CCP124 Role of MayorCITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
COUNCIL POLICY
Subject: Effective Policy
Page Date Number
ROLE OF THE MAYOR
1 of 1 5/18/2010 124
The City of San Juan Capistrano has adopted what is commonly known as the "City
Manager Form of Government" pursuant to Government Code Section 34851 and
Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 2 (commencing with Section 2-5.201) of the San Juan
Capistrano Municipal Code. This form of government includes a "weak" Mayor whereby
the Mayor is a ceremonial position elected each year by the City Council. The Mayor
presides at all meetings of the City Council, consults with the City Manager on the
Council meeting agenda and order of items (pursuant to Policy #102) and represents
the City and Council at ceremonial events; such as ribbon-cuttings, City-sponsored
events, and proclamation presentations. The Mayor also signs resolutions, ordinances
and other official documents as approved by official action of the City Council. The
Mayor has no authority, voice or rights to information or participation greater than any
other City Council Member, except as it relates to the authority inherent in presiding at
City Council meetings and as the Council may from time to time delegate to the Mayor
(such as the right to appoint Mayoral subcommittees).
All Council Members have an equal vote and no Council Member, including the Mayor,
shall speak or write on behalf of the City or Council unless a majority of the Council has
approved the position being expressed in a properly agendized meeting. When
communicating the official position of the Council, such communications will reference
the position as that of the City or Council, and not any individual. Pursuant to Policy
#106, all correspondence shall be prepared by City staff for the Mayor or any Council
Member, as needed. Council Members, including the Mayor, may express their
personal views on issues so long as they clearly indicate that they are speaking
individually and not representing the City or Council, and such communications will not
be on City letterhead nor presented in such a manner as to appear to be an official City
position.
Pursuant to Section 2-5.210 of the Municipal Code, no Council Member, including the
Mayor, shall give orders or instruction to any City staff or consultant without the
approval of the City Manager. No individual Council Member or the Mayor shall give any
order or instruction to the City Manager. The Mayor and Council Members may express
their views and desires to the City Manager on any issue, but unless the direction has
been approved by a majority of the Council in a properly agendized meeting, the City
Manager shall be under no obligation to act upon the request. Rather, the City Manager
should use his or her best judgment as to the proper action, including seeking direction
or formal action from the overall Council at a properly agendized meeting.
###