ITEM 6.5
Resolution Approving and Adopting the City of
Union City City Council Handbook
2 Background
• No Formal Council Handbook: City currently lacks formal comprehensive handbook regarding operational procedures, administrative guidelines, and statutory obligations of the City Council
• Current Operations: Council currently operates under a mix of applicable state laws, Municipal Code, and unwritten historical practices and relevant guidelines • Legislation and Policy Committee Review:
Ø April 20, 2026: first considered a draft Handbook
Ø June 1, 2026: aside from policy regarding use of unused travel funds, Committee unanimously agreed with the proposed Handbook
3 Purpose and Objectives
• Purpose
• Replaces reliance on unwritten practices, Municipal Code fragments, and standalone guidelines
• Build on Established Norms
• Provides transparent, structured roadmap to conduct City business orderly and fairly • Objectives
• Serve as a Reference for City Council
• Council Orientation
• Consistent Governance
4 Operational Chapters
1. Mayor and City Council:
i. Sets forth the Council Code of Ethics
ii. Establishes the formal process by which the Council sets long-term strategic plans and annual operational goals for the City
iii. Identifies the role of Mayor and Vice-Mayor, appointments to other bodies, etc. iv. References Council benefits
2. Meetings:
i. Formally structures the order of business
ii. Establishes August recess
5 Operational Chapters
3. Agenda:
i. Standardizes agenda compilation, publication deadlines, and public distribution methods
4. Conflicts, Liability and Decorum:
i. Consolidates Form 700 rules, conflict laws, compatibility of offices, and decorum standards
6 Operational Chapters
5. Administration:
i. Outlines administrative support and function of Council ii. Restates Council-Manager form of government
iii. Addresses nepotism related to hiring
6. Communications:
i. Identifies process for interacting with the public at Council meetings, including standard two minute public comment period
ii. Five minute limit per Councilmember to comment
iii. Addresses Councilmember correspondence
7 Operational Chapters
7. Resolutions, Ordinances and Minute Orders:
i. Memorializes state law provisions related to adoption of formal Council actions
8. Council Committees:
i. Memorializes the process for establishment and appointment to various committees as well as typical processes for same
8 Unused Travel Funds and Discretionary Funds
• Discretionary Fund Policy Direction: Council directed Committee to review and consider a possible policy enabling members to reallocate unused, year-end, or post-engagement travel funds into discretionary accounts
• Proposed Use of Funds: Provided to qualifying nonprofits, subject to Council approval of a budget amendment and transfer
• No Consensus: Committee unable to reach consensus on this issue and referred it to the Council for determination
9 Recommendation
• Staff recommends that the City Council first determine whether it wants to allow a discretionary funds process for unused travel funds and then adopt a resolution approving and adopting the proposed City of Union City City Council Handbook.