City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 2/5/2024 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Lisa Diaz Nash, Mayor
Rob Newsom Jr., Deputy Mayor
Rich Hedges
Amourence Lee
Adam Loraine
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
February 5, 2024
City Hall Council Chambers 5:30 PM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Diaz Nash, Deputy Mayor Newsom, Council Members: Hedges, Lee, and Loraine
AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances
STUDY SESSION
1. City Council Guidelines - Updates
Patrice Olds, City Clerk, provided a presentation on proposed changes for consideration to the City Council's Guidelines. Council asked questions of staff.
Public Comment – Dave Cohen, Ethics San Mateo, outlined ESM preferences for the update; Lisa Vande Voorde stated ethics is a priority with consequences; Evan Adams cautioned that codes of conduct can be used for the wrong purpose. Rick Sakuda recommended third party adjudication when needed; Michael Ragan stated his agreement for Ethics San Mateo’s comments; Vikash Bhagaandin stated decorum requires self-regulation; Jordan Grimes stated the Code of Ethics will not make a difference as the issue with respectful discourse is a societal issue; and Sarah Fields stated the intent is not met with guidelines and a code of conduct.
Council took a short recess at 6:30 pm, and reconvened at 6:38 pm.
Council discussion ensued with direction given on the following areas - Council was in favor of: 1) changing the name from “Guidelines” to “Rules and Procedures”; 2) reordering the agenda to take public comment before Council questions; 3) to keep the continuity designation for external bodies only; and 4) keeping the current appointment committee process; limit the eligibility list to no more than six months; and no change in the reappointment process at this time. Council will submit any other individual comments on the track changes portion of the Guidelines directly to the Clerk to be brought back for formal action at a future meeting.
Council by consensus provided direction to bring in an experienced facilitator to conduct a workshop on the Code of Conduct piece with the City Council and hold a robust discussion on further elements needed.
ADJOURNMENT –The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Lisa Diaz Nash, Mayor Patrice Olds, City Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: 359424BE-0AF7-4B01-9F71-923CB007D362