Law and Legislation Committee
January 13, 2026

City of Sacramento
Law and Legislation Committee Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2025-01977 1/13/2026
Councilmember Proposal Request for Committee Consideration - Robla Community Plan File ID: 2025-01977
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and provide direction on the attached councilmember proposal regarding development of a Robla Community Plan and take one of the following actions: 1) Pass a Motion directing the appropriate council appointive officer to commence work on the proposal and bring it back to the committee for review and consideration; 2) Pass a Motion directing the appropriate council appointive officer to commence work on the proposal with committee members and forwarding the item to the city council for consideration without further review by the committee; 3) Pass a Motion sending the matter back to the sponsoring councilmember for additional information; 4) Pass a Motion deferring the request and directing the appropriate council appointive officer to bring the proposal back to the committee at a later date; or 5) Pass a Motion denying the proposal request.

Contact: Councilmember Roger Dickinson, Bryan DeBlonk, Chief of Staff, (916) 808-7002, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Roger Dickinson, District 2; Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, Misty Alafranji, Chief of Staff, (916) 808-7001, [email protected], Office of Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, District 1
Presenter: None, see proposal.

Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Councilmember Proposal Request Submission
3-Council Rules of Procedure
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: Councilmembers may propose an item, ordinance, program, research, or initiative for council action by submitting a written request to the City Clerk. The process modulates the agenda requests of individual councilmembers by referring those requests to the relevant city council standing committee for review, as appropriate, and in so doing provides clear guidance to the council appointees that their work demands are serving the council as a whole. It also ensures councilmember requests are duly tracked and assigned, thus promoting transparency and

File ID: 2025-01977 1/13/2026
accountability.

The attached proposal number 2024-010 was submitted by Councilmember Roger Dickinson and Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, was reviewed by the mayor on November 12, 2025 and is being referred to this city council standing committee for consideration.

Policy Considerations: Council Rules of Procedure, Chapter 12.

Economic Impacts: See proposal.

Environmental Considerations: This action is not a project that is subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an administrative activity and relates to government fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines § 15378(b)(2) and (b) (4)).

Sustainability: See proposal.

Commission/Committee Action: Committee action is required to initiate staff work on any councilmember proposal request.

Rationale for Recommendation: Committee direction will provide clear guidance to the council appointees that their work demands are serving the council as a whole and are in alignment with council priorities.

Financial Considerations: See proposal.

Local Business Enterprise (LBE): See proposal.

COUNCILMEMBER PROPOSAL REQUEST SUBMISSION
Process as outlined in the Council Rules of Procedure, Chapter 12.

Submission Date: October 20, 2025

SUBJECT (brief summary): Robla Community Plan: Addressing unique challenges from mixed urban, industrial, and semi-rural land uses, including preserving semi-rural character, mitigating industrial-residential conflicts, resolving infrastructure and traffic deficiencies, and meeting evolving urban needs.

Councilmember Sponsor: Roger Dickinson, District 2 | Lisa Kaplan, District 1 Assigned Council Staff Member: Bryan DeBlonk, Chief of Staff (District 2) | Misty Alafranji, Chief of Staff (District 1)

Proposal Summary/Recommendation (Provide a brief description of the proposal):

Recommendation: It is strongly recommended that the City of Sacramento develop a Community Plan specifically tailored for the Robla community.

Brief Description: Robla possesses a unique and complex blend of urban, industrial, and semi-rural land uses, creating distinct challenges and opportunities that are not adequately addressed by current city-wide zoning and development codes. A dedicated Community Plan is essential for establishing a clear vision for Robla's future and providing localized policy guidance within the City's General Plan framework. The Robla Community Plan will be structured to align with established best practices and previous Sacramento community plans. Furthermore, the plan will be informed by and reference relevant existing City studies and reports to ensure a data-driven and well-analyzed approach to shaping Robla's long-term sustainability and livability.

Rationale for Recommendation (Identify the issue(s) that this proposal will address):

The City of Sacramento's established practice of utilizing community plans for localized policy guidance within the General Plan necessitates the development of a comprehensive plan for the unique Robla community. A dedicated Community Plan is critical to define a clear vision for Robla, aligning with the city's overarching goal of maintaining community-specific policy direction within the General Plan framework.

Furthermore, the plan will maintain consistency with the citywide General Plan, avoiding redundant policies and referencing existing land use diagrams, while considering necessary amendments. The development of a comprehensive Robla Community Plan is strongly recommended.

Recommended Priority Level:

Councilmember Proposal Request Submission Page 1 of 3
Form Rev. 01/29/2024
2025-010
X 0-30 days
☐ 30-60 days
☐ Greater than 60 days

City Council Committee Review Recommended:
☐ Budget and Audit Committee (B&A)
X Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
☐ Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
☐ Racial Equity Committee (RE)
X City Board, Commission, or Committee Review Recommended (list advisory body(ies)):

X Planning and Design Commission

Do any of the following Council Policy Considerations apply? If so, give a brief explanation:
☐ DEI:

X Climate Action: A Robla Community Plan can integrate climate action by specifically addressing the environmental impacts of the area's mixed land uses, such as industrial emissions and transportation patterns. Focusing on sustainable development, improving public transit and pedestrian infrastructure, and potentially incorporating green infrastructure strategies can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This localized approach allows for tailored climate action strategies that consider Robla's unique context and contribute to the City of Sacramento's broader climate goals.

Financial Considerations: This plan requires a multi-faceted approach to funding. The City of Sacramento can leverage funding sources such as municipal bonds. Additionally, the plan's financial viability could depend on securing external capital through government grants and loans, as well as forming strategic Public-Private Partnerships. We can implement land value capture mechanisms to help finance public improvements.

Attachments to Support Summary/Recommendation:
(Please attach and explain council staff research that has been done on this proposal; Include all information received from outside careholders, drafts or examples compiled).

Councilmember Proposal Request Submission Page 2 of 3
Form Rev. 01/29/2024
2025-010
Mayor’s Review:

Date Reviewed:

Committee Review Required:
☐ Budget and Audit Committee (B&A)
☐ Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
☐ Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
☐ Racial Equity Committee
☐ City Board, Commission, or Committee Review (list advisory body(ies)):

Committee Review Exception Applies:
☐ Urgent matter that requires quick council action.
☐ A matter related to a pending council matter.
☐ A matter that on its face falls fully outside the jurisdiction of the City. ☐ A matter within the City Manager’s executive function that does not need council authorization.

Department(s) Collaboration Needed:

Mayor’s Additional Direction:

City Council Standing Committee Scheduling:

Transmitted for addition to the following agenda(s) for committee review to initiate staff work on the proposal:

Standing Committee Tentative Agenda Date
Budget and Audit Committee (B&A)
Law and Legislation Committee (L&L)
Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE)
Racial Equity Committee (RE)

Proposal will also be made part of the Councilmember Proposal Tracking Log.

City Clerk’s Additional Comments:

Councilmember Proposal Request Submission Page 3 of 3
Form Rev. 01/29/2024
2025-010
Memorandum

From: Office of Councilmember Roger Dickinson (District 2) & Office of Councilmember Lisa Kaplan (District 1)
Date: October 20, 2025
Re: Robla Community Plan

I. Introduction
The City of Sacramento has an established practice of utilizing community plans to provide localized policy guidance within the framework of the City's General Plan. This memorandum emphasizes the essential need for the development of a comprehensive Community Plan tailored speci
fically
for the Robla Community.

Robla presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities due to its distinctive, and often con
flicting,
characteristics. The area exhibits a blend of urban, industrial, and semi-rural land uses, resulting in complex interactions and competing demands. The current zoning and development codes are inadequate to e
ffectively manage
these elements and achieve the
desired outcomes for property owners and the community as a whole. A robust and inclusive community planning process is essential to de
fine
a clear vision for Robla's future identity. The
development of a comprehensive Community Plan will enable the City of Sacramento to address these issues in a thoughtful and thorough manner, ensuring the long-term sustainability and livability of the Robla Community.

II. Robla Community Plan Components
The Robla Community Plan should be structured in alignment with best practices and consistent with previous City of Sacramento community plans. The plan should include the following key components:
● Location and Boundaries: A clear and concise description of the plan's geographical boundaries and the overall area encompassed.
● Development and Planning History: A detailed background section outlining the historical development of the area and its current characteristics. ● Community Vision: A comprehensive vision statement that reflects the collective aspirations of the community
, derived from extensive community outreach and
engagement.
● Community Issues and Opportunities: A thorough analysis of the major issues and opportunities identified
by residents, with clear annotations indicating how these issues are addressed within the City's General Plan.
1 | Office of Councilmember Roger Dickinson
2025-010
● Community Policies: A comprehensive collection of community-specific policies,
including land use regulations, middle-housing ordinances, development intensity guidelines, roadway allocations and park access strategies. Relevant maps, depicting land use, development intensity and park access at a neighborhood scale, should be included to clarify these policies.
● Relevant Plans and Studies: To ensure the Robla Community Plan is grounded in thorough analysis and informed decision-making, this section will compile a comprehensive list of existing City and County studies and reports directly relevant to the area.

III. Process for Developing the Community Plan
To ensure a successful and inclusive planning process, community input must be actively solicited and incorporated throughout the development of the Robla Community Plan. The engagement process should include the following:
● In-Person Community Meetings: Regularly scheduled public meetings to facilitate direct interaction and dialogue with residents and stakeholders. ● Virtual Open Houses: Online platforms for presenting community plan proposals and gathering feedback from a wider audience.
● Community-Led Engagement: Support for community groups, neighborhood associations and other organizations to conduct their own engagement activities. ● Ongoing Correspondence: A system for receiving and responding to written and electronic correspondence from individuals and organizations.

IV. Community Plan Organizing Goals and Policies
The following goal and policies will guide the development, implementation and amendment of the Robla Community Plan:
● Goal: Maintain community plans that provide community-specific policy direction
within the framework of citywide General Plan goals and policies. This includes specific

sections on community plan intent, community involvement, community plan consistency and land use direction.

