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Agenda Item No. 8 January 14, 2025 | 1
City of La Palma
Agenda Item No. 8
MEETING DATE: January 14, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Joseph Cisneros, Deputy City Manager
AGENDA TITLE: 2025 Legislative Platform
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the City of La Palma’s 2025 State and Federal Legislative Platform.
Summary:
Many cities have a legislative platform that is formally adopted by the governing body annually and is used to guide a city’s legislative advocacy efforts during the year.
The City of La Palma is a member of the League of California Cities (Cal Cities), which advocates on behalf of California cities at the state and federal level. The League frequently requests immediate action by member cities to send letters of support or opposition on pending legislation or regulation.
The timing of the League’s requests does not always coincide with the City Council’s meeting schedule, which may limit the City’s ability to influence legislation. Adopting a legislative platform and authorizing the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and the City Manager to submit advocacy letters on behalf of the City if the proposed legislation is within the City’s adopted legislative platform will enable the City to participate in the legislative process actively.
Pending legislation or regulations that do not clearly fall within the adopted legislative platform or are highly politicized will continue to be brought to the City Council for consideration and action on a caseby-case basis.
The draft 2025 City of La Palma legislative platform is divided into two sections: Guiding Principles and Policy Statements. Guiding Principles are broad statements and values that guide an organization regardless of changes in goals and strategies. The draft 2025 legislative platform has four Guiding Principles:
• Preserve Local Control
• Promote Fiscal Stability
• Promote Economic Development
• Support Funding Opportunities
Agenda Item No. 8 January 14, 2025 | 2
The second section of the draft legislative platform contains specific policy statements divided into the City’s various departments and covers topics ranging from elections, school district boundaries, revenue, housing, parks and recreation, water, utility undergrounding, and public safety.
There are no changes between 2024 and 2025 State and Federal Legislative Platforms. Additionally, the 2025 Legislative Platform aligns with the League of California Cities 2025 Advocacy Priorities, including:
1. Safeguard local revenues and bolster local economic development. Cities, as the economic engine of the state, face a critical challenge amidst a looming budget deficit. It is imperative to counter attempts by the state and corporations to diminish local revenue.
Supporting the augmentation of local revenue streams while opposing any endeavors to reduce or eliminate existing City funding is critical. Additionally, advocating for legislation fostering a state-local partnership to fortify economic development during these uncertain fiscal times.
2. Strengthen public infrastructure resiliency and disaster preparedness. Seek financial strategies, potentially including grants, to secure vital resources for enhancing community and infrastructure resilience in cities. Establish partnerships with state and federal agencies to bolster crucial infrastructure, including the modernization of the City’s water supply and energy grid
3. Improve public safety in California communities. Pursue strategies and resources to address crime and its underlying causes, and provide more support to those residents struggling with substance abuse. Partner with all levels of government and diverse organizations to improve community safety through prevention and early intervention programming, workforce recruitment and retention, and improved reentry services.
4. Support initiatives involving County, State, and Federal governments to reduce and prevent homelessness. Advocate for sustained state funding to reinforce local initiatives addressing individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Additionally, enhance state and local collaborations to improve access to comprehensive services, such as mental health and substance use treatment. Endorse continuous funding for cities to initiate affordable housing construction, while ensuring cities maintain local decision-making and flexibility to attain community housing standards.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2025 Legislative Platform - Red Line
2. 2025 Legislative Platform - Clean Copy
City of La Palma
20245 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Adopted by the City Council on January 146, 20254
The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Manager are authorized to submit advocacy letters on behalf of the City if the State or Federal legislation clearly follows the City’s adopted legislative platform.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL
Preserve and protect the City’s powers, duties, and prerogatives to enact legislation and policy direction concerning local affairs, and oppose legislation that preempts local authority.
Local agencies should preserve and enhance authority and accountability for revenues raised and services provided.
II. PROMOTE FISCAL STABILITY
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence.
Support measures that preserve the City’s revenue base and local control over local government budgeting, recognizing that economic cost is a determinate in considering the merits and/or impacts of any proposed legislation or regulation. Oppose measures that make cities more dependent on the County, State, or Federal Governments for financial stability, such as mandated costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
Oppose measures that shift local funds to the County, State, or Federal Governments, without offsetting benefits.
III. PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Support legislation and regulatory reforms that provide the City with the necessary tools and opportunity to continue to grow its economy and enhance economic development efforts.
Support measures that provide the City with the capability to attract and retain businesses, as well as encourage current businesses to expand and retain jobs locally.
IV. SUPPORT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support opportunities that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state, and federal funding. Support funding for programs including, but not limited to, economic development, transportation projects, utility undergrounding, public works, water infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety, and COVID-19 business and government recovery.
City of La Palma
20245 State and Federal Legislative Platform
POLICY STATEMENTS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1. Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to determine the appropriate type of election for their jurisdiction. A 2018 community survey found that 70% of residents indicated that they want to be able to vote for all five city council members.
2. Continue to support legislation that allows La Palma children to have a choice of attending schools within La Palma. Since the City is served by five school districts, the City has been actively advocating for La Palma children to be able to attend La Palma schools for some time. Due to the location of school district boundaries, some La Palma children are not eligible to attend a school located within the City limits and have to attend a school that is miles from their home.
3. Support legislation maintaining maximum local flexibility in all areas of the City’s responsibility and operations, and oppose legislation that imposes intrusive, unnecessary, or unfunded state-imposed mandates on the City or its residents or preempts local authority.
4. Oppose legislation that creates unnecessary regulations, and/or restricts the City’s capability to choose the most cost-efficient and effective form of providing essential services.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Finance
1. Oppose State or Federal efforts to “borrow” local revenues and encourage the State to find other methods of balancing its budget.
2. Support legislation that includes state, federal, and regional funding formulas that ensure equitable distribution of funds at the local level.
3. Support efforts that ensure the retention of existing local revenue sources.
4. Support the reimbursement of local governments and businesses for COVID-19 related expenses.
Human Resources
1. Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues.
2. Oppose legislation mandating new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
3. Support efforts to further reform pension benefits administered by California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) that would help protect the long-term solvency of local entities and CalPERS.
4. Support changes in state law or judicial precedent to allow employers to negotiate plan changes with classic CalPERS members.
City of La Palma
20245 State and Federal Legislative Platform
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development
1. Support efforts that are designed to provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic development.
2. Support legislation and regulatory streamlining initiatives that would enhance the City’s ability to attract and retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention.
Housing & Land Use
1. Oppose legislation that imposes regional, state, or federal growth, development, or land use planning standards within the City.
2. Oppose legislation that penalizes local governments for noncompliance with their housing element, or regional housing needs assessment requirements.
3. Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt, and implement plans for orderly growth, development, and conservation of local planning areas.
4. Support State and Federal legislation that would provide resources for the City to meet its housing needs as described in the Housing Element of the General Plan.
5. Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Regional Governance
1. Support proposals encouraging regional, sub-regional, or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies, especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed-upon goals.
2. Support measures to achieve fair and proportionate representation on countywide and regional boards.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Parks and Recreation
1. Support legislation and funding for youth-related prevention and intervention programs, including after school educational and recreational programs.
2. Support efforts to provide an expedited process for the fair distribution of State bond funds and other grant opportunities.
City of La Palma
20245 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Public Works
1. Support legislation that would increase funding for local transportation projects.
2. Support legislation that affords local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds and affords local jurisdictions greater flexibility over transportation-related issues.
