ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: PRACTICE TIPS

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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FOR EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION

Morgan L. Foley, City Attorney, El Cajon

I. Overview of Presentation:

A. Legislative Powers of City Councils

B. Role of City Attorney

C. Common Problems and Suggested Remedies

D. Avoiding the Common Problems and Recommendations for Your Council to be

Effective Legislators

II. Authority by Ordinance, Resolution or Motion

A. Absent statutory or charter provisions to the contrary, legislative actions may be

by ordinance or resolution (Crowe v. Boyle (1920) 184 Cal. 117.).

B. Ordinances vs. Resolutions.

1. General Rule: When providing a permanent rule of government or

conduct – ordinance; when dealing with temporary or special matters and

involving only a factual determination that conditions necessary for the operation

of a statute or ordinance have been met – resolution.

2. The “legislative” and “adjudicative” distinctions.

(a) Impact on challenges to action taken.

(i) Legislative actions subject to referendum as well as

traditional mandamus, CCP §1085.

(ii) Adjudicative actions subject to legal challenge through writ

of mandate and/or prohibition, CCP §§1085, 1094.5.

C. Minute orders are simply motions made at the meeting to take certain actions not

requiring an ordinance or resolution. For example, to approve the warrants, to

approve minutes of a prior meeting, to accept a report, give direction to city staff,

etc.

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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III. Effective Legal Representation

A. City Attorney is charged with responsibility to draft all ordinances. (Government

Code §41802)

B. Educating city staff can save your client time and money, as well as keeping

exposure to litigation to a minimum.

Practice Pointer: Take an active role in drafting ordinances and resolutions. By

developing a procedure of assisting staff you develop a better working

relationship, avoiding surprises at the time of the council meeting and presenting

a unified approach. Many resolutions are repetitious in nature and form, and

having staff follow your forms can reduce the “surprises” in the proposed

document. This also allows you to present those findings necessary to defend

your work.

IV. Ordinances

A. “That the King can do no wrong, is a necessary and fundamental principle of the

English Constitution.” -- Blackstone.

1. Constitutional authority – Article 11, section 7. Police powers.

2. Government Code section 37100. Must not conflict with Constitution and

laws of California or United States.

(a) Conflict where State law “occupies the field” and there is no room

for local legislation, even “supplementary” local regulations;

(b) Conflict where State law “preempts” subject matter by full and

complete coverage with general laws, making additional, local,

requirements invalid;

operate.

Practice Pointer: When your city is considering an ordinance which

might be in conflict with State or Federal laws, obtain a copy of the

complete legislative history and intent of the pertinent State or Federal

legislation from a reputable research consultant. Fees incurred can be

recovered as part of costs of suit. (Van de Kamp v. Gumbiner (1990) 221

Cal. App. 3d 1260.)

3. Effect of ordinance – same force within its corporate limits as a statute.

May be penal or non-penal in nature; will effectively substitute for

resolution, where resolution required by statute, but converse not true.

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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(For example, see Revenue Bond Law of 1941 (Government Code

§54300) – requires approval of issuance of bonds by resolution, but

charter might require approval by ordinance; in contrast, the adoption of

sewer fees by resolution instead of by ordinance may be invalid (Health &

Safety Code §§5470, et seq.).)

B. Even if the King is wrong, protect the crown by severability provision.

1. Properly drafted ordinance, with severability clause, can save the

unconstitutional portions of the ordinance.

2. Criteria for severability.

(a) Grammatical

(b) Functional

C. The King is dead, long live the Queen. Changed circumstances (and majorities in

councils) may result in the amendment or repeal of ordinances.

1. Power to legislate includes power to amend or repeal.

(a) Rule of “equal dignity” – Repeal or amendment of ordinance by

ordinance; repeal or amendment of resolution by resolution.

(b) An unconstitutional amendment will leave ordinance in its original

form.

Practice Pointer: Consider amendments by repealing the entire

ordinance and replacing it with those portions to be maintained in

original form along with changed provisions. Together with a proper

severability clause you may keep constitutional amendments to an existing

ordinance in place. You will also avoid a “patchwork” ordinance where

a series of amendments leaves the ordinance of questionable

interpretation and enforceability.

subsequent ordinance in conflict with the earlier one.

2. Motive of individual member of city council, in passing ordinance, is

irrelevant to determination of its validity, so long as city council has

power to enact legislation, and further so long as the official is not

motivated by unconstitutional concerns (e.g., racially discriminatory

animus). (National Independent Business Alliance v. City of Beverly

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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Hills (1982) 128 Cal. App. 3d 13; City of Fairfield v. Superior Court

(1975) 14 Cal. 3d 768; see, also, County of Butte v. Bach (1985) 172 Cal.

App. 3d 848.)

