Item 10/2026
Final
City of Garden Grove
INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
To:
Lisa L. Kim From: Omar Sandoval
Dept:
City Manager Dept: City Attorney
Date: 1/13/2026
Subject: Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance adding Chapter 2.65 to the Municipal Code to enact standards for public hearing notices and other City communications, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARDEN GROVE ADDING CHAPTER 2.65 TO TITLE 2 OF THE GARDEN GROVE MUNICIPAL CODE
ENACTING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES AND OTHER CITY COMMUNICATIONS. (Action Item)
OBJECTIVE
For the City Council to introduce an ordinance enacting standards for public hearings and other City communications.
BACKGROUND
At the August 12, 2025 meeting, the City Council gave direction to agendize for consideration an ordinance promoting clarity in communication between the City and the community to support the City’s open government policy.
DISCUSSION
The attached Ordinance adopts a new Chapter 2.65 to Title 2 of the Garden Grove Municipal Code enacting standards for public hearing notices and other City communications with the public.
The ordinance adopts regulations requiring the use of simple language, using street addresses when available to describe physical locations in the City, defining acronyms before using them in text, using easily readable fonts and font sizes, numbering pages in print communications, and using a standard signature block for emails, letters and memoranda.
The ordinance further confirms the City’s compliance with the requirements of the California Public Records Act.
Item 10/2026
Finally, the ordinance prohibits communications that would feature an individual elected official or candidate for elective office within 120 days of any election and requires that no City communication be used to promote or oppose any elected official of candidate for elective office.
The ordinance exempts and does not apply to: internal communications between City officials and City employees; communications between elected or appointed officials and the public; ordinances, resolutions official documents adopted or approved by the City Council at a public meeting; City Council and Commissions agendas and staff reports, utility bills, forms or correspondence required or modeled pursuant to Federal or State law and regulations, requests for proposals or qualifications, invitation for bids, contracts, applications and legal forms.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact in the adoption of this ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
Introduce the ordinance and conduct the first reading adding Chapter 2.65 to the Municipal Code to enact standards for public hearing notices and other City communications
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Ordinance