3. Support legislation that would require public utilities to underground power lines and support funding for undergrounding of utilities.
Solid Waste
1. Support measures that maintain and enhance local authority and economic flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
Water Supply
1. Support legislation that encourages strong water efficiency standards and increased water conservation strategies.
2. Support legislation that would increase the availability of, and funding for, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage, and other water supply technologies.
3. Support measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region, including drought relief legislation.
PUBLIC SAFETY
1. Support measures that encourage community safety and well-being.
2. Support legislation and implementation of State programs and policies that promote pedestrian and bicycling safety.
3. Support legislation to provide a greater share of asset forfeiture funds and increased latitude for spending local funds.
4. Support legislative efforts to increase the amount of grant funding for local law enforcement operations, including school resource officers, body-worn camera system, and disaster preparedness initiatives.
5. Support legislation that discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and maintain state funding to conduct sobriety checkpoints.
6. Support initiatives involving County, State, and Federal governments to reduce and prevent homelessness.
City of La Palma
2025 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Adopted by the City Council on January 14, 2025
The Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and City Manager are authorized to submit advocacy letters on behalf of the City if the State or Federal legislation clearly follows the City’s adopted legislative platform.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
I. PRESERVE LOCAL CONTROL
Preserve and protect the City’s powers, duties, and prerogatives to enact legislation and policy direction concerning local affairs, and oppose legislation that preempts local authority.
Local agencies should preserve and enhance authority and accountability for revenues raised and services provided.
II. PROMOTE FISCAL STABILITY
Support measures that promote fiscal stability, predictability, and financial independence.
Support measures that preserve the City’s revenue base and local control over local government budgeting, recognizing that economic cost is a determinate in considering the merits and/or impacts of any proposed legislation or regulation. Oppose measures that make cities more dependent on the County, State, or Federal Governments for financial stability, such as mandated costs with no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits.
Oppose measures that shift local funds to the County, State, or Federal Governments, without offsetting benefits.
III. PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Support legislation and regulatory reforms that provide the City with the necessary tools and opportunity to continue to grow its economy and enhance economic development efforts.
Support measures that provide the City with the capability to attract and retain businesses, as well as encourage current businesses to expand and retain jobs locally.
IV. SUPPORT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Support opportunities that allow the City to compete for its fair share of regional, state, and federal funding. Support funding for programs including, but not limited to, economic development, transportation projects, utility undergrounding, public works, water infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety, and COVID-19 business and government recovery.
City of La Palma
2025 State and Federal Legislative Platform
POLICY STATEMENTS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
1. Support legislation that preserves the ability of local governments to determine the appropriate type of election for their jurisdiction. A 2018 community survey found that 70% of residents indicated that they want to be able to vote for all five city council members.
2. Continue to support legislation that allows La Palma children to have a choice of attending schools within La Palma. Since the City is served by five school districts, the City has been actively advocating for La Palma children to be able to attend La Palma schools for some time. Due to the location of school district boundaries, some La Palma children are not eligible to attend a school located within the City limits and have to attend a school that is miles from their home.
3. Support legislation maintaining maximum local flexibility in all areas of the City’s responsibility and operations, and oppose legislation that imposes intrusive, unnecessary, or unfunded state-imposed mandates on the City or its residents or preempts local authority.
4. Oppose legislation that creates unnecessary regulations, and/or restricts the City’s capability to choose the most cost-efficient and effective form of providing essential services.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Finance
1. Oppose State or Federal efforts to “borrow” local revenues and encourage the State to find other methods of balancing its budget.
2. Support legislation that includes state, federal, and regional funding formulas that ensure equitable distribution of funds at the local level.
3. Support efforts that ensure the retention of existing local revenue sources.
4. Support the reimbursement of local governments and businesses for COVID-19 related expenses.
Human Resources
1. Oppose measures that reduce local control over employee relations issues.
2. Oppose legislation mandating new or enhanced local government employee benefits.
3. Support efforts to further reform pension benefits administered by California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) that would help protect the long-term solvency of local entities and CalPERS.
4. Support changes in state law or judicial precedent to allow employers to negotiate plan changes with classic CalPERS members.
City of La Palma
2025 State and Federal Legislative Platform
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development
1. Support efforts that are designed to provide local governments with the tools necessary to bolster economic development.
2. Support legislation and regulatory streamlining initiatives that would enhance the City’s ability to attract and retain businesses as well as encourage business expansion and job retention.
Housing & Land Use
1. Oppose legislation that imposes regional, state, or federal growth, development, or land use planning standards within the City.
2. Oppose legislation that penalizes local governments for noncompliance with their housing element, or regional housing needs assessment requirements.
3. Support efforts to strengthen the legal and fiscal capability of local agencies to prepare, adopt, and implement plans for orderly growth, development, and conservation of local planning areas.
4. Support State and Federal legislation that would provide resources for the City to meet its housing needs as described in the Housing Element of the General Plan.
5. Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).
Regional Governance
1. Support proposals encouraging regional, sub-regional, or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies, especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed-upon goals.
2. Support measures to achieve fair and proportionate representation on countywide and regional boards.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Parks and Recreation
1. Support legislation and funding for youth-related prevention and intervention programs, including after school educational and recreational programs.
2. Support efforts to provide an expedited process for the fair distribution of State bond funds and other grant opportunities.
City of La Palma
2025 State and Federal Legislative Platform
Public Works
1. Support legislation that would increase funding for local transportation projects.
2. Support legislation that affords local agencies greater discretionary authority to expend available transportation funds and affords local jurisdictions greater flexibility over transportation-related issues.
3. Support legislation that would require public utilities to underground power lines and support funding for undergrounding of utilities.
Solid Waste
1. Support measures that maintain and enhance local authority and economic flexibility to regulate solid waste and recyclables.
Water Supply
1. Support legislation that encourages strong water efficiency standards and increased water conservation strategies.
2. Support legislation that would increase the availability of, and funding for, water reuse technologies, water recycling, local water storage, and other water supply technologies.
3. Support measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region, including drought relief legislation.
PUBLIC SAFETY
1. Support measures that encourage community safety and well-being.
2. Support legislation and implementation of State programs and policies that promote pedestrian and bicycling safety.
3. Support legislation to provide a greater share of asset forfeiture funds and increased latitude for spending local funds.
4. Support legislative efforts to increase the amount of grant funding for local law enforcement operations, including school resource officers, body-worn camera system, and disaster preparedness initiatives.
5. Support legislation that discourages drivers from operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and maintain state funding to conduct sobriety checkpoints.
6. Support initiatives involving County, State, and Federal governments to reduce and prevent homelessness.
Agenda Item No. 9 January 14, 2025 | 1
City of La Palma
Agenda Item No. 9
MEETING DATE: January 14, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Kimberly Kenney, City Clerk
AGENDA TITLE: Appointments to Citizen Committees
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Reappoint Irene Hesse and appoint Janelle Frese to the Community Activities and Beautification (CAB) Committee, both with a four-year term expiring December 31, 2028.
2. Reappoint Rodi Alemendralo, Sergio Alvarez, Henry Lee, and Greg Sambrano and appoint Dee Vincenti to the Development and Circulation Committee (DCC), all with four-year terms expiring December 31, 2028.
BACKGROUND:
The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem review applications for the Council Appointed Citizen Committees annually and as needed and makes appointments as appropriate. In compliance with the MADDY Act, Staff advertised for three open positions on CAB and for five open positions on the DCC, with the application period closing on December 19, 2024. Since the City only received one application, we extended the deadline to January 6, 2025 and received one additional application. Staff posted the committee vacancies on social media, the City’s website, in the local newspaper, and in the City’s display cases and at the library. Staff has also encouraged current members through email to reapply if they are interested.
