La Mesa Municipal Code Ch. 2.08 Council Meetings

The city council shall hold regular meetings on the second Tuesday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., except for both meetings in August and the second meeting in November which shall serve as a summer and holiday recess, respectively; provided, however, that when the day fixed for any regular meeting of council falls upon a day designated by law as a legal or national holiday, such meeting shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding day not a holiday.

(Ord. 2357; June 21, 1984: Ord. 2633 § 1; October 26, 1993: Ord. 2738 § 1; October 14, 2003: Ord. 2007-2775 § 1; February 27, 2007: Ord. 2012-2821, § 1; May 8, 2012; Ord. 2017-2858, § 1, November 28, 2017; Ord. 2025-2922, § 1, September 23, 2025)

All regular meetings of the council shall be held in the council chambers in the city administration building located at 8130 Allison Avenue or at such other place as may be determined by the city council. If, by reason of fire, flood, earthquake or other emergency, it shall be unsafe to meet in the place designated, the meetings may be held for the duration of the emergency at such place as is designated by the presiding officer of the council.

(Ord. 1529; March 8, 1966)

A special meeting may be ordered at any time by the mayor, or by a majority of the members of the council, by delivering personally or by mail written notice to each member of the council and to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio or television station requesting notice in writing. Such notice must be delivered personally or by mail at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice.

(Ord. 556 § 2 (part), 1954)

The order shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted, and no other business shall be considered at such meeting by the city council. The written notice may be dispensed with as to any member who at, or prior to the time the meeting convenes files with the city clerk a written waiver of notice. The waiver may be given by telegram. The written notice may also be dispensed with as to any member who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes. Notice shall be required pursuant to this section regardless of whether any action is taken at the special meeting.

The call and notice shall be posted at least twenty-four hours prior to the special meeting in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public.

(Ord. 556 § 2 (part), 1954; Ord. 2439 § 1; December 9, 1986)

In the case of an emergency situation involving matters upon which prompt action is necessary due to the disruption or threatened disruption of public facilities, the city council may hold an emergency meeting without complying with either the twenty-four hour notice requirement or the twenty-four hour posting requirement of La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08. 030 and La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.040 or both of the notice and posting requirements.

For the purposes of this section, "emergency situation" means any of the following:

a. Work stoppage or other activity which severely impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the city council.

b. Crippling disaster which severely impairs public health, safety, or both, as determined by a majority of the members of the city council.

However, each local newspaper of general circulation and radio or television station which has requested notice of special meetings pursuant to La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.030 shall be notified by the mayor or the city council, or designee thereof, one hour prior to the emergency meeting by telephone and all telephone numbers provided in the most recent request of such newspaper or station for notification of special meetings shall be exhausted. In the event that telephone services are not functioning, the notice requirements of this section shall be deemed waived, and the city council, or designee of the city council, shall notify those newspapers, radio stations, or television stations of the fact of the holding of the emergency meeting, the purpose of the meeting, and any action taken at the meeting as soon after the meeting as possible.

Notwithstanding Government Code Section 54957, the city council shall not meet in closed session during a meeting called pursuant to this section.

All special meeting requirements, as prescribed in La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.030 and La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.040 shall be applicable to a meeting called pursuant to this section, with the exception of the twenty-four hour notice requirements.

The minutes of a meeting called pursuant to this section, a list of persons who the mayor, or designee of the city council, notified or attempted to notify, a copy of the rollcall vote, and any actions taken at the meeting shall be posted for a minimum of ten days in a public place as soon after the meeting as possible.

(Ord. 2439 § 2; December 9, 1986)

All reports, communications, ordinances, resolutions, contract documents, or other matters to be submitted to the council, shall be delivered to the city clerk as far in advance of each council meeting as time for preparation will permit.

