Fresno Municipal Code Art. V The Council

All powers herein granted to and vested in the City of Fresno shall, except as herein otherwise provided, be exercised by a Council to be designated the Council of the City of Fresno. Said Council shall the be governing body of the City and, subject to the express limitations of this Charter, shall be vested with all powers of legislation in municipal affairs adequate to a complete system of local government consistent with the Constitution of the State. Each Councilmember shall have the right to appoint and remove his or her own Council Assistant.

(Amendment ratified 1993 General Municipal Election, April 27, 1993.)

Commencing in 1997 on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, the Council shall elect a President of the Council from among its members to serve for a one-year term. The President of the Council shall be the presiding officer of the Council. In addition, upon vacancy in the officer of the Mayor, the office of the Mayor shall be filled by the President of the Council as provided on Article III of this Charter. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President of the Council or in the event the President is required to fill the office of Mayor, the Council shall select an Acting President who shall serve until the previously elected President returns to office or that Councilmember's term expires.

(Repealed; ratified 1980 Special Municipal Election, June 3, 1980.)

(Amendment ratified 1993 General Municipal Election, April 27, 1993.)

The Council shall hold regular meetings and shall provide the time, place and manner of holding its meetings by resolution. All meetings of the Council shall be opened to the public, except executive sessions permitted by the law of the State.

(Amendment ratified 1973 General Municipal Election.)

(Amendment ratified 1996 Primary Election, March 26, 1996.)

A Majority of the entire membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number may adjourn from time to time. In the absence of all members of the Council from any regular meeting or adjourned regular meeting the City Clerk may declare the same adjourned to a stated day and hour.

The Council shall establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings and to preserve order at its meetings. It shall cause a record of its proceedings to be maintained which shall be open to public inspection.

Each member of the Council shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations in any investigation or proceeding pending before the Council. The Council shall have the power and authority to compel the attendance of witness, to examine them under oath and to compel the production of evidence before it. Subpoenas may be issued in the name of the City and be attested by the City Clerk. Disobedience of such subpoena or the refusal to testify, upon other than constitutional grounds, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable in the same manner as violations of this Charter are punishable.

No citizen shall be denied the right personally, or through counsel, to present grievances or offer suggestions for the betterment of municipal affairs at any regular meeting of the Council or any City advisory board, commission or committee.