Practice Pointer: Even though “motive” of an individual council member

is irrelevant, intent and purpose of the council as a legislative body, or the

electorate in an initiative measure, is relevant in determining whether

certain laws, such as land use laws, are discriminatory. Including a

recital of existing facts and circumstances in the ordinance might serve as

a valuable tool in a court’s interpretation of the ordinance if challenged.

Remember, however, that an ordinance adopted by initiative cannot be

amended without a vote of the electorate.

D. Procedures for adoption of Ordinances

1. Government Code §36931 provides mandatory form. Charter cities,

however, might have a different version in their charters.

2. Titles, although not necessary, allow for expedited reading if properly

waived. (Government Code §36934.)

3. Alterations (other than for typographical or clerical errors) prior to second

reading require re-introduction for all non-urgency ordinances.

4. Require at least three (3) affirmative votes for passage. When two council

members are absent a unanimous vote is required. (But charter cities

should check their charter in the event some approvals require more.)

5. Two (2) readings required except for urgency ordinances. Must be

adopted at a regular meeting or a regular adjourned meeting not earlier

than five (5) days following introduction.

Practice Pointer: When ordinance fails to meet the test of “urgency”, or

when an ordinance is required to issue bonds, consider introduction at a

special meeting six days prior to the regular meeting, or regular

adjourned meeting, or calling a regular meeting with appropriate notice

on the sixth day following introduction to hasten the effective date of the

ordinance.

6. Generally effective on the 31st day following adoption. Except:

(a) Urgency ordinances.

(i) Require a statement of valid, constitutional and persuasive

facts to justify the determination.

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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(ii) When prohibiting land uses which might be in conflict of

contemplated general plan, specific plan or zoning ordinances

which are being studied, or intended to be studied in a reasonable

time, Government Code §65858 interim ordinances may be

adopted as urgency measures, becoming effective immediately.

(iii) Be certain to calendar the expiration of the initial interim

ordinance, as well as any extensions.

(iv) Extensions take effect immediately as well, although they

require notice and public hearings, under Section 65090, where the

initial urgency ordinance does not.

(v) Attachment A – examples of initial urgency ordinance as

well as two extensions.

Practice Pointer: Consider the adoption of an identical “back up”

ordinance by way of the usual procedure (two readings), if there is

any doubt regarding the defensibility of the urgency clause. If the

urgency clause is successfully challenged, the non-urgency version

of the ordinance will already be effective. Only those actions taken

or citations issued during the “gap” are then vulnerable to

challenge.

(b) Ordinances relating to an election.

(d) Ordinances relating to taxes for the usual and current expenses of

the city.

(e) Interim land use ordinances (usually combined with the “urgency”

provisions).

(f) Ordinances covered by other provisions of law which prescribe the

manner of its passage and adoption

7. Following adoption, entire ordinance required to be published.

(a) Within 15 days in a newspaper of general circulation, published in

city, or

(b) If no such newspaper, posting in three (3) public places, or

publication in newspaper of general circulation published in

county, circulated in city.

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League of California Cities Annual Conference

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adoption the city council may instead publish a summary of the

proposed ordinance (with a certified copy of the entire ordinance

posted at the city clerk’s office), not less than five (5) days before

adoption, with a second publication of the summary, complete with

the votes cast, similarly posted and published within 15 days

following adoption. (Government Code §36933(c)(1).) The

summary must be deemed “fair and adequate”. If the designated

city official cannot prepare a “fair and adequate” summary, the city

council can order the publication of a one-quarter page display

advertisement indicating the general nature of the ordinance or

amendment, with information sufficient for the public to obtain

copies of the complete text of the ordinance. Such an

advertisement must be published both five (5) days prior to

adoption and within 15 days following adoption (with votes cast).

(d) Charter cities: Check your charter! Some charters pre-date

Section 36933 and mandate publication of the complete ordinance.

E. Adopting Ordinances or Codes by Reference

1. County ordinances; State regulations – Different procedures. The first

reading is by title only, along with the title of the secondary code. The

public hearing is then scheduled, with the adoption to occur following the

public hearing. See Government Code sections 50022.1, et seq.

2. Exceptions exist when adoption of code is expressly required or permitted

as a condition of compliance with a state statute (e.g., Uniform Codes).

Government Code §50022.2.

Practice Pointer: Be careful to adopt, separately, penalty provisions in

your adopting ordinance, and not rely on uniform codes. (Government

Code §50022.4.) Be especially careful not to simply adopt fees for

building permits under the Uniform Building Code, unless your fee study

supports the level of such fees. For those fees, follow Government Code

sections 66000, et seq.

F. Penalties – Misdemeanors, Infractions and “Wobblers”

1. Violations are misdemeanors unless ordinance makes if an infraction.

2. Ordinance can be adopted to allow city attorney to use discretion when

filing.

