CITY COUNCIL
The City of El Paso de Robles was incorporated on March 11, 1889. It is a general law (vs. charter) City with a “Council-Manager” general law form of government. The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, is the Chief Executive/Administrative Head of government, including being empowered to appoint all city department heads (with the exception of the City Attorney).
Residents elect the Mayor and four Councilmembers at large, making each accountable to the entire citizenry. The Council acts as the board of directors of the municipal corporation and meets in a public forum where citizens may participate in the governmental process. Council meeting Agendas are listed here.
The City Council establishes City policies, approves ordinances and resolutions, makes land use decisions, approves agreements and contracts, hears appeals on decisions made by City staff or advisory committees, and sets the budget and utility rates. The Mayor and City Councilmembers receive a monthly stipend set by resolution.
Ad hoc committees consist of 1 or 2 members of the City Council who are appointed by the City Council to perform specific tasks, usually working with staff or representatives from local organizations. An ad hoc committee functions for a limited period of time, reporting back to the full Council periodically during the duration of the committee or at its termination. Meeting times are not fixed and are normally coordinated by staff. Download and view the current Ad Hoc Committees list.
The City Council solicits advice from various Advisory Body Committees and Commissions. Each Councilmember may serve as a liaison to one or more advisory body committees. Each Councilmember may also represent the City on various regional boards and commissions (view Liaison Assignments).
Regular Council Meetings
The council holds regular meetings the first and third
Tuesdays of each month starting at 7:30 p.m. The Mayor chairs
City Council meetings and is the presiding officer for the City
Council, but does not have veto power. All statements and
questions during Council meetings must be addressed to the Mayor
and City Council.
Minutes of council meetings, and
resolutions and ordinances passed by the Council are all
maintained by the
City Clerk's Office.
The council may also meet in closed sessions from time to time, usually before or after the regular meeting.
Special Meetings
Special meetings are held when called for by the Mayor or a majority of the Council
with appropriate notice.
City Council meetings are open to the public with the exception of Closed Sessions. The public is invited to attend the meetings and to speak on issues on the agenda. The current agenda is available at City Hall, the Paso Robles Library, online or at the door of the meetings. You may also have an electronic copy of the agenda e-mailed to you by calling the City Clerk’s office and asking to be added to the agenda distribution list.
