City Council meeting shall be published and delivered to Councilmembers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday.
Supplemental reports and materials received by the City Clerk after 12:00 p.m. on Monday but before 4:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting shall be published and delivered to Councilmembers prior to the Council meeting. Council questions and staff‐prepared responses will be included in supplemental materials provided to Council and the public.
8. Meeting Procedures
8.1 Meeting Schedule. The City Council conducts its regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, except when Council is in recess. At the second regular meeting in January, the City Council will approve the schedule of meetings for the calendar year, which in addition to the regular meeting schedule may include the cancellation of regular meetings and the addition of special meetings and study sessions. This practice does not, however, preclude the Mayor or a majority of the members of the City Council from calling additional meetings pursuant to the Brown Act.
8.2 Rules of Order. City Council meetings shall be governed by Rosenbergʹs Rules of Order except as otherwise provided by this Manual. Unless otherwise required by state law or City ordinance, decisions of the Council shall be made by a majority of members present and voting. The Mayor may impose additional reasonable procedural rules not inconsistent with Rosenbergʹs Rules of Order and the provisions of this Manual, unless objected to by a majority of Councilmembers present.
8.3 Order of Business. The order of agenda items for regular Council meetings is as follows:
10 1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. Closed Session Report
5. Ceremonial Items
6. Postponements and Orders of the Day
7. Oral Communications (public comment on non‐agenda matters)
8. Consent Calendar
9. Public Hearings
10. Action Calendar
11. Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
12. Council Reports and Comments
13.12. City Manager Report
14.13. Oral Communications (continued)
14. Informational Items
15. Councilmember Reports and Comments
15. 16. Council and Staff Comments and the Future Agenda Items
17. Adjournment
Oral communications shall be limited to 30 minutes. Additional speakers wishing to comment on non‐agenda items may be given time to speak at the end of the agenda, after the City Managerʹs report. In the absence of an objection made by a majority of Councilmembers present and voting, the Mayor may modify the order of business to facilitate the fair and efficient conduct of Council meetings.
8.4 Consent Calendar.
8.4.1 Adding Item to Consent Calendar. The Mayor, the City Manager, the City Attorney, or the City Clerk may recommend that items appearing on the agenda be placed on the consent calendar for action by the City Council. All items placed on the consent calendar shall appear together on the agenda with the recommendation as to the action to be taken by the City Council with respect to such item. Upon the motion of any member of the City Council, all items placed upon the consent calendar may be acted upon together, and each shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.
8.4.2 Removing Item from Consent Calendar. Items may be removed from the consent calendar only by a member of the 11 City Council. Any member of the City Council who would like to remove any item from the consent calendar shall notify the City Manager and the City Clerk prior to the meetingno later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting.; provided, however, each Councilmember may remove one item from the consent calendar without providing notice before the Council meeting begins. Although members of the City Council are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns about the agenda item with staff before the meeting, they are not required to do so. A request to remove a consent calendar item shall be made in writing and shall state the reason for removing the item from the consent calendar. Items may be removed from the consent calendar after 12:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting only by a majority vote of the Council. Items removed from the consent calendar shall be placed at the end of on the agenda for consideration after the action calendar.
8.5 Public Comment. An opportunity for public comment shall be provided for the consent calendar, each other agenda item under consideration, and, during regular meetings, on any matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. The Mayor may consolidate public comment for related agenda items, subject to overruling by a majority vote of the Council. Non‐ agenda matters (including Council and staff reports and informational items) may be addressed by the public during oral communications. Members of the public wishing to speak regarding an item shall submit a request to comment to the Clerk (ʺblue cardʺ) or, where applicable, raise their hand in Zoom within nine minutes of the time the Mayor opens public comment or prior to the close of public comment on the item, whichever is earlier. Each individual speaker will ordinarily have up to three minutes to address the Council. If a speaker representing five or more members of the public in attendance and wishing to comment on the item but electing not to speak, the speaker may have up to 10 minutes to address the Council. Consolidation of time among speakers is not otherwise allowed. If a large number of speakers wish to address Council on an item, the Mayor may reduce the time allotted to each speaker consistent with the Brown Act. Twice the speaking time will be provided to any member of the public who uses a translator.
