Chapter 2.04
CITY COUNCIL1
Sections:
2.04.010 Meetings – Time and place.
2.04.020 Salaries – Designated.
2.04.030 Salaries – Method of payment.
2.04.040 Expense reimbursement.
2.04.050 Municipal election dates.
2.04.070 Procedures for the conduct of council business.
2.04.080 Powers and responsibilities.
2.04.010 Meetings – Time and place.
The regular meetings of the city council shall be held at the City Hall. The city council shall establish the dates and times for its regular meetings by resolution. [Ord. 09-1321 § 2, 2009; Ord. 858 § 1, 1984; 1937 Code § 4.]
2.04.020 Salaries – Designated.
A. This section is enacted under Government Code Section 36516, which authorizes a city council to provide by ordinance that each member of the council may receive a salary based upon the population of the city.
B. The latest estimate of population of the city of Pittsburg exceeds 50,000.
C. Under the authority of Government Code Sections 36516 and 36516.6 each member of the city council may receive a salary of $500.00 per month. The salary is payable beginning December 1, 1995. [Ord. 1101 § 1, 1995; Ord. 914 § 1, 1986; 1937 Code § 5.]
2.04.030 Salaries – Method of payment.
The salaries of councilmen shall be paid in the same manner and at the same time as salaries are paid to other officers and employees of the city. [1937 Code § 5.1.]
2.04.040 Expense reimbursement.
The salaries prescribed in PMC 2.04.020 for councilmen are and shall be exclusive of any amounts payable to each member of the council as reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of official duties for this city. [1937 Code § 5.2.]
2.04.050 Municipal election dates.
Pursuant to Elections Code Sections 1301 et seq., the general municipal election in the city shall be held on the same day as the statewide general election, specifically on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year, or as otherwise provided by law. [Ord. 1152 § 2, 1998; Ord. 831 § 1, 1982.]
2.04.060 City commissions – Appointment – Removal from office of city commissioners – Conduct of business of city commissions.
A. Commission appointments shall be made by the city council. Unless the appointment involves filling a vacancy, the term of a newly appointed commissioner shall begin on July 1st, except that the term of a newly appointed planning commissioner shall begin on the date of the second regular meeting in March. The city council may remove, at its pleasure, any commissioner during his/her term of office, by a majority vote of the city council.
B. Commissioners who have reached their term limits, who resign or are removed from a commission by the city council must wait two years before seeking reappointment to the same commission. The city council may adopt, by resolution, guidelines and requirements for the conduct of commission business. [Ord. 22-1504 § 1, 2023; Ord. 07-1286 § 2, 2007; Ord. 04-1218 § 2, 2004; Ord. 848 § 2, 1984.]
2.04.070 Procedures for the conduct of council business.
The city council may adopt by resolution rules and procedures for the conduct of council business. [Ord. 1184 § 2, 2001.]
2.04.080 Powers and responsibilities.
A. The city council shall act as a body. No member has any extraordinary powers beyond those of other members. While the mayor and vice-mayor have some additional ceremonial and administrative responsibilities, in the establishment of policies, voting and in other significant areas, all members are equal. All policy shall be established by at least a majority vote of the city council. While individual members may disagree with decisions of the majority, a decision of the majority shall be binding. It is staff’s responsibility to ensure the policy of the council is upheld. Actions of staff to pursue the policy direction established by a majority of council shall not be interpreted as reflecting any bias against council members who held a minority opinion on an issue.
B. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council and perform such other duties consistent with the office as may be imposed by the council. The mayor does not possess any power of veto. As presiding officer of the council, the mayor shall faithfully communicate the will of the council majority in matters of policy. The mayor shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes.
C. The vice-mayor shall perform the duties of the mayor during the mayor’s absence. The vice-mayor shall serve in this capacity at the pleasure of the city council.
D. The positions of mayor and vice-mayor shall each be for a one-year term and will be rotated among city council members. The council shall determine the rotation by which council members become mayor and vice-mayor. A mayoral rotation schedule shall be established by resolution of the council. Council members shall rotate according to the adopted mayoral rotation schedule annually at the council reorganization meeting which shall be the first meeting in December of each year.
E. The city council appoints two positions within the city organization; city manager and city attorney. Both positions are appointed and serve at the will of the city council. The city manager shall be an employee of the city and shall be evaluated on an annual basis. The city manager is responsible for all other personnel appointments within the city in accordance with PMC 2.52.030. The city attorney may serve by contract or as an in-house employee, as determined by a majority of the city council.
F. The city has several standing commissions and special purpose citizens committees and task forces which are appointed by the city council to address issues of interest. All members of such commissions and committees must be residents of the city of Pittsburg during the term of appointment. Names to be considered for appointment will be submitted to the city council. Only the council shall review applications and make appointments to commissions. The council will interview applicants at an open, public meeting and appointment will be made by a majority vote of the council at a subsequent meeting. The selection of members to commissions, committees, and task forces shall be based on the individual’s knowledge of and experience in the areas of interest of the board/commission on which he/she wishes to serve. The terms of the various commissioners are established by the Pittsburg Municipal Code.
G. The mayor and the vice-mayor shall appoint individual council members to the standing and ad hoc recognized committees. All council members may submit preferences for committee assignments to the mayor and/or vice-mayor prior to the appointment. Such list of appointments shall be presented as an item on the council agenda at the first meeting in January following the annual reorganization and shall be approved by a majority of the council. [Ord. 05-1258 § 2, 2005; Ord. 02-1192 § 2, 2002.]
For statutory provisions regarding city councilmen, see Government Code § 36501 et seq. and § 36801 et seq.