City Staff received two applications; one for a seat on the CAB Committee and the other for a seat on the DCC. One existing CAB Member contacted the City Clerk and announced she'd like to serve another four-year term and four existing DCC Members announced they too would like continue serve for another four-year term.
SUMMARY:
The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem reviewed the two application received on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and has made their recommendation to Staff for appointments of two new Citizen Committee Members – Janelle Frese for the CAB Committee and Dee Vincenti for the DCC - and five existing
Agenda Item No. 9 January 14, 2025 | 2
Citizen Committee Members - Irene Hesse, Rodi Almendralo, Sergio Alvarez, Henry Lee, and Greg Sambrano - for another four-year term that will expire on December 31, 2028.
Each reappointed committee member along with the two new Committee Members will be required to attend training conducted by the City Attorney regarding AB1234 (Ethics), the Brown Act, and parliamentary procedures. This training is usually conducted biannually in April, and a date will be announced in the future based on the City Attorney’s availability.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Agenda Item No. 10 January 14, 2025 | 1
City of La Palma
Agenda Item No. 10
MEETING DATE: January 14, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Council Member Keo Conklin
AGENDA TITLE: Council Member Request - Revisit Live Video Streaming of La Palma Council Meetings
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that the City Council consider Council Member Keo Conklin's request and discuss the matter.
BACKGROUND:
At the December 10, 2024, City Council meeting, Council Member Keo Conklin requested an item be placed on the January 2025 Council agenda to revisit and discuss implementing live streaming La Palma City Council meetings. The matter was previously discussed at the February 7, 2023, City Council meeting and the Minutes from that meeting are attached to this Staff Report.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Based on the discussion and direction to staff, there may be future budgetary impacts.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Minutes from February 2023 City Council Meeting
2. Council Member Keo Conklin's Request
City Council Member Request
From:__________________________________________ Date: __________________ Agenda Item Requested? Yes No
Staff Research Requested? Yes No
Request
(Please describe the request and its purpose, context, or other information that may be helpful.):
________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
Desired Timeline for Completion:
Within one week Within two weeks Within one month Within two months Within three months Within six months Other/Specific date ___________________________________ Level of Priority (in relationship to established goals and priorities):
Request is related to or expands upon existing goals
Which one? _________________________________________
Request is new, not related to existing goals
Janet Keo Conklin 12/20/24
Next City Council Meeting January 14th, 2025
Please provide population of seniors who lives in La Palma.
Discussion regarding live video streaming for all meetings. City Council and CAB. .
Agenda Item No. 11 January 14, 2025 | 1
City of La Palma
Agenda Item No. 11
MEETING DATE: January 14, 2025
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Conal McNamara, City Manager
AGENDA TITLE: City Council Code of Conduct Policy Discussion RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving Policy 1: City Council Code of Conduct.
BACKGROUND:
At the February 12, 2024, goal setting meeting, the City Council directed staff to do the following under Goal 1: “Review and update the City Council Code of Conduct to reflect best practices, promote accountability, and support effective governance, particularly in anticipation of transitioning to districtbased representation.” At the November 5, 2024, Council Meeting, the City Manager was directed to work with Councilmember Baker on proposed amendments to the current Council Norms policy.
DISCUSSION:
At the November 5, 2024, meeting, the City Council directed the City Manager to work with Councilmember Baker on amendments to the existing Council policy. Councilmember Baker's proposed amendments are included in an attachment to the staff report and are presented as a clean copy as well as in highlight/strikeout format so that the proposed changes can be clearly seen.
The proposed amendment renames the "Council Norms" Policy to "City Council Code of Conduct" and focuses on a number of areas including, but not limited to:
• Meeting Agendas
• Oral Communications
• City Council Comments and Reports
• Communication and Interaction
• Boards and Committees
• Reorganization
• Travel and Meetings
• Accountability
Staff is prepared to receive additional input from the City Council but has included a resolution of
Agenda Item No. 11 January 14, 2025 | 2
approval, should the Council wish to adopt the changes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Code of Conduct - Redline
3. Staff Report from November 5, 2024, Council Meeting
Resolution No. 2025-__
385663.1
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LA PALMA, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING AMENDED CITY
COUNCIL POLICY NO. 1
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Palma is empowered to make policies and regulations that govern the conduct and functions of members of the City Council;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of La Palma has previously adopted various City Council policies, including City Council Policy No. 1, which regulates conduct and other issues related to members of the City Council; WHEREAS, the City Council now desires to amend City Council Policy No. 1 to address agenda setting, use of City funds for travel, and other issues; WHEREAS, this amended policy supersedes any prior policy or amendment dealing with the same subject.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of La Palma hereby resolves as follows:
SECTION 1. City Council Policy No. 1 dated January 14, 2025, attached as Exhibit “A” to this Resolution, is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
SECTION 3. The City Council shall review City Council Policy No. 1 approximately every twenty-four months to coincide with the initial few months of a new City Council.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of La Palma at a regular meeting held on the 14th day of January 2025.
________________________________
Mark Waldman
Mayor
Resolution No. 2025-__
385663.1
ATTEST:
______________________________________
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk
Resolution No. 2025-__
385663.1
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF LA PALMA )
I, KIMBERLY KENNEY, City Clerk of the City of La Palma, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 14th day of January 2025, and that it was so adopted by called vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
________________________________
Kimberly Kenney, CMC
City Clerk
Resolution No. 2025-__
385663.1
EXHIBIT “A”
[See next page]
CITY OF LA PALMA
COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER: 1
DATE (Adopted/Amended): January 14, 2025
SUBJECT: City Council Code of Conduct
BACKGROUND
This policy consolidates and amends several prior policies relating to the conduct of City Council business including: Travel and Meetings, Seating Arrangement of Council Members After Reorganization, Use of City Stationary by Council Members, Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, Role of the Mayor, Council Norms, Speaker Cards, and Meals.
This policy guides the smooth operations of the City Council and City organization and promotes a positive, productive, effective organization which inspires public trust in the City, its services, and activities. It represents a shared set of expectations on a variety of logistical issues. The prior policies were originally adopted on December 15, 1987, and amended on January 17, 1989, August 7, 1990, December 19, 1995, May 3, 2005, August 16, 2005, and March 20, 2018, respectively. This policy was amended on January 14, 2025.
GENERAL
The City Council Code of Conduct is intended to guide Council Member behavior in order to promote positive, productive, and effective public meetings, public business, and organization.
The Code of Conduct is also intended to foster public trust in the City of La Palma and the services it provides.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Public meetings shall be for the purpose of conducting City business and/or educating the residents. They are not “show time” for individual Council Members. Council Members are expected to focus on the business at hand and on giving their full attention to the public.
MEETING AGENDAS
Meeting agendas are produced by the City Manager and staff for public meetings. The Consent Calendar shall be used for routine City business items and items already approved in the City Budget. The City Manager shall exercise judgment in determining whether an item is appropriate for the Consent Calendar. Council Members may request the City Manager to place items on a future agenda either before a meeting (to ensure compliance with legal notice requirements) or during the Council Member AB 1234 Reports and Council Member Remarks portion of a meeting.
