SunnyvaleRTC

November 25, 2003

SUBJECT: SELECTION OF SEATING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CITY COUNCIL

As a result of the November 4, 2003 General Municipal Election, the City Council needs to decide the seating arrangement of its members for November 2003 through November 2004. Council Policy 7.3.7 establishes the method for determining City Council seating arrangements for the coming year.

EXISTING POLICY

In the recent past, Council has deferred to using the highest number of votes received for each new Council elect instead of drawing lots, for the order of choosing Council seats.

COUNCIL POLICY 7.3.7

I. Seating of Mayor

The Mayor shall be seated in the center seat. Should the Mayor be absent, the Vice Mayor will assume the Mayor's seat.

II. Seating of the Vice Mayor

The Vice Mayor shall be seated to either side of the Mayor, with the Vice Mayor receiving preference for obtaining the seat.

III. Councilmember Seating

Seating arrangements will be determined as the last item of business at a meeting during which a Mayor and/or Vice mayor is selected. Councilmembers shall select where they wish to sit on the basis of length of continuous time of service on the City Council. The selection process shall be in the order of most senior to least senior. When two or more Councilmembers have equivalent time of service, those Councilmembers shall draw lots to determine their order of selection.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin boards located at City Hall, Public Safety Lobby, Library Public Notice Boards, posting of the agenda and Report on the City’s web page, publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury News, and the availability of the Report in the Sunnyvale Public Library and City Clerk’s Office.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council select seats for the coming year in accordance with Council Policy 7.3.7. and past practice.

Prepared by:

Cathleen McKay CMC/MMC
Interim City Clerk

Reviewed by:

Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager