Understanding the Town Council Agenda

Public Participation

The Town Council welcomes your participation at Town Council meetings. The public may comment on any item listed on the agenda. For items that are not listed on the agenda, the public may address the Town Council during the section titled “For the Good of the Town.”  For items that are listed on the agenda, the Mayor will call for speakers after the staff report is presented and prior to Town Council discussion.

There are several ways to address the Town Council.  Instructions are provided on every agenda (www.danville.ca.gov/agenda).

In-person:  Attend the meeting at the location listed on each agenda.  Complete the yellow “Request to Speak” form at the meeting.

Zoom:  Join the meeting via the link on the agenda. Use the “Raise Hand” feature. 

Email: Provide written comments by emailing the City Clerk prior to the deadline indicated on the agenda.  

Due to the number of items on the agenda and the length of Town Council meetings, speakers are asked to limit their remarks to three minutes. Spokespersons for a larger group may request more time.

Visual presentations by the public
Presentations must be reviewed for agenda relevance and formatting in advance of the meeting.  Contact the City Clerk a minimum of 24 hours prior to the Council meeting. 

Agenda Items

Presentations and Proclamations is a time allotted to formally recognize individuals or community organizations for their contributions or achievements.

Consent Calendar matters are considered to be routine in nature and will be acted upon in one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless requested by a member of the Town Council or the public, prior to the time the Town Council votes on the motion to adopt.

Communications and Council Reports are portions of the agenda reserved for staff, Commissioners or Councilmembers to provide informational updates to the Town Council.

Public Hearings are held on matters required by law or ordinance or on items of significance.  The Mayor begins a public hearing by asking for a staff presentation and a presentation by the proponent or applicant involved in the matter being discussed.  Town Councilmembers may ask questions of staff and individuals making presentations before the Mayor invites citizens to comment.  The Mayor will close the hearing before the Town Council takes action.

Administrative Staff Reports are those items that require Town Council discussion and/or decision but do not legally require a public hearing.  Town Council members may ask questions of staff and the individuals make presentations before the Mayor invites citizens to comment.  The Mayor will close the item to public comment before the Town Council takes action.

Town Council Actions

The Town Council takes actions in three ways:

Resolutions usually establish Town Council policy or direct certain types of administrative action.  They require a majority vote and are usually effective immediately.  Unlike an ordinance, a resolution requires only one reading and may be changed by a subsequent resolution. 

Ordinances are laws adopted by the Town Council which usually amend the Municipal Code or modify zoning designations.  Most ordinances require votes at two separate Town Council meetings – introduction at the first meeting followed by adoption at the second meeting.   Most ordinances become effective 30 days after adoption.

Under certain circumstances, the Town Council may pass an urgency ordinance that becomes effective immediately and must have a 4/5 vote of the Town Council.  An ordinance can be repealed only by another ordinance.

Motions are used to approve policy, establish procedures or provide direction to staff.