March 12, 2025 – Study Session Minutes Page 1
MARCH 12, 2025 – CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Freedman called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: M/Freedman, MPT/Cajulis, C/Law, C/Tragarz, C/Wu ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Also present: City Manager Weiner; City Attorney Leibold; Community Development Director Vasquez, Public Works Director Barcelo, Community Services Director Bumia; Finance Director Merkel; Finance Manager Meza; Community Relations Officer Tep; Administrative Services/Human Resources Officer Ramos; Senior Management Analyst Munoz; Senior Management Analyst Markel; Administrative Services Specialist and City Clerk De Dios.
DISCUSSION ITEM:
1. Reorganization Policy - Discuss City Attorney’s recommendation to update the City Council Reorganization Policy to coincide with the General Municipal Election cycle consistent with Government Code Section 36801.
CA/Leibold presented a staff report outlining the current reorganization policy of the City Council and stated that the City currently does not align with State law. She recommended a policy to reorganize in December 2026 following the November 2026 election and declare the election results and install the new City Councilmembers. She presented two options for discussion purposes; the first option was to postpone the July 2025 reorganization, and the existing Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem would continue to serve until December 2025; the second option would be to transition and postpone the July 2025 reorganization to the second meeting of September 2025 through December of 2026.
C/Wu stated he would like to see Council agree on a policy.
CA/Leibold said the second part of the policy would be to have a strict protocol. She explained the first step would be to focus on the timing and get in sync with the Government Code; the second step would be the protocol.
C/Tragarz said the second option equalizes out and gets in compliance with the Government Code.
In response to an inquiry from C/Law regarding the timing of the item, CA/Leibold provided a brief history of City’s reorganization policy and explained the need to obtain City Council’s direction on how to move forward with getting the transition to December 2026.
MPT/Cajulis stated his support for option 2.
March 12, 2025 – Study Session Minutes Page 2
M/Freedman expressed her support of option 2 to move the reorganization to December.
C/Law stated that she feels there should be equal time as mayor, but both options would cut time as mayor from one of the Councilmembers.
CA/Leibold stated that staff are looking for direction and would bring back a proposed policy at a later date along with the date to be compliance with State law.
There was discussion amongst the City Council on bringing a policy back. CA/Leibold stated that the current reorganization policy is based on seniority, and if there is a tie in seniority, then it is based on highest number of votes.
Discussion ensued regarding having the term of one year for mayor and mayor pro tem, CA/Leibold stated a policy gives guidance, but it has not always been followed; if the majority of Council wants to skip someone, the Council has the authority. She pointed out that C/Law is concerned about the one year term and that one person will not get the opportunity to serve as mayor or mayor pro tem, but noted that this is how most cities are. She explained that it should be fixed now since there is the opportunity. She mentioned that during her time serving as a City Attorney, she had not worked with a City that did not have a December reorganization.
The majority of the Council agreed with the transitional option 2 to reorganize the second meeting on September 24, 2025, and reorganize in December 2026 and annually thereafter.
M/Freedman announced the policy would be brought back in the future.
2. Public Safety Advisory Commission – Discussion on the possible establishment of the Public Safety Advisory Commission.
HR/Ramos presented a staff report on the potential formation of a Public Safety Advisory Commission, providing information and what it would take to establish a new commission.
C/Tragarz provided comments and shared she did not feel there is a need for a public safety committee. She mentioned that the current traffic safety committee works fine.
C/Law stated she would like to see public safety combined with the Traffic Safety Committee; she feels it would benefit the community.
Discussion took place amongst Council and staff regarding the Traffic and Safety Committee and potentially adding more members along with public safety topics and the difference between commission and committee.
M/Freedman opened public comment.
Mr. Harrison spoke on the matter and explained that public input needs to be obtained. He feels staff and the sheriffs are doing a good job and there is no need for an additional committee.
March 12, 2025 – Study Session Minutes Page 3
Captain Tousey stated potential issues of adding public safety staff to the committee but stated that if Council is interested in public safety updates, he can share those at future meetings.
C/Wu suggested having Captain Tousey provide updates at Council meetings for the next few months and noted that residents can go to the committee if they don’t want to go to the City Council.
Captain Tousey stated that with the number of crimes a month in the city, a presentation every three months would be most beneficial. He inquired how the question and answer would work with the residents.
CA/Leibold said it could be agendized to allow the captain to be able to take questions during the meeting.
CM/Weiner said staff will calendar the captain to be added to the agenda.
C/Wu suggested adding this on social media.
C/Law suggested adding updates from the Fire Department as well.
C/Cajulis suggested having the sheriff and fire departments on separate meetings.
Staff stated that they will include reports from the Sheriff and Fire Departments at the City Council meetings on a quarterly basis.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
There was no input from the public.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED on the 9th day of April 2025
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Linda Freedman, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Teresa De Dios, City Clerk