The Planning and Parks Committee on July 21 approved a procedural change designed to improve transparency when staff or the city attorney makes substantive changes to motions or draft legislation between committee consideration and City Council introduction.

Why it matters: committee members said they want clear notice when material changes are made between committee direction and final council legislation so elected officials and the public can see differences and understand why adjustments occurred.

City Administrator Lee explained the policy’s intent: when a committee forwards a motion to prepare legislation, and staff or the city attorney makes a substantive change (for example, a new requirement, vendor change or legal adjustment), those changes will be called out in the council agenda packet and discussed verbally at the council meeting. The goal is to surface material edits — not ministerial corrections — so committee advice is visible in the legislative record.

Action and vote: Council Member Madalo moved that the committee adopt the communication-protocol recommendation and forward it to City Council; the motion was seconded and approved by the committee.

Discussion vs. decision: the committee adopted the protocol as a process matter; it does not change substantive legislative authority but does require clearer disclosure when changes occur.

What’s next: staff will formalize language, implement the red-line or call-out process for committee-to-council items and include those callouts in council agenda packets going forward.

Ending: committee members said the policy should improve trust in the process and reduce surprises when matters reach the council floor.