1.  The City Council

A.  Membership. City councils in California consist of five or more members usually elected at-large (although an increasing number of council members are elected by districts) on a non-partisan basis. The mayor may be directly elected, but in most cities the mayor is chosen by the city council from its own membership to preside at council meetings and to act as the ceremonial head of the city. Unlike committee and board chairs under Roberts Rules of Order, the Mayor has a vote on every item before the City Council. Directly-elected mayors have certain additional power established by law.

In Laguna Woods, five council members are elected by popular vote of the entire electorate. The Mayor is appointed by the Council each December.

B.  Terms. In general law cities, council members serve four-year overlapping terms, with municipal elections being held on the following established election dates: (a) the second Tuesday in April of each even-numbered year (general municipal election), (b) the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year (school district election), (c) the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each year (statewide direct primary) or (d) the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year (statewide general election and general district election).

City Council or the electorate may a limit of consecutive or life term limits that an individual may serve on the city council. 

Laguna Woods’ municipal elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of even numbered years. Alternately, two or three seats are up for election every two years. There are currently no term limits.

C.  Compensation. The salaries of city council members are set within limits prescribed by either state law or local charter. Compensation is determined by either an act of the city council or by the voters. In a general law city, the Council may adopt an ordinance to increase salary by up to 5% each year beyond the statutory limit; however, such increases do not take effect immediately, but apply during the following term. The electorate may also increase or decrease councilmember salaries.

Laguna Woods’ Council members receive $300 per month in accordance with Government Code Section 36516 (a) (1) limits. Neither the Council nor the electorate has sought an increase since incorporation.

D.  Responsibilities. The city council enacts local laws, sets policy, approves programs, appropriates funds, and establishes local taxes and benefit assessments. The city council also generally, supervises the operations of the city government, the construction of public works, and provides to the citizenry a better, more attractive and healthier place to live.

The city council enacts laws by adopting ordinances. These ordinances are often compiled in a book called the municipal code, but may also be organized into specific subject-area codes, such as the zoning code. The city enforces these laws. Violation of city ordinances constitutes a misdemeanor or infraction. Other directives and policies of the city council are recorded in council resolutions or in the council minutes.

The city council may delegate certain authority to its employees, officers, boards, commissions, and committees. The legislative authority of the city council, however, cannot be delegated.

2.  City Officials

A.  The City Manager. The city manager is the administrative head of city government in cities with a council –manager form of government. The city manager is appointed by the city council to enforce city laws, to direct the daily operations of city government, to prepare and administer the municipal budget, and to implement the policies and programs initiated by the city council. The city manager is responsible to the city council as a whole and not to individual council members; he or she directs and coordinates the various departments.

Laguna Woods operates under a council-manager form of government.

B.  The City Attorney.  The city attorney is usually an appointed official, although a few cities have elected city attorneys. City attorneys serve the city on either a part-time or full-time basis. The city attorney is the legal advisor for the council and the city manager.  He or she provides general legal advice on all aspects of city business, represents the city in any legal action, handles the acquisition or condemnation of property, supervises assessment district proceedings, and prepares ordinances, contracts, resolutions and opinions. The City attorney does not serve as legal advisor to individual councilmembers in instances not related to city government, nor does he/she advise individual residents in the community.

The City Attorney in Laguna Woods is appointed by the City Council and serves on a part time basis. The Council has adopted an administrative policy that delegates contacts with, and coordination of, the majority of the city attorney’s activities through the city manager. 

C.  The City Clerk. In some cities, the clerk is an elected official, but in most cities, this position is appointed. The city clerk is charged with responsibility of maintaining records of council actions, maintaining a permanent record of all city transactions and documents, and managing the city’s elections.

The City Clerk in Laguna Woods is appointed by and reports to the City Manager.

D.  The City Treasurer. The city treasurer is responsible for the custody and investment of all city monies. In many cities, this position has been made an appointed position, but in some cities, the position is elective.

The Laguna Woods city manager serves as the City Treasurer and the assistant city manager as assistant treasurer.

E.  Boards, Commissions, and Special Committees. Boards, commissions and special committees composed of local citizens are frequently appointed by the city council to advise or to perform an administrative function in one or more aspects of city government. Typical advisory commissions include parks, recreation, traffic, youth and senior. Commissions commonly administrative in nature include planning, library, civil service and design review commissions. Often, commissions have specific independent authority which has been delegated to them by the City Council. 

The Laguna Woods city council has appointed five advisory committees – Planning, Community Services, Transportation, Human Relations and Water Quality. To date, the Council has appointed no Commissions.

F.  City Employees. One of the major investments a city makes is the city’s work force. City employees perform the day-to-day functions necessary to provide services to the community.

Department heads administer specific functions of city government and are responsible to the city manager. Examples of such positions are community development director, police and fire chief and finance director.

Miscellaneous employees may or may not be under the civic service and may or may not be entitled to pension rights under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).  Under state law, employees have been guaranteed the right to “meet and confer in good faith” (similar to collective bargaining) with the city council or its representative.

The City of Laguna Woods has seven full time employees not including the city manager. All employees are appointed by and report to the city manager. Due to the number of employees, the city does not have a traditional civil service system and there are no represented bargaining units.