3. Attachment B – City of El Cajon Municipal Code §1.24.010.

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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Practice Pointer: Make certain your municipal code allows the city

attorney the discretion to file criminal complaint as, or reduce filed

complaint to, an infraction (i.e., a “wobbler”). This avoids costly jury

trials for minor offenses, but allows flexibility for those “persistent

violators” of such minor offenses.

V. Resolutions

A. Used to express the opinion of the legislative body, or to reflect the action taken.

Sausalito v. County of Marin (1970) 12 Cal. App. 3d 550; Central Manufacturing

District, Inc. v. Board of Supervisors (1960) 176 Cal. App. 2d 850.

B. Where a subordinate body is charged with making certain decisions as delegated

by the city council, which decisions the city council are authorized to make. The

decisions must be truly administrative and not legislative. The power to delegate

such authority implies the authority of the subordinate commission to adopt

resolutions. The adoption of a resolution with findings creates a record of action

taken to be reviewed by the city council.

1. Planning commissions created by the city council

2. Design review boards created by the city council

3. Zoning appeals boards

4. Personnel commissions charged with decision-making authority on

appeals of decisions of the hiring authority

C. Statutory authorization for action by resolution (non-exhaustive list of examples):

1. The payment of money (Government Code §36935)

2. Initiation of condemnation action (Code of Civil Procedure §1245.220)

3. Correcting deeds of property conveyed by the city (Government Code

§37114)

4. Guaranteeing payments under lease or lease-purchase financings (i.e.,

certificates of participation or lease revenue bonds) (Government Code

§37351.5)

5. To sell city-owned building and site dedicated to public use (Government

Code §37420, et seq.)

6. Discontinuance of parks (Government Code §§38404, 38443 and 38503)

Ordinances and Resolutions: Practice Tips for Effective Legislation

League of California Cities Annual Conference

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7. Issuance of revenue bonds under Revenue Bond Law of 1941

(Government Code §54380)

8. Abatement of public nuisances caused by weeds, rubbish, refuse, and dirt

(Government Code §39561)

9. Acceptance of dedications or property (Government Code §27281)

Practice Pointer: To avoid delays in the acquisition of property consider

the adoption of a resolution authorizing a city official to accept and

consent to deeds or grants of property on behalf of the city and its

redevelopment agency, with specified limitations of authority (Government

Code §27281). Title companies and county recorders will accept

certificates of the designated official in lieu of acceptance certificates or

resolutions approved by the city council especially for the acquisition.

D. Procedures for adoption of resolutions less formal than ordinances.

1. Do not require two readings

2. Do not require reading in full or even by title

3. Effective immediately (unless otherwise provided by the resolution)

4. No publication (except for fixing tax rates or revenue amounts

Government Code §36936.)

E. Findings required for certain resolutions, suggested in others.

1. Land use decisions, including approval or denial of conditional use

permits or variances.

2. Decisions on administrative appeals.

3. Approval of environmental documents (i.e., negative declarations, EIRs).

4. A good source of explanations of findings found in, “Findings 101:

Explaining a Public Agency Decision,” Western City, May 2000, p. 13.

VI. Minute Actions and Motions

A. Adopted Procedural Rules to Exercise Authority Without Ordinance or

Resolution.

1. Avoid unnecessary debates over conduct of city council meetings

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League of California Cities Annual Conference

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2. Establish conduct of administrative hearings, appeals, revocations of

permits, etc.

3. May be useful to avoid repetitious efforts to re-visit prior actions

4. Will provide a template to ensure procedural due process of law

(especially when the city council might need that gentle reminder)

5. Attachment C – Sample Procedural Ordinances from City of El Cajon,

City of Poway

B. Use of Robert’s Rules of Order.

1. If procedural rules are not established, or charter or ordinance requires

2. Requires diligence in application

Practice Pointer: Adopt your own procedural rules and avoid having to

become an expert in parliamentary procedure under Robert’s Rules of

Order or other parliamentary rules. Robert’s Rules of Order are

convoluted, difficult to follow, and susceptible to misinterpretation.

Didn’t you ever wonder why the brainy students in Future Farmers of

America had so many of the medals on their blue corduroy jackets?

C. Minute Orders or Motions Where Other Action Not Required.

1. Where action is non-penal in nature

2. Where action not intended as local law

3. Where neither ordinance nor resolution is specifically required

4. Where no formal document reflecting city council’s action is necessary

VII. Conclusion

A. Avoid the traps of the unknown by properly preparing yourself and your client for

effective governance. Know the laws and know the procedures. Assume that your

council members know more than you do about municipal law because chances

are, they do.

B. When all else fails, however, heed the advice of Governor Mario Cuomo, “People

expect Byzantine, Machiavellian logic from politicians. But the truth is simple.

Trial lawyers learn a good rule: ‘Don’t decide what you don’t have to decide.’

That’s not evasion, it’s wisdom.”