June 30, 2025
Special Rules Committee Meeting
COUNCIL
HANDBOOK
UPDATE
1 RULES COMMITTEE RECAP
PAGE 8
Added:
Consequences for violating
the handbook
PAGES 9 - 12
Added:
Council Code of Ethics
PAGE 14
Added:
“The Vice Mayor shall be the
most senior Councilmember
who has not previously served
as Vice Mayor. “
PAGE 17
Added:
Language regarding
Strategic Organizational
Training
PAGE 18
Added:
Language Pro-rating
travel/training budgets.
Language Staff facilitate the
purchase of flights
PAGE 69
Added:
Handbook
Acknowledgement form
DECEMBER 18, 2024 AND FEBRUARY 26, 2025
2 P. 8 CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE HANDBOOK
Violations of the rules and policies outlined in this handbook may result in disciplinary action, as determined by the City Council.
Reference Title 1 Chapter 13 of the San Leandro Administrative Code, as adopted by City Council Resolution No. 2024-138.
Council requested the addition of Consequences
for Violating the Handbook after adoption of
Reso No. 2024-138
3 4
COMMITTEE DIRECTION:
PAGES 9 THROUGH 12
ADDED: COUNCILMEMBERS CODE OF ETHICS
Public Service and Integrity
Act in the Public Interest
Compliance with laws and policies
Accountability
Professional and Personal Conduct
Fiscal Responsibility
Ethical Leadership
Respect and Civility
Engagement with the Public
Respect for the Process
Conduct of Public Meetings
Decisions Based on Merit
Communication and Disclosure
Conflict of Interest
Gifts and Favors
Confidential Information
Use of Public Resources
Representation of Private Interests
Advocacy
Policy Role of Members
Independence of Boards and Commissions
Positive Work Environment
Council requested the addition of Consequences
for Violating the Handbook after adoption of
Resolution No. 2024-138
5 6
COMMITTEE DIRECTION:
Council requested the addition of language defining the nomination process
P.14 SELECTION AND ROLE OF THE VICE MAYOR
SUGGESTED LANGUAGE:
NOMINATION AND ROLE OF THE VICE MAYOR
At its first regular meeting in January of each year, the Council must designate one of its members as Vice Mayor to serve for one year and until a successor is elected and qualified.
In the absence of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor shall possess and perform the powers and duties of the Mayor. (Sec. 310, City Charter)
The Vice Mayor shall be nominated by seniority and who has not previously served as Vice-Mayor; seniority is to be defined by date sworn into office. If two Councilmembers have equal seniorityop, t ion to defer nomination. If more than one member remains, random name draw to establissenio h rity that year.
7 8
COMMITTEE DIRECTION:
P. 17 SUGGESTED LANGUAGE
STRATEGIC ORGANIZATIONAL TRAINING ACCOUNT
The City Manager has an account set aside for Strategic Organizational Training, in which $17,400 in funding is available for the Mayor or Councilmembers use. The intended purpose of the fund is to allocate up to $17,400 in funding annually for education opportunities for an ongoing training program with a cohort of people over a specified time with other elected officials.
In order to ensure diverse and comprehensive representation from the Council, a councilmember will be selected to attend strategic organizational training. The following criteria apply for the selection:
1.The councilmember selected must not have previously attended the strategic organizational training.
2.The selection will be made based on a fair and transparent process, taking into account factors such as current involvement in relevant initiatives, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to professional development.
3.The Council will make the final selection at a regularly scheduled meeting, with the opportunity for nominations and discussion before the vote.
Council requested the addition to clarify who
9 would be eligible for the additional training
10 COMMITTEE DIRECTION:
11 Technology
$3,000 inaugural term, $150 per month, up to $1,800 per Fiscal Year
Travel and Training
Councilmembers receive up to $7,000 per Fiscal Year
Mayor receives up to $10,000 per Fiscal Year
NEW TRAVEL & TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY
REIMBURSEMENT LIMITS
FY 26/27 AND 27/28 BUDGET
No action to be taken - for reference
P. 17 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
Councilmembers and the Mayor are provided with a technology budget, a travel and training budget and an apparel budget per fiscal year. City budgets are set by the City Council as part of the budget cycle. The aforementioned budgets for the Mayor and Councilmembers are set per account, the monies are non-transferrable, and cannot carry over from year to year, with the exception of the travel and training budget. In the occurrence of a Council vacancy where a temporary appointment is made, the budget for appointed Councilmembers will be prorated based on the remaining time left in the year.
Staff added for best practices for budgeting
B.Travel/Training P. 18 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
a)Councilmembers currently receive up to $7,000 per fiscal year for official City business travel or training , to be reimbursed after providing sufficient supporting documentation to the City Manager. Annual amounts may increase based on inflation.
Councilmembers are provided a Travel and Training allowance of up to $3,500 for the first six months of their inaugural term.
b)The Mayor currently receives up to $10,000 per fiscal year for official City business travel or training, to be reimbursed after providing sufficient supporting documentation to the City Manager. Annual amounts may increase based on inflation.
The Mayor is provided a Travel and Training allowance of up to $5,000 for the first six months of their inaugural term. 12 Staff added language for better budget accounting
13 COMMITTEE DIRECTION:
P. 18 TRAVEL/TRAINING REIMBURSEMENT
Council requested the addition of language defining
role of staff with flight facilitation
PROPOSED LANGUAGE:
City Staff will facilitate conference registration and hotel accommodations at the conference site or approved conference hotel. Travel (Flight, Rental Car, Uber etc.) accommodations must be booked by the Councilmember or Mayor in addition to any variations on hotel or other accommodations. Staff may purchase flights for Councilmembers upon the Councilmember’s submittal of a detailed flight request.
Council requested the addition
14 15
COMMITTEE CONSENSUS:
P. 69 CITY COUNCILMEMBER HANDBOOK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
Council requested at December Rules
16 17
COMMITTEE CONSENSUS:
R
eorganizationofsectionsfor
betterflow. Added information about
Facilities&
Transportation,FinanceandRules
Committees. Removed reference to
Human
RelationsCommittee,nowRules
Committee. Cleaned up spacing
,spelling
andgrammar
GENERAL
CLEAN
UP
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