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Bellflower council introduces ordinance to make routine approvals a majority of members present
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to add section 2.04.008 to the Bellflower Municipal Code so routine ordinances, resolutions and motions can be adopted by a majority of council members present when a quorum exists; the measure was introduced for first reading after a unanimous roll call.
Bellflower City Council introduced an ordinance on Jan. 12 that would make a majority of members present the default rule for adopting ordinances, resolutions and motions during a properly noticed meeting.
City staff told the council the change is an exercise of Bellflower's charter authority to set its own legislative procedures and does not alter any charter- or state-law requirements that already require supermajority votes. "Ordinances, resolutions, and motions are adopted by a majority of council members present at a properly noticed meeting as long as the quorum is present," staff explained during the presentation.
Staff gave an example showing how the change would treat a 2–1 vote when only three members are present: under the proposed ordinance that 2–1 vote would be sufficient to adopt routine local measures, whereas under prior general-law rules such a result would have been insufficient. Staff emphasized that the ordinance would not affect items that already require higher thresholds, such as urgency ordinances or fiscal-emergency measures.
Councilmember Dunton moved to introduce the ordinance (motion seconded by Councilmember Coops). The motion passed on a roll call: Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez—Aye; Councilmember Dunton—Aye; Councilmember Coops—Aye; Councilmember Morse—Aye; Mayor Santinez—Aye.
The ordinance was introduced for first reading and staff said it would return for formal adoption on the council's regular ordinance schedule.
