Understanding City Council Meetings
CITY GOVERNANCE
The City of Sonoma is a General Law City and operates a Council-City Manager style of government and derives its power from the City Municipal Code, the California Constitution, and laws enacted by the State legislature. All legislative power is held by the publicly elected five-member City Council which consists of the Mayor and four Council Members.
While all Council Members enjoy the same powers and privileges, the Mayor has the additional responsibility of presiding over City Council meetings, signing official documents, and officiating at ceremonies and events.
Sonoma’s Municipal Election is held in November of even numbered years. Council Members are elected at large and serve a four-year term.
Typically, the City Council appoints a Mayor and Vice Mayor at the last regular meeting in December.
Regular City Council meetings are live streamed and archived on the City’s CivicWeb Portal and YouTube channel. They are also broadcast on Comcast Channel 27 on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:am and 10:00 p.m. immediately following the meeting.
For further information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (707) 933-2216.
UNDERSTANDING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
The following information will help you understand and participate in your City’s government. Included are descriptions of the types of City Council meetings, Agenda Items, City Council Actions, and the opportunities available for the public to address the City Council. The City of Sonoma employs Rosenberg’s Rules of Order as guidelines in conducting meetings. Special rules are incorporated as necessary.
TYPES OF MEETINGS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS are held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the City Council Chambers, 177 First Street West, adjacent to the Sonoma Police Department. Regular Meeting agendas are made available no less than 72 hours prior to each meeting on the bulletin board in front of City Hall and on the City’s CivicWeb Portal.
CLOSED SESSIONS are held for specific purposes such as litigation or personnel matters as allowed under State law. Closed Sessions are not open to the public.
SPECIAL MEETINGS are held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Special meeting agendas are made available no less than 24 hours prior to the meeting on the bulletin board in front of City Hall and on the City’s CivicWeb Portal.
WORKSHOPS/STUDY SESSIONS provide an opportunity for the City staff to report to the City Council on a variety of items and issues. Study Sessions are open to the public. Check with the City Clerk’s office or City’s CivicWeb Portal for times and locations
AGENDA ITEMS
The Council meeting begins with a CALL TO ORDER by the Mayor. The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE is recited by those in attendance. The City Clerk performs the ROLL CALL.
A REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION is given if the City Council has met in a Closed Session and any reportable action was taken.
The APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA is the official vote by the Council to accept or amend the agenda.
Under PRESENTATIONS, the City Council recognizes people who have contributed to the betterment of Sonoma or events that are important to the community. This section provides other agencies/groups/non-profits with an opportunity to present information or items of concern to the City Council.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC provide members of the public with an opportunity to address the City Council on any item that is within their jurisdiction and does not appear on the agenda. The Council may not take action on an item presented during Public Comment. There are two Comments from the Public sections – one at the beginning of the meeting and one at the end.
MEETING DEDICATIONS are made by members of the City Council in honor of individuals from the community who have passed away, made notable contributions, or in recognition of significant events.
COUNCIL MEMBER’ REPORTS AND COMMENTS provide an opportunity for the Council Members to make a brief announcement or report on their activities, including reports on City Council liaison assignments. During this time, Council Members can make direct appointments to commissions and committees.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS allow the City Manager to brief the City Council on items of interest and make announcements such as upcoming events. No Council action is required.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS allow the City Attorney to brief the Council on items of interest. No Council action is required.
CONSENT CALENDAR items are typically routine in nature and are considered for approval by the City Council with one single action. The City Council or members of City staff who would like an item removed from the Consent Calendar for purposes of discussion may request removal at the time the Mayor asks if there is anyone interested in removing items.
PUBLIC HEARINGS are held on matters required by law or items of significance for which public input is desired. The Mayor begins a Public Hearing by asking for presentations from staff and from the proponent or applicant involved in the matter under discussion. Following questions from the City Council, the Mayor will open the hearing to the public for input. Following the close of the hearing, the City Council will continue discussion and act on the subject of the Hearing.
REGULAR CALENDAR covers those items which require City Council discussion and/or decision but do not legally require a Public Hearing. Council Members are permitted to ask questions of staff and the principal(s) before the Mayor invites members of the public to provide input.
CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
The City Council takes action in different ways:
ORDINANCES is a legislative act requiring two readings at separate City Council meetings at least five days apart. In most cases, an ordinance becomes law 30 days after the second reading. An ordinance is the most permanent and binding type of City Council action and may be repealed only by a subsequent ordinance. Upon approval the ordinance is codified as part of the City’s Municipal Code.
RESOLUTIONS express decisions, opinions, or actions by the City Council but do not amend the Municipal Code or other City laws. Resolutions take effect immediately
upon adoption and may be changed by a subsequent resolution.
MINUTE ORDERS are the least formal City Council action used to approve policy, establish procedures, or provide direction to staff.
APPOINTMENTS are designations of selected applicants to various Boards, Commissions, and Committees by the City Council.
MOTIONS are made to (1) indicate majority approval of a procedural action; (2) authorize settlement of agenda items; or (3) authorize City Staff to take certain actions.
SUBMITTING MATERIAL OR DOCUMENTS
You may submit material to the City Clerk’s office by the Thursday before a Council meeting for distribution to the Council in advance of the meeting. This gives Council Members time to review the information provided. If you have any questions regarding copies or procedures, call the City Clerk’s office at (925) 973-2539.
Any supporting materials which you wish to present at the Council meeting should be given to the City Clerk before addressing the Council. Any material submitted during a Public Hearing becomes part of the public record and will not be returned.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City of Sonoma welcomes your participation at Council meetings. Opportunities for the public to address the City Council are provided under the Public Comment, Consent Calendar, Public Hearing, and Regular Calendar sections of the agenda. State law prohibits the Council from taking action on any item not listed on the agenda. Depending upon the number of speakers for an item, the Mayor may alter speaker time limits.
If you are unable to attend the Council meeting, written communications may be submitted through the Civic Engagement Portal, by e-mail (publiccomment@sonomacity.org) or by regular mail. Written communications are distributed to the City Council and uploaded to the Public Correspondence folder on the CivicWeb Portal.
ACCOMODATIONS
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if an individual needs special assistance to participate in a city meeting, they contact the City Clerk (707) 933-2216, at least 48 hours before the meeting. This will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting.