Standing Committees – Purpose of
Review
• This review explains:
• How Council Standing Committees function
under Rule 9 of the Rules of Conduct Resolution
(RES2023-22) and Council Policy 0-12
• Why the Rules & Open Government
Committee is structurally different than the other
Council Standing Committees
• When Committee actions require Rules
Committee and/or full Council action
Standing Committees: Baseline
Framework
• Created by Rule 9 of the Rules of Conduct
• Advisory bodies to the City Council
• Actions are recommendations, not final
Council action
• Formal authority remains with the full City
Council
Subject-Matter Standing Committees
• Transportation & Environment
• Neighborhood Services & Education
• Community & Economic Development
• Public Safety, Finance & Strategic Support
• Primary role: policy review and
recommendations within defined subject
areas
Rules & Open Government Committee – Distinct Role per Rules of Conduct Resolution and Council Policy 0-12
• In addition to policy review, Rules performs
governance functions:
• Council and Study Session agenda review
• Work plan approvals and modifications
• Decide whether to Drop/Defer or request an
Administrative Workload Assessment, and then
make a recommendation to City Council
• Open government and ethics responsibilities
Committee Actions vs. Staff Direction
• Not all referrals are the same.
• Key distinction:
• Policy recommendations → may go directly
to Council
• Requests involving staff work → governed
by Council Policy 0-12
Policy Recommendations (Direct to
Council)
• Standing Committees may:
• Hear items on posted agendas
• Vote on recommendations
• Transmit Standing Committee Reports to
Council
• No Rules Committee action required if no staff
work is requested.
Requests Involving Staff Work
• If a committee request:
• Asks for analysis, options, or
implementation
• Has workload, fiscal, or staffing impacts
→ It is a City Council Referral under Council
Policy 0-12
Council Policy 0-12 – Role of Rules
Committee
• Rules Committee:
• Screens referrals
• Determines Assign / Defer / Drop
• May request workload assessments
• Full Council affirms or modifies the
recommendation.
Two-Lane Process Overview
• Lane 1: Policy Recommendation
• Standing Committee → Council
• Lane 2: Staff Work Request
• Standing Committee → Rules Committee →
City Council
What Committees May Do Without
Rules
• Request existing information
• Ask clarifying questions
• Operate within approved work plans
• Shape recommendations for Council
consideration
What Committees May Not Do
Independently
• Assign substantial new staff work
• Direct implementation of policy
• Commit City resources
• These actions require Policy 0-12 compliance.
Key Takeaways
• Standing Committees are advisory
• Rules is a gateway, not a substitute for Council
• When in doubt: treat staff work as a 0-12
referral
• This preserves transparency, workload control,
and Council authority