In both instances, support from a second Council Member is required for an item to be placed on an agenda. Requests should provide as much time as possible in order to alert the full City Council to the request and to determine, if necessary, the estimated staff time required to research the item.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Code of Conduct
Items may also be “pulled” from an agenda for a public meeting. A Council Member may pull any Consent Calendar agenda item at any time during a public meeting prior to the Consent Calendar being approved, particularly when something new arises or more information is needed. Prior to a meeting, Council Members are highly encouraged to contact the City Manager for the following reasons:
• Ask questions, receive clarification, or discuss an agenda item • Notify intent to pull an item and the reasoning
• Indicate, if possible, any questions planned to be asked during the meeting (to allow staff time to research and prepare responses)
• Share any corrections to the minutes to ensure they can be made prior to approval by the Council
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
For clarity and transparency in the official record, and to facilitate follow up with the speaker, if needed, members of the public wishing to address the City Council shall be asked to complete a speaker card. Completion of the card is voluntary. Speaker cards shall be available in the lobby prior to every City Council meeting.
The Mayor will invite speakers to the microphone to announce their name and city of residence for the record, if they so choose. The Mayor shall return all cards to the City Clerk at the conclusion of the meeting for the official record.
Speakers will be asked to adhere to a five-minute time limit and may not transfer unused portions of that time to another speaker. The Mayor has discretion to permit additional time to individuals in order to rebut testimony. Large groups are encouraged to designate a spokesperson to speak on their behalf and the Mayor has discretion in such situations to grant the spokesperson additional time in lieu of multiple speakers. The Mayor also has the discretion to reduce the time limit if there are a large number of anticipated speakers.
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO VOTING
Council discussions are designed to allow Council Members to express their views and opinions prior to taking a vote. Council Members should state their reasons for their positions. As a general rule, the Mayor should allow other Council Members to speak before giving his or her opinion.
When it appears that the City Council lacks consensus or is “stuck” in determining a course of action, the City Manager may offer assistance upon the request of the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS (AB 1234, ETC.)
Time is provided on each agenda for Council Members’ comments as well as reports on activities relevant to the business of the City, and shall include their attendance on boards and committees.
COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION
Public confidence in the City of La Palma depends upon the behaviors, interactions, and representation of its elected leaders. City Council Members shall strive to show courtesy and respect for everyone they contact in all public settings.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Code of Conduct
In general, Council Members shall contact the City Manager before contacting the staff. Answers to individual Council Member inquiries of common interest will be shared with the City Council.
To promote effective communication and professional relationships with staff:
• Council Members shall copy the City Manager on emails to staff. • If a Council Member has a concern about, or is unhappy with a City employee, he or she shall discuss it directly with the City Manager.
• Council Members shall not criticize staff in public.
• The City Manager is responsible for informing the City Council whenever an unusual event occurs that the public would be concerned about (e.g., significant safety event). • The City Council, City Manager, and staff shall not blindside each other.
Resident complaints should be referred to staff with adequate time for response. Staff will report back to the City Council through the City Manager on the resolution of the complaint. When a written response is necessary, staff will assist the Mayor or Council Member in drafting an appropriate response.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
The City Council may create internal standing committees, external committees, or ad hoc subcommittees.
1. Internal Standing Committees – The City Council has the authority to establish or dissolve internal standing committees as deemed necessary based on the City's needs.
2. For external committees and internal standing committees, the appointment process will be placed on the agenda, usually at the first meeting following a reorganization of the City Council; and the City Council will confer about each of the committee positions. Council Members are encouraged to openly discuss their desires and availability for each position. Appointments are made by mutual consent of all Council Members. In the event of multiple nominees for a specific position, a roll call vote will be taken using the following process:
a. Mayor will entertain nominations for the contested position. No second is required and Council Members may nominate themselves.
b. A motion is made to close the nominations and nominees will then be voted on in the order received by the Mayor until someone is selected. Once a nominee receives a majority vote, the election stops.
3. Ad Hoc Subcommittees – The City Council has authority to create, suspend, and appoint members to ad hoc subcommittees after determining individual Council Member interest.
4. Committee and subcommittee members are responsible for keeping the rest of the Council informed.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Code of Conduct
SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM
Procedures for selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be per accepted rules of order.
Mayor Pro Tem is not a natural ascendancy to Mayor. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are peers of, and serve at the pleasure of, the other Council Members.
REORGANIZATION – SEATING, SELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM After reorganization of the City Council, the Mayor shall be seated in the center and other City Council Members shall be seated in alphabetical order (left to right when viewing the public).
Council Members otherthan the Mayor may trade seats if mutually agreed upon. Council Members wishing to trade seats should make such arrangements in advance of the meeting in order to facilitate the efficiency of the reorganization process.
ROLE OF THE MAYOR
The Mayor serves as the primary elected spokesperson for the City of La Palma. As such, the Mayor presides at public meetings, represents the City Council at events and activities in the community, and is available to respond to requests for appearances. The Mayor has no more or less official authority than any other Council Member. At public meetings, the Mayor:
1. Will do his or her best to keep order;
2. Will assist in building consensus among Council Members when necessary;
3. May use discretion to allow residents to speak longer than the allotted five minutes and shall ensure that fairness prevails and speaking time is balanced for all speakers;
4. Shall encourage large groups coming to a public meeting to designate one spokesperson and has discretion to allow that spokesperson more than five minutes to speak in lieu of multiple speakers; and,
5. Shall remind residents to show respect for the City Council and staff, when necessary.
TRAVEL AND MEETINGS
Attendance at conferences, seminars, or meetings that benefit the City is encouraged within the limitations of budgeted appropriations and organization membership. Monies shall be budgeted each fiscal year for City Council Members to attend conferences, seminars, or meetings required due to internal or external committee appointments, and for miscellaneous meetings and trainings.
The Council travel and meeting budget is intended to be allocated equally to each City Council Member (20% of each year’s budget for each Council Member). Council Members can also make requests to the full City Council for additional funds prior to the event. Travel and registration arrangements can be made through the City’s Executive Assistant.
Reimbursement will only be considered for expenses that have been incurred from authorized travel and meetings. Individual City Council Member expenses incurred include: registration fees, hotel charges, mileage, airfare, car rental, meals, and similar expenses. Any charges for a second person, such as an added charge on a hotel room, are the responsibility of the Council Member.
Rates for reimbursement shall be as established in administrative policy and require completion of the administrative reimbursement form.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Code of Conduct
Council Members may request hotel reimbursement only under the following conditions:
• The event is located more than 50 miles from La Palma. • The City is a member of the hosting organization.
• The request complies with the City’s stated hotel reimbursement policy.
For extensive travel expenses, an advance may be authorized with the filing of an estimate of expenses with supporting documentation. Meals reimbursement may be for actual cost (receipts required) or via a per diem rate (no receipts required) and any meals covered in conference registration are not reimbursable.
USE OF STATIONARY
Use of City stationary by the City Council shall be limited to the following:
1. Used by the Mayor at the direction of the full City Council, such as for communicating legislative positions taken by the Council.
2. Used by the Mayor or any Council Member for the purpose of thanking residents or groups, extending invitations to City-sponsored events, extending congratulations to persons or groups to note achievements, or to answer correspondence sent by residents.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Council Members are responsible for holding each other accountable for adherence to the City Council Code of Conduct.
REVIEW
This policy is to be reviewed every two (2) years.
