What is City Council Like?

The process of getting up to speed as a City Councilor has been both intense and rewarding. While there was certainly a lot of information to absorb initially, I have found the experience to be immensely gratifying. The city staff has been exceptionally supportive, demonstrating patience and providing thorough answers to all my questions. My first month was dedicated to understanding the essential guidelines and responsibilities of a council member. Following that, I spent time delving into the historical discussions and various work sessions that have shaped our community. My fellow council members have been incredibly welcoming and always available to offer their insights and guidance. Although this role demands a significant time commitment each week, I am continuously learning and find great satisfaction in serving and helping the community.

a) One of the most eye-opening lessons has been understanding what constitutes a “public record.” Essentially, I’ve learned to assume that everything is on the record, even if it’s said to be off the record. More importantly, distinguishing between investigative inquiries and implied deliberations has been enlightening. As long as I avoid any deliberations outside of public council meetings, I may freely ask questions and gather information on various topics, except for matters related to public hearings, where I must only consider information from the official agenda packet and what is presented during the hearing itself.

b) Reflecting on my high school Civics class, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the interplay between the three branches of city government: Executive (city manager and staff), Legislative (city council), and Judicial (city judge and city attorney). Over the past six months, I’ve witnessed and participated in the balancing act among these branches. It’s fascinating to see how a motion from the council is translated into action by the staff. I’ve also benefited from the insights and recommendations of our city attorney on various legal matters affecting the community. It turns out that Civics class did pay off after all these years!

The issues raised have varied widely, from street-side parking problems and potholes to questions about neighbors’ construction projects without permits, updates on new apartment developments, and concerns about traffic congestion on Highway 101. Each time I’ve sought assistance from city staff, they’ve been incredibly helpful and willing to share their knowledge.

I always strive to be transparent when responding, letting citizens know that while I can’t promise a specific outcome, I will do my best to find an answer. Most people have been very appreciative of my efforts, even if the answers they receive aren’t always what they hoped for. They value having someone willing to investigate and advocate for them.

I would summarize the experience as the majority of the questions I’ve received from constituents revolve around navigating the various departments at City Hall. Many residents have reached out to me out of frustration, unsure of where to find assistance for their concerns. I’ve found it very gratifying to be able to advocate on their behalf by reaching out to the appropriate departments and asking questions.

I encourage all community members to speak up and share their concerns. In many cases, staff members are simply unaware of issues that need attention. With limited resources, they rely heavily on citizens to report problems such as road repairs, park issues, and traffic light or crosswalk concerns. From my experience, once the appropriate department is notified, the issue is promptly queued and addressed within a reasonable timeframe.