CCMIN090506 - Laserfiche WebLink

6d. Information report regarding City Council Rules and Operating Procedures - Representation of City Positions and use of Titles (IR 06:036) City Attorney Roush indicated that the City Council operates under Rules and Operating Procedures. These rules provide when an elected official, whether it be a mayor or council member is appointed to an outside organization and that term is not defined. The mayor or council member is to represent the city position with respect to those matters as determined by the council majority in contrast to the council member or mayor voting their individual position. The Council has asked that this issues be placed on the agenda for discussion as to if there should be any change to rules and operating procedures concerning whether or not when Council attends a conference or some other committee at city expense, the items that come before that conference are and whether they should have the vote of the entire council and whether there should be a change to the cities rules and policies concerning the use of titles. Mayor Hosterman indicated the staff does not recommend any changes to the Council's Rules and Operating Procedures and that the report is for information only. Councilmember Brozosky indicated that the current Rules do state that it is encouraged that policy issues go before the whole City Council. But, when we're on a committee and are appointed by an outside organization representing the city's interests, then the expressed view needs to be that of the whole Council. Mr. Roush noted with respect to subparagraph 4, section 9, and it encouraged language that reads "all policies issues should be brought before the City Council for determination and instruction to the appointee before the vote. However, if not possible, the policy issue should be brought before the Council at the vote for concurrence." He thinks it relates to the first sentence of that paragraph which talks about the Council appointee's appointments to outside organizations. It's the idea that the item is something that the Council member who served on that committee or outside organization knows it's going to be a policy issue, then that issue should be brought back before the Council for consideration. If it's obviously an item that comes up or at a meeting where it is not practical to come back before the Council, then the Council member could go ahead and vote on it with the idea of bringing that matter back to the Council for direction at the earliest possible time. Councilmember Brozosky summarized AB1234, which requires that Councilmembers provide a report on meetings they attend at the City's expense. Mr. Fialho noted that staff had actually modified the agenda as a result of AB1234 to include Council Reports. He added staff's preference is that each Councilmember be responsible to make a report on meetings attended. Mayor Hosterman noted new requirements state that reports should be in writing and included in agenda packets. Council expressed difficulty in preparing written reports for the agenda. City Council Minutes 11 September 5, 2006