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CITY OF LA PALMA
COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER: 1
DATE (Adopted/Amended): March 20, 2018 January
14, 2025
SUBJECT: City Council NormsCode of
Conduct
BACKGROUNDPOLICY:
General
This policy consolidates and amends several prior policies relating to the conduct of City Council Norms are intended to guide City business including: Travel and Meetings, Seating Arrangement of Council Members After Reorganization, Use of City Stationary by Council Members, Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, Role of the Mayor, Council Norms, Speaker Cards, and Meals.
This policy guides the smooth operations of the City Council and City organization and promotes a positive, productive, effective organization which inspires public trust in the City, its services, and activities. It represents a shared set of expectations on a variety of logistical issues. , City Manager and staffThe prior policies were originally adopted on December 15, 1987, and amended on January 17, 1989, August 7, 1990, December 19, 1995, May 3, 2005, August 16, 2005, and March 20, 2018, respectively. This policy was amended on January 14, 2025.
GENERAL
The City Council Code of Conduct is intended to guide Council Member behavior in order to promote positive, productive, and effective public meetings, public business, and organization. The Norms areCode of Conduct is also intended to inspirefoster public trust in the City of La Palma and the services it provides.
PUBLIC MEETINGS AND MEETING AGENDAS
Public meetings shall be for the purpose of conducting City business and/or educating the citizensresidents. They are not “show time” for individual Council Members. Council Members are expected to focus on the business at hand and on giving their full attention to the public.
THEMEETING AGENDAS
Meeting agendas are produced by the City Manager and staff are responsible for formulating agendas for public meetings. The Consent Calendar shall be used for routine City business items and Style Definition: List Paragraph
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items already approved in the City Budget. The City Manager shall exercise judgment in determining whether an item is appropriate for the Consent Calendar. Council Members may request the City Manager to place items be placed on on a future agenda either before a meeting agenda at any time and should indicate whether(to ensure compliance with legal notice requirements) or not they wish a written staff report prepared. Such requests are encouraged to be announced under “during the Council Member AB 1234 Reports and Comments”Council Member Remarks portion of a meeting.
In both instances, support from a second Council Member is required for an item to be placed on an agenda. Requests should provide as much time as possible in order to alert the full City Council to the request and to determine, if necessary, the estimated staff time required to research the item.
Items may also be “pulled” from an agenda for a public meeting. AnyA Council Member may pull any Consent Calendar agenda item at any time during a public meeting prior to the Consent Calendar being approved, particularly when something new comes uparises or more information is needed.
Prior to a meeting, Council Members are highly encouraged to contact the City Manager in advance to askfor the following reasons:
• Ask questions, getreceive clarification, or discuss any agenda item. Council Members planning to pull or ask questions publicly about an agenda item should notify the City Manager in advance to inform her/him of their
• Notify intent to pull an item and the reasons for it. To the extent reasoning • Indicate, if possible, Council Members should indicate theany questions they planplanned to ask be asked during the meeting (to allow staff time to prepare, including doing any additional research.
Staff recognizes that sometimes questions arise in the course of discussion where such notice is not practical. Corrections to and prepare responses)
• Share any corrections to the minutes should be shared with the City Manager or City Clerk before the meeting so thatto ensure they can be corrected beforemade prior to approval by the City Council approves them.
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Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
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Speaker Cards and Public Testimony
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
For clarity and transparency in the official record, and to facilitate follow up with the speaker, if needed, members of the public wishing to address the City Council, Planning Commission or Successor Agency, shall be requestedasked to complete a speaker card. Completion of the card is voluntary. The speaker will be encouraged by the Mayor/Chair to complete the card in advance of the item the speaker wishesto discuss before the elected body.
Speaker cards shall be available in the lobby prior to every City Council meeting. Cards shall be delivered by the City Clerk to the Mayor/Chair in chronological order based on when they were received and based upon which item on the agenda the individual wishes to address. The Mayor/Chair
The Mayor will invite speakers to the microphone to announce their name and city of residence for the record, if they so choose, when they come to the microphone.. The Mayor/Chair shall return all cards to the City Clerk at the conclusion of the meeting for the official record.
Speakers will be asked to adhere to a five-minute time limit and may not transfer unused portions of that time to another speaker. The Mayor/Chair has discretion to permit additional time to individuals in order to rebut testimony. Large groups are encouraged to designate a spokesperson to speak on their behalf and the Mayor/Chair has discretion in such situations to grant the spokesperson additional time in lieu of multiple speakers. The Mayor/Chair also has the discretion to reduce the time limit if there are a large number of speakers anticipated speakers.
COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS PRIOR TO VOTING
Council discussions are designed to allow Council Members to express their views and opinions prior to taking a vote. Council Members should state their reasons for their positions. As a general rule, the Mayor should allow other Council Members to speak before giving his or her opinion. When it appears that the City Council lacks consensus or is “stuck” in determining a course of action, the City Manager may offer assistance upon the request of the City Council.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS (AB 1234, ETC.)
Time is provided on each agenda for individual Council Members to reportMembers’ comments as well as reports on activities relevant to the business of the City, includingand shall include their serviceattendance on regional boards and committees.
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Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
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Reorganization – Seating, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem After reorganization of the City Council, the Mayor shall be seated in the center and other City Council Members shall be seated in alphabetical order (left to right when viewing the public). Council Members other than the Mayor may trade seats if mutually agreed. Council Members wishing to trade seats should make such arrangements in advance of the meeting in order to facilitate the efficiency of the reorganization process.
Interaction and
COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION
Public confidence in the City of La Palma depends upon the behaviors and, interactions, and representation of its elected leaders. City Council Members shall strive to show courtesy and respect for one anothereveryone they contact in all public settings. One way to demonstrate this is through flexibility in covering for each other and explaining each other’s absences to the public when appropriate.
Public confidence also depends on the interactions of its elected leaders with the City Manager and staff and effective communications are essential to staff effectiveness. In general, Council Members should call the City Manager before going to the Department Director. Council Members should always go through the City Manager to direct staff to do research on items. Council Members can go directly to department directors for answers to simple questions.In general, Council Members shall contact the City Manager before contacting the staff. Answers to individual Council Member inquiries of common interest will be shared with the City Council through the City Manager’s weekly report.
When To promote effective communication and professional relationships with staff:
• Council Members email Directors or staff for information, they should shall copy the City Manager as a courtesy. Directors are also responsible for keeping the City Manager informed of any communication with City Council Members. on emails to staff. • If a Council Member has a concern about, or is unhappy with, a City employee, he or she shall discuss it directly with the City Manager and .
• Council Members shall not criticize staff in public.
• The City Manager is responsible for informing the City Council whenever an unusual event occurs that the public would be concerned about (ex.e.g., significant safety event). The City Council, City Manager and staff shall not blindside each other in public. • CitizenThe City Council, City Manager, and staff shall not blindside each other.
Resident complaints should be referred to staff with adequate time for response. Staff will report back to the City Council through the City Manager on the resolution of citizen complaints and whenthe complaint. When a written response has been requested or as appropriateis necessary, staff will assist the Mayor or Council Member in drafting an appropriate response.
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Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
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BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
The City Council may create external committees, internal standing committees, external committees, or ad hoc subcommittees.
1. Internal Standing Committees – The MayorCity Council has the authority to createestablish or suspenddissolve internal standing committees when it is determined that a standing committee is required or no longer requiredas deemed necessary based on the City's needs.
