Council briefed on legislative changes, including new FOIA ‘final action’ rule that could limit on-the-spot votes

City staff presented a legislative update covering multiple bills passed by the General Assembly that could affect local governance.

A prominent item in the briefing was a new requirement (SB699/HB referenced in staff materials) that final action on a matter must be taken on a posted agenda, with limited exceptions for emergency situations or properly identified closed-session items. Staff warned that taking an unposted final action could be subject to legal challenge — potentially resulting in a petition for declaratory judgment or a writ — and recommended reviewing rules of procedure to avoid surprise final actions. "If council gets into situations where it's substituting something that is completely out there...this may pose issues for city council," a staff member said.

Council members discussed implications for practice, including possible changes to the city's rules of procedure and the scheduling of dedicated work-session days and public general-business nights to ensure adequate notice and opportunity for public comment. Several members suggested convening a small working group with staff to propose amendments to rules of procedure.

Staff also reviewed other items in the update, including changes to towing advisory boards, the option to add a youth nonvoting member to governing bodies, new tax and exemption provisions related to affordable housing, and zoning implications of bills that treat certain manufactured homes like site-built units.

Council directed staff to return with proposed rule changes and to place related items on future agendas for further review.