PREAMBLE
The residents and businesses of the City of Porterville are entitled to have fair, ethical, and accountable local government. Such a government requires that:
Public Officials comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting operations of the government;
Public Officials be independent, impartial, and fair in their judgment and actions;
Public office be used for the public good, not for personal gain; and Deliberations and processes be conducted openly, unless legally confidential, in an atmosphere of respect and civility.
No part of this Handbook shall be interpreted so as to violate any federal or state law; a Council Member’s Oath of Office; a Council Member’s moral or ethical responsibilities; or the exercise of a Council Member’s individual rights afforded him/her by the U.S. Constitution.
To this end, the City Council of the City of Porterville hereby approves of and affirms the above to encourage public confidence in the integrity of local government and its operations. (Minute Order 21-070511, July 5, 2011.)
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
II. MEETINGS OF COUNCIL
The Council shall provide by ordinance the time and place of holding regular meetings and the manner in which special meetings may be called. Public interest and convenience shall be primary consideration when decisions are made as to time, location and frequency.
Except as otherwise provided by law, all meetings of the Council shall be open to the public.
A. REGULAR MEETINGS
1. Pursuant to Section 10 of the City Charter, Regular Meetings of the Porterville City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 291 North Main Street, in the City. The Regular Meetings will commence at five thirty o’clock (5:30) P.M., with Closed Sessions commencing at five thirty o’clock (5:30) P.M., and Open Session commencing at six thirty o’clock (6:30) P.M. In the event that a regular meeting of the Council shall fall on a legal holiday, that regular meeting shall be held at the same place and time on the next succeeding working day, or as determined by Council. (Ordinance 1766, August 17, 2010; M.O. 15-09181, September 18, 2012.)
2. Following the mid-meeting break (around 9:00 p.m.) the Mayor, with assistance from the City Manager, will review the balance of the agenda with Council to discuss how it can be handled in the allowed time. If it is necessary to continue any items, it will be announced at that time.
B. ADJOURNED MEETINGS/STUDY SESSIONS (Open to the public)
1. The purpose of these meetings shall be for informal discussions between staff, advisory bodies or consultants and the City Council regarding specific programs, projects or policies. If noticed, formal action may be taken at such a meeting.
2. Adjourned Meetings/Study Sessions will be held at a time and place convenient to Council and advantageous for public participation.
3. Participation of the public shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, upon consensus of the Council.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
C. SPECIAL MEETINGS
1. Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or three members of the City Council. (Gov. Code Section 54956) Written notice of each special meeting must be given not less than twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting to each member of the City Council not joining the call.
2. Written notice must be given to the City Council and to the media 24 hours prior to each meeting. (Gov. Code Section 54956)
3. A supplemental telephone call shall be made if necessary to notify each Council Member.
4. No business other than that announced shall be discussed.
5. Any special meeting held at a place other than City Hall shall be open to the public. Notice requirements of the Brown Act shall be complied with for any such meetings; regular minutes shall be taken by the City Clerk and shall be available for public inspection.
D. ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Meeting called to Order
Roll Call
Oral Communications (closed session items only)
Closed Session(s)
Reconvene Open Session
Report on Action taken in Closed Session
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Presentations
Oral Communications (on any matter of interest)
AB 1234 Reports
Committee and Commission Reports
Staff Informational Reports
Consent Calendar – to include:
Approval of Minutes
Claims Against the City
Payment of Bills
Payments on Public Works Projects
Authorization to Purchase
Authorization to Call for Bids
Award of Bids
Acceptance of Projects
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
Acceptance of Dedications/Property
Approval of Final Tract Maps
Annexations
Requests for City Services
Reports
Other Routine Matters
Public Hearings
Second Readings of Ordinances
Scheduled Matters
Oral Communications (on any matter of interest)
Council Comments
Adjournment
(Resolution 100-2019, December 17, 2019, attached as Appendix A.) E. CONSENT ITEMS
1. Consent items are the first items on the open session portion of the agenda (items that are routine, have been discussed before, relate to implementation of approved budget items, or to City operations or item to be later set for public hearing).
2. Any item removed from the Consent Calendar shall be considered immediately after the last Scheduled Matter on the agenda and immediately before the Second Oral Communications. (M.O. 16-091812, September 18, 2012.) City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
III. MEETING PROCEDURES
A. PRESIDING OFFICER
1. The Mayor is the Presiding Officer and acts as Chair at Council meetings.
2. In the absence or incapacity of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor as Mayor Pro Tempore will serve as Presiding Officer. In the absence of both the Mayor and Vice Mayor, the Council Members present shall select one of their number to serve as Presiding Officer for that meeting. (Amended via Minute Order 08- 071911, July 19, 2011.)
3. Seating arrangement of the Council:
Seating arrangements shall be at Council discretion with preference being given to health conditions, seniority, individual Council Member preferences, and the Mayor’s preference, in that order. (Amended via Minute Order 08-071911, July 19, 2011.)
4. Signing of City Documents:
The Mayor, unless unavailable, shall sign all ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents which have been adopted by the City Council and require an official signature; except when the City Manager, or his or her designee, has been authorized by Council action to sign documents. In the event the Mayor is unavailable, the Vice Mayor may sign the required documents. (Amended via Minute Order 08-071911, July 19, 2011.)
B. QUORUM
A majority of the Council Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. (City Charter)
C. DISCUSSION RULES
1. Obtaining the floor:
a. A member of the City Council, staff, or public shall first address the Presiding Officer and gain recognition.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
b. Comments and questions shall be limited to the issue before Council except when members of the public are addressing the Council under Oral Communications.
c. Cross-exchange between Council Members, staff or public shall be avoided.
d. Any citizen may arise and address the City Council on any business especially concerning them or affecting their interests during Oral Communications, but preference will be given to those who have first presented matters in the form of a written communication or who have personally notified the presiding officer of their desire to speak. e. Any member or other person using profane, vulgar, loud or boisterous language at any meeting, or otherwise interrupting the proceedings, who refuses to be seated or keep quiet when ordered to do so by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem of the City Council, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police, upon order of the presiding officer, to eject any such member or person from the council room. (Ordinance 1537)
2. Questions to staff:
A Council Member shall, after recognition by the Presiding Officer, address questions to duly designated staff members through the City Manager.
3. Interruptions:
a. Once recognized, a Council Member shall not be interrupted while speaking except to make a point of order or personal privilege. b. If a Council Member is called to order while speaking, the individual shall cease speaking until the question of order is determined. c. Upon being recognized by the Presiding Officer, members of staff shall hold the floor until completion of their remarks or until recognition is withdrawn by the Presiding Officer.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
IV. COUNCIL REQUESTS FROM THE PUBLIC
A. Response to Letters from the Public
Periodically Council Members receive letters requesting their response. If a Council Member wishes to answer the letter, the matter can be handled in either of three ways:
1. The Council Member can give the letter to the City Manager's Secretary along with direction on how they wish their response to be worded. The City Manager's staff will then prepare the letter on City Council stationery and forward it to the appropriate Council Member for approval and signature.
