The City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 500 Castro Street, Second Floor. Special meetings are called as necessary by the Mayor and noticed at least 24 hours in advance. The agenda lists the items coming before the Council for consideration. A City staff report for each item gives background and analysis, as well as staff recommendations and alternatives. Citizens may examine the agenda, minutes and staff reports at the Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin Street, beginning the Thursday evening before each meeting and at the City Clerk's Office, 500 Castro Street, Third Floor, beginning Friday morning. Agenda materials may also be viewed electronically at www.mountainview.gov. Staff reports are also available at the Council Chambers during the meeting.
The Council may take action on any matter noticed, and their consideration and action on the matters noticed is not limited by the recommendations indicated in the Agenda or staff report(s). The Council may consider and act on items listed on the agenda in any order and thus all those interested in an item listed on the agenda are advised to be present throughout the meeting (see Policy and Procedure A 13). The reading of the full text of ordinances and resolutions will be waived unless a Councilmember requests otherwise.
By policy, no new items of business will be started after 10:00 p.m., unless an exception is made by vote of the Council.
The Council meetings are cablecast live on Channel 26 on the Mountain View Comcast cable system and are replayed the week of the Council meeting on the following days.
- Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
If there is a live Environmental Planning Commission meeting on a Wednesday, the replay of the City Council meeting will be on a Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The City Council meeting tapes are made solely for facilitating the preparation of the minutes of the meetings. The tapes are available to members of the public to listen to during regular office hours in the City Clerk's Office and are recycled as necessary. A videotape copy of the meeting is also available at the City Library for checkout three days after a Council meeting.
Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990
Anyone who is planning to attend the next City Council meeting who is visually or hearing-impaired or has any disability that needs special assistance should call the City Clerk's Office at 903-6304 48 hours in advance of the Council meeting to arrange for assistance. Upon request, in advance, by a person with a disability, City Council meeting agendas and writings distributed during the meeting that are public records will be made available in the appropriate alternative format. Also upon request, in advance, an assistive listening device can be made available for use during the meeting.
Addressing the Council
Citizens may address the Council on items included in the agenda or on topics that are not included in the agenda. Items on the "Consent Calendar" are not discussed individually but are approved as a group with one motion. If a citizen wishes to speak on an item on the Consent Calendar, he or she may come to the podium at the time announced by the Mayor and request that the item be pulled. If an item is pulled, it is considered after the Consent Calendar items are voted upon. Anyone wishing to address the Council on a non-agenda item may do so during the "Oral Communications" part of the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak one time on any number of topics for up to three minutes.
In Public Hearings, an oral report is often first presented by City staff followed by questions from the Council. After this, the Mayor opens the hearing.
Speakers are requested to fill out a blue card available at the rear of the Council Chambers and deposit it at the podium when they come forward to speak; this is to assure that names and cities of residence are accurately recorded in the minutes. Remarks should be limited to three minutes. If a large group wishes to express its views, it is more effective to have one spokesperson.
City Boards, Commissions and Committees
City commissions and boards serve in an advisory capacity to the Council and take a closer look at matters ranging from zoning and land use to library policy, to parks and recreation programs, and to social concerns/cultural issues. Members are appointed by the Council for four-year terms. Applications are available at the City Clerk's office. All meetings are open to the public.
Vocabulary List
Minutes: The written record of prior actions presented to the Council for approval at the following meeting. Minutes are not considered official until approved by the Council.