(Ord. 556 § 3 (part), 1954)

An appeal seeking city council review of a final, non-recommending determination by a board, committee, commission, or department subordinate to the city council, unless different provisions are otherwise specifically made in this code, shall be made and processed in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(a) Filing of appeal. To be sufficient for filing, the written appeal must be delivered to the city clerk, together with the required fee, established by city council resolution, within ten working days following the determination for which a review is sought. Further, the appeal must be legible and set forth:

(1) The applicant's full name, address, and phone number;

(2) The board, commission, committee or department which rendered the final determination;

(3) The date of the determination;

(4) The determination for which review is sought;

(5) The appellant's interest in the appealed determination; and

(6) Each issue which the appellant alleges was wrongly determined together with every argument and a copy of every item of evidence submitted by the appellant to the subordinate entity on such issue.

(b) An insufficient appeal shall be returned to the appellant.

(c) If the appeal is sufficient, the city clerk shall set the matter for initial consideration by the city council at the next available city council meeting and shall notify the appropriate city department to prepare a city response.

(Ord. 2559 § 1; April 24, 1990)

Any person wishing to address the council on any matter, not otherwise on the council agenda, may do so within the "Public Discussion" section.

(Ord. 1892 § 1, 1972; Ord. 2439 § 3; December 9, 1986)

No action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the agenda unless action is otherwise authorized by Section 2.08.080.

(Ord. 2439 § 4 (part); December 9, 1986)

It is not necessary to provide an opportunity for the public to speak if the item has already been considered by council and all interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the council, unless the item has been substantially changed since it was heard, as determined by council.

(Ord. 2439 § 4 (part); December 9, 1986)

The city clerk and the city manager shall prepare an agenda of matters to be brought before the council. At least seventy-two hours before a regular meeting, the city clerk shall post an agenda containing a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed at the meeting. The agenda shall specify the time and location of the regular meeting and shall be posted in a location that is freely accessible to members of the public.

(Ord. 556 § 3 (part), 1954: Ord. 2439 § 5; December 9, 1986)

No action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda. Except, the city council may take action on items of business not appearing on the posted agenda under any of the following conditions:

(a) Upon a determination by a majority vote of the city council that an emergency situation exists as defined in La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.041 (a) and (b).

(b) Upon a determination by a two-thirds vote of the city council, or, if less than two-thirds of the members are present, a unanimous vote of those members present, that the need to take action arose subsequent to the agenda being posted as specified in La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.070.

(c) The item was posted pursuant to La Mesa Municipal Code Section 2.08.070 for a prior meeting of the city council occurring not more than five calendar days prior to the date action is taken on the item, and at the prior meeting the item was continued to the meeting at which action is being taken.

(Ord. 556 § 3 (part), 1954: Ord. 2439 § 6; December 9, 1986)

The mayor, or in his absence, the mayor pro tempore, shall take the chair precisely at the hour appointed for the meeting, and shall immediately call the council to order.

(Ord. 556 § 5a (part), 1954)

In the absence of the mayor and mayor pro tempore, the city clerk, or his assistant, shall call the council to order, whereupon a temporary chairman shall be elected by the members of the council present.

(Ord. 556 § 5a (part), 1954)

Upon the arrival of the mayor or mayor pro tempore, the temporary chairman shall immediately relinquish the chair upon the conclusion of the business immediately before the council.

(Ord. 556 § 5a (part); April 13, 1954)

After the call to order and before any business is transacted, a suitable prayer shall be offered by such person as the presiding officer shall designate.

(Ord. 556 § 5b; April 13, 1954)

Before proceeding with the business of the council, the city clerk or his deputy shall call the roll of the members, and the names of those present shall be entered in the minutes.

(Ord. 556 § 6; April 13, 1954)

A majority of all the members elected to the council shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting of the council.

(Ord. 556 § 7; April 13, 1954)

All meetings of the council shall be open to the public.

(Ord. 556 § 8 (part); April 13, 1954)

Repealed.

(Ord. 1912; December 12, 1975)

Unless reading of the minutes of a council meeting is requested by a member of the council, such minutes may be approved without reading if the clerk has previously furnished each member with a synopsis thereof.

(Ord. 556 § 9 (part); April 13, 1954)

The mayor or such other member of the council as may be presiding may move, second and debate from the chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by those rules imposed on all members and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a councilman by reason of his acting as the presiding officer.

(Ord. 556 § 10a; April 13, 1954)

Every member desiring to speak shall address the chair, and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine himself to the question under debate, avoiding all personalities and indecorous language.

(Ord. 556 § 10b; April 13, 1954)

A member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it be to call him to order, or as herein otherwise provided.

(Ord. 556 § 10c (part); April 13, 1954)

If a member, while speaking, be called to order, he shall cease speaking until the question of order be determined, and, if in order, he shall be permitted to proceed.

(Ord. 556 § 10c (part); April 13, 1954)

The councilman moving the adoption of an ordinance or resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate.

(Ord. 556 § 10d; April 13, 1954)

A motion to reconsider any action taken by the council may be made only on the day such action was taken. It may be made either immediately during the same session, or at a recessed or adjourned session thereof. Such motion must be made by one of the prevailing side, but may be seconded by any member, and may be made at any time and have precedence over all other motions or while a member has the floor; it is debatable.

(Ord. 556 § 10e (part); April 13, 1954)

Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any member of the council from making or remaking the same or any other motion at a subsequent meeting of the council.

(Ord. 556 § 10e (part); April 13, 1954)

A motion to adjourn shall always be in order and decided without debate.

(Ord. 556 § 21; April 13, 1954)

A councilman may request, through the presiding officer, the privilege of having an abstract of his statement on any subject under consideration by the council entered in the minutes; and, if the council consents thereto, such statement shall be entered in the minutes.

(Ord. 556 § 10f; April 13, 1954)

The clerk may be directed by the presiding officer, with consent of the council, to enter in the minutes a synopsis of the discussion on any question coming regularly before the council.

(Ord. 556 § 10g; April 13, 1954)

Except as otherwise provided herein, all questions of parliamentary procedure shall be recited according to Robert's Rules of Order.

(Ord. 556 § 10h; April 13, 1954)

Any person desiring to address the council on a matter on the agenda, may address the council at the time the matter is considered by the council upon first securing the recognition of the presiding officer.

(Ord. 556 § 11 (part); April 13, 1954)

Any person desiring to address the council on a matter not on the agenda, or when the matter is not being considered by the council, may do so only after consent has been obtained by a motion adopted by a majority vote of the councilmen present.

(Ord. 556 § 11 (part); April 13, 1954)

Each person addressing the council shall step up to the podium and state their full name and the city in which they reside in an audible tone of voice for the record, and unless further time is granted by the council, shall limit their address to three minutes. Prior to beginning their address, each person shall complete a speaker card available at the rear of the council chambers.

(Ord. 556 § 12 (part); April 13, 1954: Ord. 2004-2746; June 8, 2004)

All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and not to any member thereof.

(Ord. 556 § 12 (part); April 13, 1954)

No person, other than the council and the person having the floor, shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the council, without the permission of the presiding officer.

(Ord. 556 § 12 (part); April 13, 1954)

No question shall be asked a councilman except through the presiding officer.

(Ord. 556 § 12 (part); April 13, 1954)

While the council is in session, the members must preserve order and decorum, and a member shall neither, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the council nor disturb any member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the council or its presiding officer, except as otherwise herein provided.

(Ord. 556 § 14(a); April 13, 1954)

Any person making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks or who shall become boisterous while addressing the council shall be forthwith, by the presiding officer, barred from further audience before the council, unless permission to continue be granted by a majority vote of the council.

(Ord. 556 § 14(b); April 13, 1954)

The chief of police, or such member or members of the police department as he may designate, shall be sergeant-at-arms of the council meetings when in the opinion of the presiding officer the services of a sergeant-at-arms are necessary. He, or they, shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the council meeting.

(Ord. 566 § 15 (part); April 13, 1954)

Upon instructions of the presiding officer, it shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms, or any of them present, to place any person who violates the order and decorum of the meeting under arrest, and cause him to be prosecuted under the provisions of this code, the complaint to be signed by the presiding officer.

(Ord. 556 § 15 (part); April 13, 1954)

No person, except city officials, their representatives, and newspaper reporters, shall be permitted within the rail in front of the council chamber without the express consent of the council.

(Ord. 556 § 16; April 13, 1954)

All special committees shall be appointed by the presiding officer, unless otherwise directed by the council.

(Ord. 556 § 17; April 13, 1954)

Any member shall have the right to have the reasons for his dissent from, or protest against, any action of the council entered in the minutes.

(Ord. 556 § 18; April 13, 1954)

No account or other demand against the city shall be allowed until the same has been audited and reported upon by the city manager.

(Ord. 556 § 19; April 13, 1954)

All ordinances shall be prepared by the city attorney. No ordinance shall be prepared for presentation to the council unless ordered by two councilmen, or requested in writing by the city manager, or prepared by the city attorney on his own initiative.

(Ord. 556 § 20(a); April 13, 1954)

All ordinances, resolutions and contract documents shall, before presentation to the council, have been approved as to form and legality by the city attorney or his authorized representative, and shall have been examined and approved for administration by the city manager or his authorized representative, where there are substantive matters of administration involved.

(Ord. 556 § 20(b); April 13, 1954)

Ordinances, other than urgency ordinances, where ordinances are required by law, shall not be passed within five days of their introduction nor at other than a regular meeting or an adjourned regular meeting.

(Ord. 2284; February 25, 1982)

Ordinances on the agenda for adoption shall be read in full, except when reading of the text of the ordinances has been waived by a motion appearing on the consent agenda and adopted by unanimous vote of the council members present.

(Ord. 2284; February 25, 1982, as amended by Ord. 2381 § 1; June 11, 1985)

When ordinances, other than urgency ordinances, are altered after introduction, they shall be passed only at a regular or an adjourned regular meeting held at least five days after alteration. Corrections of typographical or clerical errors are not alterations within the meaning of this section.

(Ord. 2284; February 25, 1982)

All ordinances, resolutions and other matters submitted to the council shall be passed or defeated by a majority vote of the council unless a greater number of votes may be required by law. The word "majority" shall mean three affirmative votes for purposes of approval, or three negative votes for purposes of denial. In instances where a majority vote cannot be obtained and no additional action is taken, said matter shall automatically be added to the next agenda of the council.

(Ord. 556; as amended by Ord. 1529; March 8, 1966)

No ordinances shall relate to more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, and no ordinance, or section thereof, shall be amended or repealed unless the new ordinance contains the title of the ordinance or section amended or repealed, and when practicable all ordinances shall be introduced as amendments to existing ordinances or sections thereof.

(Ord. 556; April 13, 1954)

Voting shall be conducted by the use of the voting light system installed in the council chambers. A red light designates a no or negative vote, and a green light designates a yes or affirmative vote. When a member of the council wishes to abstain, he must audibly state his reason for abstaining, and in the event he fails to make any such statement, his silence shall be recorded as an affirmative vote although he may not have indicated his vote by the use of a light.

The city council may at any time, or from time to time, dispense with the use of the voting light system by voice vote of the majority. In such an event voting shall be conducted by voice vote until such time as a determination is made to again use the voting light system, or some other system.

When the city council is voting by voice vote, unless a member states that he is abstaining from voting and gives his reasons therefor, his silence shall be recorded as an affirmative vote. A negative vote shall be registered by the oral statement of a no by the councilman voting. Upon roll call on any voice vote taken, silence by any councilman when his name is called shall constitute a yes or affirmative vote.

(Ord. 1582 § 1; March 28, 1967: prior Ord. 556 § 4 (part); April 13, 1954)