Copies of both letters are kept on file in the City Manager's Office, and copies are available upon request.
2. If the letter requires specific information or details only available from another City Department, the City Manager may refer the letter to the appropriate Department Head for response by them or their designee. Copies of the letters will then be forwarded to the City Manager's Office for filing.
3. If the Council Member wishes to answer their own correspondence, City stationery is available upon request from the City Manager's secretary. Copies of all such letters on City Letterhead shall be provided to all other Council members, and the letter shall include a provision clearly defining that the correspondence represents the views and/or feelings of the specific Council member signing the letter. If the Council Member wishes to have a copy of the letters in their file, they should submit a copy to the City Manager’s staff for filing.
If a Council Member receives an informational item and wants a copy to be given to the other Council Members and the City Manager or other Directors, the item should be given to the City Manager's staff and copies will be made and sent out.
B. Referrals to Council agenda
Periodically Council Members receive correspondence or verbal requests for items to be acted upon, or considered, by the City Council. If a Council Member wishes to respond to the request, the matter should be referred to the City Manager. The request can then be handled as follows:
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1. The Council Member may request the City Manager to place the item on the Council agenda as a written communication (however, the request must be stated on the agenda face sheet for Council to be able to act on it at the meeting); or
2. Upon research, the request may be determined to be a violation of City, State or Federal law, policy, or previous Council determination, in which case an appropriate response as to why the matter can not be heard will be provided to the requesting party.
Correspondence requesting that an item be acted upon, or considered, by the City Council, which is received directly by the City Manager, is handled in either of two ways:
1. The City Manager shall place any routine and/or legitimate written request under written communications*, or have a staff report prepared if time permits, for the next City Council agenda; or
2. The City Manager shall place any request which has already been acted upon by Council, cannot legally be accomplished, or which has a potential for litigation, in an Administrative Memorandum.
C. Telephone Calls
Citizens attempting to communicate with the City Council often call the offices at City Hall. Such calls are referred to the City Manager's Office. The City Manager's staff will take a message and refer it to the appropriate Council Member, or give the caller the telephone number of the City Council Member so they may call them directly, according to instructions given by the Council Member [see X-D (3)].
D. Personal Meetings
Council Members who wish to meet with their constituents may use various rooms at City Hall. The Council Member should call the City Manager's Secretary as soon as they know a room is needed so that it can be reserved for their use. No more than two Council Members may attend a meeting to discuss City matters without the meeting becoming a public meeting and therefore falling under the requirements of the Brown Act Open Meeting Laws.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
E. Personal Correspondence
Council Members who wish to send their own correspondence using City stationery shall include a provision clearly defining that the correspondence represents the views and/or feelings of the specific Council member signing the letter. Copies of all such letters on City Letterhead shall be provided to all other Council members. Letterhead stationary is available upon request from the City Manager's secretary, and if the Council Member wishes to have a copy of their letter in their file, they should submit a copy to the City Manager’s staff for filing.
F. Out-of-District Requests
On occasion, Council Members will be contacted by citizens residing outside of their respective districts. When this occurs, City Council Members agree to advise the appropriate Council Member of the contact and matter of concern.
G. Requests for Proclamations
The City routinely receives requests for proclamations. Proclamations are ceremonial statements of Council Members which do not convey legislative action or policy of the Council. Each individual Council Member has the authority to grant and sign proclamations. Within one business day of receipt of a Request for Proclamation, staff shall scan and email the request to all City Council Members. If a Council Member is interested in granting the request, they shall notify staff of their interest. If more than one Council Member responds, the first responsive notification received by staff shall be the grantor. Upon receipt of the affirmative response, staff shall advise the remaining Council Members, and inquire whether they would also like to sign the proclamation.
The Council Members shall have one business day to reply, after which the proclamation will be drafted with the appropriate number of signature blocks, and the grantor and signers shall be notified of its availability for signature.
Upon finalization of the proclamation, staff shall notify the requestor and arrange for its delivery, pick up, or presentation at an event, as requested. Proclamations shall not be included on the Council Agenda nor presented at a Council Meeting unless so approved by a majority of the Council. Staff shall provide a monthly informational report identifying the proclamations granted for the preceding month.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
V. COUNCIL MEMBER REQUESTS TO STAFF
A. General Information
All City Council Member requests for information or documents shall be referred through the City Manager. Any Department Head who receives a direct request from a Council Member shall submit the request, including the name of the requesting Council Member, to the City Manager.
B. Research
All City Council Member requests for information or documents which require extensive research, in the opinion of the City Manager, shall be referred through the City Manager to the Council for direction. The City Manager will discuss the matter with the appropriate department and relay the approximate time table for completion to the City Council for discussion and action at the next available meeting of the City Council. If the request is approved by the Council, upon completion of the research, the information or documents will be forwarded to the City Council Members by the City Manager. (Amended via Minute Order 08-071911, July 19, 2011.) C. Items for inclusion in Council Agenda
The City Manager shall compile the agenda for each meeting and shall include as agenda items, business in the normal course of City affairs, including but not limited to staff proposals to improve services, support the economy and land use, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the City organization, items relating to current, past, and proposed City contracts, leases, franchises, agreements and similar documents, and matters affecting future or proposed City equipment and property, items relating to City employees, agents and contractors, and such other matters as are defined in this handbook or otherwise directed by the City Council.
All City Council Member requests for an item to be placed on the Council agenda shall be made in writing to the City Manager. Such request shall be submitted prior to Wednesday noon of the week before the Council meeting in order to be placed on the next regularly scheduled meeting. (Amended via M.O. 13-111814, November 18, 2014, and via M.O. 13-052119, May 21, 2019.)
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
The City Manager shall place any Council Member request for an agenda item on the next available agenda as a Consent Calendar item for Council approval to be included as a Scheduled Matter on the next available agenda. This does not prevent any Council Member from moving to place an item on the next available agenda during Other Matters of the current agenda. (Amended via Minute Order 08-071911, July 19, 2011.) City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
VI. COUNCIL AGENDA
A. Preparation:
Each Department Head submits their departmental agenda items to the City Manager for approval utilizing the City’s electronic agenda management system. (Amended via M.O. 11-111814, November 18, 2014.)
The City Council meeting agendas are prepared on the Thursday prior to the Tuesday meeting. Any questions regarding whether items have been scheduled for consideration at a particular meeting may be directed to the Chief Deputy City Clerk and/or Deputy City Clerk.
B. Deadlines:
The deadlines for the agenda are the Monday preceding the Thursday preparation day.