2. For external committees and internal standing committees, the appointment process will be placed on the agenda, usually at the first meeting following a reorganization of the City Council,; and the City Council will confer about each of the committee positions. Council Members are encouraged to openly discuss their desires and availability for each position. Appointments are made by mutual consent of all Council Members. In the event of multiple nominees for a specific position, a roll call vote will be taken using the following process:
a. Mayor will entertain nominations forthe contested position. No second is required and Council Members may nominate themselves.
b. A motion is made to close the nominations and nominees will then be voted on in the order received by the Mayor until someone is selected. Once a nominee receives a majority vote, the election stops.
3. Ad Hoc CommitteesSubcommittees – The MayorCity Council has authority to create, suspend, and appoint members to ad hoc subcommittees after determining individual Council Member interest.
4. Committee and subcommittee members are responsible for keeping the rest of the Council informed; other Council Members are responsible for letting subcommittee members know if they want more information.
SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM
5. Committee and subcommittee members will refrain from giving mixed direction to staff.
When there is a disagreement between committee or subcommittee members, staff will be excused from the discussion or from implementing direction until such time as the disagreement has been resolved.
SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM
Council Members wishing to be considered for Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem should express their interest to the other members. Procedures for selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be per Rosenberg’s Rulesaccepted rules of Orderorder. Mayor Pro Tem is not a natural ascendancy to Mayor. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
are peers of, and serve at the pleasure of, the other Council Members.
REORGANIZATION – SEATING, SELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM After reorganization of the City Council, the Mayor shall be seated in the center and other City Council Members shall be seated in alphabetical order (left to right when viewing the public). Council Members other than the Mayor may trade seats if mutually agreed upon. Council Members wishing to trade seats should make such arrangements in advance of the meeting in order to facilitate the efficiency of the reorganization process.
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Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
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ROLE OF THE MAYOR
The Mayor serves as the primary elected spokesperson for the City of La Palma. As such, the Mayor presides at public meetings, represents the City Council at events and activities in the community, and is available to respond to requests for appearances from community organizations.. The Mayor has no more or less official authority than any other Council Member. At public meetings, the Mayor:
At public meetings, the Mayor:
1. Will do his or her best to keep things movingorder;
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Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
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City Council Norms
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2. Will pay attention to the consensus of the entire Council and willWill assist in building consensus among Council Members when necessary;
3. May use discretion to allow citizensresidents to speak longer than the allotted five minutes and shall ensure that fairness prevails and speaking time is balanced for all speakers;
4. Shall encourage large groups coming to a public meeting to designate one spokesperson and has discretion to allow that spokesperson more than five minutes to speak in lieu of multiple speakers; and,
5. Shall remind citizensresidents to show respect for the City Council and staff, when necessary.
TRAVEL AND MEETINGS
Attendance at conferences, seminars, or meetings ofthat benefit to the City is encouraged within the limitations of budgeted appropriations. and organization membership. Monies shall be budgeted each fiscal year for City Council Members to attend conferences, monthly meetings,seminars, or meetings required due to internal or external committee appointments, and for miscellaneous meetings and trainings including such events as attendance at the Americana Awards and City. The Council goal setting. Miscellaneous meetings travel and training monies aremeeting budget is intended to be allocated somewhat equally to each City Council Member as they see fit, within the limitations of the total travel fund allocation.(20% of each year’s budget for each Council Member).
Council Members can also make requests to the full City Council for additional funds. prior to the event. Travel and registration arrangements arecan be made through the City Manager’sCity’s Executive Assistant.
Only Reimbursement will only be considered for expenses that have been incurred from authorized travel and meetings will be considered for reimbursement. Expenses. Individual City Council Member expenses incurred include items for the individual City Council Member only such as: registration fees, hotel charges, mileage, airfare, car rental, meals, and similar expenses. Any charges for a second person, such as an added charge on a hotel room, are the responsibility of the Council Member and are not reimbursable.. Rates for reimbursement shall be as established in administrative policy and require completion of the administrative reimbursement form.
Council Members may request hotel reimbursement only under the following conditions:
• The event is located more than 50 miles from La Palma. • The City is a member of the hosting organization.
• The request complies with the City’s stated hotel reimbursement policy.
For extensive travel expenses, an advance may be authorized with the filing of an estimate of expenses with supporting documentation. Meals reimbursement may be for actual cost (receipts required) or via a per diem rate (no receipts required) and any meals covered in conference registration shall be deductedare not reimbursable.
USE OF STATIONARY
Use of City stationary by the City Council shall be limited to the following:
1. Used by the Mayor at the direction of the full City Council, such as for communicating legislative positions taken by the Council.
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groups, extending invitations to City-sponsored events, extending congratulations to persons or groups to note achievements, or to answer correspondence sent by constituentsresidents. Formatted: Font: Arial Nova
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ACCOUNTABILITY
The City Manager is responsible for holding staff accountable for adherence to the City Council norms.
The City Council members Council Members are responsible for holding each other accountable for adherence to the City Council norms.
CodeBACKGROUND:
This policy consolidates and amends several prior policies relating to the conduct of City CouncilConduct.
business including Travel and Meetings, Seating Arrangement of Council Members After Reorganization, Use of City Stationary by Council Members, Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; Role of the Mayor, Council Norms, Speaker Cards, and Meals.
This policy guides the smooth operations of the City Council and City organization and promotes a positive, productive, effective organization which inspires public trust in the City and in its services and activities. It represents a shared set of expectations on a variety of logistical issues. The prior policies were originally adopted on December 15, 1987, January 17, 1989, August 7, 1990, August 16, 2005,
August 16, 2005, August 16, 2005, December 19, 1995, May 3, 2005, respectively. This policy was amended on March 20, 2018.
REVIEW:
This policy is to be reviewed as neededevery two (2) years.
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Agenda Item No. 19 November 5, 2024 | 1
City of La Palma
Agenda Item No. 19
MEETING DATE: November 5, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBMITTED BY: Conal McNamara, City Manager
AGENDA TITLE: Good Governance Policy Discussion
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the report and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND:
At the February 12, 2024, goal setting meeting, the City Council directed staff to do the following under Goal 1: “Review and update the City Council Code of Conduct to reflect best practices, promote accountability, and support effective governance, particularly in anticipation of transitioning to districtbased representation.” Staff has prepared this report to initiate discussion so that the Council can make any desire changes or additions to our current policy.
DISCUSSION:
The City currently has two documents (see attachments) that address conduct:
Council Norms (under Council Policy #1):
City Council Norms are intended to guide City Council, City Manager and staff behavior in order to promote positive, productive, and effective public meetings, public business and organization. The Norms are also intended to inspire public trust in the City of La Palma and the services it provides. The Norms are part of a policy document that includes various topics such as: Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Speaker Cards and Public Testimony, Council Discussions Prior to Voting, City Council Comments and Reports, Reorganization, Interaction and Communication, Committees, Selection of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem, Role of the Mayor, Travel and Meetings, Use of Stationery, and Accountability,
This policy consolidates and amends several prior policies relating to the conduct of City Council business including Travel and Meetings, Seating Arrangement of Council Members After Reorganization, Use of City Stationery by Council Members, Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; Role of the Mayor, Council Norms, Speaker Cards, and Meals. This policy guides the smooth operations of the City Council and City organization and promotes a positive, productive, effective organization which inspires public trust in the City and in its services and activities. It represents a shared set of expectations on a variety of logistical issues. The
Agenda Item No. 19 November 5, 2024 | 2
prior policies were originally adopted on December 15, 1987, January 17, 1989, August 7, 1990, August 16, 2005, August 16, 2005, August 16, 2005, December 19, 1995, May 3, 2005, respectively.
This policy was amended on March 20, 2018.