8.6 Communications with Members of the Public. The City Council may ask questions of speakers providing public comment but should avoid 12 an extended discussion with members of the public during meetings.
Additionally, when a member of the public provides comments regarding a matter that is not on the agenda, Councilmembers may (1) refer the speaker to staff; (2) refer the speaker to appropriate reference material; (3) request that staff report back at a future meeting; or (4) request that staff place the item on a future agenda.
Councilmembers should not otherwise respond to or comment on an item of business that is not on the agenda. City staff should generally avoid responding to comments or questions from members of the public during Council meetings, although the City Manager or City Attorney may offer to arrange a time to discuss the subject matter of public comments with members of the public subsequent to the Council meeting.
8.7 Conduct of Meetings
8.7.1 Councilmembers. Members of the City Council value and recognize the importance of the trust invested in them by the public to accomplish the business of the City. Councilmembers shall accord courtesy to each other, to City employees, and to members of the public appearing before the City Council.
8.7.2 City Employees. City staff shall observe the same rules of decorum applicable to the City Council. City staff shall act at all times in a businesslike and professional manner towards Councilmembers and members of the public.
8.7.3 Members of the Public. Members of the public attending City Council meetings are encouraged to treat Councilmembers, City staff, and other members of the public with the same courtesy that Councilmembers and City staff must accord to them. Any members of the public who engages in conduct that disrupts a City Council meeting shall be removed from the meeting.
Nothing in this Manual or any rules of conduct that may be adopted by the City Council shall be construed to prohibit public criticism of the policies, procedures, programs, or services of the City, or of the acts or omissions of the City Council, City advisory bodies, or City staff.
13 8.8 Discussion and Deliberation
8.8.1 Ex Parte Contacts. Councilmembers shall disclose any ex parte communications prior to deliberation on a quasi‐judicial matter. A quasi‐ judicial matter is typically a hearing in which the City Council hears evidence and makes findings of fact to reach a conclusion based on the applicable law. An ex parte communication occurs when a Councilmember hearing a quasi‐judicial matter communicates directly or indirectly with any person or party in connection with a matter before the Council, without notice and the opportunity for all parties to participate.
8.8.2 Relevance. All discussion must be relevant to the issue before the City Council. A Councilmember is given the floor only for the purpose of discussing the pending matter; discussion which departs from the item agendized for discussion is out of order. Councilmembers should avoid repetition and shall not discuss matters that are not on the agenda. Arguments for or against a measure should be stated as concisely as possible.
8.8.3 Council Questions and Deliberations. Councilmembers may obtain the floor by seeking recognition from the Mayor.
Following presentations to Council on an agenda item, Councilmembers shall each be given five minutes to ask questions of any presenter. The Mayor may allow additional time for questions where appropriate. Following public comment, the Mayor may request that a motion be made and seconded. After the motion has been stated to the Council and seconded, any member of the Council has a right to discuss the motion after obtaining the floor. A member who has been recognized shall limit their time to five minutes, but may reserve any portion of their time for further questions or deliberations, as applicable, by advising the Mayor before yielding the floor. The Mayor may allow additional time for deliberations where appropriate. This rule shall displace any conflicting rule in the Cityʹs adopted rules of procedure.
8.8.4 Opportunity for Equal Participation. It is the policy of the Council to encourage the full, fair participation of all members of the Council in discussions and deliberations. The Mayor may impose reasonable limits on the time any Councilmember is 14 permitted to speak to advance this policy. In addition, all Councilmembers wishing to be recognized should be given an opportunity to speak before any member is allowed to speak a second time.
8.8.5 Civility. While it is appropriate to vigorously debate a motion, its nature, or its consequences, Councilmembers shall avoid attacks on the motives, character, or personality of other Councilmembers, City staff, and members of the public. The Mayor shall rule out of order any Councilmember who engages in such attacks.
8.8.6 Role of the Mayor. The Mayor has the responsibility for controlling and expediting the discussion of an agenda item. It is the duty of the Mayor to keep the subject clearly before the Councilmembers, to rule out irrelevant discussion, and to ensure civil discussion among Councilmembers.
