Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 21-2101, AMENDING SUBSECTION (A) (“REGULAR MEETINGS”) OF SECTION 2403 (“COUNCIL MEETINGS”) OF CHAPTER 4 (“CITY OFFICES - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MEETINGS”) OF ARTICLE II (“ADMINISTRATION”) OF THE CARSON MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item is on the agenda at the request of Mayor Davis-Holmes. The proposed ordinance would modify the regular City Council meeting schedule set forth in subsection (A) of Carson Municipal Code Section 2403 to provide for the City Council to hold a second regular meeting in the month of December each year, on the third Tuesday of the month, consistent with the existing schedule for the months of February through November. Currently, Section 2403(A) provides that only one regular meeting shall be held in the month of December, on the first Tuesday of the month. The proposed ordinance would also modify the regular City Council meeting schedule for the month of January such that the meetings would occur on the first and third Tuesdays, consistent with the existing schedule for the months of February through November. Currently, Section 2403(A) provides that the regular meetings in January shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Lastly, the proposed ordinance would add a caveat to Section 2403(A) clarifying, consistent with and pursuant to Charter Section 308(B), that notwithstanding the regular meeting schedule, the City Council may determine (by resolution or minute order) to cancel or reschedule any given regularly-scheduled meeting.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
INTRODUCE and READ by title only, with further reading waived, Ordinance No. 21-2101, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SUBSECTION (A) (“REGULAR MEETINGS”) OF SECTION 2403 (“COUNCIL MEETINGS”) OF CHAPTER 4 (“CITY OFFICES - COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MEETINGS”) OF ARTICLE II (“ADMINISTRATION”) OF THE CARSON MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR.”
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate, subject to compliance with applicable law.
IV. BACKGROUND
Carson Municipal Code (“CMC”) Section 2403(A) currently provides, in part, that regular meetings of the City Council shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month during the months of February through November, that regular meetings during the month of January shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, and that for the month of December, only one regular meeting shall be held, on the first Tuesday of the month.
In recent years, the City Council has experienced difficulties with the current December and January regular meeting schedule. The lack of a second regular meeting in December and the delayed first meeting in January have made it difficult to fully accommodate City business, including but not limited to matters that require City Council action or consideration prior to the end of the calendar year due to changes in laws, regulations, policies, or programs that take effect at the beginning of the new year, as is frequently the case.
As a result of the current December and January regular meeting schedule, the City Council has been obligated to hold special meetings to accommodate City business. However, special meetings must be specially called and noticed, and certain limitations apply to the actions the City Council may take at special meetings. For example, Section 313(A) of the City’s Charter provides that ordinances shall be introduced, deliberated, and passed upon at a regular or adjourned regular meeting of the City Council.
The proposed ordinance would amend CMC Section 2403(A) to provide for a second regular meeting to be held in the month of December each year, on the third Tuesday of the month, and for the two regular meetings in the month of January to be held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, consistent with the existing schedule for the months of February through November.
Charter Section 308(B) provides, in part, “Unless otherwise provided by ordinance, or resolution of the city council, the city council shall hold regular meetings twice per month, unless otherwise determined by the City Council. City Council meetings shall be held at such times as it shall fix by ordinance or resolution . . . .” (emphasis added). Consistent with and pursuant to this authority, the proposed ordinance would add a caveat to CMC Section 2403(A) to clarify and ensure that, should any given regularly scheduled or rescheduled (e.g., due to a holiday, election day, or other rescheduling pursuant to Charter Section 308(B) and/or the proposed ordinance) regular City Council meeting need to be cancelled or rescheduled, the City Council may take such action by resolution or minute order.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Ordinance No. 21-2101 (pgs. 4 - 6)
Prepared by: Sunny K. Soltani, City Attorney