V. Conclusion
The creation of a Robla Community Plan, coupled with the development of associated codes and regulations, is essential for the long-term sustainability and quality of life in the Robla Community. By prioritizing the preservation of semi-rural character, addressing evolving urban needs, mitigating industrial-residential con
flicts
and implementing interim or permanent
ordinances to address immediate impacts, the City of Sacramento can foster a more vibrant and livable community. We strongly urge the Planning Department to prioritize this e ffort,
allocate the necessary
resources and immediately address the need for interim ordinances and other pressing issues.
2 | Office of Councilmember Roger Dickinson
2025-010
915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • [email protected] • (916) 808-7200

Council Rules of Procedure

Resolution No. 2025-0075 Adopted on March 25, 2025

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 2 of 58 Table of Contents
Chapter 1 – Authority/Administration ........................................................................................................ 5 A. General Authorities and Applicability ......................................................................................... 5 B. General Administration .................................................................................................................. 5 C. Amendment ....................................................................................................................................... 5 D. Suspension ......................................................................................................................................... 5 E. Rosenberg’s Rules of Order .......................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 2 – Duties ........................................................................................................................................... 7 A. Duties of Members and Staff ......................................................................................................... 7 B. Duties of Mayor and Vice Mayor ................................................................................................. 7 Chapter 3 – Conduct of Members ............................................................................................................... 8 A. Norms and Expectations ................................................................................................................ 8 B. General Conduct ............................................................................................................................. 8 C. Conduct with Members .................................................................................................................. 9 D. Conduct with City Manager and Staff ...................................................................................... 10 E. Conduct with the Public .............................................................................................................. 11 F. Conduct with Other Agencies ................................................................................................... 11 G. Conduct with Boards and Commissions ................................................................................. 11 H. Conduct with the Media .............................................................................................................. 12 I. Ethical Conduct ............................................................................................................................. 12 Chapter 4 – Conduct of City Staff ............................................................................................................. 13 A. General Conduct .......................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 5 – Conduct of the Public ........................................................................................................... 14 A. General Conduct .......................................................................................................................... 14 B. Addressing the City Council ...................................................................................................... 16 C. Electronic Devices ........................................................................................................................ 18 D. Location of Speaker ...................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 6 – Meeting Types and Schedules .............................................................................................. 19 A. R
egular Meetings ........................................................................................................................... 19 B. Adjourned Meetings ..................................................................................................................... 19 C. Special Meetings ............................................................................................................................ 19 D. City Council Emergency Meetings ............................................................................................ 19 E. Closed Sessions ............................................................................................................................. 20 F. Public Hearings .............................................................................................................................. 21 G. Teleconference Meetings ............................................................................................................ 22 City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 3 of 58 H. Televised Meetings ........................................................................................................................ 22 Chapter 7 – Meeting Agendas .................................................................................................................... 23 A. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission ............................................................................ 23 B. Declaration of Policy .................................................................................................................... 23 C. Procedures for Submission of Reports .................................................................................... 24 D. Written Communications from the City and the Public ..................................................... 24 E. Preparation of the Agenda Packet ............................................................................................. 25 F. Distribution of the Packet ........................................................................................................... 25 G. Posting of Agenda ......................................................................................................................... 25 H. Failure to Meet Agenda Deadlines ............................................................................................ 26 I. Exceptions to the Agenda Requirement .................................................................................. 26 J. Order of Business and Types of Agenda Items ...................................................................... 26 K. Ordinances and Non-Binding Resolutions .............................................................................. 27 L. Ceremonial City Council Resolutions ...................................................................................... 29 Chapter 8 – Conduct of Meeting ............................................................................................................... 30 A. Call to Order – Presiding Officer ............................................................................................. 30 B. Roll Call/Attendance .................................................................................................................... 30 C. Order of Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 31 D. Quorum Call .................................................................................................................................. 33 E. Obtaining the Floor ...................................................................................................................... 33 F. Motions ........................................................................................................................................... 34 G. Voting ............................................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 9 – Council Vacancies .................................................................................................................. 37 A. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 10 - Facilities ................................................................................................................................... 38 A. Meeting Locations ......................................................................................................................... 38 B. Meeting Capacity ........................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 11 - City Council Committees and Regional Organizations ............................................... 39 A. General ............................................................................................................................................ 39 B. Council Standing Committees .................................................................................................... 39 C. Council Ad Hoc Committees .................................................................................................... 40 D. Regional Organizations ................................................................................................................ 41 Chapter 12 – Councilmember Proposal Requests ................................................................................ 42 A. General ............................................................................................................................................ 42 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 42 City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 4 of 58 C. Councilmember Proposal Request Flowchart (following page) ......................................... 43 Chapter 13 – Law and Legislation Committee ....................................................................................... 45 A. Authority; Purposes...................................................................................................................... 45 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 45 C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission ............................................................................ 47 Chapter 14 – Personnel and Public Employees Committee ................................................................ 48 A. Purposes .......................................................................................................................................... 48 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 48 C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission ............................................................................ 48 Chapter 15 – Budget and Audit Committee ........................................................................................... 49 A. Purposes .......................................................................................................................................... 49 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 49 C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission ............................................................................ 50 Chapter 16 – Racial Equity Committee .................................................................................................... 51 A. Purposes .......................................................................................................................................... 51 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 51 C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission ............................................................................ 51 Chapter 17 – City Advisory Bodies........................................................................................................... 52 A. Vacancies and Appointments ...................................................................................................... 52 B. Requests for Future Agenda Items ........................................................................................... 53 C. Advisory Body Reports................................................................................................................ 53 Chapter 18 – Annual Review of City Council Appointive Officers ................................................... 55 A. Purposes .......................................................................................................................................... 55 B. Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 55 Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................... 57

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 5 of 58 Chapter 1 – Authority/Administration
A. General Authorities and Applicability

1. The Charter of the City of Sacramento provides that the city council shall determine its own rules and order of business (Sacramento City Charter, § 30). These Council Rules of Procedure (“Rules”) apply when not in conflict with the Charter of the City of Sacramento, Sacramento City Code, the Constitution, or laws of the State of California, including the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code, § 54950 et seq). (Brown Act). Until such time as they are amended or new rules are adopted by resolution, these Rules govern the order and conduct of business of the city council, legislative bodies that meet concurrently with the council, council committees, and council-established boards, commissions, and committees (collectively, “legislative bodies”).

2. These rules are applicable to council-established boards, commissions, and committees, as well as to the persons sitting on those boards, commissions, and committees. Those council-established boards, commissions, and committees that are authorized to adopt rules of procedure shall adopt rules that are consistent with these Rules and may not be in conflict with the Charter of the City of Sacramento, Sacramento City Code, the Constitution, or laws of the State of California.

3. In the absence of council-adopted administrative policies, council staff shall abide by the administrative policies approved by all charter officers.

B. General Administration

1. The council shall review and revise these Rules annually, or as needed.

2. During council discussions, deliberations, and proceedings, the presiding officer has the primary responsibility to ensure that the council, staff, and members of the public adhere to these Rules.

3. Any member who thinks the Rules are being violated may make a “point of order” to call for the presiding officer to enforce the Rules.

C. Amendment
Any rule may be adopted, altered, amended, or repealed by resolution at any time by a majority vote of the council, provided that at least a 120-hour notice of such proposed rule change is given to the councilmembers.

D. Suspension

1. Any rule may be temporarily suspended by a two-thirds vote of all councilmembers present, being not less than five votes.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 6 of 58 E. Rosenberg’s Rules of Order
To the extent these Rules do not address an issue of parliamentary procedure for legislative body meetings, Rosenberg’s Rules of Order: Simple Parliamentary Procedures for the 21st Century s hall apply.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 7 of 58 Chapter 2 – Duties
A. Duties of Members and Staff

1. Members and city staff shall conduct the business of the City of Sacramento:
a. Recognizing that stewardship of the public interest is of primary concern; b. Working for the common good of the people of Sacramento; and c. Assuring fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims, and transactions coming before the council, council committees, and council-established boards, commissions, and committees.

B. Duties of Mayor and Vice Mayor

1. The mayor is:
a. The presiding officer of the city and of all meetings of the council; b. The official head of the city for performance of duties lawfully delegated to the mayor by the charter;
c. Referred to as “chair” or “chairperson” when acting as presiding officer of legislative body meetings other than the council;
d. Considered a member of the council;
e. Entitled to make and second motions on matters before the council and vote on actions, but possesses no veto power over actions of the council; f. The primary, but not the only, person responsible for interpreting the policies, programs, and needs of city government to the people; and for informing the people of any major change in policies or programs; and g. Empowered, but not exclusively empowered, to make recommendations to the council on all policies and programs that require council decisions; and to perform such other duties as prescribed by the charter.

2. The vice mayor and mayor pro tem shall be elected annually from among the members of the council, other than the mayor, by a majority vote at the council’s first meeting in January.
a. In the absence of the mayor from the city or a council meeting, the vice mayor shall possess all powers of the office of the mayor and be subject to all prescribed duties for that office.
b. In the absence of the mayor and vice mayor from the city or a council meeting, the mayor pro tem shall possess all powers of the office of the mayor and be subject to all prescribed duties for that office.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 8 of 58 Chapter 3 – Conduct of Members
A. Norms and Expectations

1. Members shall:
a. Put constituents first at all times;
b. Treat each other, staff, and members of the public with dignity, courtesy, and respect;
c. Value all opinions, be tolerant of new and different ideas, and encourage creativity and innovation;
d. Follow through on commitments and be accountable to each other; e. Clarify when items are discussed in confidence and maintain appropriate confidentiality;
f. Be attentive to others, limiting interruptions and distractions; g. Encourage dissent in debate while being mindful not to prolong discourse or block consensus;
h. Be candid with each other about ideas and feelings, and resolve conflicts directly; i. Keep comments clear, concise, and on-topic to maximize opportunities for all to express themselves;
j. Continuously strive to improve how members work as a team; k. Place clear and realistic demands on staff resources and time when requesting action;
l. Start and end meetings on time, work from an agenda, and be present, attentive, and prepared;
m. Present problems in a way that promotes discussion and resolution; and n. Continually work to build trust in each other.

B. General Conduct

1. Members shall:
a. Treat each other and everyone with courtesy and refrain from inappropriate behavior and derogatory comments;
b. Be fair, impartial, and unbiased when voting on quasi-judicial actions; City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 9 of 58 c. Use the speaker sequencing system to inform the presiding officer of their wish to speak and wait to be acknowledged by the presiding officer before speaking, and abide the following for orderly and courteous discussion:
(i) Members should permit the majority to express itself and fashion a result, while permitting the minority to also express itself, but not dominate the discussion, while fully participating in the process; (ii) The presiding officer may give preferential speaking order to the councilmember who represents the district of the agenda item; (iii) In the interest of time, the presiding officer may limit the time allotted to speakers, including members of the body;
(iv) Members are encouraged to hear comments from other members prior to speaking a second time; and
(v) It is usual courtesy for the presiding officer to play a less active role in the debate and discussion and to make a summary or final comments on any item.
d. Move to require the presiding officer to enforce this chapter, and the presiding officer shall do so upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present; e. Preserve order and decorum during the meeting;
f. Not delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the council, nor disturb any member while speaking, by conversation or otherwise, nor disobey the orders of the council, or the presiding officer, except as otherwise herein provided;
g. Abide by the Confidential Information Policy (Resolution No. 2010-0108) prohibiting disclosure of confidential communications and authorizing public censure for failure to comply with the policy;
h. Support the laws established by the council; and
i. Abide by this chapter in conducting the business of the City of Sacramento.