8.9 Meeting Length. Meetings of the City Council shall adjourn by 11:00 p.m. unless the time of adjournment is extended by a vote of a majority of the City Council. Discussion of an agenda item shall not begin after 10:30 p.m. Any motion to extend the meeting beyond 11:00 p.m. shall include a list of specific agenda items to be discussed or approved and shall specify the order these items shall be considered.
If a meeting continues past 11:00 p.m., it shall end at 11:30 p.m. All meetings shall be adjourned at 11:30 p.m. unless by a vote of a majority of the City Council suspends this rule and Council votes affirmatively to extend the meeting past 11:30 p.m. Following the adjournment of the meeting, any remaining items on the agenda shall be continued to the next regular meeting of the City Council.
8.10 Public Hearing Procedures. The order of proceeding where there is a public hearing item (non‐appeal items) before the City Council shall be as follows:
1. Open Public Hearing
2. Staff Report (preferably 10 minutes)
3. Applicantʹs presentation (where applicable) (preferably:‐:::; 8 minutes)
4. Questions from the Council
5. Public comment
6. Applicantʹs response to public comment (where applicable) (preferably 2 minutes)
15 7. Close Public Hearing
8. City Council discussion and vote
Where the public hearing involves an appeal of a decision to the City Council, the order of proceeding shall be as follows:
1. Open Public Hearing
2. Staff Report (preferably 10 minutes)
3. Appellantʹs statement (preferably 8 minutes)
4. Applicantʹs statement (where applicable) (preferably 8 minutes)
5. Questions from the Council
6. Public comment
7. Applicantʹs response to public comment (where applicable) (preferably 2 minutes)
8. Appellantʹs response to public comment (preferably 2 minutes)
9. Close Public Hearing
10. City Council discussion and vote
8.11 City Council Recess Period. The City Council recess period shall begin the first Tuesday in August at 12:00 a.m. and end the Tuesday following Labor Day at 12:00 a.m. During any recess period, the City Manager is authorized to take such ministerial actions for matters of operational urgency, including such emergency actions as are necessary for the immediate preservation of the
public peace, health, or safety, as would normally be taken by the City Council during the period of recess, except for those duties specifically reserved to the Council by law. This authority extends throughout the period of recess established by the City Council and includes the authority to execute agreements and make expenditures necessary for the exigent operational matters. The City Manager shall make a full and complete report to the City Council at its first regularly scheduled meeting following the period of recess of actions taken by the City Manager pursuant to this section, at which time the City Council may make such findings as may be required to ratify the actions of the City Manager. Nothing in this Section prevents the City Council from calling a special meeting during the recess period.
9. Closed Sessions
A closed session may be held at any regular or special meeting for any purpose authorized by the Brown Act. The City Attorney will schedule 16 closed session meetings in consultation with the Mayor and the City Manager. Public comment shall be received in open session prior to a closed session. To ensure strict compliance with the Brown Act, the City Attorney or the City Attorneyʹs designee shall report out in public session any reportable action taken during closed session and any other information from closed session authorized to be disclosed based on a majority vote of the City Council.
10. Enforcement of Rules; Suspension of Rules
The City Council may enforce repeated or serious violations of the rules set forth in this Manual through a censure action placed on a Council agenda.
Nothing in this Manual shall be cited to invalidate a properly noticed and acted upon action of the City Council. Any rule set forth in this Manual may be suspended by three votes of the Council.
1 EXHIBIT A
City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 1
PROGRAM PURPOSEAND DEFINITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY
It is City of Cupertino policy that those certain persons holding positions hereinafter defined and designated as elected official positions shall be eligible for participation under the Elected Officials Compensation Program ashereby adopted by action of the City Council and assamemay be amended or asotherwise modified from time to time.
Eligibility for inclusion with this Compensation program is limited to personsholding positions as elected officials. These are designated by the voters and may be modified as circumstanceswarrant.
The position in the following classification has beendesignated aselectedofficial.
