Agenda #: 5.4
Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: REVISING THE NAME AND SCOPE OF THE COUNCIL HANDBOOK
REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE TO THE COUNCIL POLICY REVIEW
SUBCOMMITTEE.
STRATEGIC
GOAL: Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council revise the name and scope of the Council Handbook Review Subcommittee to the Council Policy Review Subcommittee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
Over the years, the City Council has adopted various Council Policies, many dating back to early cityhood. These policies also require periodic review and updating. In February of 2019, the City Council established a Council Handbook Review Subcommittee. The City Council Handbook was created by staff to primarily provide new City Council Members with information on the roles and responsibilities of a Council Member. It also references various Council policies, procedures and state law that govern meetings, and provides an overview of City departments and operations.
The Handbook was last updated in 2022.
The proposed revisions would rename the Subcommittee from the Council Handbook Review Subcommittee to the Council Policy Review Subcommittee, and expand its scope to include as-needed review of all Council Policies, not just those referenced in the City Council Handbook. This would provide a more coordinated approach to reviewing and potentially updating Council policies on an as-needed basis, and avoids the need to establish an individual ad-hoc committee with a single purpose. Any recommendations for revisions that may result from the work efforts of the Subcommittee would be presented for consideration and adoption at a meeting by the full City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Liu and Council Member Low are currently appointed to the Council Handbook Review Subcommittee. Should the City Council approve the changes, the current appointments could remain through the balance of their term. Following the Council reorganization in December, the new mayor will have the opportunity to make new committee assignments at that time.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY: