The City of Livermore operates under the Council/Manager form of government. The Council, as the legislative body, represents the entire community and is empowered under the General Law of California to formulate City-wide policy.

The City Council is comprised of four Councilmembers and the Mayor. They are elected at-large by City voters. Councilmembers serve four-year terms and the Mayor serves a two-year term.

The City Manager is appointed by the Council and serves as the chief executive officer responsible for day-to-day administration of City affairs and implementation of Council policies.

The City Attorney, also appointed by the Council, advises and represents the City and Council on all legal matters.

The agenda is an official working guide from which the Council conducts its meetings. Prepared by staff in consultation with the Council, the agenda includes current legislative and policy issues which must be reviewed by the full Council. The Council cannot take action on items or issues which are not listed on the agenda.

Items are placed on the agenda at the request of Council or staff members. Citizens who would like the Council to review a particular item should send a formal written request to the office of the City Manager. The City Manager will review the item and the citizen will be notified on any action or follow-up.

Agendas are posted at the City Hall kiosk, at the Council Chambers and on the City's home page at least 72 hours prior to any regular Council meeting. The City's home page address is www.cityoflivermore.net. Copies of related staff reports are available in the Library and City Hall after 4:00 PM on the Thursday prior to the Monday meeting. The staff reports are also available at the Council Chambers on the night of the meeting.

Meeting Procedures

Addressing the Council

The City Council meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Council may hold closed sessions prior to the regular meetings to review specific issues in depth. With few exceptions limited by law, all Council meetings are open to the public.

Closed Sessions are meetings where the Council specifically addresses a personnel or litigation matter. For reasons of confidentiality, a closed session is the only session not open to the general public.

Every effort is made to ensure that citizens have ample opportunity to address the Council. At the beginning of the meeting, 30 minutes are set aside for Citizens Forum, allowing citizens to speak on any item not listed on the agenda. This time can also be used to announce upcoming community events. Speakers are limited to three minutes. No Council discussion or action is taken at that time.

The public has the opportunity to speak on all items listed on the agenda prior to final action by the Council. Once the Mayor has opened the item for discussion, citizens wishing to speak should approach the lectern, state name and address, and direct questions or comments to the Mayor.

How It Works: A Guide for Meeting Proceedings

The Consent Calendar is composed of those items which either implement an earlier City Council action or require only routine review by the Council. Only one motion is needed for the adoption of all items listed on the calendar. Any Councilmember, staff, or citizen can request that specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action.

Public Hearings are noticed according to law by publication in the local newspapers and/or by mailed notices to property owners.

Matters for Consideration is a portion of the meeting for items that require discussion and direction by the Council, and for informational updates from staff. Some items will include adoption of a resolution or introduction of an ordinance.

Ordinances are municipal laws affecting the general health, safety and welfare of the public. Most ordinances, except those dealing with elections and rezoning, become part of the Municipal Code. With the exception of emergency ordinances, all ordinances must go through two readings or presentations at two separate City Council meetings. Most ordinances do not become effective until thirty days after the approval of the second reading. Resolutions are formalized Council motions and are filed by number and subject in the City Clerk's office. Resolutions become effective upon passage, unless otherwise specified.

A Quorum of three Councilmembers is needed to convene a meeting for formal action on agenda items.

View the City Council Rules and Procedures.