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REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED REDLINE CHANGES TO CHAPTER 3.04 OF THE COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Committee review the proposed redline changes to Chapter 3.04 of the Council Policy Manual and consider forwarding a recommendation to the City Council for adoption.
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Summary
On April 28, 2025, the Committee provided direction to staff for changes to Chapter 3.04 of the Council Policy Manual. Those changes are presented for the Committee’s consideration and potential recommendation to City Council for adoption.
DISCUSSION
Background
During the April 15, 2025, Council Legislation/Environmental Committee Meeting, proposed changes to Chapter 3.04 were discussed by the Committee and direction was received by staff.
Staff was directed to remove language in Chapter 3.04 that required the Councilmember to seek approval from a majority of Council to agendize for discussion a removal for consideration that must pass by a majority vote, provide options for an appeal process for members who have been removed, and provide clarity to the voluntary resignation process specifying the requirement of a signed letter to be submitted to the Clerk’s Office.
Present Situation
In accordance with Committee direction, Staff now presents two options for proposed redlines of Council Policy Manual Chapter 3.04 (Attachment A and B). Research into policy from other municipalities did not find examples of appeal options for removal of members. Most often municipalities addressed removal through a form of notification as represented in Option One.
Option One (Attachment A) includes all requested changes, presenting the appeal process as follows:
3) If the Councilmember responsible for appointing the seat wishes to remove a seated member, they shall notify the City Clerk in writing. Once notification of the removal is received from the Councilmember, the City Clerk shall notify the person affected of the time and place of the meeting where the item will be agendized on the Consent calendar. The member may then appear and speak during Public Comment regarding the item.
Option Two (Attachment B) includes all requests changes, presenting the appeal process as follows;
3) If the Councilmember responsible for appointing the seat wishes to remove a seated member, they shall notify the City Clerk in writing.
A) Once notification of the removal is received from the Councilmember by the City Clerk, the City Clerk shall schedule the item with sufficient time for the member appeal process and notify the person affected of the time and place of the meeting where the item will be agendized on the Consent Calendar.
B) The member subject to removal may request an appeal in writing to the City Clerk at least one week (7 calendar days) prior to the scheduled date and submit payment for any applicable fees. If an appeal request is received, the City Clerk shall reschedule the item for the next available Council meeting as a Public Hearing subject to noticing requirements.
C) Pending the appeal, the member will be listed as an excused absence from any meetings of the subject meeting body.
Should the Committee approve either option, the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for review and adoption.
Financial Summary
There is no direct financial impact from potential changes.
Attachment A - Option One - Council Policy Chapter 3.04 - Redline
Attachment B - Option Two - Council Policy Chapter 3.04 - Redline