C. Conduct with Members

1. Members shall:
a. Value each other’s time;
b. Attempt to build consensus on an item through an opportunity for dialogue; but when this is not possible, the majority vote shall prevail, and the majority shall show respect for the opinion of the minority;
City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 10 of 58 c. Have the right to dissent from, protest, or comment upon any action of the council;
d. Respect each other’s opportunity to speak and, if necessary, agree to disagree; e. Avoid offensive negative comments and practice civility and decorum during discussions and debate; and
f. Assist the presiding officer’s exercise of the affirmative duty to maintain order.

D. Conduct with City Manager and Staff

1. Members of the city council shall:
a. Speak to the city manager directly on issues and concerns; b. Direct the city manager to implement council’s policy decisions through the administrative functions of the city;
c. Treat staff professionally and refrain from publicly criticizing individual employees;
d. Avoid involvement in personnel issues except during council closed sessions regarding council-appointed staff, including but not limited to the city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city manager, city treasurer, or director of the office of public safety accountability;
e. Discuss directly with the city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city manager, city treasurer, or director of the office of public safety accountability as appropriate, any displeasure with their department or staff; and
f. Request answers to questions on council agenda items from the city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city manager, city treasurer, or director of the office of public safety accountability, department directors, or division managers prior to the meeting whenever possible.

2. General Direction
a. Council requests that deal with policy issues and council requests that may be construed as direction must be directed to the city manager, except for general inquiries or questions, in which case the council may go to the department directors or key staff in the City Manager's Office. Members may also deal directly with the city attorney, city clerk, city treasurer, city auditor, or other staff appointed by the council.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 11 of 58 E. Conduct with the Public

1. Members shall:
a. Make the public feel welcome;
b. Be impartial, respectful, and without prejudice toward the public; c. Listen courteously and attentively to public comment; d. Not argue back and forth with members of the public; and e. Make no promises to the public on behalf of the legislative body.

F. Conduct with Other Agencies

1. Members shall:
a. Project a positive image of the city when dealing with other agencies; b. Show tolerance and respect for other agencies’ opinions and issues and, if necessary, agree to disagree;
c. Represent official policies or positions of the council when designated as delegates of a legislative body;
d. Explicitly state when their opinions and positions do not represent the legislative body when representing their individual opinions and positions, and not allow the inference that they do (see also Rule 13.A.1.c); and e. Have the ability to lobby or discuss issues that have been adopted by legislative bodies or are standing policies of the legislative bodies with other legislators, government officials, applicants, or other interested persons.

G. Conduct with Boards and Commissions

1. Councilmembers shall:
a. Treat all members of boards, commissions, and committees with appreciation and respect; and
b. Refrain from participation at board, commission, and committee meetings with the purpose of influencing the outcome of those meetings.

2. Rule 3.G.1.b does not apply to the Compensation Commission, Sacramento Ethics Commission, or Independent Redistricting Commission.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 12 of 58 H. Conduct with the Media

1. Members shall not discuss – or go "off the record" with the media to discuss – confidential or privileged information pertaining to closed sessions, or attorney- client privileged or attorney work product communications, including personnel, litigation, or real property negotiations.

2. Providing non-confidential, non-privileged background information is acceptable.

I. Ethical Conduct

1. Members shall conduct themselves in accordance with the Sacramento City Code of Ethics (Sacramento City Code § 4.02) including but not limited to:
a. Members shall comply with the citywide nepotism policy adopted or approved by city council resolution.
b. Members shall comply with the citywide whistleblower protection policy adopted or approved by city council resolution.
c. Members shall receive ethics training material, as required by Assembly Bill 1234 within 30 days of taking office and at least every two years. d. Members shall receive sexual harassment training material, as required by Assembly Bills 1825 and 1661 within 30 days of taking office and at least every two years.
e. Members shall follow the Political Reform Act and Fair Political Practices Commission regulations.
f. Members shall conduct themselves in accordance with such policies and training.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 13 of 58 Chapter 4 – Conduct of City Staff
A. General Conduct

1. Staff shall:
a. Prepare well-written staff reports and provide accompanying documents on all agenda items in accordance with the agenda format and preparation schedule; b. Be available for questions from members in accordance with the Brown Act prior to and during meetings;
c. Respond to questions from the public during meetings only when requested to do so by members or the city manager;
d. Refrain from arguing with the public or members; and e. Switch electronic equipment such as cellular telephones to silent or off mode during council meetings.

2. Staff shall remain objective on issues and not be advocates for issues unless so directed by the legislative body.

3. To the extent permitted by the Brown Act, the city manager and staff shall, as soon as possible, inform the mayor and members representing the districts affected of controversial, significant-impact issues that are coming before the legislative body.

4. The city manager shall advise management staff of potentially political or controversial issues coming before the legislative body and direct staff to be present and appropriately prepared.

5. The city manager shall make available an informational briefing for members’ staff for items affecting the city and items on, or potentially on, the council agenda. Briefings shall include necessary department staff and shall take place as soon as possible.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 14 of 58 Chapter 5 – Conduct of the Public
A. General Conduct

1. Decorum.
a. Members of the public attending council meetings shall observe the same rules and decorum applicable to the members and staff as noted in chapters 3 and 4 of these Rules.
b. No person shall engage in conduct that is intended to or is likely to provoke violent or riotous behavior, nor shall any person engage in conduct that disturbs the orderly conduct of the council meeting. Examples of disorderly conduct include:
(i) Feet-stamping.
(ii) Whistling or other abrupt noises.
(iii) Yelling or shouting or interrupting a speaker who is addressing the council.
(iv) Organized silent demonstrations and other demonstrations intended to disturb the progress of the meeting.
(v) Physically threatening conduct.
(vi) Verbal threats.
(vii) Banging, slamming, or throwing objects.
(viii) Interfering with other attendees’ ability to participate or address the council.
(ix) Entering areas of the chamber not intended for the public. (x) Incitement to commit unlawful or disturbing acts or disrupt proceedings.
(xi) Refusing to abide speaker time limits and leave the podium when directed.
(xii) Placing physical objects in a manner that creates a disturbance or disrupts proceedings.
(xiii) Interjection when not at the podium.
(xiv) Refusing to heed the presiding officer’s call for order.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 15 of 58 (xv) Approaching the podium or dais without permission of the presiding officer.
(xvi) Signs may not be mounted to any solid item that would facilitate holding or waving and may not impede the view of other attendees. c. Enforcement. In addition to the presiding officer, the decorum officer and the sergeant-at-arms shall have primary responsibility for enforcing council meeting decorum. Additionally, any member may at any time call for a point of order, to request the timely enforcement of these rules of decorum. (i) The presiding officer shall request that a person who is breaching the rules of decorum cease the conduct. If the person does not cease the conduct immediately, the presiding officer may order the person to leave the council meeting or order the sergeant-at-arms to remove the person.
(ii) The decorum officer, who shall be a council-selected person who sits on the dais, may also exercise the duties of the presiding officer in Rule 5.A.1.c.(i) above.
(iii) The sergeant-at-arms shall assist in enforcing the rules of decorum, including removing disorderly persons upon order of the presiding officer or decorum officer.
(iv) If decorum cannot be maintained in council chambers, the presiding officer may take a recess so that decorum can be established. a. If any meeting is willfully interrupted by any person or groups of persons so as to render the orderly conduct of such
meeting unfeasible and order cannot be maintained by the removal of individuals who are willfully interrupting the meeting, the members of the legislative body conducting the meeting may order the meeting room cleared and continue in session. (Government Code, § 54957.9
).

The presiding officer shall direct the sergeant-at-arms to allow the following to attend the remaining session:
i. Once decorum is restored, allow all participants back into council chambers; or
ii. Once decorum is restored, allow all persons, with the exception of any individuals identified by the presiding officer or decorum officer who were willfully
interrupting the meeting or participating in the
disturbance, back into council chambers; or
City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 16 of 58 iii. Once decorum is restored, allow only credentialed
representatives of the press or other news media,
except those participating in the disturbance, back into council chambers.
(v) If it is unfeasible to continue the orderly conduct of the meeting in the council chambers the council will continue the meeting in another room at the City Hall Complex and only city staff, credentialed members of the press or other news media, except those
participating in the disturbance, will be allowed into the meeting.

2. Lobbyists shall identify themselves and the client(s), business, or organization they represent before speaking to the council (Sacramento City Code, § 2.15.160 ).

B. Addressing the City Council

1. Purpose of public comment. During regular meetings, the city provides opportunities for the public to address the council as a whole in order to listen to the public’s opinions regarding agendized items and unagendized matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city. At all other (special) meetings, public comment is limited to agendized items.
a. Public comments should not be addressed to individual members nor to city officials, but rather to the council as a whole regarding city business. Comments should be directed to the council and not the audience. b. While members of the public may speak their opinions on city business, personal attacks on members and city officials, use of swear words, and signs or displays of disrespect for individuals are discouraged as they impede good communication with the council.
c. Consistent with the Brown Act
, the public comment periods on the agenda are
not intended to be “question and answer” periods or conversations with the council and city officials. The limited circumstances under which members may respond to public comments are set out in Rule 8.D.2.
d. Members of the public with questions concerning consent calendar items may contact the staff person or the member whose district is identified on the report prior to the meeting to reduce the need for discussion of consent calendar items and to better respond to the public’s questions.
e. The presiding officer may stop a member of the public whose comments are not confined to the agendized item being heard. During the public comment portion of the agenda, the presiding officer may stop a member of the public whose comments are not within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city.

