Hidden Hills City Council
Meeting Information
PUBLIC MEETINGS
Public hearings and discussion items at City Council meetings proceed generally in the following order: A) City staff presents a report of the item under consideration. B) City Council Members have an opportunity to ask questions of staff for clarification or to gather additional information. C) Public testimony is taken from affected parties or members of the public who wish to be heard. D) At the close of public testimony, the Mayor allows staff to respond to any public testimony which staff wishes to supplement or to provide clarification. E) The Mayor asks other City Council Members to speak first, and then summarizes or provides the final comments before asking for a motion or direction to staff on the item. F) The order of City Council comments is at the discretion of the Mayor.
TYPES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Regular Meetings
The regular meeting of the City Council is a vital part of the democratic process in the conduct of the City’s affairs. The City Council generally meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 5:30 p.m. Agendas are to be posted at least 72 hours in advance.
Special Meetings
Occasionally, the Mayor or City Council will call a Special Meeting to consider specific items. The City Clerk’s Office will post a notice of these meetings at least 24 hours in advance. Typically special meetings are called when a specific item is timely and must be addressed in between the regular meeting cycle.
Workshops/Study Sessions
A workshop/study session is a type of special meeting that is held for a specific purpose, or items that require more discussion. These sessions are usually informal, though public, and may be held at a place other than the Council Chambers.
Closed Sessions
The City Council may meet in closed session after a meeting to discuss matters such as pending or threatened litigation, conference with real property negotiators, or consideration of appointment, performance evaluation, discipline, dismissal or release of a public employee.
Emergency Meetings
The Brown Act provides for emergency meetings to be held by a legislative body with little or no notice to the public, depending upon the situation. When a majority of the legislative body determines that an emergency situation exists, it may call an emergency meeting.
ADDRESSING THE COUNCIL DURING THE MEETING
Public Participation on Items on the Agenda
The City Council encourages public participation in the decision-making process. Individuals wishing to address the City Council on any item on the agenda may do so at the time the item is being considered. Comments are limited to no more than 3 minutes per speaker, but that time limit may be reduced at the Mayor’s discretion if there are numerous speakers on a particular item.
Public Participation on items NOT on the Agenda
For items not on the agenda, the public is welcome to comment on any issue within the jurisdiction of the City Council during the Audience Period of the agenda. The City Council always appreciates it when residents bring issues of community concern to their attention. Please note, however, the City Council is bound by the Brown Act which is State law. Per California Government Code Section 54954.2, the City Council is prohibited from discussing or taking immediate action on any item not on the agenda unless it can be demonstrated that the item is of an emergency nature, or the need to act arose subsequent to the posting of the agenda. Council members may make a brief informational statement when warranted but are not allowed to engage in a back-and-forth conversation or have a substantial discussion on the matter being addressed.
How to Address the Council
Public comment on agenda and non-agenda items will be accepted by email to staff@hiddenhillscity.org prior to the meeting and the email should identify the agenda item number in the subject line of the email or indicate that it pertains to a non-agenda item. Such emails must be received by the City Clerk no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Any emails received shall be read into the record. Alternatively, members of the public may join the meeting via the Zoom platform and the Mayor will call on you for public comment. To ask a question or comment during a meeting, click on the icon labeled “Participants” at the bottom center of your PC or Mac screen. At the bottom of the window on the right side of the screen, click the button labeled “Raise Hand.” Your digital hand is now raised. To “Raise Hand” on an audio only call, press*6 to unmute and *9 to “Raise Hand”.