ELECTED OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATIONS:
Classification Title City
Council Member
Adopted by Action of the City Council,
July 2013
2 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 2
SALARY SCHEDULE
As rates of pay are set forth under the Cupertino Municipal Code 2.16.020, and hereby adopted by action of the City Council, so are thoseratesof pay included herein as a part of this Compensation program. The inclusion herein of said rates and schedules doesnot affect any effective datesor otherwise reflect on the approval processesrequired but is shown asan integral part of this Program for completenessof record.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013, October 2016
3 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 3
TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
I. POLICY
It is City of Cupertino policy that members of the City Council and the Council’s commissions and committees, shall be reimbursed or receive a direct advance according to the schedules, terms and conditions as set forth herein for the expensesauthorized below. This policy is established in accordance with California Government Code Sections53232.2 and 53232.3.
III. AUTHORIZED EXPENSES
The City Council and their commission and committee members can receive reimbursements or advances toward actual and necessary expenses incurred by participating in the following activities or events:
1. Communicating with representatives of regional, state and national government on City adopted policy positions;
2. Attending seminars, conferences, and training to improve skill and information levels;
3. Participating in regional, state and national organizations whose activities affect the City’s interests (such asthe League of California Cities);
4. Attending International Conferences, budget limited to $ 2,500 per fiscal year, provided there is a benefit to the City;
5. Attending City events;
1. Attending functions of other local civic or community organizations where there is a clear nexus between the event and the member’s attendance as an official representative of the City. Purely social events, service club dues and meals, and political or charitable contributions or events would be excluded. For purposes of this section, reimbursable fundraisers and events include, but are not limited to, Cupertino Union SchoolDistrict, Fremont Union High SchoolDistrict, Foothill De Anza Community College District, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Cupertino American Cancer Society ( ACS) Relay for Life and Cupertino Chamber of Commerceactivities.
4 The City will not reimburse or advance payment toward expensesincluding, but not limited to:
1. The personal portion of any trip;
2. Family expenses, including those of a partner when accompanying Council or commission member on City related business, as well as child or pet related expenses.
3. Entertainment expenses, including theatre, shows, movies, sporting events, golf, spa treatments, etc.
4. Meals and entertainment paid on behalf of third parties outside of the City;
5. Gifts of any kind for any purpose;
6. Alcoholic beverages;
7. Non mileage personal automobile expensesincluding repairs, insurance, gasoline, traffic citations; and
8. Personallossesincurred while on City business.
IV. BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS
Reimbursement or advancement of expensesshall not exceedbudgetary limitations.
Changesin appropriations will be done through the budget process.
V. REIMBURSEMENT AND ADVANCE SCHEDULE
A. Intent
This schedule is written with the intent that the City Councilmember, commissioner, or committee member will make every effort to find the lowest possible cost to the City for traveling on City business. For example, if paying for parking at the airport is less expensive than paying for a taxi or airport shuttle, then officials should drive their car and park at the airport; or if renting a car is lower than taking taxis at the out of town location, then a car should be rented. Air reservations should be booked in advance to obtain discounted fares. The following procedures apply whether the expenseis being paid through a reimbursement or a direct advance.
5 B. Local Area
The local area is defined to be within SantaClara and SanMateo Counties and within a 40 mile distance from Cupertino when traveling to Alameda County.
C. Registration
The City will pay the registration fee for authorized attendance at a convention, conference, seminar or meeting.
D. Transportation
The City will pay transportation costs on the basis of the lowest cost intent stated in paragraph A. Eligible transportation costs include airfare ( with coach fare being the maximum), van or taxi service to and from the attendee’s home and airport, destination or airport parking charges, taxi and shuttle services at the out of town location, trains, tolls, or rental cars. Useof a personal automobile for City businessshall be reimbursed or advanced at the rate per mile in effect for such use, except in no caseshall it exceedair coachfare if the vehicle is being used for getting to the destination. Government or group rates offered by a provider of transportation must be used when available.
E. Lodging
Hotel or lodging expensesof the City official resulting from the authorized event or activity defined in this policy will be reimbursed or advanced if the lodging and event occur outside the local area. Not covered will be lodging expensesrelated to person(s) who are accompanying the City member, but who themselves are not on City business.
