September 8, 2025
Special City Council Meeting
COUNCIL
HANDBOOK
UPDATE
1 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
2 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; seniority is to be defined by date sworn into office and who has not previously served as Vice Mayor. If two Councilmembers have equal seniority, option to defer nomination. If more than one member remains, random name draw to establish seniority that year.
P.14 NOMINATION AND ROLE OF THE VICE MAYOR
3 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Remove second paragraph, keep City Charter Language - 2:1 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.
4 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Remove Program Offering from Handbook - Unanimous
P. 17 STRATEGIC ORGANIZATIONAL TRAINING ACCOUNT
5 Combine Travel, Training and Technology Budget Titles New Title: Advocacy, Training and Technology Budget
Combine Councilmembers $7,500 Travel & Training Budget with $1,800 Technology Budget $9,300 per Councilmember per Fiscal Year
Not to exceed $2,500 on technology expenses per year
P. 17 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Add language to handbook - Unanimous
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION:
Apply the change to the Mayor
Annual $10,000 Travel & Training and $1,800 Technology for a total of $11,800
Keep $3,000 Inaugural Term technology budget
$10,500 per Councilmember ($7,500 + $3,000)
$13,000 for Mayor ($10,000 + $3,000)
P. 18 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES
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. 6 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Add language to handbook - Unanimous
7 a) Councilmembers and the Mayor must submit requests for reimbursement on the “Expense Reimbursement Form” within 90 30 days of incurring the expense to qualify for reimbursement.
NEW UPDATE
Consistent with standard business practices of the City P. 20 DOCUMENTATION OF EXPENSES; EXPENSE REPORTS
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION:
Approve change
Consequences for Violating the
Handbook
Code of Ethics
Handbook Acknowledgement
CODE OF
ETHICS &
RELATED
DOCUMENTS
8 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.
9 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Add Language to Handbook - Unanimous
P. 69 CITY COUNCILMEMBER HANDBOOK
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM
10 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Add Language to Handbook - 2:1
P. 9 - 12 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
11 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Add Language to Handbook - 2:1
QQUUEESSTTIIOONNSS
OORR CCOOMMMMEENNTTSS
QUESTIONS
OR COMMENTS
12