Proposed Updates to the Council
Policy Manual
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
March 10, 2026
2City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 • Staff updates Council Policies as needed
• Council Policy review added to the Strategic Framework Workplan under Responsive Government (GO-37)
goal of reviewing 40 policies by June 2027
• Goals include adopting new policy where needed, clarifying intent, reducing duplication, and simplifying where appropriate • Council Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee established in February 2026 for input and direction; Committee provided input on this round of updates Background
3City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 • 1 new policy drafted, 7 existing policies reviewed
• Policies reviewed include:
Council Policy 3.2.2 Reusable Diapers (Delete)
Council Policy 3.7.2 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from City Operations (Delete) Council Policy 5.1.1 Socio-Economic — Goals and Policies (Amend) Council Policy 7.3.7 Standard Conflict of Interest Code (Delete) Council Policy 7.3.8 Postings of Agendas and Procedure for Confirming Proper Posting and Notice of Meetings (Delete)
Council Policy 7.3.11 Seating Arrangements/City Council (Amend) Council Policy 7.3.31 Council Action on Matters Outside its Subject Matter Jurisdiction (Adopt) Council Policy 7.4.1 Provision of Staff/Administrative Support to Councilmembers (Amend) Policies Reviewed & Recommended Action
4City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 • Clarifies when the Council may take official City positions (e.g., resolutions) on matters outside the City’s jurisdiction • Emphasizes focusing formal City action on issues with direct local impact • Identifies an alternative for Councilmembers to express positions when City action is not appropriate
New Proposed Policy - 7.3.31
Council Action on Matters Outside its Subject Matter Jurisdiction 5City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 • Council Policy 5.1.1 Socio-Economic — Goals and Policies Modernize language; eliminate outdated references
• Council Policy 7.3.11 Seating Arrangements/City Council Eliminate gendered language
• Council Policy 7.4.1 Provision of Staff/Admin Support to Councilmembers Update for consistency with the 2026 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials regarding use of City letterhead Proposed Amendments to Existing Policy
6City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 • Council Policy 3.2.2 Reusable Diapers
Policy superseded by Council Policy 3.2.4 Zero Waste
• Council Policy 3.7.2 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from City Operations
Policy superseded by the City’s comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) • Council Policy 7.3.7 Standard Conflict of Interest Code Policy restates legal obligations imposed by state law. • Council Policy 7.3.8 Postings of Agendas and Procedure for Confirming Proper Posting and Notice of Meetings
Policy restates requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Proposed Deletions to Existing Policy
7City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 Council Policy Project Status
112
Active Policies
Adopted by City Council
across all departments.
Including Code of Ethics
and LAPs
32%
Policies Updated
in the Last Five
(5) Years
8 Policy Updates
in Progress
Being updated as part of
Phase 2 of Work Plan Project
(GO-37)
36%
Policies Updated
if Approved by
Council
44 out of the original 123
policies will have been
reviewed in the past 5 years
8City of Sunnyvale – Proposed Updates to the Council Policy Manual – Mar 2026 Approve alternatives 1 through 8
1. Approve adoption of Council Policy 7.3.31 Council Action on Matters Outside Its Subject Matter Jurisdiction
2. Approve amendment of Council Policy 5.1.1 Socio-Economic — Goals and Policies
3. Approve amendment of Council Policy 7.3.11 Seating Arrangements/City Council
4. Approve amendment of Council Policy 7.4.1 Provision of Staff/Administrative Support to Councilmembers
5. Approve deletion of Council Policy 3.2.2 Reusable Diapers
6. Approve deletion of Council Policy Council Policy 3.7.2 Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from City Operations
7. Approve deletion of Council Policy 7.3.7 Standard Conflict of Interest Code
8. Approve deletion of Council Policy 7.3.8 Postings of Agendas and Procedure for Confirming Proper Posting and Notice of Meetings
Council Direction
Thank you
Questions?