DATE:
December 12, 2022
TO:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
FROM:
April Richardson, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Amending The City Council Rules of Procedure To Discontinue The Role Of Council Member Liaisons To Emeryville Community Advisory Committees/Commissions And Amending Department Head Attendance Requirements At City Council Meetings Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the above-entitled Resolution amending the City Council Rules of Procedure.
Background
On April 18, 2017, the City Council approved Resolution No. 17-54 which reinstated the practice of assigning a non-voting Council Member to act as a liaison between the City Council and the City’s Community Advisory Committees (“Committees”), with the exceptions of the Planning Commission and the Housing Advisory and Appeals Board, due to their distinct structures and purposes, and the Housing Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee due to an initial lack of interest in having a Council Member liaison.
On October 2, 2018, the City Council expressed a desire to also appoint liaisons to the Housing Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee. On December 10, 2018, the City Council approved Resolution No. 18-167, which appointed Council Member liaisons to all Committees, except the Planning Commission and the Housing Advisory and Appeals Board.
At the June 21, 2022, City Council meeting, Mayor Bauters requested and received majority support for an item to discuss whether to discontinue the role of Council Member liaisons. The role of Council Member liaisons is established in the Rules of Procedure and a revision requires a resolution. The City Council discussed the item at the meeting on July 5, 2022, and directed staff to return with an Action item at a future meeting.
Discussion
Section 8.3 of the Rules of Procedure states that “City Council members may serve as non-voting liaisons to standing community advisory committees”. Liaisons are appointed each year to the various committees from among the Council Members.
Currently, there are Council Member liaisons appointed to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, Commission on Aging, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Housing Committee, Parks and Recreation Committee, and Public Art Committee. These appointments expire on December 31, 2022.
Staff is also recommending an additional amendment to the City Council Rules of Procedure. Section 2.17 Department Heads/Employees states, “The Community Development Director, Fire Chief, Police Chief and Public Works Director shall attend City Council meetings. Other Department Heads and City staff shall attend City Council meetings as directed by the City Manager.” The recommended amendment removes the attendance requirement for specific Department Heads, instead requiring attendance for Department Heads with items on the agenda or as directed by the City Manager.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact.
Staff Communication with the Public
Staff has not had any communication with the public regarding this matter.
PREPARED BY: April Richardson, City Clerk
Approved and Forwarded to the
City Council of the City of Emeryville:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
Attachments
Draft Resolution
Exhibit A – Draft City Council Rules of Procedure
Rules of Procedure Amendment - Council Member Liaisons
City Council Meeting | December 12, 2022
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM