FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 17, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager David W. Rowlands
BY: Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna G. Schwartz
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution Approving 2025 Meeting Schedule for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Description:
The City Council to consider a resolution adopting 2025 Meeting Schedule for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adoption of a Resolution approving 2025 Meeting Schedule for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
BACKGROUND:
Per City Charter section 2-1.-1 Time, day, and place.
Regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at five -thirty (5:30) p.m., or if such regular meeting day shall be a legal holiday, then such meeting shall be held on the next day at five -thirty (5:30) p.m. at the Council Chambers of the City Hall, unless otherwise specified.
(Prior Code § 2-5; Ord. 87-24 § 1, eff. 12/17/87; Ord. 2017-12 § 1, eff. 8/31/17)
Board, Commission, and Committee meetings are set by resolution and conducted in the same manner as the City Council.
Pursuant to Section GC54954 of the Ralph M. Brown Act:
(a) Each legislative body of a local agency, except for advisory committees or standing committees, shall provide, by ordinance, resolution, bylaws, or by whatever other rule is required for the conduct of business by that body, the time and place for holding regular meetings. Meetings of advisory committees or standing committees, for which an agenda is posted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting pursuant to subdivision (a) of 2 Section 54954.2, shall be considered for purposes of this chapter as regular meetings of the legislative body.
DISCUSSION:
All meetings of the local legislative body shall be open to the public, except as permitted by state law. City Council, Block Grants Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee, Planning Commission, and Recreation and Parks Commission are to meet as indicated in the 2025 regular meeting schedule.
Impact to the Community
Approving an annual meeting schedule does provide transparency for local legislative bodies. By establishing a publicly accessible schedule, the legislative body demonstrates accountability, ensures that constituents are informed about upcoming meeting s, and creates opportunities for public participation. Transparency in governance fosters trust between officials and the community they serve while allowing citizens to plan their engagement with issues of interest.
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