STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 21
5/28/2024
JC
Date: May 28, 2024
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Jason Caudle, City Manager
Subject: Regular Council Meeting Schedule
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 24-____, repealing Resolution No. 21-60 and establishing the meeting day and time of the Lancaster City Council.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute and sign all documents necessary to implement this change.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no significant fiscal impact associated with this change.
Background:
The proposed change in the regular City Council meeting time from 5:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month is intended to enhance overall accessibility and participation in City Council meetings. Moving the meeting time to earlier in the day will accommodate a broader range of participants, allowing for more flexible attendance. This adjustment aims to foster greater community involvement, streamline decision-making processes, and ensure that meetings are more convenient and productive for all attendees. This change aligns with the City’s commitment to ensuring that its governance processes are inclusive and effective, providing an opportunity for broader public engagement and efficient use of resources.
On December 8, 2015, the City Council approved Resolution 15-67, which continued to eliminate the second meetings in November and December due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Resolution 15-67 also eliminated the need to take future action of cancelling the second meeting in April during election months by establishing the City Council meeting for April to only take place on the fourth Tuesday. Additionally, holding the City Council meeting on the fourth Tuesday 1 5
6 1
of April provided for a break during the Easter season each year.
Adoption of Resolution No. 21-60 allowed the City of Lancaster to continue cancellation of the second meeting in April during non-election years. It also allowed adjustments during election years to include the cancellation of April meetings in order for Joint Power Authority Members to attend the April scheduled Antelope Valley Fair. Furthermore, during election years, this resolution allowed for the holding of a meeting on the first and fourth Tuesday in May. Resolution No. 21-60 continued the cancellation of the second meeting in November and December, allowed the cancellation of the second meeting in September in observance of the Antelope Valley Fair, and the cancellation of the second meeting in July to allow for a summer break.
Adoption of Resolution No. 24-___ will allow the City of Lancaster to continue its established practices regarding meeting schedules, including the cancellation of the second meetings in November and December, the April adjustments during election years, and the additional cancellations during the summer and in observance of local events. This will streamline the process, avoiding the need to present these items before the Council each year.
Staff recommends adopting this resolution to change the meeting day and time to avoid placing these items before Council each year. A special meeting of the City Council may be called at any time by the Mayor, or by three members of the City Council, as established in the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Attachment:
Resolution No. 24-XX