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Council requests procedural manual updates and forms small working group to draft changes
Summary
Councilmembers asked staff and an informal two‑member working group of councilmembers to produce recommended edits to the city council procedures manual covering motions, speaking order at events and other clarifications; a formal return is expected.
Councilmembers agreed Oct. 6 to begin a targeted update of the San Fernando City Council procedures manual to reduce ambiguities that have surfaced during meetings. Councilmember Joe Fajardo requested specific clarifications, including which motion is recognized first, tie‑breaking for mayor/vice‑mayor selection, the treatment of procedural votes during public hearings and clearer rules for event speaking order when a councilmember is the item sponsor.
Vice Mayor Solorio volunteered to work with Fajardo on an initial draft and the council instructed them to coordinate with the city attorney so any suggested changes can be returned for review and a formal council decision. The city attorney advised that final changes must be approved at a public meeting; staff and the council agreed to collect suggested edits and to present options with clear alternatives (e.g., keep current Robert’s Rules default vs. adopt a local variation).
Councilmembers also requested staff check the administrative record for related items such as the city flag status and the disaster council roster and to return with specific, written options. The council did not form a formal ad hoc committee; instead two members will work with legal staff and then present written options to the full council at an upcoming meeting.