2. Speaker time limits. In the interest of facilitating the council’s conduct of the city’s business, the following time limits apply to members of the public (speakers) who wish to address the council during the meeting.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 17 of 58 a. Matters not on the agenda: two minutes per speaker.
b. Consent calendar items. The consent calendar is considered a single item and speakers are therefore subject to the two-minute time limit for the entire consent calendar. Consent calendar items can be pulled at a member’s request and will be considered individually, with up to two minutes of public comment per speaker.
c. Discussion calendar items: two minutes per speaker.
d. Time limits per meeting. In addition to the above time limits per item, the total amount of time any one speaker may address the legislative body at a meeting is eight minutes.
(i) Each speaker shall limit their remarks to the specified time allotment. (ii) The presiding officer shall consistently utilize the timing system, which provides speakers with notice of their remaining time to complete their comments. A countdown display of the allotted time will appear on the screen behind the dais.
(iii) In the further interest of time, speakers may be asked to limit their comments to new materials and not repeat what a prior speaker said.

Organized groups may choose a single spokesperson who may speak for the group, but with no increase in time.
(iv) Speakers shall not concede any part of their allotted time to another speaker.
(v) The presiding officer may further limit, or expand, the time allotted for public comments per speaker or in total for the orderly conduct of the meeting; such limits shall be fairly applied.

2. Speaker slips. Members of the public in chambers wishing to speak to the legislative body must submit to the city clerk a completed speaker’s slip indicating the agenda item or matters not on the agenda item that they wish to address before the item is called.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 18 of 58 C. Electronic Devices

1. Members of the public shall turn their electronic devices that are capable of emitting sound – including cellular telephones, personal data devices, digital tablets, laptop computers, etc. – to the off- or silent-mode during council meetings.

2. Cameras. Cameras and recording equipment may be used during council meetings only if:
a. The devices are silent during use;
b. The devices are used in a manner and at locations that do not impede walkways or others views of the meeting or disrupt the conduct of the meeting; c. Continual lighting may not be used with video recording; and d. Flash photography is not allowed.

D. Speaker Location and Documents

1. Members of the public shall not approach the dais without the express consent of the presiding officer or city clerk.

2. Members of the public wishing to address the legislative body must approach the podium when recognized by the presiding officer or city clerk and speak only from the podium.

3. Members of the public may make oral communications but may not display any content on the overhead screens or otherwise. Members of the public wishing to provide documents to the council shall comply with Rule 7.D.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 19 of 58 Chapter 6 – Meeting Types and Schedules
A. Regular Meetings

1. The city council shall hold regular meetings and provide the time, place, and manner of holding its meetings by annual resolution. A majority of regular council meetings must be held after 5:00 p.m. All meetings of the council must be open to the public, except as permitted by state law (Sacramento City Charter, § 31 ).

2. The city council shall generally meet on Tuesdays at either 2:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 915 I Street, First Floor, Sacramento, California, except as otherwise stipulated in the adopted meeting schedule.

3. City council standing committees shall generally meet on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 915 I Street, First Floor, Sacramento, California, except as otherwise stipulated in the adopted meeting schedule.

4. City boards, commissions, and committees shall hold regular meetings and provide the time, place, and manner of holding its meetings, according to the council- adopted meeting schedule. All meetings of the city’s legislative bodies must be open to the public, except as permitted by state law. The city council shall annually, and as needed, adopt a meeting schedule for all city legislative bodies.

5. City boards, commission, and committees shall generally meet at either 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Complex, 915 I Street, Sacramento, California, except as otherwise stipulated in the council-adopted meeting schedule.

B. Adjourned Meetings
As permitted by law, the legislative body may adjourn any regular, adjourned regular, special, or adjourned special meeting to a time and place specified in the motion of adjournment.

C. Special Meetings

1. The mayor or a majority of the members of the City Council may direct the city clerk to call a special meeting by providing notice 24-hours in advance of the meeting to the mayor, to all members, and to all media outlets and persons having requested in writing notification of such meetings pursuant to state law.

2. Whenever practicable, special meetings must take place in the council chamber and be video streamed live and recorded for viewing later.

D. City Council Emergency Meetings

1. In the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities or services, the City Council may hold an emergency meeting without complying with either the 120-hour (regular meeting) or 24-hour (special meeting) notice and City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 20 of 58 posting requirements but shall otherwise comply with the Sacramento City Code §

4.04 and Brown Act procedures generally stated below.

2. Each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station that has requested notice of emergency meetings pursuant to the Brown Act shall be notified by the City Clerk, or designee thereof, at least one hour prior to the emergency meeting, or in the case of a dire emergency, at or near the time that the presiding officer or designee notifies the members of the emergency meeting.

3. This notice shall be given by telephone call or text message to the numbers provided in the most recent request for notification.

4. In the event that telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this section are deemed waived, and the legislative body, or designee of the legislative body, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible.

5. During an emergency meeting, the legislative body may meet in closed session pursuant to the Brown Act
if agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the members
present, being not less than five votes of the council.

6. All special meeting requirements in the Brown Act are applicable to an emergency meeting, except for the 24-hour notice and posting requirement.

7. The minutes of an emergency meeting; a list of persons who the presiding officer of the legislative body, or designee of the council, notified or attempted to notify; a copy of the roll call vote; and any actions taken at the meeting, shall be posted for a minimum of ten days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.

E. Closed Sessions

1. Closed sessions generally shall be special meetings held immediately prior to regular meetings.

2. In accordance with the Brown Act
, the public may speak regarding any closed
session item prior to the closed session.

3. All closed session information, verbal or written, is privileged and confidential and shall not be shared with any person not at the closed session. Any member sharing information in violation of this rule may be subject to censure by the council consistent with the council’s confidentiality policy then in effect.

4. The city attorney shall report out in public session any reportable actions that were taken by council and the vote on such actions in accordance with the Brown Act .

5. For closed sessions related to appointive-officer performance evaluations and compensation, see Chapter 18.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 21 of 58 F. Public Hearings

1. The city clerk shall set council hearing dates and notify the council via the preliminary draft agenda on all matters that require a notice and public hearing before the council, such as matters received from the planning division and appeals to the council.

2. Public hearings will not be withdrawn or continued without the full knowledge and concurrence of the councilmembers within whose districts/jurisdiction the issue resides.

3. The council may refuse to grant a continuance of any hearing unless there is a valid legal reason why the hearing must be continued.

4. Continuances.
a. Any person (applicant, appellant, or designated representative) scheduled for a public hearing before the legislative body:
(i) May obtain one continuance for a period not to exceed the second regular meeting after the original scheduled hearing date, as a matter of right, without personally appearing on the scheduled hearing date, provided a written request for the continuance must be delivered to the city clerk by noon on the day prior to the scheduled public hearing. Any person who has once obtained a continuance by any procedure may not obtain a subsequent continuance under this Rule

6.F.4.a(i).
(ii) Who wants to obtain a continuance of the hearing beyond the second regular meeting after the original scheduled hearing date, or who has not notified the city clerk as provided in Rule 6.F.4.a(i), may obtain a continuance only by appearing before the legislative body at the time the original hearing is scheduled and requesting a continuance. This continuance is not a matter of right and will not be granted unless the legislative body is satisfied that good cause exists for the continuance and that a substantial number of people will not be inconvenienced by such continuance.
(iii) Who has once obtained a continuance of a hearing either by notice to the city clerk under Rule 6.F.4.a(i) or by personal appearance under Rule 6.F.4.a(ii) may obtain a further continuance only by appearing before the legislative body at the scheduled hearing and satisfying the legislative body that extraordinary circumstances exist that would justify this second continuance.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 22 of 58 (iv) Who has twice obtained a continuance of a hearing may obtain an additional continuance only by appearing before the legislative body at the scheduled hearing and satisfying the legislative body that a miscarriage of justice would result from the refusal of the legislative body to grant a continuance.
b. City staff may obtain a continuance based on the need of the originating department or on behalf of a member. Department staff may request, via the city clerk, as many continuances as needed to complete and ready the project or appeal for the hearing process; however, staff may not serve as a requestor on behalf of an applicant or appellant.
c. Any organized group of residents or neighborhood associations not recognized as an applicant or appellant may contact their councilmember and request a continuance as needed to complete and ready the project or appeal for the hearing process. The member, in their sole discretion, may request the legislative body approve the continuance for good cause.
d. At the meeting when the hearing is scheduled, but before the hearing starts, any member may request the council approve a continuance.
e. Disputes regarding the length of a continuance will be decided by the council at the scheduled hearing if city staff or the city clerk cannot obtain mutual agreement between the parties beforehand.

G. Teleconference Meetings
a. Members of the City Council may participate via a teleconference platform only in accordance with the Brown Act
.

H. Televised Meetings
a. City Council meetings held in the council chambers are generally telecast via local television and available live via video streaming on the city’s official website and recorded for viewing later.
b. Standing committee and city established board, committee, and commission meetings held in the council chambers or historic hearing room are available live via video streaming on the city’s official website
and recorded for viewing later.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 23 of 58 Chapter 7 – Meeting Agendas
A. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission

1. The city manager and city clerk shall develop the agenda for council meetings in consultation with the mayor and/or vice mayor, with the exception of agenda items involving the compensation of charter officers or any personnel that report to the council, which may only be brought forward with the initial approval of the mayor, or recommendation by a majority of the Personnel and Public Employees (P&PE) Committee.

2. Charter officers, the director of the office of public safety accountability, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency executive director may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

3. Department directors, subject to the discretion of the city manager, may submit staff reports, including oral reports, to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

4. Outside agencies and advisory bodies, and city boards, committees, and commissions may submit agenda items in accordance with the following:
a. Items must be sponsored for agenda placement by the mayor, charter officers, or department staff; and
a. All agenda items must be submitted in accordance with the agenda packet submission and preparation requirements.

5. Prior to an agenda item being brought to the city council, it should be brought to any relevant city board, committee, or commission and the staff report should include the board, committee, or commission recommendation.

B. Declaration of Policy

1. No ordinance, resolution, motion, or item of business may be introduced or acted upon at a meeting of a legislative body of the city without it appearing on a duly noticed and posted agenda in accordance with Sacramento City Code § 4.04 and the
Brown Act. Exceptions to this rule are limited to those provided by state law.

2. No ordinance, resolution, motion, or item of business will be considered that:
a. Does not affect the conduct of the business of the City of Sacramento or its powers or duties as a municipal corporation, or
b. Supports or disapproves of any legislation or action (i) Of the State of California;
(ii) Of the President or Congress of the United States; or City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 24 of 58 (iii) Before any officer or agency of the state or nation, unless the proposed legislation or action, if adopted, will affect the conduct of the municipal business or the powers or duties of the City of Sacramento or its officers or employees.
c. Rule 7.B.2 may be invoked only before public comment or council deliberation on the matter and by five affirmative votes on the question: “Shall the council consider this matter?”
C. Procedures for Submission of Reports

1. A written staff report should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the agenda review procedure and reviewed by the relevant departments including but not limited to finance, city manager, and city attorney.

