Agenda No. 4.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | July 21, 2026 |
| Department: | City Secretary |
| Subject: | Ordinance 26-M-029 - Amending Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure: Appointment Process for City Council Liaison Positions (Deputy City Secretary Sheree Courney) |
BACKGROUND
The City Council held a Workshop Meeting on June 16, 2026, to discuss and codify the City Council Liaison selection process.
On July 22, 2022, the City Council approved Ordinance 22-M-29, adopting Section 5.3, Appointment Procedures for City Council Liaison Positions, as part of the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure.
On November 14, 2023, the City Council approved Ordinance 23-M-28, amending Article 2 – General Rules and Article 12 – Citizen Rights. However, the version of the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure attached to that ordinance inadvertently omitted Section 5.3. The omission remained when Ordinance 26-M-028 was adopted on February 17, 2026, adding Article 14 – Council Training and Travel Policy.
As a result, the current Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure no longer include the provisions governing the appointment of Council Liaisons.
Ordinance 26-M-029 restores those provisions by consolidating the Council Liaison requirements currently contained in the Code of Ethics (Ordinance 18-M-06) and the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure into a single Council Liaison Policy. The ordinance also incorporates the recommendations from the June 16, 2026, City Council Workshop and the revisions requested by the Mayor and City Council during the July 1, 2026, Regular Meeting.
In addition, Section 6.1(b) is amended to require the designation of the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item, enhancing transparency and accountability in the agenda preparation process.
On July 22, 2022, the City Council approved Ordinance 22-M-29, adopting Section 5.3, Appointment Procedures for City Council Liaison Positions, as part of the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure.
On November 14, 2023, the City Council approved Ordinance 23-M-28, amending Article 2 – General Rules and Article 12 – Citizen Rights. However, the version of the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure attached to that ordinance inadvertently omitted Section 5.3. The omission remained when Ordinance 26-M-028 was adopted on February 17, 2026, adding Article 14 – Council Training and Travel Policy.
As a result, the current Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure no longer include the provisions governing the appointment of Council Liaisons.
Ordinance 26-M-029 restores those provisions by consolidating the Council Liaison requirements currently contained in the Code of Ethics (Ordinance 18-M-06) and the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure into a single Council Liaison Policy. The ordinance also incorporates the recommendations from the June 16, 2026, City Council Workshop and the revisions requested by the Mayor and City Council during the July 1, 2026, Regular Meeting.
In addition, Section 6.1(b) is amended to require the designation of the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item, enhancing transparency and accountability in the agenda preparation process.
GOAL
Establish a single, comprehensive Council Liaison Policy that defines the functions, responsibilities, standards of conduct, and appointment procedures for Council Liaisons by consolidating the applicable provisions of the Code of Ethics and the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure. The policy also incorporates the City Council's recommendations from the June 16, 2026, Workshop and the revisions requested during the July 1, 2026, Regular Meeting. Additionally, the amendment to Section 6.1(b) improves transparency by requiring the accurate designation of the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The Council Liaison Policy clearly defines the relationship between the City Council and the City's Boards, Commissions, and Committees by establishing liaison responsibilities, authority, limitations, standards of conduct, and communication expectations. Consolidating these provisions into a single policy promotes consistency, accountability, and transparency in the City's governance processes while providing residents with a clearer understanding of the Council's interaction with advisory boards and commissions.
The amendment to Section 6.1(b) further enhances transparency by ensuring the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item is accurately identified.
The amendment to Section 6.1(b) further enhances transparency by ensuring the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item is accurately identified.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve Ordinance 26-M-029 adopting the Council Liaison Policy, which consolidates the Council Liaison provisions currently contained in the Code of Ethics and the Council Rules of Conduct and Procedure into a single policy; restores Section 5.3, Appointment Procedures for City Council Liaison Positions; incorporates the recommendations from the June 16, 2026, Workshop and the revisions requested at the July 1, 2026, Regular Meeting; and amends Section 6.1(b) to require the accurate designation of the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Ordinance 26-M-029 adopting the Council Liaison Policy, restoring Section 5.3, Appointment Procedures for City Council Liaison Positions, and amending Section 6.1(b), Order for Listing Items: Responsible Staff, to require the accurate designation of the responsible staff member presenting each agenda item.