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Astoria council seeks annual review of rules of procedure; staff to propose wording
Summary
Councilor Adams asked the Astoria City Council to formalize an annual review (or post‑election confirmation) of its rules of procedure, and staff agreed to draft revised language and return at an early January meeting or retreat.
Councilor Adams asked the council to add an explicit review timeline to its rules of procedure so new and returning members would have a common operating playbook. "I would like to add into the document a section for review, whether it be annual or based on council changes," Councilor Adams said, asking that the document require periodic reaffirmation.
Staff confirmed they would prepare wording alternatives and reconcile public hearing and public comment sign-up language across the rules. Director Dart McLean said the code already contains caveats about when a sign-up sheet is required and offered to bring revised language back for the council’s first meeting in January or for review at the upcoming retreat.
Members discussed whether the review should be yearly or tied to election/appointment cycles. Several councilors favored an annual check-in while allowing for earlier review when a new member joins. Councilor Conklin and Councilor Mozzarella emphasized training and on‑boarding so questions that arise in practice can be resolved promptly.
Councilors also flagged a conduct clause that currently uses the word "obey," and asked staff to propose alternative wording. Staff said they would bring several word‑smithing options for council consideration rather than making a one‑word substitution on the spot.
The council gave staff direction to draft the edits, return with revised language early in the new year, and add training or an on‑boarding element so new members receive instruction on the rules.
