Chapter 2.04
COUNCIL MEETINGS1
Sections:
2.04.030 Special meetings – By whom called.
2.04.050 Public meetings – Orderly.
2.04.060 Parliamentary procedure.
2.04.070 Recording closed sessions.
2.04.080 Confidentiality of closed session minutes.
2.04.010 Time.
The city council shall hold regular meetings on the day and at the time the city council shall set from time to time by resolution. (Ord. 217, 1975: Ord. 1 § 1, 1963).
2.04.020 Place.
All regular meetings of the council shall be held at the City Hall, 201 West Sierra Avenue, city of Cotati, Sonoma County, California, unless another place is designated at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting and notice of the designation is posted on the door of the City Hall. (Ord. 144 § 1, 1971: Ord. 1 § 2, 1963).
2.04.030 Special meetings – By whom called.
The mayor may call special meetings of the council whenever, in his opinion, the public business may require it, or at the express written request of any three members of the council. Wherever a special meeting shall be called, written notice shall be delivered to each member of the council, stating the date and the hour of the meeting and the purpose for which the meeting is called. No business shall be transacted except as stated in the notice. The notice of meeting shall comply with the laws of the state then in force. (Ord. 1 § 3, 1963).
2.04.040 Rules adoption.2
The council may, by resolution, provide for rules and regulations governing the procedures to be followed in any regular or special meeting of the council. (Ord. 1 § 4, 1963).
2.04.050 Public meetings – Orderly.
All meetings of the council shall be open to the public, except as otherwise provided by law. All meetings shall be conducted in an orderly manner designed to expedite business of the council. (Ord. 144 § 2, 1971: Ord. 1 § 5, 1963).
2.04.060 Parliamentary procedure.
The council shall be guided in its deliberations and parliamentary procedure by the laws of the state of California and by Rosenberg’s Rules of Order. (Ord. 860 § 2, 2016: Ord. 1 § 6, 1963).
2.04.070 Recording closed sessions.
The city manager or other person designated by the city manager shall attend each closed session of the city council and enter into a minute book a record of the subject matters discussed and decisions made at each such closed session. At the end of each closed session, the person recording the session shall read back and/or show the minutes prepared by him/her to the city council members present and said minutes shall be approved by the members present at that time. The decision of the city council in approving said minutes shall also be reflected in the minutes. (Ord. 550 § 1(part), 1991).
2.04.080 Confidentiality of closed session minutes.
The minute book made pursuant to Section 2.04.070 is not a public record subject to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act and shall be kept confidential. The city council shall keep and maintain said minute book in a safe secure place to which no person except members of the city council, the city manager, the city attorney and a court of general jurisdiction (under the conditions specified below) shall have access. The minute book shall be made available only to members of the city council, the city manager and the city attorney at city hall. Each and every individual who is allowed access to the minute book under this chapter shall review this chapter, and sign his or her approval that said person reviewing the minute book understands the limitations of this chapter. The minute book shall be available to the Sonoma County Superior Court if a violation of the Brown Act is alleged to have occurred at a closed session of the city council. (Ord. 550 § 1(part), 1991).
For statutory provisions regarding the scheduling and content of city council meetings, see Gov. Code §§ 36805, 36807 – 36814.
Editor’s Note: Resolutions setting out council rules and regulations include: Res. 77-2, minutes of executive sessions.