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Rules committee updates council on proposed changes to council rules; section 12 draws heaviest feedback
Summary
Councilmember Kate Baldwin, chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee, told the study session the committee has drafted changes through section 11, plans further review of section 12 and is targeting April meetings to complete a draft for full council consideration.
Councilmember Kate Baldwin, chair of the Auburn City Council Rules and Procedures Committee, briefed the council on March 31 about progress drafting revisions to the council's rules and procedures. Baldwin said the committee has met for roughly four hours across two working sessions and has reviewed draft language through section 11.
Baldwin said the document is still in draft form and that the committee expects the most substantial remaining work to focus on section 12, which generated the most feedback. "The big section that we have I think so far the most feedback on is section 12 and that is we'll be starting with in our next meeting which is currently slated for April 11," Baldwin said.
Why it matters: Changes to council rules can affect how the council conducts meetings, how staff supports the council and how members interact with each other and the public. Baldwin said the committee's guiding principles remain: keep proposed changes within legal boundaries, avoid creating unnecessary staff workload, and ensure the rules serve the community.
Details of the committee process
Baldwin told the council the committee has been working with the city attorney and the city clerk while reviewing public and member-submitted feedback. She acknowledged not every suggestion will be incorporated and asked for patience as the committee reconciles competing recommendations.
She said the committee aims to have a ready draft to bring back to the full council around April 28 for additional review and that even after that step, further edits may be possible. Baldwin said the committee's work is intended to produce a practical document, not an overly prescriptive one, and to avoid "painting ourselves into a corner" while allowing future councils flexibility.
Assistance and next steps
Baldwin thanked the city attorney and clerk for their assistance and said the committee will continue to accept input. The committee has scheduled a follow-up working session on April 11 to continue through the remainder of the packet; Baldwin said additional sessions may be required before a full draft is presented to the council.
Ending
Baldwin closed by asking colleagues to review the draft sections when circulated and to raise any remaining concerns before the committee's upcoming meetings. No formal council action was taken on rules revisions during the March 31 study session.