2. Continued items do not require a new report if there are no changes other than the agenda date. If there is any other change, a new report meeting all applicable requirements must be submitted.

3. Staff reports should include sufficient information for members of the council and the public to understand the action being considered, including any board, commission, or committee recommendation, and the appropriate legislative history.

D. Written Communications from the City and the Public

1. The city clerk shall manage communications to members regarding meeting topics to ensure compliance with the Brown Act
.
a. Except for records exempt from disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Government Code, § 54957.5, subd. (b)) and otherwise by law, agendas and any other writings distributed to all or a majority of the members of a legislative body for discussion or consideration at a public meeting are disclosable to the public and shall be made available upon request without delay. b. Materials distributed to the members during the meeting shall be available for viewing by the public during the meeting if the materials were prepared by the city or a member, or at the conclusion of the meeting if prepared by another person (Government Code, § 54957.5
, subd. (b)).

2. Interested parties or their authorized representatives may address the council by written communications regarding agenda items.
a. Written communications received by the city clerk will be delivered to members as soon as possible or at the city council meeting if related to an item on that meeting agenda.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 25 of 58 b. Members of the public may submit comments via the agenda “e-comment” function on the city’s website. E-comments can be submitted and viewed on the city’s website agenda page once an agenda is posted and until adjournment of that meeting. The full e-comment package will be available in the city’s online records library after the conclusion of a meeting.
c. Documents (20 copies recommended) that members of the public submit to the legislative body at the meeting shall be given directly to the city clerk for distribution and shall not be given directly to the members. The documents will be made available to the public.

E. Preparation of the Agenda Packet

1. No later than 120-hours prior to each regularly scheduled meeting, the city clerk shall finalize the agenda packet.

2. Agenda Packet Contents.
a. The agenda packet will include the agenda, the staff reports, draft resolutions and ordinances, contracts, and other attachments. Items noted as “To Be Delivered” on the agenda will be delivered and published to the city’s website upon receipt
by the city clerk. No item is required to be considered by the legislative body if the applicable written material is not delivered to the members before the meeting and made available to the public at the same time. b. Corrections or supplements to a staff report or other written materials already included in the agenda packet may be delivered separately. c. All agreements on the agenda must be available for review by the council and the public prior to the meeting, or at the meeting location during the meeting, unless determined otherwise by the city attorney.
d. Unless waived by a two-thirds vote of council, all city labor agreements and all agreements greater than $1,000,000 must be posted on the city’s website and be made available to the public at least ten days prior to council action as required by Sacramento City Code section 4.04.020
.

F. Distribution of the Packet

1. The city clerk shall make available the agenda packet to the councilmembers and post it to the website no later than 120 hours prior to a regularly scheduled meeting.

G. Posting of Agenda

1. The city clerk shall post the agenda of each regular meeting of the legislative body at least 120-hours in advance of the meeting in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public, as required by the Brown Act.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 26 of 58

2. The city clerk shall maintain an affidavit indicating the location, date, and time of posting each agenda.

3. If technical difficulties occur, the agenda and reports will be published on the city’s website
as soon as those difficulties are resolved.

H. Failure to Meet Agenda Deadlines

1. The city clerk shall not, without the concurrence of the city manager and city attorney, accept any agenda item or revised agenda item after the deadlines established and noted in these Rules.

2. Any agenda items or revised agenda items will be reviewed by relevant departments as identified by the agenda workflow approval process.

I. Exceptions to the Agenda Requirement

1. Matters not included on the published agenda may be discussed and acted upon by the legislative body only in the following situations:
a. At a meeting during which a majority of the members determine in open session that the matter in question constitutes an “emergency" ( Government Code, §
54956.5); or
b. Upon a determination by two-thirds of the members, or if less than two-thirds are present by unanimous vote of the members present, that:
(i) There is a need to take immediate action; and
(ii) The need for action came to the attention of the city after the agenda had been posted.

J. Order of Business and Types of Agenda Items
The order of business should be carried out as listed on the agenda in the order as set out below; however, the presiding officer may reorder the items at the meeting, unless members object. Members may request items be reordered by motion.

1. Closed Session: confidential discussions with the legislative body as permitted by the Brown Act.

2. Special Presentations/General Communications: the presentation and receipt of ceremonial resolutions and recognitions not requiring formal legislative body action.

Special presentations are limited to two per meeting and no more than five minutes each.

3. Consent Calendar: considered one item, consisting of matters routine in nature and not likely to be subject to debate or inquiry by the members or the public; typically adopted in one motion.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 27 of 58

4. Public Hearings: duly noticed hearings as mandated by local, state, or federal law, providing an opportunity for public review and comment of a proposed action by the council.

5. Discussion Calendar: non-routine items requiring an oral presentation and discussion before action is taken.

6. Information Items: items when staff is required by federal or state law or city code to inform council of an issue when authority has been delegated to a person, position, board, or commission.

7. Council Comments – Ideas, Questions, and AB1234 Reports:
a. Brief oral or written reports summarizing meeting or conference attendance at city expense, as required by Assembly Bill 1234 (Government Code, § 53232.3 );
b. Requests for the city manager or staff to report on various issues; c. Requests to place items on a future council meeting agenda; d. Requests to refer preparation or review of non-binding resolutions or ordinances to the Law and Legislation Committee; and
e. Reports on district and citywide activities or news.

8. City Manager’s Report
a. Brief oral report from the City Manager or designee.

9. Public Comment-Matters Not on the Agenda: oral communications from the audience regarding matters not on the agenda but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city.

K. Ordinances and Non-Binding Resolutions

1. Ordinance and non-binding resolution preparation must be referred to the Law and Legislation Committee (L&L) before coming to council, as described in Rule 13.

However, ceremonial city council resolutions (see Rule 7.L, below) need not be referred to the Law and Legislation Committee.

2. Ordinances on the agenda may be passed for publication or adopted in accordance with the procedures in Sacramento City Charter § 32
.

3. Ordinance changes during the review and adoption process. a. The text of an ordinance as approved by the L&L Committee, receiving the necessary votes to bring the matter to council under Rule 13, must be the text that is included in the published agenda as pass-for-publication.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 28 of 58 b. If an ordinance is brought to council under Rule 13, the text of the ordinance brought to council must be the same text as was submitted to the L&L Committee.
c. The text of an ordinance passed for publication must be the text that is included in the published agenda for the meeting at which the adoption of the ordinance is discussed.
d. Notwithstanding subsections a, b, and c, typographical and clerical errors may be corrected at any time during the ordinance review and adoption process. e. If a member intends to make a substantive (i.e., anything not typographical or clerical) change to an ordinance after it is included in a published agenda, at or before the time the ordinance adoption item is called on the agenda, the member shall distribute sufficient written copies of the proposed change so that all other members, the charter officers, relevant city staff, and the public audience have copies.
f. If the legislative body’s motion to adopt a resolution or ordinance includes a change to the resolution or ordinance text from that published in the agenda, prior to the vote the city clerk shall repeat verbatim the proposed change or otherwise indicate the change is reflected in the circulated written copy of the change.
g. Ordinances bypassing the pass-for-publication requirement under Sacramento City Charter § 32 are subject to this Rule 7.K.3, as applicable.

4. Except as set forth in section (a) below, council can consider adoption of non- binding resolutions. Non-binding resolutions are those within which the council declares its position and opinions on an issue, policy, or other matter that falls outside of the jurisdiction of the city and the council lacks legal authority to establish or regulate. The council may act on such a non-binding resolution if it determines that the matter is of such importance that the council should make the symbolic gesture of adopting a resolution declarative of council’s position. a. The city council shall not act or take a position on matters concerning foreign policy, except upon a 2/3 vote of the Council determining that those matters directly affect the City of Sacramento.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 29 of 58 L. Ceremonial City Council Resolutions

1. A ceremonial city council resolution is non-binding and has no authority. a. The city council may recognize and celebrate community members, organizations, and events for their contributions to the City of Sacramento and raise awareness surrounding important issues that affect the greater community. b. Ceremonial city council resolutions are not intended for political, commercial, or narrow individual purposes, and should be consistent with the overall policies of the city council. These resolutions shall not inhibit, benefit, or promote religious activities, shall be non-discriminatory, and may not promote political advocacy activities.

2. Requests for ceremonial city council resolutions should be directed to the city clerk, who will work in collaboration with the mayor to finalize language and schedule for presentation at an upcoming city council meeting.

(i) A ceremonial city council resolution is the highest council honor reserved for individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary, lasting, or significant contributions to the City of Sacramento and its residents and who should be held in high esteem.

(ii) This type of recognition should be awarded to City of Sacramento residents, organizations, businesses, dignitaries, and other similar entities who have made significant contributions to the community; non-profit corporations, sports teams, or individuals who have won state, regional, or national titles; acts of heroism, including those as defined by police, fire, and other public safety departments; and individuals deserving exceptional commendation for their contribution to the City as a whole and its residents.

(iii) An Obituary Resolution may be issued to the family in honor of a deceased community member in memoriam of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the City of Sacramento and is generally presented in the community and not at a city council meeting.

3. Individual councilmembers may also create and present ceremonial council-district recognitions in their specific community. An individual councilmember recognition may be issued to individuals, organizations, or groups who have made significant contributions within a specific council district or districts or in support of programs or organizations of interest to the residents of the district.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 30 of 58 Chapter 8 – Conduct of Meeting
A. Call to Order – Presiding Officer

1. The mayor, or in the mayor’s absence the vice mayor, shall take the chair at the hour appointed for the meeting and shall immediately call the meeting of the council to order.

2. In the absence of the mayor and vice mayor, the mayor pro tem shall preside over the meeting.

3. Upon the arrival of the mayor, the vice mayor shall immediately relinquish the chair at the conclusion of the business then before the council.

4. For council standing committees the chair shall call to order and preside over the meeting. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair shall perform the duties and obligations of the chair.

5. For all other city established legislative bodies the chair shall call to order and preside over the meeting. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair shall perform the duties and obligations of the chair. In the absence of chair and vice chair, the city clerk shall call the meeting to order, and a temporary chairperson shall be elected from among the members present. Upon arrival of the chair or vice chair, the temporary chairperson shall relinquish the position upon conclusion of the item then before the legislative body.

