City of Signal Hill Policy Page 1 of 3
City Council Committees
DATE: December 9, 2025
City of Signal Hill Policy REVISION NO.:_______1__________ City Council Committees APPROVED: ___________________
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
I. PURPOSE
To provide a consistent and transparent framework for the formation, operation, and dissolution of City Council-created committees. This City Council Committee Policy ensures that committees operate with a clear focus, deliver measurable outcomes, and use staff and City resources efficiently.
A. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
• Committees formed by the City Council are generally envisioned as ad hoc in nature, created to explore specific topics or initiatives within a defined timeframe that fall outside the subject matter jurisdiction of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Civil Service Commission.
• While standing committees are not prohibited, the City Council will identify a compelling and ongoing need to establish standing committees. Any proposed standing committee must include a defined scope of work, justification and identify any anticipated need for City resources.
B. COMMITTEE FORMATION PROCEDURE
When the City Council expresses interest in forming a committee, the following process will be followed:
1. Initial Direction:
The City Council identifies the policy issue or need at a public meeting.
2. Staff Action:
Staff returns with a report that includes:
• Committee purpose and focus
• Estimated number of meetings and term
• Expected level of staff support and estimated cost
• Proposed membership structure
• Anticipated deliverables and timeline
City of Signal Hill Policy Page 2 of 3
City Council Committees
3. City Council Action:
The City Council may approve committee formation via resolution establishing its scope, term, and appointments
II. TERMS AND SUNSET PROVISIONS
• Committees will be formed with a maximum one-year term, unless otherwise determined by the City Council during the establishment of the committee. • Reauthorization may occur by formal City Council action for an additional term. • Committees not reauthorized by the end of their term shall sunset automatically.
III. WORK PLAN AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
• Within 30 days of formation and upon filling all seats, each committee shall:
o Select a Chair and Vice-Chair
o Develop a work plan identifying 1–2 focused goals or issues, outline meeting dates, key milestones, and expected deliverables.
IV. COMMITTEE DELIVERABLES
• At the end of the committee's term, a summary report/presentation shall be provided to the City Council.
• The report shall include:
o Summary of accomplishments
o Findings or recommendations
o Suggestions for future efforts (if any)
V. STAFF SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
• Staff support must be scoped and approved at the time of formation. • Estimated staff hours and program costs will be reviewed by the City Council during the formation process.
• Continued staff support is tied to the approved term and scope.
City of Signal Hill Policy Page 3 of 3
City Council Committees
VI. MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENTS
• Membership shall be defined at formation and may include:
o City Council Members
o Community stakeholders
o Commissioners or subject matter experts
• Appointments shall be made by the City Council, and will occur through an application process. Appointments will be made by a majority vote of the City Council.
• Each committee shall select its Chair and Vice-Chair within 30 days of formation VII. OPERATIONS GUIDELINES
• All Committees will comply with the same procedural and transparency rules that apply to other governing bodies of the City (City Council and Commissions).
VIII. OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY
• The City Clerk will maintain a list of active committees. • The City Manager will use their discretion and may assign a staff/department liaison, as appropriate.
• The City Manager will use their discretion to schedule periodic updates to the City Council summarizing committee activities and upcoming term expirations.