TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Alexandria Latragna, Policy and Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Beginning City Council Meetings at an Earlier Time to Hear Ceremonial Presentations (City Manager Moe).
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding beginning meetings earlier in order to hear ceremonial presentations.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.
BACKGROUND:
On December 7, 2022, City Council directed staff to return with an item for consideration of beginning meetings at an earlier time in order to hear ceremonial presentations.
Currently Council meetings begin at 6:00 PM and pursuant to Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (MBMC) § 2.01.020, are to be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month
DISCUSSION:
Staff analyzed the start times and consideration of ceremonial items of the surrounding cities listed below. All of reviewed jurisdictions consider ceremonial presentations as part of their regular agenda at the listed start times below without any listed time limitation.
Hermosa Beach: 6:00 PM
Redondo Beach: 6:00 PM
El Segundo: 6:00 PM
Beverly Hills: 7:00 PM
Torrance: 6:30 PM
Rancho Palos Verdes: 7:00 PM
Rolling Hills Estates: 7:00 PM
One jurisdiction begins the presentation of ceremonial items prior to the start of the regular session. Culver City regularly schedules closed sessions for the City Council at 5:30 PM, presentation of ceremonial items at 6:30 PM, and the regular session items at 7:00 PM.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES:
City Council has several options at their disposal:
1. Start Council meetings prior to the regular 6:00 PM start time to hear ceremonial items.
2. Mayor to present ceremonial items without the presence of a quorum prior to the start of the City Council meetings.
3. Present ceremonial items on days when there are not regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
4. Present ceremonial calendar in a limited amount of time during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
5. Maintain current practice of commencing the entire City Council agenda, including ceremonial items, at the regularly scheduled 6:00 PM start time (i.e., the status quo with no change).
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
After analysis, staff determined that public outreach was not required for this issue. Should Council wish to begin meetings at an earlier time, outreach can be conducted at that time.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.