Public hearing items, scheduled matter items, Consent calendar items, and written communications must be submitted by the Monday deadline. The deadline for a Council member request for any item shall be Wednesday noon preceding the Thursday preparation day. (Amended via M.O. 13-111814, November 18, 2014.) C. Delivery:
Agendas will be delivered to Council on the Thursday prior to the Tuesday meeting via an emailed link to the electronic agenda packet posted on the City’s website. No items, or additional materials, shall be delivered after the initial delivery to Council on Thursday, except in the instance of a designated emergency item.
Once the Agenda is made available to the City Council, it is available to the public. (Amended via M.O. 11-111814, November 18, 2014.)
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
VII. THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT
The Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government Code Section 54950 et seq.) governs meetings conducted by local legislative bodies such as city councils, boards of supervisors, special districts, and school boards. The Act represents the State Legislature's determination of how the balance should be struck between the public access to meetings of multi-member public bodies on one hand, and the need for confidential candor, debate, and information gathering on the other.
The Act contains specific exceptions from the open meeting requirements where government has a demonstrated need for confidentiality. Where matters are not subject to a closed meeting exception, the Act has been interpreted to mean that all of the deliberative processes by legislative bodies, including discussion, debate and the acquisition of information, be open and available for public scrutiny.
Meetings are defined as any gathering of a quorum of a legislative body (which includes newly elected but unsworn members of the body) to discuss or transact business under the body's jurisdiction and serial meetings are prohibited. Exemptions are individual contacts between board members and others which do not constitute serial meetings, attendance at conferences and meetings which are open to the public so long as legislative bodies do not discuss amongst themselves business of a specific nature under the body's jurisdiction, and attendance at social or ceremonial events where no business of the body is discussed.
The Act requires that notices of regular meetings must be posted at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting, and twenty-four (24) hour notice must be provided to members of the legislative body and media outlets for special meetings.
A user's guide to the Ralph M. Brown Act is provided to Council Members for their information. If a Council Member has a specific question which does not seem to be covered in the guide, the Council Member should contact the City Attorney for a legal opinion.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
VIII. TRAVEL, MEETINGS AND EXPENSES
This policy would satisfy the requirements of California Government Code §§ 53232.2 and 53233.3 in the event such requirements could be constitutionally applied to charter cities.
The City Manager, or his staff, will notify the City Council Members about any League of California Cities' Conferences, Committee meetings, and/or local meetings that may be of interest to the Council. If a Council Member is interested in attending any such meeting, the following procedures should be followed:
A. Requests for Reservations:
When a City Council Member wishes to attend a conference or meeting, he/she should contact the City Manager's office and indicate the following:
1. The date(s) of the conference or meeting;
2. If the Council Member will be accompanied by anyone else, i.e. spouse, child;
3. Any personal preferences for hotel reservations, such as smoking or nonsmoking, king or double beds, etc.; and
4. Whether special travel arrangements need to be made, i.e. airplane tickets, ridesharing, etc.
A disbursement will then be prepared and the payment for the conference or meeting will be forwarded, and, if applicable, the hotel will be contacted to make the appropriate reservations. When making hotel reservations to attend a conference or meeting, a request for a room sales tax waiver shall be made on behalf of the applicable Council member. If a prior room reservation request is not made, the Council member shall request a room sales tax waiver prior to payment for a room.
For lodging in connection with a conference, lodging expenses must not exceed the group rate published by the conference sponsor for the meeting in question, if such rates are available at the time of booking. If the group rate is not available, government rates must be used when available. Lodging rates that are equal or less than the government rates are presumed to be reasonable and allowed per this policy. In the event that government rates are not available at a given time or in a given area, lodging rates that do not exceed the IRS per diem rates for a given area are presumed reasonable and hence allowed.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
B. Travel and Expense Form:
A Travel and Expense Form will then be prepared for the Council Member which indicates the following:
1. The amount of money to be issued to the traveler as per diem*; and
2. Mileage expense* (if a personal vehicle is used for travel and cost is paid in advance).
* Amount set in Administrative Policy Manual Sec. II-E-1, Travel & Conference Expenses. In regard to the per diem amount, if payments for expenses are made in advance pursuant to the specified per diem amounts, the disbursement shall not be considered to be reimbursable expense under AB 1234.
The Council Member will then be issued a packet of materials several days prior to the meeting which contains the following:
1. A check for per diem and mileage;
2. Confirmation notification and informational materials regarding the conference;
3. Confirmation notification for any hotel reservations; and
4. A City credit card to pay for the room charges at the end of the meeting.
C. Receipts:
The Council Member shall then bring the receipt for the hotel charges to the City Manager's staff upon his/her return, together with the credit card, and any refund due the City. The Council Member shall sign the original Travel and Expense Form at that time, which shall then be filed with the Finance Department for final processing.
If a refund is due the Council Member, a check will be issued by the Finance Department and then distributed to the Council Member.
D. Eligibility:
The City shall pay for any Council Member to attend any meetings or conferences of their choice. City Council approval shall not be required unless it is required by AB 1234. A Council Member may request mileage and other expenses associated with attending meetings of boards, commissions, committees, or other groups to which the Council Member has been elected, appointed, or designated to attend by the City Council without further approval or ratification. When accompanied by a spouse, significant other, and/or one or more children, the Council Member shall pay for expenses incurred above that which would otherwise have been paid for the Council Member. Any charge placed on a City credit card for someone other than a Council City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
Member shall also be considered a refund due the City, payable within 10 days of the receipt of the charges. (Amended via Minute Order 18-091812, September 18, 2012.) E. Event Tickets :
1. City and City-Sponsored Events:
A Council Member may accept no more than two (2) tickets issued by the City to a City event or a City-sponsored event. Any tickets in excess of two (2) accepted by a Council Member shall be paid for by the Council Member from non-City funds at the time of acceptance of the tickets. (Resolution No. 97- 2019, December 3, 2019, attached as Appendix B)
2. Non-City Sponsored Events:
A Council Member may accept one (1) ticket issued by the event sponsor if attending the event in his/her capacity as a City Council Member. Any additional tickets shall be paid for by the Council Member from non-City funds at the time of acceptance of the tickets. (Resolution No. 97-2019, December 3, 2019, attached as Appendix B)
F. Council Member Meetings with District Constituents:
No City funds or resources shall be used to pay for expenses related to meetings held by individual Council Members with their constituents, unless prior approval is received from the Council. This does not pertain to City Council Members holding meetings in designated conference rooms at City Hall. Under no circumstances shall City funds or resources be used for campaign purposes. (Via M.O. 13-052119, May 21, 2019.) City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
IX. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A. City Council Members Filing Requirements
City Council Members are under the provisions of the Political Reform Act (Gov. Code, Section 81000 et seq. known as "the Act") as enforced by the Fair Political Practices Commission. The Act applies to campaign contributions requirements, as well as matters of conflict of interest while in office.
