City Council
Staff Report
From: City Clerk
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: April 14, 2025
Report #:2502-4160
TITLE
FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Setting the Regular Meeting Time of the Finance and Policy & Services Committees by Resolution or Ordinance (Palo Alto Municipal Code §§
2.04.190 and 200); and Adoption of a Resolution Setting the Regular Meeting Times at 5:30 pm for Finance and 6:00 pm for Policy & Services; CEQA status – not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend the City Council adopt:
1. An ordinance amending PAMC §§ 2.04.190 and 200 setting the regular meeting time of the Finance and Policy & Services committees by resolution or ordinance (Attachment A); and
2. A resolution setting the regular meeting times at 5:30pm for Finance and 6:00 pm for Policy & Services (Attachment B).
BACKGROUND
The City’s Finance Committee and Policy & Services Committee have their regular meeting time set for 7:00 pm under PAMC § 2.04.200(a)1. Under existing practice, however, meetings usually start earlier than 7:00pm. Because the meeting time is currently codified by ordinance, it would take two readings and 30 days for a change to become effective.
ANALYSIS
Standing committee meeting times may change periodically due to annual shifts in committee membership or logistical reasons. The proposed ordinance would allow the regular meeting times of the Finance Committee and Policy and Services Committee to be set by resolution, which only requires one reading and can be effective immediately. The attached resolution would set the regular meeting times to match current practice and committee preferences – 1 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.04.200:
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-60138
Finance Committee’s regular meeting time will now be at 5:30 pm, and Policy & Services will be at 6:00 pm.
Going forward, the Clerk’s Office can recommend the Council adopt a replacement resolution when the regular meeting times of one or both committees necessitates a change.
The proposed ordinance does not change either committee’s regular meeting day or frequency or affect each committee’s ability to call special meetings.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The proposed legislation has no material impact as it aligns existing practice with the City’s municipal code.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Clerk’s Office consulted each committee in recommending this legislation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed legislation is not a project under CEQA because it is an administrative function to change the regular meeting time of existing Council standing committees. CEQA regulation § 15378(b)(2).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Ordinance Amending PAMC §§ 2.04.190 and 200 to Set the Regular Meeting Time of the Finance Committee and Policy and Services Committee by Resolution or Ordinance.
Attachment B: Resolution Establishing the Regular Meeting Time of the Finance Committee for 5:30 pm and the Policy & Services Committee for 6:00 pm.
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk