San Leandro Municipal Code Art. III City Council: Functions

All powers of the City shall be vested in the Council, except as otherwise provided in this Charter.

The Mayor shall be the political head of the City. The Mayor shall:

(a) recommend City policy;

(b) recommend to the Council appropriate and necessary legislation;

(c) recommend programs for the physical, economic, social and cultural development of the City;

(d) be responsible for public relations activities and represent the City for ceremonial purposes;

(e) represent the City in intergovernmental relations, personally or by delegated representative, at the direction of the Council;

(f) preside at meetings of the Council;

(g) establish and dissolve ad hoc committees, subject to approval by the Council;

(h) possess the authority to suspend implementation of any action taken by the Council by filing with the City Clerk, within three days after such Council action, a notice of suspension thereof. Such suspension shall constitute a motion for reconsideration of the action taken, to be voted upon by the Council at its next regular meeting;

(i) provide leadership and marshal citizen participation in City activities;

(j) report to the public from time to time on the affairs of the City;

(k) possess the authority and attributes of a Council Member;

(l) possess such authority and perform such duties as are granted or required by this Charter or by the Council.

At its first regular meeting in January of each year, the Council shall designate one of its members Vice Mayor, to serve for a period of one year and until a successor is elected and qualified. In the absence of the Mayor, the Vice Mayor shall possess and perform the powers and duties of the Mayor.

The Council shall hold regular meetings at least twice each month at such times as it shall fix by ordinance or resolution.

All regular Council meetings shall be held in the Civic Center Complex or on public property within the City, should the Council find and determine that the Civic Center Complex is hazardous or unsuitable for the conduct of a regular Council meeting.

A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The Council by ordinance shall establish rules of procedure for taking actions. Such rules shall:

(a) provide that Council actions shall require the affirmative votes of a majority of the entire Council membership.

(b) provide for the introduction, publication, adoption, amendment, effective date and codification of ordinances.

(c) provide for the introduction and adoption of resolutions.

No one 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, nor to speak to the subject of any special meeting.

The Council by ordinance shall provide for a method of publication of legal notices.

Neither the Mayor nor any Council Member shall interfere with the execution of the powers and duties of the City Manager, or order, directly or indirectly, the City Manager or any department head to appoint or remove any person to or from any office or employment with the City. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Mayor, and Council Members shall deal with the administrative service under the City Manager solely through the City Manager and neither the Mayor nor any Council Member shall give orders to any subordinate of the City Manager, either publicly or privately.

The Council by ordinance shall create boards and commissions as necessary to facilitate governmental operations in all appropriate fields, including, but not limited to:

(a) Board of Zoning Adjustment;

(b) Historical-Cultural Commission;

(c) Human Resources Commission;

(d) Library Board;

(e) Personnel Relations Board;

(f) Planning Commission;

(g) Recreation and Parks Commission.