City Clerk’s Office
DATE: September 30, 2025
TO: Council Policy and Procedures Committee
FROM: Jennifer Logue, City Attorney
Diana Fazely, Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Council Policy A-13 - Motions for Reconsideration
BACKGROUND
Council Policy A-13, City Council Meetings (Attachment 1 to this report and hereinafter referred to as “Policy”), provides the City Council’s rules of procedures . As stated in the Policy, it is intended to “provide general guidance for the preparation of the agenda and the conduct of Council meetings.”
Section 11 of the Policy sets forth the procedures for motions for reconsideration as follows:
“11. Reconsideration
a. A matter acted upon by a majority of the members voting may be reconsidered upon motion of a person who voted on the prevailing side.
b. Any member of the body may second a motion to reconsider.
c. A motion to reconsider a matter must be made at the meeting where the matter was first voted on or at the next regular or adjourned regular meeting. A motion for reconsideration made later is untimely.
d. After the deadline for seeking reconsideration has passed, a matter that was acted on by the body shall not be placed on the agenda again for consideration within one year after it was acted on except upon request of two or more councilmembers, at least on e of whom voted on the prevailing side.
e. If a motion for reconsideration passes, the matter originally acted upon is back before the body and a new main motion is in order. The matter may be discussed and debated immediately after the motion for reconsideration passes if all members who originally voted on the matter are present and Brown Act noticing requirements have been met. If Council Policy A-13 – Motions for Reconsideration
September 30, 2025
all members are not present or the matter needs to be re -noticed under the Brown Act, that matter shall be placed on a subsequent agenda for consideration.
f. Matters for which finality is required as a matter of law shall not be reconsidered.”
Section 11 of the Policy was last amended on December 6, 2022, by Resolution No. 18739 for clarity.
On April 22, 2025, Councilmember Clark requested that the CPPC review Section 11 of Council Policy A-13, governing motions for reconsideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the CPPC discuss and provide direction on any desired amendments to Section 11 of Council Policy A -13. Any amendments will come back to the CPPC for review at a future meeting before being presented City Council unless otherwise directed by the CPPC.
Attachments: 1. Council Policy A-13