In Twist, Council Will Meet Friday, But Not Monday

The Memorial Day holiday is behind an unusual City Council end-of-May meeting schedule.

The City Council will meet on Friday in a special meeting, but go dark on Monday, its regular meeting day.

According to the Friday agenda the City Council will immediately recess to closed session for “consideration of initiation of litigation.”

The City is required to post the agenda under the Ralph M. Brown Act whenever the City Council meets, but is allowed by law to meet in closed session for certain matters.

The City is required to report to the public if any action is taken in the closed meeting.

The City Council will not meet on Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday. When elected officials return on June 5, several key public hearings are on tap.

The Council is scheduled to continue its public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 recommended operating budget.

This year the City Council is considering adopting a $1.2 billion budget, up from last year’s $955 million spending plan. The increase is largely due to Measure R funds.

“The Recommended Budget represents the City’s financial plan for FY 2024 and furthers the City’s mission to deliver exemplary municipal services responsive to our entire community and consistent with the City’s history, culture, and unique character, according to a City staff report,” the transmittal letter with the budget said.

The City Council is also scheduled to consider a substantial amendment to the annual Action Plan (2022-2023) for Home Investment Partnership Act Program Funds and community development block grant program funds. 

Every five years, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a process for consolidating the planning, application, reporting, and citizen participation process for the program. This consolidated plan assists the City in determining community needs and provides a community-wide dialogue regarding affordable housing and community development priorities. 

The Consolidated Plan is carried out through the Annual Action Plan, which provide a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific deferral and non-federal resources that will be used each year to address the priority needs and specific goals identified in the Consolidated Plan.

A continued public hearing on a Block 5 maintenance assessment district increase is also scheduled for the meeting.