B. Roll Call/Attendance

1. A majority of the members of the council then in office constitutes a quorum (Sacramento City Charter § 30
).

2. A majority of members of the council established legislative body constitutes a quorum.

3. Before the legislative body proceeds with the business before it, the city clerk shall note the members present for the minutes. The late arrival and early departure of members will be entered into the action minutes.

4. A councilmember is considered present at a meeting if the member is either physically in the council chamber or is participating in the meeting through teleconference in accordance with the Brown Act
. Meeting attendance of the mayor
or councilmembers through teleconference is permitted only in extraordinary circumstances.

5. Members must be physically present at the council chamber dais or teleconference location to vote. Proxy or absentee voting is not permitted.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 31 of 58 C. Order of Discussion
The order of business must be carried out as listed on the agenda as set out below; however, the presiding officer may reorder the items at the meeting, unless members object. Members may request items be reordered by motion.

1. Consent calendar, and any items removed for discussion. a. Mayor, members, or charter officers may request that any matter be removed from the consent calendar and a separate vote taken.
b. All matters remaining on the consent calendar shall be approved by a single action, such single action to have the legal effect of individual action on each matter.
c. If consent calendar items are removed, they shall be discussed immediately after adoption of the balance of the consent calendar.

2. Public Hearings
a. The order of public hearings will generally be as follows:
(i) Open the public hearing.
(ii) Member report of ex parte communications.
(iii) Staff comments, information, and reports, followed by member questions.
(iv) Proponent, if applicable, speaks, followed by member questions. (v) Opponent, if applicable, speaks, followed by member questions. (vi) If the public hearing is on an appeal that does not require council de novo review, then the appellant (opponent) speaks before the applicant (proponent) in accordance with the allotted time. (vii) Public comments.
(viii) If the public hearing is a de novo review appeal, the applicant speaks in rebuttal, but if not a de novo review appeal, the appellant speaks in rebuttal.
(ix) Closure of public comment period.
(x) Further member discussion.
(xi) Motion to close public hearing and take action.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 32 of 58 b. The presiding officer may direct speakers to avoid repetition in order to permit maximum information to be provided the legislative body within the time allotted for the hearing.
c. The appellant and applicant shall be allocated sufficient time to address the legislative body. However, reasonable time limits on persons addressing the legislative body, including applicants, proponents, and opponents may be imposed if necessary for the orderly conduct of the hearing and the limits are fairly applied.

3. Discussion Calendar
a. The order of discussion after introduction of an item will generally be as follows:
(i) Staff comments, information, and reports, followed by questions from the members.
(ii) Public comments and information, followed by questions from the members.
(iii) Member discussion, motion, and action.
b. Once the item is placed before the council for discussion, motion, or action, no member of staff or the public is allowed to address the council without the consent of the mayor or members.

4. Council Comments – Ideas, Questions, and AB1234 Reports a. Brief oral or written reports summarizing meeting or conference attendance at city expense, as required by Assembly Bill 1234 (Government Code, § 53232.3 );
b. Requests for the city manager or staff to report on various issues; c. Requests to place items on a future council meeting agenda; or d. Reports on district and citywide activities or news.

5. City Manager’s Report
a. Brief oral report from the City Manager or their designee.

6. Public Comment for Matters Not on the Agenda
a. As required by the Brown Act, a portion of each council meeting agenda will provide an opportunity for members of the public to address the council on any agendized item, including closed session and consent calendar items. Regular meeting agendas also will provide for public comment on any unagendized matter that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 33 of 58 b. In response to public comment on unagendized items, the members may individually:
(i) Briefly respond to statements made or questions posed by members of the public;
(ii) Ask questions for clarification;
(iii) Provide a reference to staff or other resources for factual information or response;
(iv) Request staff to report to the council at a subsequent meeting; or (v) Request staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda as needed.

D. Quorum Call

1. During the course of the meeting, should the presiding officer note a quorum is lacking, the presiding officer shall call this fact to the attention of the city clerk.

2. The presiding officer then shall issue a quorum call. If a quorum has not been restored within two minutes of a quorum call, the presiding officer may declare a recess for a reasonable period of time in order to reestablish a quorum.

3. If no quorum is reestablished within a reasonable time, the presiding officer shall adjourn the meeting.

4. Continuation of a council meeting extending past 9:30 p.m. requires a majority vote of the councilmembers present.

5. Continuation of a Housing Code Advisory and Appeals Board, Planning and Design Commission, or Preservation Commission meeting extending past 9:30 p.m. requires a majority vote of the commissioners present.

6. A meeting of any other city established legislative body shall automatically adjourn after two hours, unless extended by a 2/3 vote of the members present; but in no case shall an advisory body meeting exceed three hours.

E. Obtaining the Floor

1. Any member wishing to speak must first obtain the floor by being recognized by the presiding officer. The presiding officer shall recognize any member who seeks the floor when appropriately entitled to do so.

2. With the concurrence of the presiding officer, a member holding the floor may address a question to another member and that member may respond while the floor is still held by the member asking the question. A member may opt not to answer a question while another member has the floor.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 34 of 58 F. Motions

1. Rosenberg’s Rules of Order: Simple Parliamentary Procedures for the 21st Century governs the management of motions.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 35 of 58 G. Voting

1. Requirements for Action.
a. Unless a higher vote is required by the city charter, the city code, or otherwise by law, the affirmative votes of at least five members of the council shall be required:
(i) For the council to take action on an item of business; (ii) To pass any ordinance, resolution, or motion; or
(iii) To make or approve any order for the payment of money requiring council approval.
b. Any ordinance declared by the council to be necessary as an emergency measure and containing a statement of the facts constituting such emergency as provided in the city charter may be introduced and adopted at the same meeting if passed by at least six affirmative votes (Sacramento City Charter, § 32 ).

2. Voting Disqualification.
a. A member shall not vote upon a matter if the member is disqualified from voting on that matter due to a conflict of interest. Nor shall any member vote on a quasi-judicial matter if the member is biased regarding that matter. b. A member shall openly state an abstention due to a conflict of interest or bias. A member shall only abstain when there is an actual (or reasonably perceived) financial conflict of interest or bias, and the member is prohibited from voting on the item.
c. A member who is abstaining due to a financial conflict of interest shall publicly identify the financial interest in detail sufficient to be understood by the public, except that disclosure of the exact street address of a residence is not required. d. Under SB 1439, an officer who is abstaining (Government Code, § 84308, the “Levine Act”) shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding. Under SB 1439, an officer of an agency shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use the officer’s official position to influence the decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use pending before the agency if the officer has willfully or knowingly received a contribution in an amount of more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) within the preceding 12 months from a party or a party’s agent, or from any participant or a participant’s agent if the officer knows or has reason to know that the participant has a financial interest in the decision.
e. As to any other conflict of interest, the member's determination may be accompanied by an oral or written disclosure of the conflict of interest.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 36 of 58 f. A member who is disqualified by a conflict of interest in any matter shall not remain on the dais during the discussion and shall not vote on that matter.

However, the member may remain on the dais for Consent Calendar items if the member states the abstention from the vote due to the described conflict of interest before the Consent Calendar is voted on in one motion.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 37 of 58 Chapter 9 – Council Vacancies
A. Procedures

1. As provided in the Sacramento City Charter, absence from five consecutive regular meetings of the council, unless excused by resolution of the council, operates to vacate the seat of the mayor or councilmember so absent. (Sacramento City Charter, §§ 28 and 46.)

2. A vacancy in the office of councilmember or mayor shall be filled by special election called by the council as provided in Sacramento City Charter § 154, unless the vacancy occurs within one year of the next general election at which that office would normally be filled, in which case the vacancy shall be filled by appointment.

The city clerk shall take the necessary actions to accomplish the recruitment and appointment of candidates as provided in
Sacramento City Code § 1.14.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 38 of 58 Chapter 10 - Facilities
A. Meeting Locations

1. Whenever practical, legislative body meetings shall be held at the City Hall Complex, located at 915 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 to facilitate video streaming to the city’s website and archiving for future access.

B. Meeting Capacity

1. Council chamber and historic hearing room attendance is limited to the posted seating capacity. The maximum occupancy of council chambers is 230 and historic hearing room is 70. The city manager shall appropriately regulate entrance to the council chamber when the council chamber capacity is likely to be exceeded. When legislative bodies are in session, members of the public shall not remain standing in the seating area or aisles of the council chamber. Sitting on the floor is not permitted. The sergeant-at-arms shall enforce this chapter.

2. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, meeting locations are accessible to the public. If a member of the public needs special assistance, a disability-related modification or accommodation, agenda materials in an alternative format, or auxiliary aids to participate in this meeting, they should contact the Office of the City Clerk at 916-808-7200 or [email protected] as soon as possible. Providing at least 72 hours' notice will help ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 39 of 58 Chapter 11 - City Council Committees and Regional Organizations A. General

1. The mayor shall make all appointments to council standing committees, subject to the approval of the council. The mayor shall make all appointments to council ad hoc committees.

2. A standing committee is a permanent committee of the council established to consider subjects of a particular class, with regularly scheduled meeting dates and times.

3. An ad hoc committee is a temporary committee of the council established for a special purpose and of limited duration.

4. Standing and ad hoc committees have fact-finding, informative, and recommendatory powers only, and such other powers delegated by the council.

5. The council intends that council committees, to the extent possible, conduct a full hearing on any matter referred to that committee before the committee refers the matter back to the council.

6. The city clerk shall maintain and keep on file a list of the standing committees, ad hoc committees, regional organizations, and joint powers agencies to which councilmembers are appointed.

B. Council Standing Committees

1. General Guidelines
a. Standing committee appointments shall be made by the mayor each at the beginning of each calendar year or as necessary.
b. Standing committees shall meet at the city hall complex. c. Standing committees are subject to the Brown Act
and the Sacramento Sunshine
Ordinance (Sacramento City Code § 4.04). Standing committee agendas shall be prepared, posted, and distributed in accordance with the Brown Act and the Sacramento Sunshine Ordinance (Sacramento City Code Chapter 4.04), stating the time and place of the meeting and the subject matters to be discussed. d. A councilmember who is not a member of the standing committee may attend a standing committee meeting, provided the member attends only as an observer, does not testify or otherwise participate in any discussion, and sits amongst the public.
e. Except as provided in subsection f, all items on a standing committee’s agenda must first be referred to the committee by the council for review, with a recommendation returned to the council within 120 days, subject to the exceptions set forth below or as otherwise modified by the council.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 40 of 58 f. With approval of the city clerk, city manager, or committee chair, an item may be sent directly to a standing committee without council referral. If a matter is so referred to a standing committee, the committee agenda must note that fact on the face of the agenda and the committee chair shall notify the council. Such referrals are not required to be forwarded to the council unless council action is recommended by the standing committee.
g. The city clerk shall assign staff to assist the committee chair with the operation of the committee.