In adopting these topics, the Council clearly wanted to promote efficient meetings but also ensure that proper decorum is followed when addressing day to day interactions with staff. City Council Norms address the roles and responsibilities of both Councilmembers and the City Manager with an emphasis on promoting efficiency and ensuring that both City Councilmembers and staff are proper stewards of the public's trust.
Code of Fair Campaign Practices:
The Code of Fair Campaign Practices is taken from the State election code as a recommendation from the Secretary of State for each candidate to follow. The Code is presented to each candidate to read and sign; however, adherence is strictly voluntary and does not apply after a candidate wins or loses office.
City of La Palma
The City of La Palma has a Council-Manager form of government where the City Council sets policy which the City Manager is responsible for implementing. The City Council hires the City Manager and City Attorney, while the City Manager is responsible for hiring all other staff. Because of the small staff size, maintaining a positive relationship between the City Council and staff is especially vital. Organizations to which the City belongs (through Councilmembers or staff) that lend support to good governance include the League of California Cities (CalCities) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), while there are other organizations to which the City does not currently belong, such as the Association of California Cities--Orange County (ACCOC), the California Contract Cities Association, and the Independent Cities Association (ICA) that offer similar support to Councilmembers and staff.
Both CalCities and ICMA discuss extensively the need for both good governance and positive working relationships between city councils and staff. At the most recent CalCities conference, a session with both City Counicilmembers and City Managers focused specifically on this and discussed:
Attributes of High Performing Councils:
• True partnership among Councilmembers, City Manager, and staff • Clarity and respect for roles and responsibilities
• Civility and respect for all
• Conduct effective meetings
• Hold each other and City Manager accountable
• Practice continual learning
Elements of Successful Council/Manager Relationships:
• Mayor, Councilmembers and City Manager develop a sense of team, working together in furtherance of common purpose
• The team values diversity of leadership style and perspective • Clear and mutual understanding of respective roles, responsibilities and stated expectations
Agenda Item No. 19 November 5, 2024 | 3
• Develop and sustain effective communication between the chief executive and governing board
• Trust is a crucial characteristic in any successful relationship and communication is essential for fostering trust
Revisiting good governance periodically is a worthwhile exercise to ensure that the Council and staff are clear about expectations and that the public understands the importance. Should the Council wish to modify the current Council Norms, staff would recommend that the dialogue begin with the above mentioned points. Staff also recommends that the Council continue with the following practices currently in place:
Governance:
• Make decisions that are in the strategic interest of the City • Govern as a body and not as individuals
• Be consistent and transparent with policy and decision making • When Councilmembers disagree, keep it professional and never personal • Trust staff to do their jobs
• Ensure that the public addresses the Council collectively • Meet with the City Manager as Councilmembers believe necessary to ensure you are receiving all the information you need
Financial Matters:
• Utilize outside funding sources whenever possible before using the City's General Fund • Be conservative when estimating revenues and expenditures in preparation of the City's budget
• Ensure that the City maintains sufficient reserves in the event that a downturn occurs and funds are needed
Successful Council/Manager relations and good governance deliver positive results in a number of areas including organizational effectiveness, mutual success and fulfillment, positive staff morale, heightened accountability, enhanced community confidence, and successful community outcomes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Council Goals and Objectives 2024
2. City Council Policy 1 - Norms
3. Code of Conduct
CITY OF LA PALMA
COUNCIL POLICY
NUMBER: 1
DATE (Adopted/Amended): March 20, 2018
SUBJECT: City Council Norms
POLICY:
General
City Council Norms are intended to guide City Council, City Manager and staff behavior in order to promote positive, productive, and effective public meetings, public business and organization. The Norms are also intended to inspire public trust in the City of La Palma and the services it provides.
Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas
Public meetings shall be for the purpose of conducting City business and/or educating the citizens. They are not “show time” for individual Council Members. Council Members are expected to focus on the business at hand and on giving their full attention to the public.
The City Manager and staff are responsible for formulating agendas for public meetings. The Consent Calendar shall be used for routine City business items and items already approved in the City Budget. The City Manager shall exercise judgment in determining whether an item is appropriate for the Consent Calendar. Council Members may request items be placed on a meeting agenda at any time and should indicate whether or not they wish a written staff report prepared. Such requests are encouraged to be announced under “Council Reports and Comments” in order to alert the full City Council to the request and to determine the estimated staff time required to research the item.
Items may also be “pulled” from an agenda for a public meeting. Any Council Member may pull any agenda item at any time during a public meeting, particularly when something new comes up or more information is needed. Council Members are encouraged to contact the City Manager in advance to ask questions, get clarification, or discuss any agenda item. Council Members planning to pull or ask questions publicly about an agenda item should notify the City Managerin advance to inform her/him of their intent and the reasons for it. To the extent possible, Council Members should indicate the questionsthey plan to ask to allow staff to prepare, including doing any additional research. Staff recognizes that sometimes questions arise in the course of discussion where such notice is not practical. Corrections to minutes should be shared with the City Manager or City Clerk before the meeting so that they can be corrected before the City Council approves them.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Speaker Cards and Public Testimony
For clarity and transparency in the official record, and to facilitate follow up with the speaker if needed, members of the public wishing to address the City Council, Planning Commission or Successor Agency, shall be requested to complete a speaker card. Completion of the card is voluntary. The speaker will be encouraged by the Mayor/Chair to complete the card in advance of the item the speaker wishesto discuss before the elected body.
Speaker cards shall be available in the lobby prior to every City Council meeting. Cards shall be delivered by the City Clerk to the Mayor/Chair in chronological order based on when they were received and based upon which item on the agenda the individual wishes to address. The Mayor/Chair will invite speakers to announce their name and city of residence for the record, if they so choose, when they come to the microphone. The Mayor/Chair shall return all cards to the City Clerk at the conclusion of the meeting for the official record.
Speakers will be asked to adhere to a five-minute time limit and may not transfer unused portions of that time to another speaker. The Mayor/Chair has discretion to permit additional time to individuals in order to rebut testimony. Large groups are encouraged to designate a spokesperson to speak on their behalf and the Mayor/Chair has discretion in such situations to grant the spokesperson additional time in lieu of multiple speakers. The Mayor/Chair also has the discretion to reduce the time limit if there are a large number of speakers anticipated
Council Discussions Prior to Voting
Council discussions are designed to allow Council Members to express their views and opinions prior to taking a vote. Council Members should state their reasons for their positions. As a general rule, the Mayor should allow other Council Members to speak before giving his or her opinion. When it appears that the City Council lacks consensus or is “stuck” in determining a course of action, the City Manager may offer assistance upon the request of the City Council.
City Council Comments and Reports
Time is provided on each agenda for individual Council Members to report on activities relevant to the business of the City, including their service on regional boards and committees.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Reorganization – Seating, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem After reorganization of the City Council, the Mayor shall be seated in the center and other City Council Members shall be seated in alphabetical order (left to right when viewing the public). Council Members other than the Mayor may trade seats if mutually agreed. Council Members wishing to trade seats should make such arrangements in advance of the meeting in order to facilitate the efficiency of the reorganization process.
Interaction and Communication
Public confidence in the City of La Palma depends upon the behaviors and interactions of its elected leaders. City Council Members shall strive to show courtesy and respect for one another in all public settings. One way to demonstrate this is through flexibility in covering for each other and explaining each other’s absences to the public when appropriate.