1. Disclosure of Economic Interests:
City Council Members must file assuming office and leaving office statements, as well as annual statements while in office. The statements basically require the disclosure of the following information:
Investments or interests in real property and its fair market value; Income, and the name and address of each source of income aggregating five hundred dollars ($500) or more, or fifty ($50) or more if a gift, and a general description of the business activity, if any of each source;
Interests in real property held by a business entity or trust; Loans, and its annual interest rate and the security, if any, given for the loan;
2. Disqualification of Participation (Conflict of Interest):
A Council Member shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his official position to influence a governmental decision in which he knows or has reason to know he has a financial interest. This might include decisions which affect property within up to 500 feet of the subject property in which the Council Member has an interest.
A financial interest in a decision, within the meaning of Section 87100 of the Act, is if it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision will have a material financial effect, distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the Council Member or:
A member of his or her immediate family;
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A business entity in which the Council Member has a direct or indirect investment worth $2000 or more;
Any real property in which the Council Member has a direct or indirect interest worth $2,000 or more;
Any source of income, other than gifts or commercial lending institutes loans, aggregating $500 or more received or promised to the City Council Member within twelve months prior to the time when the decision is made;
Any business entity in which the City Council Member is a director, partner, trustee, employee, or holds any position of management;
Any donor, or any intermediary or agent for a donor, or a gift or gifts aggregating $420 or more in value provided to, received by, or promised to the City Council Member within 12 months prior to the time when the decision is made.
Indirect investment or interest means any investments or interest owned by the spouse or dependent child of a City Council Member, by an agent on behalf of a Council Member, or by a business entity or trust in which the Council Member, the Council Member's agents, spouse, and dependent children own directly, indirectly, or beneficially a 10% interest or greater.
Section 87100 of the Act does not prevent any Council Member from making or participating in the making of a governmental decision to the extent his participation is legally required for the action or decision to be made. The fact that a Council Member's vote is needed to break a tie does not make his participation legally required for purposes of this section.
Pursuant to Section 87105 of the Act, a public official who holds an office specified in Section 87200 who has a financial interest in a decision within the meaning of Section 87100 shall, upon identifying a conflict of interest or a potential conflict of interest and immediately prior to the consideration of the matter, do all of the following:
a. Publicly identify the financial interest that gives rise to the conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest in detail sufficient to be understood by the public, except that disclosure of the exact street address of a residence is not required.
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b. Recuse himself or herself from discussing and voting on the matter, or otherwise acting in violation of Section 87100. c. Leave the room until after the discussion, vote, and any other disposition of the matter is concluded, unless the matter has been placed on the portion of the agenda reserved for uncontested matters.
d. Notwithstanding paragraph (3), a public official may speak on the issue during the time that the general public speaks on the issue.
B. Other Agencies:
Whenever a Council Member is required to file a Statement of Economic Interest for an outside agency, the Deputy City Clerk will provide the correct form, and using the Statement of Economic Interest Form 700 filed in the City Clerk's Office for the City of Porterville, prepare a duplicate statement for signature, and forward the appropriate form to the requesting agency.
D. City of Porterville Conflict of Interest Code:
Certain designated City employees are also required to file conflict of interest forms under the provisions of the Political Reform Act Code, Sections 87100-87500 et seq.
The City of Porterville Conflict of Interest Code was adopted by the City Council and is reviewed biennially to make sure it is kept current.
If Council Members have a question on whether an interest they have is sufficient for disqualification, they should contact the Fair Political Practices Commission at (866) 275-3772, or http://www.fppc.ca.gov, for a ruling or opinion.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
X. GENERAL ITEMS
A. Different Hats
Members of the City Council also serve as the governing bodies for the following local agencies:
1. Successor Agency to the Porterville Redevelopment Agency
2. Industrial Development Authority
3. Public Financing Authority
4. Public Improvement Corporation
5. Planning Commission
6. Conflicts and Disclosure Monitor Agency
B. Compensation
As stated in the City Charter, Section 9, City Council Members shall receive $20 per Council meeting, $25 per Council meeting for the Mayor, with a maximum of seven paid Council meetings per month.
C. Issuance of Electronic Devices to Council Members
An Electronic Device, Internet, and Email Policy has been developed as set forth in Minute Order 14-090605. (See Appendix D)
D. Direction to Support Staff:
Upon assuming office, Council Members should notify the City Manager's staff regarding the following items:
1. Where to deliver Administrative Reports and Memorandums, i.e. home or business.
2. How to direct citizens who wish to speak to Council Members, i.e. take a message, give out home telephone numbers, give out business telephone numbers, etc.
E. City Attorney
The City Attorney is the legal advisor of the City Council, and all other City officials.
The City Attorney shall prosecute all violations of City ordinances and shall draft all contracts and other legal documents and instruments, required by the Council or the City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
City Manager. The City Attorney shall perform such other legal services as the Council may direct and shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused therefrom by three members or by the Mayor.
The types of questions referred to the City Attorney are as follows:
1. Generally whether a conflict of interest exists for a Council Member and whether they should abstain from voting on a specific matter.
Please note: Any advice received from the City Attorney relating to Conflicts of Interests is informal only and not binding; the Council Member must seek and obtain a formal written opinion from the FPPC in order to be afforded any statutory immunities.
2. Whether an issue has a legal standing, and what type of action would be appropriate.
3. Legal recommendations for matters of litigation.
F. Annual City Manager/City Attorney Evaluations
The City Council shall provide for annual evaluations for the City Manager and the City Attorney. A standardized evaluation form shall be used which shall address the areas of importance as set forth by the City Council. (See Appendix C.) G. Response to President/Governor Directives
Directives issued by the President of the United States and/or Governor of the State of California shall not be considered a mandatory directive to the City of Porterville except as authorized and/or approved by the City Council. The one exception to this rule is that flags on City buildings shall be flown at half-staff upon orders by the President, Governor and/or Mayor, or by majority approval of the City Council.
City Council Procedural Handbook
As authorized December 17, 2019
APPENDICES
A. Resolution 100-2019, Order of Business
B. Resolution 97-2019, Ticket Policy
C. Annual City Manager/City Attorney Evaluation Forms
D. Electronic Device, Internet, and Email Policy
E. Email Retention Policy
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX A
CITY MANAGER
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
WEAK STRONG
A. Providing Information
1. Does the City Manager keep you informed, in a
timely manner, of the things you want to know
about?
1 2 3 4 5
2. Do you feel that you receive information on an
equal basis with other Council members? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Do reports provide adequate information and
analysis to help you make sound decisions? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Are agenda items and supporting documents
appropriate and brought to Council in sufficient
time for deliberations?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Does the City Manager follow established
policy concerning the placement of items on
the agenda?
1 2 3 4 5
6. Does the City Manager follow up promptly on
Council requests for information or action
without having to be reminded?