C. Council Ad Hoc Committees

1. Establishment.
a. The mayor or a majority of the council may request the creation of an ad hoc committee.
b. The city manager or a department director, together with the city attorney, shall work with the appropriate supporting department(s) and determine the scope and approximate duration the ad hoc committee.
c. The department director shall submit a request to the mayor, with a copy to the city clerk, requesting the creation of and appointment of up to four members to an ad hoc committee.

2. Scheduling Ad Hoc Committee Meetings.
a. Once an ad hoc committee has been established, the city clerk shall schedule the first meeting. Once confirmed, the city clerk shall notify the members, mayor’s office, city manager (or designee), and the city attorney (or designee) of the meeting details. A regular meeting calendar will be established and adopted by the ad hoc committee.
b. A councilmember who is not a member of the ad hoc committee may attend an ad hoc committee meeting, provided the member attends only as an observer, does not testify or otherwise participate in any discussion, and sits amongst the public.
c. Ad hoc committees are subject to the Brown Act
and the Sacramento Sunshine
Ordinance (Sacramento City Code § 4.04).

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 41 of 58

3. Dissolution
a. Once an ad hoc committee has completed its task, the supporting department shall submit a report to the mayor, with a copy to the city clerk, stating completion of the ad hoc committee tasks and request the dissolution of the ad hoc committee.
b. An ad hoc committee is automatically dissolved one year after its first meeting, unless it is dissolved earlier under Rule 12.C.3.a.
c. The city clerk will provide a periodic report to council announcing the dissolution of ad hoc committees.

D. Regional Organizations
The mayor shall appoint council representatives to regional organizations and joint powers agencies listed in the documents maintained by the city clerk, subject to council approval. Appointments shall be made at the beginning of each calendar year or as necessary.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 42 of 58 Chapter 12 – Councilmember Proposal Requests
A. General

1. This chapter outlines the process for councilmembers to propose an idea for council action. It modulates the agenda requests of individual councilmembers by referring those requests to the relevant city council standing committee for review, as appropriate, and in so doing provides clear guidance to the council appointees that their work demands are serving the council as a whole. It also ensures councilmember requests are duly tracked and assigned, thus promoting transparency and accountability.

B. Procedures

1. Councilmember proposal requests must be submitted in writing to the city clerk.

The proposal must include a brief summary and background, identify the applicable strategic plan/priority, estimate any budget adjustment or impact, and include additional information sufficient for committee deliberation.

2. The mayor, in consultation with the city manager, city attorney, and city clerk, shall review all requests and will assign each proposal to a committee based on committee jurisdiction, unless an exception applies.
a. Exceptions:
i. Urgent matter that requires quick council action;
ii. A matter related to a pending council matter;
iii. A matter that on its face falls fully outside the jurisdiction of the City;
iv. A matter within the City Manager’s executive function that does not need council authorization; or
v. A matter that should receive a city-established board, commission, or committee input before going to a city council standing committee.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 43 of 58

3. Standing committees shall review each proposal and vote whether to approve staff work.
a. If the proposal receives threshold committee support to work on the proposal (i.e., a vote of 4/0, 3/1, or 2/1), staff work commences. b. If the proposal receives a 2/2 vote, within 30 days thereafter the city councilmember who initiated the proposal may ask that the city council vote on a non-debatable motion to reconsider, which motion will be placed on the next available city council agenda. If the motion receives five or more “aye” votes, the item will be resubmitted to the committee.

If the motion fails, the proposal concludes. The non-debatable motion to consider may only be considered once. Once a proposal concludes, it cannot be reconsidered sooner than 12 months.
c. If the proposal does not receive sufficient committee support (i.e., a 0/4, 1/3, or 1/2 vote) for further work on the proposal, the proposal concludes.

4. If directed by the standing committee to commence work, staff will bring back to the committee a report for its consideration.
a. If the proposal receives a vote of 4/0, 3/1, or 2/1, the proposal advances to the city council with a committee recommendation.
b. If the proposal receives a 2/2 vote, within 30 days thereafter the city councilmember who initiated the proposal may ask that the city council vote on a non-debatable motion to reconsider, which motion will be placed on the next available city council agenda. If the motion receives five or more “aye” votes, the item will be resubmitted to the committee.

If the motion fails, the proposal concludes. The non-debatable motion to consider may only be considered once. Once a proposal concludes, it cannot be reconsidered sooner than 12 months.
c. If the proposal does not receive sufficient committee support (i.e., a 0/4, 1/3, or 1/2 vote) to advance to the city council, the proposal concludes and cannot be reconsidered sooner than 12 months.

C. Councilmember Proposal Request Flowchart (following page)

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 44 of 58

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 45 of 58 Chapter 13 – Law and Legislation Committee
A. Authority; Purposes

1. Authority to Represent City Positions.
a. The Law and Legislation (L&L) Committee has the authority to take positions on behalf of the city on state and federal legislation as outlined in the city’s legislative platform.
b. The mayor or the chair of the L&L Committee has the authority to take positions, consistent with the adopted legislative platform, on behalf of the city when the need to react quickly does not allow for a matter to be considered by the L&L Committee.
c. Except as provided in subsections a and b, no person or committee has authority to represent the council on policy matters, unless that authority has been granted by the council or the information is limited to a factually accurate statement of the council’s publicly-adopted position.

2. Purposes. The purposes of the L&L Committee are to consider, evaluate, conduct fact-finding, and recommend to council positions on proposed city ordinances and non-binding resolutions.

B. Procedures

1. Ordinances and Non-Binding Resolutions.
a. Origination.
(i) Requests to prepare, amend, draft, or process ordinances and non- binding resolutions shall be made in one of the following ways:
(A) In writing to the city clerk; or
(B) By the city manager or other city staff.
(ii) All non-binding resolution requests must be referred to the L&L Committee. Except as provided in subsection b below, all ordinance requests must be referred to the L&L Committee.
(iii) The requesting member(s), city manager, or staff is considered the sponsor. City staff shall work directly with the sponsor in developing the proposed ordinance language.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 46 of 58 b. Ordinances not requiring L&L Committee review prior to council review and adoption are those that are:
(i) Deemed urgent by the mayor or city manager;
(ii) Voted on by the majority of council to bypass the L&L Committee; (iii) Voted on by the majority of the L&L Committee to go to council without full L&L Committee review;
(iv) Zoning code amendments for specific development projects; (v) Listings on, or deletions from, the Sacramento register under Sacramento City Code chapter 17.604, article II;
(vi) Adopting property-related fees or fee increases that require public notice before the Utilities Rate Advisory Commission;
(vii) Authorizing the execution of a development agreement; (viii) Establishing or adjusting parking meter rates
(ix) The biennial update for campaign contribution limits, as required by Sacramento City Code section 2.13.120; or
(x) Levying a special tax on land within a community facilities district. (xi) Those reviewed by the P&PE Committee related to a city advisory body’s creating authority.
c. After passing the threshold vote required by the councilmember proposal request flowchart in Chapter 12, ordinances and non-binding resolutions referred to the L&L Committee shall be placed on the legislation log, with new items placed at the end of the log, to establish a priority order; provided, the L&L Committee or council may reorder the priority.
d. The log will be scheduled for the consent agenda at every L&L Committee meeting. Any committee member may pull an item from consent for discussion. e. Items on the log may be removed at the request of the sponsor. Staff shall note the removal request on the log and remove the item after the log has been approved by the committee.
f. The process for advancing an item to the city council is outlined in Chapter 12.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 47 of 58 C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission

1. The city manager and city clerk shall develop the agenda for the L&L Committee meetings in consultation with the chair of the committee. a. The chair shall have the right to make recommendations to the committee on matters of policy and programs that require committee decisions. b. Charter officers, the director of the office of public safety accountability, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency executive director may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.
c. Department directors, subject to the discretion of the city manager, may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 48 of 58 Chapter 14 – Personnel and Public Employees Committee
A. Purposes
The purposes of the Personnel and Public Employees (P&PE) Committee are to:

1. Review applications received for membership to various city boards, commissions, and committees;

2. Conduct interviews for such membership appointment;

3. Make recommendations to the mayor concerning such appointments;

4. Review advisory body reports and recommendations, as provided in Rule 17.C;

5. Review ordinances related to an advisory body’s creating authority prior to council review and adoption;

6. Lead the recruitment process for council-appointed officers; and

7. Develop and lead annual performance metrics and evaluations for council-appointed officers, as provided in Rule 18.

B. Procedures

1. Applications for seats on city boards, commissions, and committees will be reviewed by the P&PE Committee.

2. The P&PE Committee shall conduct interviews of qualified applicants.

3. Recommendations by the P&PE Committee shall be submitted to the city clerk for distribution to the mayor to consider appointment.

4. After the mayor’s appointment, the city clerk shall submit a report for a council agenda requesting confirmation of the mayor’s appointment.

C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission

1. The city manager and city clerk shall develop the agenda for the P&PE Committee meetings in consultation with the chair of the committee. a. The chair shall have the right to make recommendations to the committee on matters of policy and programs that require committee decisions. b. Charter officers, the director of the office of public safety accountability, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency executive director may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.
c. Department directors, subject to the discretion of the city manager, may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 49 of 58 Chapter 15 – Budget and Audit Committee
A. Purposes
The purposes of the Budget and Audit Committee (B&A) are to:

1. Assist the council in overseeing and supervising the city auditor;

2. Assist the council in evaluating the proposed budget, including a mid-year report, and any amendments thereto;

3. Assist the council in understanding the budget impacts resulting from council’s actions; and

4. Assist the council in reviewing and evaluating the Innovation and Growth Fund.

5. Assist the council in enhancing the city’s ability to:
a. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of city operations; b. Improve the city’s fiscal operations;
c. Adopt and adhere to a balanced budget; and
d. Comply with city policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

6. Review councilmember proposals for funding allocations that fall outside of the budget process.

B. Procedures

1. The B&A Committee shall receive, review, and forward to the council as appropriate, reports, recommendations, and updates from the city auditor.

