TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
PREPARED BY: Cristal McDonald, City Clerk
SUBJECT:
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Discussion Regarding the Start Time and Schedule for City Council Meeting Days
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Review and discuss the start time and schedule for City Council meeting days beginning with the first regular meeting in 2026; and
Direct the City Clerk to amend Resolution No. 19-417 entitled: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Murrieta, California, Adopting the Following Rules of Procedure for Council Meetings and Related Functions, and return for adoption by the end of the year.
OR
Take other actions the City Council considers appropriate.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On September 16, 2025, the City Council adopted the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule and discussed potential adjustments to the regular meeting start time and schedule. The City Council directed staff to return with options for adjusting meeting start times and workshop scheduling (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Maintain a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency.
DISCUSSION
At the September 16, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council reviewed, discussed, and approved the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule. Additionally, the City Council discussed whether it would like to review and possibly change the start time and schedule of City Council meetings.
During the City Council discussion, the following suggestions were made:
• Professional commitments create difficulty attending City Council meetings before 4:00 p.m.
• Workshops can be held on the 2nd or 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
• Workshops can be held on the 2nd or 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m.
• Regular meetings can be held one hour earlier at 5:00 p.m.
• Regular meetings can be held at 3:00 p.m., followed by Closed Session.
• Regular meetings can be held at 4:00 p.m.
Direction was provided to the City Clerk to return with options that align with the City Council's discussion.
History
The Murrieta Municipal Code provides that City Council meetings are held as determined by the City Council. Currently, Resolution No. 19-4178, et al., governs that the City Council hold regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month beginning at 6:00 p.m., with the Consent Calendar business at 7:00 p.m. Under normal circumstances, Closed Sessions are to begin no earlier than 4:00 p.m. on regular meeting days. Furthermore, it is the intention for workshops not to begin earlier than 4 p.m.
As a best practice, the City Council's Rules of Procedure (ROP) are reviewed to ensure alignment with the City Council's goals and priorities. In recent months, amendments have been made to other sections of the ROP to better align with the organization's needs. This discussion item will present final amendments to the ROP. The final ROP will be returned to the City Council for adoption.
Considerations
The growing volume of City business has led to earlier starting times for City Council meetings, affecting coordination with other City operations, the availability of City Council Members, and community participation.
Based on the September 16th City Council meeting, the City Council will consider: 1) the start time of Closed Sessions; 2) the start time of the Regular Meeting; 3) public comments; and 4) the schedule for Workshops. To support City Council dialogue, it is worth noting that consideration of the options below would enable a static start time for the City Council Day and Workshop schedules. Currently, the schedule start time is determined by working backward from the 6:00 p.m. regular meeting start time, considering the scheduled workshops and closed session items, which vary in duration.
Closed Session
Currently, closed sessions take place prior to the City Council meeting.
• Moving the closed session to the end of the meeting, rather than the beginning.
• Eliminates variations in start times, resulting in consistency for all stakeholders
• City staff involved only in open session items could attend as needed and be excused after their portions of the agenda, while only those involved in Closed Session would remain.
City Council Meeting Start Time
Currently, regular meetings start at 6:00 p.m.
• Changing the start time to 4:00 p.m.
• Provides a reasonable start time for City Council members with professional commitments.
• Staff attendance may be optimized, since meetings would occur closer to regular working hours, reducing overtime and late evening schedules.
• Possible earlier end time for the meeting, which is beneficial for the public, students who attend for school credit, City Council, and City staff.
• Allows opportunity to conduct business more efficiently, particularly when agendas are lengthy.
Public Comment
Currently, public comments are held at the beginning of the agenda, approximately 6:15 p.m., and during the respective discussion items or public hearings.
• Adding a closing public comment section at the end.
• Allow for the public who arrive later to speak before adjournment.
• Provide accessibility to the public regardless of their arrival time.
Workshops
Currently, workshops are held on the same day but prior to the City Council meeting.
• Holding the workshops on Thursday following a Council meeting (1st & 3rd week of the month).
• Scheduling would be easier for the public, City Council, and City Staff since the day, and time would consistently be the same.
• Focused time for all stakeholders for the study session.
• Workshops can go on longer, if necessary, as there will be no need to end at a designated time to begin the City Council meeting; also decreasing the need for additional workshops on the same topic.
• Keeping the workshops the same week as the City Council meeting allows for the agenda schedule to remain the same, which aligns with organizational efficiencies.
Alternatives
The City Council has several options for consideration regarding the proposed changes. The recommendations outlined in this report reflect the City staff’s analysis and suggestions aimed at improving meeting efficiency while maintaining accessibility. However, the City Council may provide feedback that could modify or refine these recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.