Role and Function of the City Council

Vested Powers of the City Council

According to Section 301 of the City Charter, all powers of the city shall be vested in the City Council except as otherwise provided in this Charter. The power and duties of City Council are contained in the City Charter, but a short summary is provided below.

Term of Office

The City Council is comprised of seven (7) members elected from the city at-large for terms of four years. No person shall be elected as a member of the City Council for more than two consecutive terms. No person who has been a member for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected a member shall be elected to the City Council more than one further consecutive term (Charter 300).

The election of City Council Members is staggered in two cycles. Four City Council Members are elected at the general municipal election during non-presidential election years. The remaining three City Council Members are elected two years later concurrent with the presidential election.

Vacancies on the City Council for whatever reason shall be filled by appointment of the City Council (Charter Section 312). If the vacancy is not filled in 60 days, an election must be held. A copy of the City Charter is included as Attachment 1.

Procedure for Selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore

The current procedure for the selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore is outlined in the Resolution 6320 adopted in 1991.

The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor during his absence or disability (Charter Section 306). The term of the Mayor Pro Tempore is one year. Upon expiration of the Mayor's term, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall become the Mayor.

Newly Elected Officials

Please be informed that newly elected City Council Members are required to conform to the Brown Act (section 54952.1).

Any person elected to serve as a member of a legislative body who has not yet assumed the duties of office shall conform his or her conduct to the requirements of this chapter and shall be treated for purposes of enforcement of this chapter as if he or she has already assumed office.

Code of Ethics

In February of 2010 the City Council approved a new Code of Ethics. A copy of the RCA with the Code of Ethics and Acknowledgement form are included in the reference materials. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to set a standard of conduct for all elected officials, officers, employees, and members of advisory boards, commissions, and committees of the city.

State Code of Ethics

In addition to the City Code of Ethics, effective January 1, 2006, state law (AB 1234) imposed a mandate for ethics training. The Institute for Local Government has developed information to assist local agencies in complying with the State's ethics requirements. The City Attorney's Office runs training sessions in compliance with the requirements of AB 1234 approximately every six months.

Role and Function of Mayor

At the first meeting after any municipal election where a Council Member is seated and at any time where there is a vacancy in the office of Mayor, the City Council shall meet and elect one of its members Mayor. The term of the Mayor is one year. The primary duties of the Mayor are included in Section 305 of the City Charter and summarized below.

1. The Mayor is the ceremonial head of the city and shall have the primary, but not exclusive, duty to interpret the policies, programs, and needs of City government to the people.

2. The Mayor may make and second motions and shall have both voice and vote in all Council proceedings. The Mayor serves at the pleasure of the City Council.

3. The Mayor may call special meetings of the City Council

4. The Mayor may execute contracts on behalf of the city when the contracts have been approved by the City Council.

Requests for an Honorary Presentation at City Council Meetings

City Council Meetings typically begin with a limited number of presentations to members of the community, staff, or both. Presentations may be made for a number of different reasons. Typical examples include receiving awards on behalf of the city, issuing a proclamation or commendation to an individual or organization for outstanding service to the community, presenting the Mayor’s Award to the outstanding employee of the month, or receiving donations on behalf of community groups. As the ceremonial head of the City Council, the Mayor typically presents and receives all awards given to the city. At times, the Mayor may request the participation of other City Council Members and/or staff as appropriate.

Requests for a presentation at a City Council meeting may be initiated by any member of the City Council, department heads, or a member of the community by following the steps below.

City Council Members - Submit a written request to the Mayor
Department Heads - Submit a written request to the community relations officer.
Community Member -The community member should contact the community relations office who will take the request to the Mayor for approval.

Related Resource Materials

 

 

 

 


Did you know?


Zoning Administrator meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Meeting Agendas, Action Agendas, and Minutes are available to view online.

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