In this instance, for example, the difference between single and multiple occupancy rates for a room will not bereimbursed.
Where the lodging is in connection with a conference or other organized educational activity, City paid lodging costsshall not exceedthe maximum group rate published by the conferenceor activity sponsor, providing that lodging at the group rate is available at the time of booking. If the group rate at the conference hotel is not available, then the non conference lodging policy described in the next paragraph should be followed to find another comparable hotel.
Where lodging is necessaryfor an activity that is not related to a conference or other organized educational activity, reimbursement or advancesshall be limited to the actual cost of the room at a group or government rate. In the event that a group or government 6 rate is not available, lodging ratesthat do not exceedthe median price for lodging for that area and time period listed on travel websites like www. hotels.com, www. expedia.com or an equivalent service shall be eligible for reimbursement or advancement.
F. Meals
1. No Conference
The actual cost of a meal can be claimed, within a standard of reasonableness, but receipts must be kept and submitted for the expenseincurred.
2. As Part of a Conference
When City officials are attending a conference or other organized educational activity, they shall be reimbursed or advanced for mealsnot provided by the activity, on an actual cost basis. The actual cost rate shall follow the rules described in the meals with no conferenceparagraph.
G. Other Expenses
Payments toward or reimbursement of other expensesrelated to authorized activities or events shall be limited to the actual costs consistent with the application of reasonable standards. Receiptsmust be kept and submitted for all expenses.
VI. DIRECT CASH ADVANCE POLICY
From time to time, it may be necessaryfor a City official to request a direct cash advance to cover anticipated expenseswhile traveling or doing businesson the City’s behalf. Such request for an advanceshould be submitted to the City Manager or Department Head no lessthan sevendays prior to the need for the advance with the following information: 1) Purpose of the expenditure; 2) The anticipated amount of the expenditure ( for example, hotel rates, meal costs, and transportation expenses); and 3) The datesof the expenditure.
An accounting of expensesand return of any unused advance must be reported to the City within 30 calendar days of the official’s return on the expensereport described in SectionVII.
7 VII. EXPENSEREPORTREQUIREMENTS
All expensereimbursement requests or final accounting of advances received must be approved by the City Manager or Department Head, on forms determined by the Finance Department, within 30calendar days of an expenseincurred, accompanied by a business purpose for all expenditures and a receipt for eachitem other than mileage. The report will be a public record subject to disclosure under the Public RecordsAct.
VIII. REPORTSTO CITY COUNCIL OR COMMISSIONS
At the next regular City Council or commission meeting, each councilmember or commissioner shall briefly report on publicly noticed meetings attended at City expense.
If multiple members attended the meeting, a joint report may bemade.
IX. POLICY VIOLATIONS
Violations of this policy including falsifying expensereports may result in any or all of the following: ( 1) lossof reimbursement privileges, (2) demand for restitution to the City, 3) civil penalties of up to $1,000per day and three times the value of the resourcesused, and 4) prosecution for misuse of public resources.
Revised 7/83, 7/85, 7/87, 7/88, 7/91, 7/92, 12/07, 7/10 8 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 4
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENTS
It is City of Cupertino policy that eligible persons under this Compensation Program shall be compensatedfairly for the use of personal automotive vehicles on City business. Thosepersonswho occasionally are required to usetheir personal automobiles for City businessshall bereimbursed for suchuseat the establishedIRSrates. Submission of reimbursement requestsmust be approved by the City Manager.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
9 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 5
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPSAND
PROFESSIONALPUBLICATIONS
It is City of Cupertino policy that eligible persons under this Compensation Program shall be entitled to City sponsored associationmemberships aswell asreceiving subscriptions to professional and technical publications. Such sponsorship, however, shall be conditioned upon the several factors asset forth below.
Eachassociation for which membership is claimed must be directly related to the field of endeavor of the person to be benefited. Each claim for City sponsored membership shall be submitted with their concurrenceto the City Manager for approval.
