Discussion Regarding Amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure
 

Pursuant to City Charter Article II, Section 14, the City Council has adopted Rules of Procedure for the conduct of its Council meetings and other operational matters. The City Council periodically reviews the Rules of Procedure to discuss potential updates or changes. Staff may also bring forward suggested amendments based on changes in current practices.

Council discussed possible changes at their retreat on January 15, 2026.

Following Council direction, amendments to the Rules of Procedure will be brought back to Council for adoption by resolution.

A brief description of the proposed amendments are provided below and redlined amendments are provided as an attachment.

Rule 3 - Council Meetings

• Better clarifies the Council's summer recess.
• Eliminates meetings on the 5th Tuesday
• Removes the review of the draft agenda at work sessions
• Clarifies that Executive Session can be held as needed on any Tuesday.

4.01 – Procedures for Preparation of Council Agendas

• Clarifies the expectation for agenda distribution.

4.02 & 4.03 – Future Agenda Item Requests

• Simplifies the FAIR process
• Requests will come to the City Manager
• City Manager will determine next steps
• Clarifies that the time to discuss a FAIR is when it come back for formal discussion

Rule 5 – Order of Business

• Updates "Public Participation" to "Open Call to the Public"
• Removes City Manager Update, Legislative Updates, and Review of Draft Agenda
• Changes the Informational Items and Reports to "Announcements and Updates to/from Council and City Manager"
  • Provides a description of Announcements and Updates

6.02 – Temporary Chair

• Identifies the Councilmember with second highest votes at the last general election as Chair for a meeting in which Mayor and Vice Mayor are absent.

7.03 – Decorum and Order among Citizen Participants

• Updates language and better clarifies the expectations for the audience

9.01 – Non-Public Hearing Discussions

• Identifies agenda items that public comment is not permitted

9.01 (a) – Open Call to the Public

• Provides a definition of Open Call to the Public and codifies the 30 minute rule

9.02 – Public Hearings

• Softens the language to provide for a formal structure when necessary, but does not require strict compliance otherwise

Rule 10 – Rules Governing Motions by the Council

• Minor clarifications to wording

11.07 – Meetings with State, Federal, and Tribal Delegation

• Provide guidance and expectations for individual meetings with representatives