Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, February 05, 2019
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 19-1922 AMENDING SUBSECTION B (SPECIAL MEETINGS) OF SECTION 2403 (COUNCIL MEETINGS) OF CHAPTER 4 (CITY OFFICES - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MEETINGS) OF ARTICLE 4 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE CARSON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TRANSPARENCY AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND OF COUNCIL ACTIONS ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item is on the agenda pursuant to Mayor Robles’ request. The proposed ordinance provides for greater transparency and notice of Special City Council Meetings and of Council actions on policies and procedures.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Discuss and then consider for INTRODUCTION for first reading by title only and with further reading waived, Ordinance No. 19-1922, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Carson, California, Amending Subsection B (Special Meetings) of Section 2403 (Council Meetings) of Chapter 4 (City Offices - Council Chambers - Meetings) of Article II (Administration) of the Carson Municipal Code Regarding Transparency and Notice of Special Council Meetings and of Council Actions on Policies and Procedures.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE other action the Council deems appropriate.IV. BACKGROUND
Certain actions and decisions critical and important to Carson residents may be taken at Special City Council meetings called with only 24 hours’ notice, and such special meetings may occur at times when residents cannot attend, such as in the morning or the afternoon during work days.
In contrast to Special City Council meetings which only require 24 hour notice and can be held anytime of the day (including the morning and the afternoon), regular City Council meetings are held on a regular basis in the evening, when maximum local notice and participation is possible for important Council decisions and actions.
The intent of the proposed ordinance is to address these issues with special meetings, by promoting transparency and notice of both Special Council meetings as well as Council actions on policies and procedures.
Section 2403 of the Carson Municipal Code (Council Meetings) of the Carson Municipal Code establishes procedures and specifications for City Council meetings, and further addresses regular meetings, special meetings, closed sessions, and notice of meetings.
The proposed ordinance amends Section 2403(b) of the Carson Municipal Code so as to require notice of Special Council meeting agenda items be precisely noticed and presented in the noticed agenda. The proposed ordinance also amends Section 2403(b) of the Carson Municipal Code to provide that no Council amendment or establishment of City policies and procedures (including Standard Management Procedures (SMPs)) occurs at special Council meetings, so that the public can have maximum notice and opportunity to participate in decisions on policies and procedures at regular Council meetings.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. ORDINANCE NO. 19-1922, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTION B (SPECIAL MEETINGS) OF SECTION 2403 (COUNCIL MEETINGS) OF CHAPTER 4 (CITY OFFICES - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MEETINGS) OF ARTICLE II (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE CARSON MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING TRANSPARENCY AND NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND OF COUNCIL ACTIONS ON POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (pp. 3-6)
Prepared by: John Raymond, Acting City Manager