Subscriptions to or purchase of professional and technical publications may be provided at City expense when such have been authorized by the City Manager providing the subject matter and material generally contained therein are related to municipal governmental operations.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
10 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION
PROGRAM
Policy No. 7
HEALTH BENEFITSPLAN CITY
CONTRIBUTION
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide group hospital and medical insurance under which the elected official positions and their dependents may be covered. The purpose of this program is to promote and preserve the health of employees and their families through comprehensive health plans available only through employer sponsorship.
Although the premium cost for the insurance provided remains the ultimate responsibility of the employee in thesepositions, the City shall contribute the amounts listed below towards the premium or pay the full cost of the premium if lessthan the stated amounts. If the premium amounts for any employee covered by this policy are less than the amounts listed below per month, the difference between the premium amount and the stated amounts will be retained by the City.
Effective
January1, 2020
City Max Health
Contribution
City Max *Dental
Contribution
City TotalMax
Contribution
Employee 848.87 126.78 975.65
Employee +1 1,443.09 126.78 1,569.87
Employee +2 1,876.01 126.78 2,002.79
January1, 2021 City Max Health
Contribution
City Max *Dental
Contribution
City TotalMax
Contribution
Employee 891.32 126.78 1,018.10
Employee +1 1,515.24 126.78 1,642.02
Employee +2 1,969.81 126.78 2,096.59
January1, 2022 City Max Health
Contribution
City Max *Dental
Contribution
City TotalMax
Contribution
Employee 935.88 126.78 1,062.66
Employee +1 1,591.01 126.78 1,717.79
Employee +2 2,068.31 126.78 2,195.09
11 Dental Coverage: Effective the first month after Council adoption of MOU, dental coverageis capped at $2,500.00per dependent per annual plan year for the term of this contract.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013, October 2016, July 2019,
December2019, January, 2023
12 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 9
LIFE INSURANCE
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide life insurance benefits to the electedofficials to a maximum of $16,000.
The elected officials may enroll in the life insurance program offered if eligible under the contract provisions of the policy and the personnel rules of the City. The full cost of premiums for theseprograms shall be paid by the City for such individuals.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
13 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 10
DEFERREDCOMPENSATION
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide equitable current compensation and reasonableretirement security for the elected officials for servicesperformed for the City. The City participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and deferred compensation plans have beenestablished. Both the electedofficial and City may make contributions from current earnings to theseplans. The purpose of this policy is to promote meansby which compensation may be provided in such manner and form to best meet the requirements of the City and the needsof the electedofficials. .
The City shall maintain and administer means by which the elected officials in thesepositions may defer portions of their current earnings for future utilization. Usage of such plans shall be subject to such agreements, rules and procedures as are necessary to properly administer eachplan. Individual contributions to such plans may be made in such amounts as felt proper and necessaryto the elected official. The City contributions shall be asdetermined by the City Council.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
14 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 11
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEMCONTRIBUTION
A. Council Members occupying office on or before December29, 2012Only:
For Council Members occupying office on or before December29, 2012, the City has contracted with CalPERSfor a 2.7% @55retirement formula.
Effective in the first full pay period in July 2017, eachemployee shall pay the full 8.0% of applicable salary of the employee’s contribution towards CalPERS.
B. Council Members occupying office on December 30, 2012or December 31, 2012or a current CalPERS employee who qualifies as a classic member under CalPERS Regulations Only.
For Council Members hired on December30, 2012or December31, 2012or a current CalPERSemployee who qualifies asa classicmember under CalPERSRegulations only the City has contracted with CalPERSfor a 2.0% @60 retirement formula, three year averagecompensation
Effective January 1, 2017, the City shall not pay the employee’s contribution rate to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and eachemployee shall pay the full 7% of applicable salary of the employee’s contribution towards CalPERS.
C. For Council members occupying office on of after January 1, 2013, or former CalPERSemployees that do not qualify as Classic employees hired by the City of Cupertino on or after January 1, 2013
For Council Members occupying office on or after January 1, 2013CalPERShas by statute implemented a 2% @62formula, three year averageand employees in this category shall pay 50% of the normal cost rate asdetermined by CalPERS.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013, October 2016, July 2019
15 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 12
DENTAL INSURANCE CITY CONTRIBUTION
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide dental insurance under which the electedofficial positions and their dependents may be covered.
