East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. I Meetings

The city council will hold all regular meetings at the Municipal Building, 2415 University Avenue in the city. It is the intention of the council to set the date and time of the meetings of the council by resolution.

(Prior code § 2-2.101)

If the regular meeting place is unable to accommodate the number of persons in attendance, the council may recess the meeting to another place. If the council anticipates the regular meeting place will be inadequate, the council, or the mayor in the event of an emergency may order that the meeting be held in another place.

(Prior code § 2-2.102)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.08.010 of this article, the mayor may cancel the meeting of the council and reschedule the meeting to the next regular meeting date upon determining that there is an insufficient number of items of the agenda to be considered.

(Prior code § 2-2.103)

Special meetings may be held and shall be noticed, as provided by law, to be held at the times and the places in the city as determined by the council. Executive sessions may be ordered and held as provided by state law.

(Prior code § 2-2.104)

Any regular or adjourned regular meeting may be rescheduled by the council by public pronouncement to a date certain and shall be held on a fifth Tuesday unless otherwise determined by the council at least two weeks in advance of such date. Any adjourned meeting shall be held in the city. Any adjourned meeting shall be deemed to be and is declared to be a part of the original meeting so adjourned.

(Prior code § 2-2.105)

Any and all matters to be presented to and acted upon by the city council at its regular Tuesday meetings must be filed in the office of the clerk of the city council not later than nine a.m. of the Friday preceding the date of such meeting, and unless so filed, matters will not be considered by the council until the next succeeding regular meeting of the council unless by unanimous vote of the members present.

(Prior code § 2-2.106)

At the opening of each meeting the members of the council shall take their regular stations in the council chambers. Those members of the council who are in attendance will be recorded present, regardless of their answer or failure to answer roll call. Thereupon, unless otherwise ordered by the chair, or by vote of the majority, business shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the order specified in the agenda.

(Prior code § 2-2.107)

A majority of the members of the council constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No action of the council shall be valid or binding unless a majority of all members concur therein.

(Prior code § 2-2.108)

Any persons interested may address the council during the course of a public hearing. The chairperson may regulate the order of such presentations and limit the time allowed to each person desiring to speak. It shall be within the discretion of the chairperson for any member of the public to speak on any other agenda matter. When acknowledged by the chairperson, the speaker shall approach the podium, state his/her name and address for the record and proceed with his/her remarks.

Members of the council may remain seated while discussing any questions under consideration and they shall always address their remarks to the chairperson and other members of the council, unless authorized by the chairperson to do otherwise.

(Prior code § 2-2.109)

The chairperson is responsible for maintaining order at meetings and has all authority to maintain order as called for in state law and Robert's Rules of Order.

(Prior code § 2-2.110)

The chief of police or a police officer appointed by the chief shall be ex-officio sergeant-at-arms of the council and shall attend all regular and special meetings or as otherwise directed by the chairperson. The sergeant-at-arms shall carry out all orders and instructions given him/her by the chairperson for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum in the council chambers.

(Prior code § 2-2.111)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the proceedings of the council shall be governed by the latest edition of "Robert's Rules of Order" on all matters pertaining to parliamentary law, but no ordinance, resolution, proceeding or other action of the council shall be invalid or the legality thereof otherwise affected by the failure or omission to observe or follow such rules.

(Prior code § 2-2.112)

Notwithstanding any provision in "Robert's Rules of Order" to the contrary. any member of the city council who is present at the time a vote is taken on any motion, proposition or question and who fails or refuses to vote thereon, shall by such failure or refusal be deemed to have voted neither for nor against the motion, proposition or question. In such cases the clerk of the council shall note in the minutes of the meeting and on documents where appropriate, that such member or members abstained.

(Prior code § 2-2.113)

Notwithstanding any provision in "Robert's Rules of Order" to the contrary, if only three members of the city council are present at a meeting of the council, the chairperson, or chairperson pro tem then presiding, may second any motion duly made by either of the other members then present.

(Prior code § 2-2.114)