Some interesting bits emerged from an otherwise tedious discussion of the Los Altos Norms and Procedures at the Dec. 13, 2011 Los Altos City Council meeting.
The discussion was initiated by Council Member Megan Satterlee. Apparently the mayor has the power to create ad hoc committees whose members may include any two of the five council members (including the mayor). An ad hoc council subcommittee has to be a minority of the council per the Brown Act for government openness. Saterlee explained that in her opinion it was unclear in the current code and norms whether the membership of such ad hoc committees have to be approved by the whole council.
Council Member Satterlee says she brought up the language because of the recent ad hoc City Manager Search committee. Then Los Altos mayor Ron Packard created it last autumn right after the “shock” of Doug Schmitz’s resignation, and filled it with Val Carpenter and himself. This was not voted on, and now the search has settled on several finalists.
Council is expected to review the final city manager candidates in the next month or so. Staff is evaluating approaches to amending the language of the norms document.
Editorial Comment
Citizens, please pay attention to the city manager selection process.
