Agenda Item No: K.7
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: December 3, 2024
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2024-277
Adopting Updates to the 2024 City Council Handbook
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Liz Aptekar, (707) 428-7389
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Adoption of the proposed Resolution will update the Council Handbook which serves as a reference and policy guide outlining department structure, City operations, and rules and procedures for council conduct.
DISCUSSION
In 2004 the City Council directed staff to prepare a handbook addressing council procedures and the responsibilities of councilmembers and mayors. Since the initial publication of the handbook, the document has been updated periodically, with the last update in December 2022.
Council formed a subcommittee to review and provide staff feedback on updates for the Council Handbook. Subcommittee members Councilmembers K. Patrice Williams and Doriss Panduro reviewed handbook updates and provided to staff. In addition to format and style updates, significant changes in the 2024 Council Handbook include:
Chapter Change Summary
Chapter 1 Updated City Manager’s Office information, department pages and organizational charts to reflect operational changes.
Chapter 2 Updated Council Priorities and Goals and referenced source of Transparency Portal. Added Landscape Oversight Committee and Poet Laureate information.
Chapter 3 Updated source references.
Chapter 4 Updated reference links.
Chapter 5 Updated to include information on guidelines for councilmember Town Halls and Channel 26 Administrative Policy.
Chapter 6 No substantive updates.
Chapter 7 Updated Proclamation Section with additional information. Added information on Keys to the City and Certificates of Recognition to match existing informal practice.
Chapter 8 Updated council salary information to reflect raises effective December 2022.
Chapter 9 No changes.
Chapter 10 No changes.
Chapter 11 Created New Chapter for Policies by consolidating policy items from other Chapters and Appendices. The information below is organized as follows:
Council Code of Conduct
City of Fairfield Code of Ethics
Flag Policy
Commemorative Naming
Special Events (Signature and City sponsorship)
Ad Hoc Projects
Council member Hosted Roundtables for Channel 26
Councilmember Hosted Town Halls
Use of Funds for Council Member Hosted Events (Election and Campaign Aspects)
Channel 26 Programming Policy
E-Mail Use Policy
Travel and Business Expense Policy
Appendices Reviewed all appendices, updated council resolutions with most current copies along with links to source documents.
A. City Owned Parks, Facilities and Golf Courses
B. Budget Process Overview
C. City Manager’s Employment Contract
D. Chapter 2, Article II of Fairfield Municipal Code, City Manager E. City Attorney’s Employment Contract
F. Community Resource Guide for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness G. Council Priorities and Goals
H. Chapter 6 of Fairfield Municipal Code, Disasters and Emergencies I. Cal Cities Summary of the Brown Act
J. International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Code of Ethics
Once adopted, the Council Handbook will be available to council members as a resource for what to expect as an elected official. The Council Handbook is updated during each council election cycle but can be amended as needed at council's discretion.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
N/A
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Council may provide additional direction on amendments to be included in the 2024 Council Handbook.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Liz Aptekar, ICMA Fellow to the City Manager
(707) 428-7389
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed City Council Handbook