Report Prepared by: Craig Cornwell, City Attorney and Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolution Repealing Resolution 2018-78, to Re-adopt a Values Statements, and Update the Ethics and Code of Conduct for City Meetings, Adopting Rules of Order and Procedure for the Conduct of City Meetings, Approving the Revision of the Agenda Preamble, and Discussion on Public Participation
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers the adoption of Resolution 2024- to repeal Resolution 2018-78 and to Readopt a Values Statements and Update the Ethics and Code of Conduct for City Meetings, Adopting Rules of Order and Procedure for the Conduct of City Meetings, Approving the Revision of the Agenda Preamble, and Discussion on Public Participation.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2024-65, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Repealing Resolution No. 2018-78 to Re-Adopt a Values Statement, and Update the Ethics and Code of Conduct for City Meetings, and Adopting Rules of Order and Procedure for the Conduct of City Meetings; and,
B. Approving the Agenda Preamble language; and,
C. Providing staff direction on public participation.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve with amendments (specified in motion); or,
2. Continue to a future meeting; or
3. Take no action.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Sections:
200 Powers
201 Procedures
407 Regular Meetings
408 Special Meetings
409 Place of Meetings
410 Quorum-Proceedings
411 Public Participation
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Further government transparency and public engagement.
DISCUSSION
During the August 7, 2023, City Council Meeting, Council appointed Mayor Serratto, Mayor Pro Tempore Perez, and Council Member Smith to a subcommittee for Preferred Policy, Process and Procedure Updates to Resolution 2018-78 Related to City Council, Board, Commission and Committee Meetings.
The Subcommittee and Staff met on March 26, 2024, to review and discuss changes to Resolution 2018-78, the Agenda Preamble, and Public Participation. The subcommittee gave staff direction to make changes and to bring back those changes for final review and discussion. Staff presented the changes to the subcommittee on May 29, 2024, for final review and to move forward for Council consideration.
The Subcommittee requested modifications to the proposed Resolution as Attachment 1. Attachment 1 is the redline version of the Resolution to view proposed changes. Resolution 2018-78 is attached as Attachment 3 to compare the changes that were made. The language in the preamble of the agenda (Attachment 3) has also been revised for Council review and final decision.
During the March 26, 2024 meeting, the Subcommittee and Staff discussed modifications to the City Council Code of Conduct, Agenda Preamble and Public Publication tools, including but not limited to, stopping the practice of public comment voicemails for City Council and Board and Commission meetings. The Subcommittee and Staff’s proposed revisions are now before the entire City Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Redline Resolution 2024-65
2. Draft Resolution 2024-65
3. Resolution 2018-78
4. Agenda Preamble Changes