REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Amending Council Policy 042 - Reconsideration of Council Action
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
At the Governance and Ethics Committee (Committee) meeting held on September 14, 2020, the Committee discussed updating Council Policy 042 entitled “Reconsideration of Council Action” (Attachment 1). The Committee directed staff to bring forward an updated version of Council Policy 042 to a future City Council meeting, with language clearly stating that a motion to reconsider an action taken by the City Council requires four votes (majority of the seven-seat Council) to carry.
DISCUSSION
Staff is bringing forward a revised version of Council Policy 042 with the Committee’s discussed amendments incorporated. The redline and clean versions of the amended policy are included with this report as Attachments 2 and 3.
The purpose of amending Council Policy 042 is to expand on the current policy language, which states a motion to reconsider an action taken by the City Council must be approved by a majority of the entire City Council, and to clearly state that four votes (majority of the seven-seat Council) are required for a motion to carry.
Staff recommends that the Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 4) to amend Council Policy 042.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than administrative staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the City Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution to amend Council Policy 042 - Reconsideration of Council Action.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nadine Nader, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Policy 042 - Reconsideration of Council Action
2. Revised Council Policy 042 - Reconsideration of Council Action (Redline)
3. Revised Council Policy 042 - Reconsideration of Council Action (Clean)
4. Resolution to Amend Council Policy 042