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A. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING SECTION 2.04.020 OF THE CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TIME AND PLACE OF COUNCIL MEETINGS, ALLOWING THE TIME OF MEETINGS TO BE SET BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION (FIRST READING)
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-053 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SETTING THE TIME OF REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO 5:00 P.M.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-054 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 104-01, "ORDER OF BUSINESS AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS," TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BUSINESS ITEMS TO BE HEARD AT 6:00 P.M.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council place the ordinance on first reading and adopt the resolutions.
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SUMMARY
At its meeting of January 6, 2015, the City Council changed the time of regular City Council meetings from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with Special Orders of the Day and the Consent Calendar being heard at 4:00 p.m. and all other items being heard beginning at 6:00 p.m.
At its meeting of February 17, 2015, the City Council directed staff to return with an item to change the time of regular City Council meetings from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and to remove the requirement for public comments and business items to begin at 6:00 p.m. This item is presented as a result of the City Council's direction.
In order to streamline the process for any future changes in regular City Council meeting times, staff recommends an amendment to the Municipal Code to allow the start time of City Council meetings to be set by resolution (Attachment 1). Adoption of the proposed ordinance is required to make that amendment.
Adoption of the ordinance requires a first and second reading, and will not take effect until 30 days after its adoption. Should the Council place the proposed ordinance on first reading, the second reading will be scheduled for March 17, 2015, and would therefore be effective April 16, 2015.
Since setting the meeting time by resolution will not be possible until the ordinance is in effect, Resolution B sets the time of regular meetings to 5:00 p.m. beginning on April 16, 2015, or on the date the ordinance allowing City Council meeting times to be set by resolution becomes effective, whichever is later.
Resolution C amends City Council policy no. 104-01 to remove the requirement of hearing public comments and business items at 6:00 p.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines because it involves only a change in City Council meeting times and therefore is an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact resulting from the proposed actions.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed changes to Municipal Code section 2.04.020
Staff Contact: Donna Norris, City Clerk