City Clerk’s Office
DATE: November 20, 2024
TO: Council Policy and Procedures Committee
FROM: Heather Glaser, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Amendments to Council Policy K -2, Council Advisory Bodies , Defining Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and Other Minor Amendments
BACKGROUND
On June 11, 2024, the City Council referred to the Council Policy and Procedures Committee (CPPC) an item to consider defining membership requirements of committees.
City Charter § 900 lays out general requirements for advisory or decision -making boards and commissions, namely: (1) members of boards and commissions may not hold any paid office or employment in the City government ; and (2) members of boards and commissions must be qualified electors of the City (see California Elections Code § 321). Following are all the boards, commissions, and committees in the City and their respective method of creation:
Body Created By
Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee Council
Board of Library Trustees Charter
Downtown Committee Council
Environmental Planning Commission Charter
Human Relations Commission Council
Parks and Recreation Commission Charter
Performing Arts Committee Council
Public Safety Advisory Board Council
Rental Housing Committee Charter
Senior Advisory Committee Council
Visual Arts Committee Council
Tennis Advisory Board Council
Youth Advisory Committee Council
Since “committees” are not specifically mentioned in the Charter as bodies that would be held to the requirements of City Charter § 900, the CPPC may recommend to the City Council a Amendments to Council Policy K-2, Council Advisory Bodies, Defining Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and Other Minor Amendments November 20, 2024
definition for committees that better aligns with the purpose of some of the Council -created bodies.
For example, Council Policy K -2 could be amended as proposed in Attachment 1 to include a definition section that restates the membership requirements of boards and commissions per City Charter § 900 for clarity and newly defines membership requirements for committees.
In addition, staff requests the CPPC consider forwarding a recommendation to the City Council on whether to rename any of the Council-created bodies based on the new definition of “committee.” The usage of the term “board,” “commission,” or “committee” in the name of an applicable body shall be determinative of which membership requirements set forth in the proposed Council Policy K-2 would apply.
Other Minor Amendments
Other amendments contained in Attachment 1 include the removal of the word “advisory” as the policy applies to bodies that are and are not advisory to the City Council. Additional amendments generally consolidate redundant language and align the policy more closely with the processes of the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the CPPC weigh in on the proposed amendments as outlined in Attachment 1 and provide additional direction to staff on recommendations for renaming any Council-created bodies. The direction provided to staff can be brought back to the CPPC for review or taken to the Council for adoption at the next meeting practicable.
HG/6/CLK
428-11-20-24M
Attachments: 1. Council Policy K-2 (redline)
2. Council Policy K-2 (clean)