The premium costfor the insurance provided by the City shall not exceed $126.78* per month per individual. Enrollment in the plan or plans made available pursuant to this policy shall be in accordancewith Personnel Rules of the City and the provisions of the contract for such insurance between the City and carrier or carriers.
Dental Coverage: Effective the first month after Council adoption of agreement, dental coverageis capped at $2,500.00 per dependent per annual plan year for the term of this contract.
Adopted by Action of City Council
July, 2013, October 2016, July 2019
16 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 14
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide an Employee Assistance Program for the benefit of the electedofficials and their eligible dependents. The purpose of this program is to provide professional assistanceand counseling concerning financial, legal, pre retirement, and other matters of a personal nature.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
17 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 17
VISION INSURANCE – CITY CONTRIBUTION
It is the policy of the City of Cupertino to provide vision insurance under which employees and their dependents may be covered.
The premium cost for the insurance provided by the City shall not exceed $14.94 per month per employee. Enrollment in the plan or plans made available pursuant to this policy shall be in accordancewith the provisions of the contract between the City and carrier or carriers providing vision insurance coverage, Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2013
18 City of Cupertino
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Policy No. 18
TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Purpose
This policy establishesguidelines and standards regarding the provision of technology hardware and software for Councilmembers.
Scopeand Applicability
This policy applies to all City Councilmembers for the provision and maintenance of City issued technology hardware and software This technology is in addition to City technology equipment and software residing within the Mayor' s and Council' s office at City Hall.
Technology Provision
To facilitate communications with citizens, staff and other Councilmembers, each Councilmember may elect to be issued the following technology hardware at the beginning of eachterm.
1 Laptop
1 Docking Station
1 Monitor
1 Webcam
1 Keyboard & Mouse
1 Phone with Voice/Data Plan
Each Councilmember’s issued laptop will have the following additional software applications:
Office productivity platform, e.g., Microsoft O365
Cybersecurity Tools, e.g.., end point protection and multifactor authentication Video Conferencing, e.g., Zoom
19 Each Councilmember’s issued phone will have the following additional software applications
Office productivity platform
Cybersecurity Tools
Video Conferencing
Issued technology hardware and software will meet current City hardware and software standards to ensure proper security, maintenance, and support.
Councilmembers who wish to not use City issued equipment must provide written acknowledgement that the technology they will usehascurrent antivirus software and all software applications are up to date from a cyber security standpoint.
Councilmembers use the issued equipment for the performance of official City business. Data contained within the equipment is public property and considered a public record, therefore subjectto all Public RecordsAct and Brown Act policies.
Councilmembers, upon completion of their term, will return all issued equipment to the Innovation & Technology Department. City equipment and/or software is not available for purchase.
City Support
Innovation & Technology staff are solely responsible to provide technical support and maintenance for issued equipment and may be reachedat helpdesk@cupertino. org or 408) 777 3381. If required, Councilmembers shall bring their equipment to City Hall for repair and/or service.
Adopted by Action of the City Council
July, 2019, January, 2023
20 City of Cupertino
City Council
and
Planning Commission
Compensation
Effective January 1, 2017
21 CITY OF CUPERTINO CITY COUNCIL
AND PLANNING COMMISSION
EFFECTIVEJanuary 1, 2017
The salaries, wages or rates of pay for members of the City Council and Planning Commission are set forth below. Only the City Council can modify theserates.
Members of the City Council $ 737.54/month
Members of the Planning Commission* $ 50.00/meeting (maximum $ 200monthly) Effective first full pay period in July 2017
Members of the City Council $ 743.07/month
Members of the Planning Commission* $ 50.00/meeting (maximum $ 200monthly) Benefits asset forth in this document do not apply to members of the Planning Commission.
Council
Technology
Policy
Citywide Policy Manual
Policy #
Attachments:
N/ A
Effective Date:
December 12, 2022
Responsible Department:
Innovation & Technology
Related Policies & Notes:
This policy supersedes previous Council Technology Polices from 2005, 2012, and 2018 Purpose
This policy establishes guidelines and standards regarding the provision of technology hardware and software for Councilmembers.