1 2 3 4 5
7. Are Council packets relatively free of errors
and omissions? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Providing Advice
1. Does the City Manager have adequate
knowledge of municipal affairs? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does he exercise good judgment? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Do you feel that the City Manager considers
alternatives before making recommendations? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Manager plan ahead, anticipate
needs and recognize potential problems? 1 2 3 4 5
5. How do you feel about the quality of analysis
that accompanies recommendations? 1 2 3 4 5
6. Does he have a good sense of timing in
bringing issues to the Council for action? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION
WEAK STRONG
A. Financial Management
1. Are you comfortable with the City Manager’s
approach to budget preparation and review? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Is the City Manager effective in controlling costs
through economical utilization of manpower,
materials, and equipment?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Manager have sufficient
knowledge of financial matters? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Manager provide you with
sufficient information on the financial status of
the City government?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Is the budget submitted on time? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Personnel Management
1. Is the City Manager successful in guiding
people so that they work together as a team
toward common objectives?
1 2 3 4 5
WEAK STRONG
2. Is the City Manager effective in selection and
placing personnel? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Manager develop and motivate
personnel so that they are increasingly effective
in performing their duties?
1 2 3 4 5
4. Is the City Manager willing to face up to
disciplinary problems and take action when
warranted?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Is the City Manager effective in promoting
positive employer-employee relations? 1 2 3 4 5
6. Is the City Manager effective on assuring that
staff makes a positive impression on citizens? 1 2 3 4 5 Average score
WEAK STRONG
C. Getting the Job Done
1. Do you have the feeling that things the Council
decides or directs get done? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the City Manager organize or assign work
so that it is performed efficiently and
effectively?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Manager pay sufficient attention
to detail to avoid error or things “slipping
through the cracks”?
1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Manager put in sufficient time
and effort to perform to your expectations? 1 2 3 4 5
5. Does the City Manager have a good sense of
priorities in the way he spends his time on the
job?
1 2 3 4 5
6. Is the City Manager able to analyze problems or
issues and identify causes, reasons, and
implications?
1 2 3 4 5
7. Does the City Manager develop and carry out
short- and long-term action plans? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
WEAK STRONG
A. Citizen Relations
1. Does the City Manager generally make a
positive impression on citizens and is he
respected in Porterville?
1 2 3 4 5
2. Is he effective in handling disputes or
complaints involving citizens? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Manager have appropriate
visibility or identity in the community? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Manager represent Council
positions and policies accurately and
effectively?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Does the City Manager have the insight and
knowledge to work with the Council, staff, and
citizens to find effective solutions to issues?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Intergovernmental Relations
1. Is the City Manager effective representing the
City’s interests in dealing with other agencies? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the City Manager participate in enough
intergovernmental activity to have an impact on
behalf of the City?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
WEAK STRONG
A. Personality
1. Is the City Manager’s personality suited to
effective performance of his duties? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Communications
1. Is the City Manager easy to talk to? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Do you feel he is a good listener? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Are communications thoughtful, clear, and to
the point? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Manager show sensitivity to the
concerns of others? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
C. Management Style
1. Does the City Manager demonstrate interest
and enthusiasm in performing his duties? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does he have sufficient leadership
characteristics to command respect and good
performance from employees?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Manager show initiative and
creativity in dealing with issues, problems, and
unusual situations?
1 2 3 4 5
4. Is the City Manager open to new ideas and
suggestions for change? 1 2 3 4 5
5. Does the City Manager create an atmosphere
in which employees can enjoy working for the
City?
1 2 3 4 5
6. Is the City Manager honest and ethical? 1 2 3 4 5
7. Does the City Manager work well under
pressure? 1 2 3 4 5
8. Is the City Manager able to change his
approach to fit new situations? 1 2 3 4 5
9. Can the City Manager consistently put aside
personal views and implement Council policy
and direction?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
ACHIEVEMENTS
List the top three achievements or strong points of the City Manager for the past twelve (12) months:
1. 2.
3. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
List three performance objectives for the City Manager that you feel are the most important targets for this year:
1. 2.
3.
Total Overall Score
WEAK STRONG
OVERALL RATING 1 2 3 4 5
Date:
_________________________________
Martha A. Flores, Mayor
_______________________________ ______________________________ Monte Reyes, Vice Mayor Milt Stowe, Council Member
_______________________________ ______________________________ Daniel Peñaloza, Council Member Virginia Gurrola, Council Member
CITY ATTORNEY
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
WEAK STRONG
A. Providing Information
1. Does the City Attorney keep you informed, in a
timely manner, of the legal issues affecting the
City?
1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the City Attorney demonstrate initiative
and resourcefulness in identifying legal
problems, and advising and recommending
resolutions?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Do reports/memoranda from the City Attorney
provide adequate information and analysis to
help you make sound decisions?
1 2 3 4 5
4. Do the legal solutions that are developed
appropriately address the issues to be
resolved?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Does the City Attorney follow up promptly on
Council requests for information or action
without having to be reminded?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Providing Advice
1. Does the City Attorney have adequate
knowledge of municipal legal affairs? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does he/she exercise good judgment? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Do you feel that the City Attorney considers
alternatives before making recommendations? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Attorney plan ahead, anticipate
needs and recognize potential legal problems? 1 2 3 4 5
5. How do you feel about the quality of analysis
that accompanies recommendations? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
C. Getting the Job Done
1. Do you have the feeling that things the Council
decides or directs get done? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the City Attorney pay sufficient attention
to detail to avoid error or things “slipping
through the cracks”?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Attorney put in sufficient time and
effort to perform to your expectations? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Attorney have a good sense of
priorities in the way he/she spends his/her time
on the job?
1 2 3 4 5
5. Is the City Attorney able to analyze problems or
issues and identify causes, reasons, and
implications?
1 2 3 4 5
6. Does the City Attorney perform well under
pressure? 1 2 3 4 5
7. When work is delegated to staff/deputy
attorneys, is the project/issue handled
appropriately?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
WEAK STRONG
A. Citizen Relations
1. Does the City Attorney generally make a
positive impression on citizens and is he/she
respected in Porterville?
1 2 3 4 5
2. Is he/she effective in handling disputes or
complaints involving citizens? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Does the City Attorney have appropriate
visibility or identity in the community? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Attorney think and act in a
manner reflecting an attitude that client
(Council, staff, or citizens) perceptions and
satisfactions are key?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Intergovernmental Relations
1. Is the City Attorney effective representing the
City’s interests in dealing with other agencies? 1 2 3 4 5 Average score
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
WEAK STRONG
A. Personality
1. Is the City Attorney’s personality suited to
effective performance of his/her duties? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
B. Communications
1. Is the City Attorney easy to talk to? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Do you feel he/she is a good listener? 1 2 3 4 5
3. Are communications thoughtful, clear, and to
the point? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Attorney show sensitivity to the
concerns of others? 1 2 3 4 5
Average score
WEAK STRONG
C. Management Style
1. Does the City Attorney demonstrate interest
and enthusiasm in performing his/her duties? 1 2 3 4 5
2. Does the City Attorney show initiative and
creativity in dealing with issues, problems, and
unusual situations?
