Title
Study session to review and discuss proposed revisions to the City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook. (Sky Woodruff, City Attorney and Rosa Govea Acosta, City Clerk)
label
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that Councilmembers review the City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook (Handbook), the suggested revisions, and provide direction regarding the policies set forth in the Handbook. Pursuant to these discussions, Councilmembers may direct staff to prepare revisions to the Handbook for approval at the April 8, 2026, regular meeting of the City Council.
Body
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Revision and Maintenance of the Handbook
Since the Handbook's initial adoption in 1989, it has been revised by the City Council multiple times. With the last revision adopted on November 8, 2023, via Resolution No. 165-2023. To enhance clarity and consistency, the handbook has been revised to improve the formatting and organization of procedures and protocols.
On February 25, 2026, the Council reviewed the handbook and provided feedback, that feedback is listed below:
Agenda Order (Page 28): Recommendation to move "Honoring the Life of Requests" from Agenda Order Line No. 13 to Agenda Order Line No. 8 with Council Comments/Requests.
Proclamations (Page 29): Recommendation to streamline the recognition and proclamation process by prioritizing proclamations with in-person recipients under Presentations and placing proclamations without in-person recipients and those with requests from external agencies on the consent calendar for approval. The City Council reached consensus to approve this change.
Public Participation (Page 43): Discussion referenced the provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Government Code ? 54954.3(b)(1), which allow reasonable limits on public comment. A recommendation to include flexible handbook language allowing speaking time adjustments based on the number of speakers, agenda items, and the mayor or desi...
Click here for full text