Scope and Applicability
This policy applies to all City Councilmembers for the provision and maintenance of City issued technology hardware and software This technology is in addition to City technology equipment and software residing within the Mayor' s and Council' s office at City Hall.
Technology Provision
To facilitate communications with citizens, staff and other Councilmembers, each Councilmember may elect to be issued the following technology hardware at the beginning of each term.
1 Laptop
1 Docking Station
1 Monitor
1 Webcam
1 Keyboard & Mouse
1 Phone with Voice/ Data Plan
Each Councilmember’ s issued laptop will have the following additional software applications:
Office productivity platform, e. g., Microsoft O365
Cybersecurity Tools, e. g.., end point protection and multifactor authentication Video Conferencing, e. g., Zoom
EXHIBIT B
Each Councilmember’ s issued phone will have the following additional software applications
Office productivity platform
Cybersecurity Tools
Video Conferencing
Issued technology hardware and software will meet current City hardware and software standards to ensure proper security, maintenance, and support.
Councilmembers who wish to not use City issued equipment must provide written acknowledgement that the technology they will use has current antivirus software and all software applications are up to date from a cyber security standpoint.
Councilmembers use the issued equipment for the performance of official City business.
Data contained within the equipment is public property and considered a public record, therefore subject to all Public Records Act and Brown Act policies.
Councilmembers, upon completion of their term, will return all issued equipment to the Innovation & Technology Department. City equipment and/ or software is not available for purchase.
City Support
Innovation & Technology staff are solely responsible to provide technical support and maintenance for issued equipment and may be reached at helpdesk@cupertino. org or ( 408) 777- 3381. If required, Councilmembers shall bring their equipment to City Hall for repair and/ or service.
Submitted By: Approved By:
Printed Name: Bill Mitchell Printed Name: Pamela Wu Title: CTO Title: City Manager
Signature: Signature:
Date: December 11, 2022 Date:
Vote
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
ls/Kimberly Smith
City Clerk
Membersof theCity Council
Wang, Kwok, Lowenthal, Mahoney, Sandoval
None
None
None
APPROVED:
ls/Kris Wang
Mayor, City of Cupertino
EXHIBIT C
RESOLUTION NO. 07-103
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
PROVIDING FOR A DISCRETIONARY FUND TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CITY MANAGER TO PROVIDE A ll? UNDINGSOURCE FOR PROJECTS
THAT THE MAYOR MAY WISH TO PROPOSEFROM TIME TO TIME
DURING THE MAYOR' S TERM OF.OFFICE
WHEREAS, The City Council wishes to provide a small sourceof funds for projectsthatmay be proposedat the discretionof theMayor during the Mayor's termof office; and,
WHEREAS, TheCity Councilwishesto establisha Mayor's initiative budgetthat will be included as part of the City Manager's Office budgetin the City Manager's discretionaryaccount; and,
WHEREAS, TheCity Councilwishesto determine, aspartof thebudgetprocess, theamountof fundingfor thedurationof theMayoralterm;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Cupertinothat Mayor's initiative budgetis establishedin an amountto bedeterminedby the City Councilaspartof the City Manager's discretionaryfund to beusedfor projects thattheMayordeemsappropriateduringtheMayor's termof office; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the decisionto spendmoneyon a Mayor's projectwill be jointly determinedby the Mayor and the City Manager, exceptthat the City Managermay, at his or hersolediscretionescalatethespendingdecisionto theCity Councilif heor shedeterminesthatto benecessaryor appropriate; and, BE IT FURTHERRESOLVED that the City Council will be advisedby an item on the CouncilAgendaprior to thedateof the Mayor's Stateof the City Address, of any new projector initiative thatthe Mayor maywish to proposeduringtheStateof theCity Address.
PASSEDAND ADOPTEDat a regularmeetingof theCity Councilof theCity of Cupertinothis 5thdayof June2007, by thefollowing vote:
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5 4
4 6
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7 0( 1' 2
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7 0( 1' 2
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8 5 9 9 8
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