1 2 3 4 5
3. Is the City Attorney honest and ethical? 1 2 3 4 5
4. Does the City Attorney work well under
pressure? 1 2 3 4 5
WEAK STRONG
5. Is the City Attorney able to change his/her
approach to fit new situations? 1 2 3 4 5
6. Can the City Attorney consistently put aside
personal views and implement Council policy
and direction?
1 2 3 4 5
Average score
ACHIEVEMENTS
List the top three achievements or strong points of the City Attorney for the past twelve (12) months:
1. 2.
3. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
List three performance objectives for the City Attorney that you feel are the most important targets for this year:
1. 2.
3.
TOTAL OVER ALL SCORE
WEAK STRONG
OVERALL RATING 1 2 3 4 5
Date:
_________________________________
Martha A. Flores, Mayor
_______________________________ ______________________________ Brian Ward, Vice Mayor Milt Stowe, Council Member
_______________________________ ______________________________ Monte Reyes, Council Member Daniel Peñaloza, Council Member
CITY COUNCIL
CITY DEVICE, INTERNET & EMAIL POLICY
Electronic devices are made available to Council Members upon taking office and assuming Council duties. Access to email and the internet is a resource also made available to City Council Members as a means of communicating with City administration and constituents. The City Council recognizes that access to electronic communications contributes to the efficiency of conducting city business. The City Council has adopted this policy to ensure that all City of Porterville computer and network resources are used for purposes appropriate to City business; to inform Council Members of the applicability of laws and policies to computer and network usage; to establish policies on privacy, confidentiality, and security in electronic communications; and to provide guidance concerning rights and responsibilities with respect to the proper use of City of Porterville computer and network resources.
SCOPE
This policy applies to:
1. All City Council Members, as authorized users, whether elected or appointed;
2. All computer and mobile devices and network resources leased, owned, or managed by the City of Porterville; and
3. All electronic communications records in the possession of the City of Porterville.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY
1. All materials sent or received over the Internet on electronic devices and/or network resources leased, owned or managed by the City, shall be considered property of the City. An authorized user does not have privacy rights in any matter created, received or sent. The City reserves the right to monitor access or disclose any message created, received or sent via the Internet or e-mail at any time, without advanced notice.
2. All authorized users shall respect the privacy of other users; for example, users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files or data, belonging to other users, unless explicit permission to do so has been obtained.
3. Authorized users are to safeguard their accounts and passwords. Accounts and passwords are normally assigned to a single user, and are not to be shared with others. Users are responsible for their individual computer accounts and shall take
APPENDIX D
all reasonable precautions to prevent others from using their accounts. All notebooks and/or tablets should be locked or logged off each time they leave the device unattended. Account owners are ultimately responsible for all activity under their account.
4. Authorized users will not connect, attempt to connect or disconnect any computer or peripheral to, from or within the City of Porterville network without prior authorization from the Information Technology Division.
5. Authorized users will not use or attempt to use on the City of Porterville network any of the following items: any computer operating system media; computer or network utilities; network monitors; unlocking utilities or any software used to repair, change or monitor computer operations, network activity or security without preapproval from the Information Technology Division.
6. Authorized users should not attempt to remove the email disclaimers in their emails.
7. Authorized users shall not write down passwords to City of Porterville resources in an unsecured area.
8. Confidential information should not be downloaded or stored on portable resources unless proper encryption and password protection mechanisms are in place.
UNACCEPTABLE USES
1. Violations of the rights of any person or company protected by copyright, trade secret, patent or other intellectual property, or similar laws or regulations, including, but not limited to, unauthorized digitization and distribution of photographs from magazines, books or other copyrighted sources, copyrighted music, and the installation or distribution of “pirated” or other software products that are not appropriately licensed for use by City of Porterville.
2. Accessing or viewing sexually explicit or pornographic material.
3. Exporting software, technical information, public safety information, or encryption software, in violation of international or regional export control laws. Such use is illegal. The Information Technology Division should be consulted prior to export of any material that is in question.
APPENDIX D
4. Introduction of malicious programs into the network or servers (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, e-mail bombs, etc.) that may gain unauthorized access to any computer or computing system and cause intentional disruption.
5. Revealing your account password to others or allowing use of your account by others. This includes family and other household members when work is being done at home.
6. Using a City of Porterville device for profit activities (e.g., consulting for pay, sale of goods such as Avon and Amway products, etc.), or to actively engage in procuring or transmitting material that is in violation of discriminatory, sexual harassment or hostile workplace laws. Use of City devices or networks for political campaign purposes is expressly prohibited.
7. Making fraudulent offers of products, items or services originating from any City of Porterville account.
8. Effecting security incidents or disruptions of network communication. Security incidents include, but are not limited to, accessing data of which the authorized user is not an intended recipient or logging into a server or account that the authorized user is not expressly permitted to access, unless these duties are within the scope of regular duties. For purposes of this section, “disruption” includes, but is not limited to, network sniffing, pinged floods, packet spoofing, denial of service, and forged routing information for malicious purposes.
9. Port scanning or security scanning. Such use is expressly prohibited.
10. Executing any form of network monitoring which will intercept data not intended for the authorized user’s host, unless this activity is part of the employee’s normal job/duty.
11. Circumventing user authentication of security of any host, network or account.
12. Using any program/script/command, or sending messages of any kind, with the intent to interfere with, or disable, a user’s terminal session, via any means, locally or via the Internet/Intranet/Extranet.
APPENDIX D
13. Unless explicitly authorized, providing information about, or lists of, City of Porterville employees or its affiliates to parties outside City of Porterville.
14. Incurring personal charges through the use of these systems. In the event that an authorized user does incur personal charges through the use of these systems, that user will be responsible for reimbursing the City for all expenses incurred.
15. Removing or disabling the security software (i.e. firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc.) for any reason, unless done by or with the authority of the Information Technology staff.
16. The connection of portable or desktop computers to the City of Porterville computer network without approval by the Information Technology Division. Visitors or vendors under your care are not allowed to connect their portables directly to the City’s network.
CITY’S RESERVATION OF THE RIGHT TO MONITOR
Pursuant to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986...notice is hereby given that there are NO facilities provided by the City for sending or receiving private confidential electronic communications. System administrators have access to all mail and user data files, and will monitor messages as necessary to assure efficient performance.
PUBLIC RECORDS AND PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DEVICES
Any temporary and permanent files and data prepared or received on a City owned or controlled device are considered a public record, unless an otherwise valid public records exemption applies.
Temporary and permanent files and data prepared or received on a privately-owned device or electronic system by an authorized user containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business are public records subject to control by the City and compliance with the City’s record policies. A writing relates to the conduct of the public’s business when it serves, or is intended to serve, a City purpose and involves a matter over which the authorized user has work responsibility. This policy is not intended to modify the definition of a public record as defined by the California Public Records Act.
