Addressing Council Governance Reform

Описание: City Council Meeting, December 17, 2024

As promised, my first policy proposal was a package of good governance reforms needed for City Council. I’m pleased to share that Council unanimously passed my, Councilmember Raskin, and Mayor Pro Tenpore Torosis’ direction to return with proposed rules changes and new ordinances to:

✅ Clarify the title and role of the Mayor Pro Tempore;

✅ Limit unnecessary speech-making that lengthens meetings and limits access to the public;

✅ Implement rank choice voting for Boards and Commissions appointments to reflect the true majority preference of Council and limit political maneuvering;

✅ Focus Council on policies where we can effect actual change;

✅ Provide for the ability to censure a Councilmember for misconduct;

✅ Protect the City Seal and City intellectual property from political abuse;

✅ Impose strict new limits on gifts for Councilmembers to combat “pay to play” politics in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Snyder v. United States.

I’m confident these reforms will help Council better serve our City and community with greater effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and ethics.

Video footage from City of Santa Monica TV.