2. The B&A Committee shall receive and review the proposed budget and any material amendments thereto.

3. The B&A Committee shall receive and review any key budget policy issues, including but not limited to, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) results, use of any year-end surplus, the mid-year report, budget priorities, use of unanticipated revenue, or proposed budget issues such as fee increases, prior to bringing forward to council.

4. The B&A Committee may:
a. Receive, review, and forward to the council, when relevant to city audits, any reports from the city treasurer, the department of finance, other city offices, or external auditors;
City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 50 of 58 b. Receive, review, and forward to the city council any reports and recommendations from the economic development department or city manager regarding the Innovation and Growth Fund; and
c. Propose that the council adopt ordinances, resolutions, or take other actions, provided that such ordinances, resolutions, or actions are within the jurisdiction of the B&A Committee.

5. The process for advancing an item to the city council is outlined in Chapter 12.

C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission

1. The city manager, city auditor, and city clerk shall develop the agenda for the B&A Committee meetings in consultation with the chair of the committee. a. The chair shall have the right to make recommendations to the committee on matters of policy and programs that require committee decisions. b. Charter officers, the director of the office of public safety accountability, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency executive director may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.
c. Department directors, subject to the discretion of the city manager, may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 51 of 58 Chapter 16 – Racial Equity Committee
A. Purposes
The purposes of the Racial Equity Committee are to:

1. Help the council align its advancement of racial equity in city decision-making with the impacts resulting from city policy, budget, and service-delivery decisions;

2. Provide a space to help coordinate the various city racial equity initiatives, efforts, metrics, and best practices into a holistic citywide informed approach (rather than a case-by-case approach); and

3. Increase engagement, transparency, and accountability for the City’s ongoing racial equity work.

B. Procedures

1. The Racial Equity Committee shall receive, review, and forward to the council as appropriate, reports, recommendations, policy proposals, and updates regarding racial equity issues. Review and approval of ordinances and adoption of positions on state and federal legislation shall be undertaken by the Law and Legislation Committee, unless an ordinance or legislation is referred directly to the Racial Equity Committee by the council.

2. The process for advancing an item to the city council is outlined in Chapter 12.

C. Requirements for Agenda Item Submission

1. The city manager and city clerk shall develop the agenda for the Racial Equity Committee meetings in consultation with the chair of the committee. a. The chair shall have the right to make recommendations to the committee on matters of policy and programs that require committee decisions. b. Charter officers, the director of the office of public safety accountability, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency executive director may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.
c. Department directors, subject to the discretion of the city manager, may submit staff reports or descriptions of oral reports to the city clerk for placement on the agenda.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 52 of 58 Chapter 17 – City Advisory Bodies
A. Vacancies and Appointments

1. When any vacancy occurs on a board, commission, or committee (advisory body) the city clerk shall announce that vacancy pursuant to the standard outreach procedures. The city clerk’s office maintains the board and commission files and performs all clerical and administrative support tasks related to the application process.

2. At the close of the application period, all applications received for the vacancy are referred by the city clerk to the appropriate nominating body or person for review and recommendation.

3. If the recommending body is the Personnel and Public Employees Committee (P&PE) the applicant will be invited to interview in person before P&PE at the next available meeting. Following review and recommendation by P&PE, the city clerk shall forward to the mayor for review.

4. If the recommending body is a councilmember, following review, the member shall send the board and commission recommendation(s) to the city clerk who will forward to the mayor for review.

5. After reviewing the submitted recommendation(s) made by P&PE or a member, the mayor shall direct the city clerk to prepare a staff report with the mayor’s appointment to fill the vacancy at the next council meeting. Concurrence in an appointment for a seat on a city board, commission or committee shall be by vote of the city council.

6. If the council does not approve the appointment, then the mayor shall make another appointment, and at the soonest regular meeting following the meeting at which the subsequent appointment was made, the council shall vote whether to confirm the new appointment.

7. This procedure shall be followed until an appointment has been approved by the council. No request by a member to delay the appointment or approval will be allowed unless approved by a majority vote of the council.

8. At the direction of the council, all vacancies, application periods, and close of application periods for boards and commissions shall be monitored and maintained by the city clerk.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 53 of 58

9. In making nominations and appointments to city boards and commissions, the mayor, P&PE Committee, and members should consider persons of various ethnicities, ages, genders, education, and occupational experience as reflected in the general population of the city; and should, as appropriate for the vacancy, consider persons from all districts of the city.

B. Requests for Future Agenda Items

1. Members may submit items under the purview of the advisory body for inclusion on a future agenda by orally making the request under Ideas, Comments, and Questions.
a. The department staff shall add a member’s requests to a chronologically-ordered log that contains all pending requests, i.e., those not having been heard as an agenda item or not otherwise having been removed from the log. b. The log shall appear on the Consent Calendar of each regular meeting and include estimated agenda date or disposition.

C. Advisory Body Reports

1. Advisory body recommendations and reports to the city council shall follow the procedure set forth in this Rule 17.C.

2. Annual report preparation.
a. Each advisory body shall provide an annual report for review by the Personnel and Public Employees (P&PE) Committee.
b. The annual report shall be provided in a format established by the city clerk and should include highlights and accomplishments from the prior year’s work; proposed projects, priorities, and recommendations for the upcoming year; and any other information required of the advisory body according to the Sacramento City Code.
c. The city clerk shall manage an advisory body annual report calendar so that city staff can gather input to prepare a proposed report to the advisory body in a timely manner.
d. Each advisory body must approve its annual report before presentation to the P&PE Committee. When presenting proposed reports to advisory bodies, staff should include information on the feasibility of any recommendations therein.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 54 of 58

3. Review by P&PE Committee.
a. Annual reports approved by advisory bodies shall be placed on an upcoming P&PE Committee meeting agenda.
a. The city clerk shall act as a liaison and collaborate with city staff to collect any additional information that may be helpful to the committee’s evaluation of advisory body annual reports.
b. The P&PE Committee shall review advisory body annual reports and give staff direction on those reports’ stated projects, priorities, and recommendations.

Before forwarding the report to the city council, the committee may request supplemental information from staff or the advisory body.

4. Other recommendations. If an advisory body has recommendations outside the annual review process, the city clerk shall coordinate with the advisory body to have those recommendations brought before the P&PE Committee, which may consider and act on those recommendations in the same way it does advisory body annual reports.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 55 of 58 Chapter 18 – Annual Review of City Council Appointive Officers A. Purposes

1. The city council is committed to performing regular annual reviews of its appointive officers, which include the following positions: city attorney, city auditor, city clerk, city manager, city treasurer, director of the office of public safety accountability, and executive director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. These positions report directly to the city council.

2. Clear communication and performance metrics are at the core of the work of the council and the city. To evaluate council appointive officers on a consistent basis, the P&PE Committee will assume the role and responsibility of developing and leading annual performance metrics and evaluations.

B. Procedures

1. With direction from the P&PE Committee, the city clerk shall coordinate and schedule appointive officer annual reviews.

2. Annually, appointive officers shall present their annual report, including past year accomplishments and strategic goals and objectives for the upcoming year, to the P&PE Committee. Once approved by the P&PE Committee the report will be forwarded to the city council for approval.

3. Performance Evaluations: The city council shall meet in closed session to conduct a performance evaluation of an appointive officer.
a. T he city council may hold closed sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of an appointive officer or to hear complaints or charges brought against the appointive officer by another person or employee unless the appointive officer requests a public session (Government Code § 54957 (b)).
b. As a condition to holding a closed session on specific complaints or charges brought against an appointive officer by another person or employee, the appointive officer shall be given written notice of his or her right to have the complaints or charges heard in an open session rather than a closed session, which notice shall be delivered to the appointive officer personally or by mail at least 24 hours before the time for holding the session. c. The city council also may exclude from the public or closed meeting, during the examination of a witness, any or all other witnesses in the matter being investigated by the city council.
d. Closed sessions held pursuant to this rule shall not include discussion or action on proposed compensation except for a reduction of compensation that results from the imposition of discipline.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 56 of 58

4. Salary and Benefit Negotiations: The city council may meet in closed session with the city’s designated representative to discuss salaries, salary schedules, or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of an appointive officer. (Government Code § 54957.6)
a. The agenda for a closed session under this rule must identify the city’s designated representatives. Unless specifically directed otherwise by the mayor, the designated representatives shall be personnel from the Human Resources Department.
b. Closed sessions of the city council under this rule shall be for the purpose of reviewing its position and instructing the designated representatives. c. Closed sessions held pursuant to this rule shall not include final action on the proposed compensation or benefits.

5. Final approval of compensation adjustments, by resolution or contract, shall be made at an open meeting of the city council. See Rule 7.A.1 for agendizing such an item.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 57 of 58 Glossary
Decorum Officer
The decorum officer is a council-selected person who sits on the dais and has responsibility for enforcing council meeting decorum.
et seq
et seq means “and the following one or ones”.

Ex Parte Communications
An ex parte communication is a written or oral communication between a decisionmaker and an interested person concerning any issue in a formal proceeding, other than procedural matters that does not occur in a public forum established in the proceeding or on the record of the proceeding.

Members shall disclose the substance of all ex parte communications at the beginning of a public hearing for any item brought before the legislative body for hearing, consideration, or action.

Non-Binding Resolution
A non-binding resolution is a resolution in which the council declares its position and opinions on an issue, policy, or other matter that the council lacks legal authority to establish or regulate, but that the council determines is of such importance that the council should make the symbolic gesture of adopting a resolution declarative of council’s position.

Presiding Officer
The Presiding Officer is the person who presides over a meeting and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing members to speak, and interpreting the rules, practices, and precedents. In the city council the presiding officer is the Mayor. In advisory bodies established by the city council the presiding officer is the Chair. In the absence of Mayor or Chair, the Vice Mayor or Vice Chair shall preside.

Quasi-judicial
Quasi-judicial action means any council action that implicates constitutionally protected property or liberty interests, such as issuance or denial of discretionary land use permits, subdivision maps, business licenses, and other similar action in which a property interest is at stake and the council is charged with applying legal standards to a specific factual situation.

Sergeant-at-Arms
The sergeant-at-arms is the principal law enforcement official of the legislative body and is charged with maintaining security within the chamber (meeting location) and surrounding areas. The sergeant-at-arms also enforces protocol and ensures public decorum is followed as noted in the body’s rules of procedure.

City of Sacramento Council Rules of Procedure Page 58 of 58 Teleconference
A meeting conducted among participants in different locations via telecommunications equipment such as telephones, computers, or other devices.