When notified of a public records request, the authorized user must conduct a reasonable search for, locate, and review writings maintained on his or her privatelyowned device or electronic systems that are potentially responsive to a public records request and provide the responsive records to the City Clerk. The authorized user must provide an explanation for a decision to exclude certain writings as not being responsive
APPENDIX D
public records. If required by the City Attorney, the authorized user must execute an affidavit containing a sufficient factual basis for the City or a court to determine whether a record on a privately-owned electronic systems is not a responsive public record.
LOST OR STOLEN
Authorized users must report to City Administration, within one business day, whenever any personal device used pursuant to this policy is suspected or known to be lost or stolen. Upon notification of loss/theft, the System administrators may issue a remote wipe of affected City-owned or controlled devices to ensure that City-related data is safeguarded. The City is not liable for the potential loss of personal (e.g., contacts, apps, photos, etc.) data, including the potential to restore the device to factory default settings.
APPENDIX D
PURPOSE:
To provide a procedure for the retention of e-mails consistent with applicable state and/or federal law and to provide for the efficient maintenance of affected infrastructure.
PROCEDURE:
Managing Agency E-mail
Agency officials and employees are responsible for the management of their e-mail folders on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of agency officials and employees to determine if an e-mail is an Official Agency Record (“OAR”) which must be retained in accordance with the City’s Records Retention Policy. An e-mail message and any attachments regardless of format may be considered an OAR.
Messages that are Generally NOT Considered as Official Agency Records Examples of e-mail messages that are not generally considered OARs may include: (1) personal messages; (2) “Spam” emails, advertisements, or other “junk” e-mail; (3) messages not related to public business (e.g., employee birthday celebrations in the lunch room); and (4) newsletters or general information from vendors or other public agencies.
Preserving E-mails that are Official Agency Records
Any e-mail message, including any attachments regardless of format that is an OAR should be preserved by one of the following methods:
1. Print the email and consolidate the printed copy in the appropriate file. Generally, the employee who sends the e-mail should be the person responsible for printing and filing the hard copy, but persons responsible for a particular program or project file shall be responsible for retaining all e-mail they send or receive related to that program or project
2. Move the e-mail from your Inbox to the archival folder within your Office 365 account.
E-mail Box Retention Schedule
Days 120 120 30 30
Email Folders Inbox Sent Delete Junk
CITY OF PORTERVILLE
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
Number V-A-15
Date May 2, 2019
Revised
Authority Administration
City Manager
SUBJECT: EMAIL RETENTION POLICY
APPENDIX E
Inbox and Sent folders retention period is 120 days. Items that reach 120 days will be automatically moved to archive.
Deleted and Junk folders retention period is 30 days. Items that reach 30 days will be automatically moved to archive.
This policy does not waive any exemption to disclosure that may apply under the California Public Records Act or other applicable law.
APPENDIX E
RESOLUTION NO. ____-2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PORTERVILLE RESCINDING RESOLUTION 100-2019
AND ESTABLISHING NEW ORDER OF BUSINESS TO BE FOLLOWED
AT REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Porterville that Resolution No. 100-2019 is herein rescinded.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following is the order of business to be followed in conducting the regular meetings of the City Council:
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (closed session items only)
CLOSED SESSION
RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
PRESENTATIONS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (on any matter of interest)
STAFF INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
CONSENT CALENDAR – to include:
Approval of Minutes
Claims Against the City
Payment of Bills
Payments on Public Works Projects
Authorization to Purchase
Authorization to Call for Bids
Award of Bids
Acceptance of Projects
Acceptance of Dedications/Property
Approval of Final Tract Maps
Annexations
Requests for City Services
Reports
Other Routine Matters
PUBLIC HEARINGS
SECOND READINGS
SCHEDULED MATTERS
AB1234 REPORTS
Resolution No. ____-2023
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (on any matter of interest)
COUNCIL COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 17th day of January, 2023. _______________________________
Martha A. Flores, Mayor
ATTEST:
John D. Lollis, City Clerk
______________________________
By: Patrice Hildreth, Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPENDIX F
CITY OF PORTERVILLE CITY COUNCIL
POLICY CONCERNING USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
The City Council of the City of Porterville recognizes that social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube, etc. are popular tools for developing communications with the community.
However, use of these tools should be done in a manner consistent with the Public Records Act, Brown Act, and other applicable laws. The City Council has adopted this policy in order to strike an appropriate balance between privacy, liability and public records concerns, and to keep clear distinctions between official and personal accounts.
THIRD PARTY SYSTEMS
Many social media platforms are third party systems that are maintained by other entities. Therefore, storage and control of information by account holders is limited by the terms of agreement with those entities. The account holders do not control the privacy and use policies of the platforms, and it is recognized that platform providers will, from time to time, modify their terms, conditions and usage policies with little to no notification.
CITY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES AND INDIVIDUAL SITES
“City social media sites” means official social media sites that the City establishes. “Individual social media sites” means social media sites established by individual Council Members, whether they reference their status as council members or not on the site.
NEW BROWN ACT LAW ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 AFFECTING SOCIAL MEDIA USE A majority of the City Council Members are prohibited, outside of an authorized meeting, from using a series of communications of any kind to discuss, deliberate, or take action on any item of business that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. The new law does not prevent a Council Member from engaging in separate communications outside of an authorized meeting with any other person using an internet-based social media platform, to answer questions, provide information to the public, or to solicit information from the public regarding a City-related matter. That stated, the new law states that a majority of the City Council Members shall not use any internet-based social media platform to discuss among themselves, business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City.
FURTHERMORE, A CTIY COUNCIL MEMBER SHALL NOT RESPOND DIRECTLY TO ANY
COMMUNICATION ON AN INTERNET-BASED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM REGARDING A MATTER
THAT IS WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL THAT IS MADE, POSTED, OR SHARED BY ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. The new law specifically includes the use of “digital icons” that express reactions, in addition to electronic comments, within the definition of social media communications that are subject to restriction/prohibition.
CONSTITUTIONAL/FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS
There is case law addressing what will be interpreted as an account created or used in the Council Member’s official capacity and considered a public forum created by a public official (therefore prohibiting a public official from removing an individual’s communications or removing/banning users from that account), versus what may be considered a private social media account of a public official. In Knight First Amendment Institute v. Trump, 8 F.3d 226 (2nd Circuit 2019), the Court found that the First Amendment does not permit a public official who utilizes a social media account for official purposes to exclude persons from an otherwise-open dialogue because they expressed views with which the official disagrees. Such persons cannot be blocked in response to views that person has expressed. The Court noted that President Trump’s account was private prior to his election, and that the account may again become private when he leaves office, but because he had used the account to communicate and interact with the public about his administration, he had converted the account to a public forum. In Garnier v. O’Connor-Ratcliffe, 41 F.4th 1158 (9th Circuit 2022), the Court determined that two school board
APPENDIX F
candidates, who had campaign social media accounts/pages that were later changed to reflect their positions as elected officials and were used to communicate about school district activities, could not restrict or block specific parents from those pages/accounts.