Public confidence also depends on the interactions of its elected leaders with the City Manager and staff and effective communications are essential to staff effectiveness. In general, Council Members should call the City Manager before going to the Department Director. Council Members should always go through the City Manager to direct staff to do research on items. Council Members can go directly to department directors for answers to simple questions. Answers to individual Council Member inquiries of common interest will be shared with the City Council through the City Manager’s weekly report.
When Council Members email Directors or staff for information, they should copy the City Manager as a courtesy. Directors are also responsible for keeping the City Manager informed of any communication with City Council Members. If a Council Member has a concern about, or is unhappy with, a City employee, he or she shall discuss it directly with the City Manager and Council Members shall not criticize staff in public. The City Manager is responsible for informing the City Council whenever an unusual event occurs that the public would be concerned about (ex. significant safety event). The City Council, City Manager and staff shall not blindside each other in public.
Citizen complaintsshould be referred to staff with adequate time for response. Staff will report back to the City Council through the City Manager on the resolution of citizen complaints and when a written response has been requested or as appropriate, staff will assist the Mayor or Council Member in drafting an appropriate response.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Committees
The City Council may create external committees, internal standing committees, or ad hoc subcommittees.
1. Internal Standing Committees – The Mayor has authority to create or suspend internal standing committees when it is determined that a standing committee is required or no longer required.
2. For external committees and internal standing committees, the appointment process will be placed on the agenda, usually at the first meeting following a reorganization of the City Council, and the City Council will confer about each of the committee positions. Council Members are encouraged to openly discuss their desires and availability for each position.
Appointments are made by mutual consent of all Council Members. In the event of multiple nominees for a specific position, a roll call vote will be taken using the following process:
a. Mayor will entertain nominations for the contested position. No second is required and Council Members may nominate themselves.
b. A motion is made to close the nominations and nominees will then be voted on in the order received by the Mayor until someone is selected. Once a nominee receives a majority vote, the election stops.
3. Ad Hoc Committees – The Mayor has authority to create, suspend, and appoint members to ad hoc subcommittees after determining individual Council Member interest.
4. Committee and subcommittee members are responsible for keeping the rest of the Council informed; other Council Members are responsible for letting subcommittee members know if they want more information.
5. Committee and subcommittee members will refrain from giving mixed direction to staff.
When there is a disagreement between committee or subcommittee members, staff will be excused from the discussion or from implementing direction until such time as the disagreement has been resolved.
Selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Council Members wishing to be considered for Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem should express their interest to the other members. Procedures for selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem shall be per Rosenberg’s Rules of Order. Mayor Pro Tem is not a natural ascendancy to Mayor. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are peers of, and serve at the pleasure of, the other Council Members.
Role of the Mayor
The Mayor serves as the primary elected spokesperson for the City of La Palma. As such, the Mayor presides at public meetings, represents the City Council at events and activities in the community and is available to respond to requests for appearances from community organizations. The Mayor has no more or less official authority than any other Council Member.
At public meetings, the Mayor:
1. Will do his or her best to keep things moving;
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
2. Will pay attention to the consensus of the entire Council and will assist in building consensus among Council Members when necessary;
3. May use discretion to allow citizens to speak longer than the allotted five minutes and shall ensure that fairness prevails and speaking time is balanced for all speakers;
4. Shall encourage large groups coming to a public meeting to designate one spokesperson and has discretion to allow that spokesperson more than five minutes to speak in lieu of multiple speakers; and,
5. Shall remind citizens to show respect for the City Council and staff, when necessary.
Travel and Meetings
Attendance at conferences, seminars, or meetings of benefit to the City is encouraged within the limitations of budgeted appropriations. Monies shall be budgeted each fiscal year for City Council Members to attend conferences, monthly meetings, meetings required due to internal or external committee appointments, and for miscellaneous meetings and trainings including such events as attendance at the Americana Awards and City Council goal setting. Miscellaneous meetings and training monies are intended to be allocated somewhat equally to each City Council Member as they see fit, within the limitations of the total travel fund allocation. Council Members can also make requests to the full City Council for additional funds. Travel and registration arrangements are made through the City Manager’s Executive Assistant.
Only expenses that have been incurred from authorized travel and meetings will be considered for reimbursement. Expenses incurred include items for the individual City Council Member only such as registration fees, hotel charges, mileage, airfare, car rental, meals and similar expenses. Any charges for a second person, such as an added charge on a hotel room, are the responsibility of the Council Member and are not reimbursable. Rates for reimbursement shall be as established in administrative policy and require completion of the administrative reimbursement form.
For extensive travel expenses, an advance may be authorized with the filing of an estimate of expenses with supporting documentation. Meals reimbursement may be for actual cost (receipts required) or via a per diem rate (no receipts required) and any meals covered in conference registration shall be deducted.
Use of Stationary
Use of City stationary by the City Council shall be limited to the following:
1. Used by the Mayor at the direction of the full City Council, such as for communicating legislative positions taken by the Council.
2. Used by the Mayor or any Council Member for the purpose of thanking citizens or groups, extending invitations to City-sponsored events, extending congratulations to persons or groups to note achievements, or to answer correspondence sent by constituents.
Council Policy No. 1
City Council Norms
Accountability
The City Manager is responsible for holding staff accountable for adherence to the City Council norms.
The City Council members are responsible for holding each other accountable for adherence to the City Council norms.
BACKGROUND:
This policy consolidates and amends several prior policies relating to the conduct of City Council business including Travel and Meetings, Seating Arrangement of Council Members After Reorganization, Use of City Stationary by Council Members, Public Meetings and Meeting Agendas, Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; Role of the Mayor, Council Norms, Speaker Cards, and Meals.
This policy guides the smooth operations of the City Council and City organization and promotes a positive, productive, effective organization which inspires public trust in the City and in its services and activities. It represents a shared set of expectations on a variety of logistical issues. The prior policies were originally adopted on December 15, 1987, January 17, 1989, August 7, 1990, August 16, 2005, August 16, 2005, August 16, 2005, December 19, 1995, May 3, 2005, respectively. This policy was amended on March 20, 2018.
REVIEW:
This policy is to be reviewed as needed.
There are basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play which every candidate for public office in the State of California has a moral obligation to observe and uphold in order that, after vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaigns, our citizens may exercise their constitutional right to a free and untrammeled choice and the will of the people may be fully and clearly expressed on the issues.
THEREFORE:
(1) I SHALL CONDUCT my campaign openly and publicly, discussing the issues as I see them, presenting my record and policies with sincerity and frankness, and criticizing without fear or favor the record and policies of my opponents or political parties that merit this criticism.
(2) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT the use of character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life.
(3) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any appeal to negative prejudice based on a candidate’s actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other characteristic set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code, or association with another person who has any of the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code. (4) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any dishonest or unethical practice that tends to corrupt or undermine our American system of free elections, or that hampers or prevents the full and free expression of the will of the voters including acts intended to hinder or prevent any eligible person from registering to vote, enrolling to vote, or voting. (5) I SHALL NOT coerce election help or campaign contributions for myself or for any other candidate from my employees.
(6) I SHALL IMMEDIATELY AND PUBLICLY REPUDIATE support deriving from any individual or group that resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of my opponent, to the methods and tactics that I condemn. I shall accept responsibility to take firm action against any subordinate who violates any provision of this code or the laws governing elections.
(7) I SHALL DEFEND AND UPHOLD the right of every qualified American voter to full and equal participation in the electoral process.
California Secretary of State
CODE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES
(ELECTIONS CODE § 20440)
I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of California or treasurer or chairperson of a committee making any independent expenditures, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices.” Date Signature
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 551, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)