COUNCIL MEMBER USE OF CITY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Members of the City Council shall not engage on City social media sites to “Like,” “Share,” “Retweet” or otherwise respond to any published postings on the City social media sites. Furthermore, members of the City Council shall not use the City social media sites to blog or engage in serial meetings, to engage in communications that violate other provisions of the Brown Act, or to otherwise discuss, deliberate, or express opinions on any issue within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City.
COUNCIL MEMBER USE OF INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL MEDIA SITES
Members of the City Council, as a matter of free speech, may each choose to establish their own social media sites using their personal accounts. City Council Members recognize that for any account they establish, where they communicate regarding concerning the City’s activities or their own activities as a City Council Member, it is recommended that the content and tenor of online comments and information posts model the same decorum displayed during City Council meetings. The members agree to include a statement in their public profiles, or otherwise make clear on those sites that the site is not an official City social media site, that complaints and public records requests must be provided directly to the City Clerk or specific related City department, and that any content posted on the sites by the Council Member is not the official position of the City.
In order to assist with keeping information from individual social media sites from becoming subject to disclosure and retention requirements as a public record, the following precautions are recommended: 1) post disclaimers on personal accounts that identify the account purpose and that the opinions expressed are the individual’s own; 2) limit the account content to personal use; 3) understand and use privacy settings to manage the account; 4) don’t link from your individual accounts to an official city account; and 5) don’t use city devices to maintain your individual account. Notwithstanding these recommended precautions, City Council members shall not delete posts on their accounts used to communicate about activities and issues that come within the City’s subject matter, or comments received by individuals related to any such activities or issues, in order to ensure compliance with City records retention and public records laws.
Item No. 18.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – JANUARY 17, 2023
SUBJECT: 2023 State Budget and Legislation Interests
SOURCE: City Manager's Office
COMMENT: City staff has been in communication with the respective staff for both Senator Hurtado and Assemblyman Mathis in regard to prospective State budgetary and legislative interests for the upcoming 2023 California legislative session.
Past budgetary and legislative interests of the City have included: grant funding for the City's transition to tertiary treatment recycled water; grant funding for a new community library and community center; enhanced funding for homeless housing and support services; State determination of reuse of the general treatment area of the Porterville Developmental Center; State maintenance of the Army National Guard Armory facility and/or surplus to the City for community purposes; and State Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Program Module 1 at Porterville College.
In the 2021 California legislative session, Senator Hurtado was instrumental in the award of $3 million in grant funds to the City for the development of the tertiary treatment recycled water facility being constructed in collaboration with the Tule River Tribe in support of the Eagle Mountain Casino relocation project. In the 2022 California legislative session, Senator Hurtado was significantly responsible for the appropriation of $10 million in State funding for the development of a new Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Administrative offices at the former library site.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council consider its State budget and legislative interests for the upcoming 2023 California legislative session.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft 2023 State Budget and Legislative Priorities Appropriated/Funded:
Review By:
Department Director:
John Lollis, City Manager
Final Approver: John Lollis, City Manager
CITY OF PORTERVILLE
2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
* New Community Library Facility
* New Community Recreation Facility
* Homeless Housing and Services Funding
* Porterville Developmental Center Reuse
* Army National Guard Armory Reuse
* Porterville College POST Peace Officer Program Module 1 2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
New Community Library Facility
State Budget Request: $10,000,000
* Porterville Library was the “Tulare County’s Library” (SJVLS data) * Historic Library was lost to catastrophic arson fire on February 18, 2020 * City fire insurance proceeds being used to develop temporary library * Historic Library was 18,000-square feet; New library needs assessment recommends 40,000-square foot facility
* $750 per square foot is current cost of construction: $30,000,000 * City fire insurance proceeds potentially pay $13,000,000 * City awarded California State Library Grant of $7,260,000 * Requested State funding match of $10,000,000
* Environmental/Design: 2023; Construction: 2024; Open: 2025 2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
New Community Center Recreation Facility
State Budget Request: $5,000,000
* City is selling co-located Heritage Community Center to Porterville Unified School District for expanded use of Santa Fe Elementary School for $1.8 million (federal funds)
* City vision for new 20,000-square foot community recreation facility * City awarded State Proposition 68 grant for $7.5 million * Proposed location is on City property in a significantly disadvantaged census tract, co-located along the City’s Rails-to-Trails Pedestrian Corridor (Santa Fe Byway)
2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
Homeless Housing and Services Funding
Request: Support
* City established first and only current homeless navigation center in Tulare County, opening in November 2020 in partnership with contract operator Turning Point of Central California
* Porterville Welcome Center provides fifteen (15) emergency shelter beds at fifteen (15) bridge housing beds
* City is planning to expand the Porterville Welcome Center with thirty (30) additional emergency shelter beds, bathroom and shower facility, indoor meal area, laundry facility, and more office space for services * State homeless funding for Tulare County is being dedicated by the County of Tulare to exclusively support the Project Homekey projects in Tulare and Visalia
* City planning to utilize federal ARPA funding for capital improvements 2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
Porterville Developmental Center Reuse
Request: Support
* City has received no update since 2016 from the California Department of Developmental Services on the Transition Plan for the Porterville Developmental Center since the General Treatment Area was closed * “Rumors” of potential reuses have included CalFire, Highway Patrol and/or Department of Corrections establishing public safety academies * With no California State University or University of California campuses in Tulare County, potential programs with focus on agriculture, behavioral sciences, criminal science, cultural and biological resources, etc. * Potential Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing facility for individuals experiencing homelessness
2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
Army National Guard Armory Reuse
Request: Support
* California National Guard has closed the Porterville armory in consolidation and expansion of Bakersfield armory
* New Porterville armory was being planned adjacent to the Porterville Fairgrounds on City property, with a property swap of the current armory site and the City property for the new armory
* With closure of the Porterville armory, the City has expressed interest in the surplus of the facility to the City for enhanced community services * California National Guard is not maintaining the Porterville facility, with frequent community complaints in regard to unkept facility landscaping * City has requested the opportunity to tour the vacated armory facility, but have not been provided such right of entry; California National Guard has estimated up to $5 million in deferred maintenance needs 2023 State Budget and
Legislative Priorities
Porterville College POST Peace Officer Program Module 1 Request: Support
* Porterville College currently offers POST Peace Officer Program Modules 2 and 3, but not 1 due to College of the Sequoias offering Module 1 * College of the Sequoias Peace Officer Program is offered at its Hanford campus, thus no Module 1 program is offered in Tulare County * City and Porterville College already partner in hosting the Fire Academy at City’s Fire Station 72 and Fire Training Facility
* City and Porterville College have discussed the potential of hosting the Peace Officer Program at a City facility, including Module 1, but need POST accreditation and support