HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 623�i\/�NEW- U
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER
1 "COUNCILMEMBER SALARIES" OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE TO
INCREASE COUNCILMEMBERS' SALARIES TO NINE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS A
MONTH
WHEREAS, Title 2, Chapter 1 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code ("Councilmember salaries")
was adopted to establish the Town of Los Altos Hill's (Town) salaries for City Councilmembers; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 36516 authorizes city councils in general law cities
to establish salaries for their members by ordinance based on the population of the city, and the salary
schedule set forth in Section 36516(a)(1) has remained unchanged since 1984; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill (SB) 329 of 2023 amended Section 36516 to update the population -based
salary schedule by ordinance for city council members in general law cities, including salary increases
up to $950 per month for cities with a population size of 35,000 or smaller; and
WHEREAS, the current Ordinance sets City Councilmembers salaries' at $300 per month and the
Town's population size was most recently estimated to be 8,489 based on the 2020 U.S. Census; and
WHEREAS, City Councilmembers devote significant time and effort to Town business, including
regular and special City Council meetings; study sessions, subcommittee assignments, and regional
agency participation; review of staff reports and agenda materials in preparation for council meetings;
responding to resident inquiries and conducting community outreach; and attendance at Town events
and ceremonial functions; and
WHEREAS, City Councilmember responsibilities routinely extend beyond formal meeting hours and
have increased in complexity due to regulatory mandates, fiscal oversight responsibilities, housing law
requirements, regional coordination efforts, and heightened community engagement expectations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Ordinance increases City Councilmember salaries from $300 per month to
$950 per month; and
WHEREAS, during the February 10, 2026, City Council meeting, Council discussed and gave
direction to Town staff to prepare an ordinance to increase the Council salary to $950 per month. The
Council, in giving this direction, concluded that such increase is an appropriate salary level within the
statutory maximum for the Town's population size and consistent with salary approaches used by
neighboring jurisdictions; and
WHEREAS, any increase will not take effect for a Councilmember during their current term of office
pursuant to Government Code Section 36516.5 and will only take effect starting in December 2028;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 36516(g), the ordinance must be introduced at one
regular meeting and adopted at a subsequent regular meeting at least seven days after the first meeting;
and
WHEREAS, adoption of this proposed Ordinance will align with the Legislature's stated intent under
SB 329 to reduce financial barriers to public service and recognize that modernized salary levels may
help encourage broader participation in local governance, including greater involvement from younger
ORDINANCE 623 11 P a g e
generations and working professionals who may otherwise face financial constraints in serving.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills hereby ordains as follows:
SECTION I. FINDINGS.
Based on the entirety of the record as described above, the City Council for the Town of Los Altos
Hills hereby makes the following findings:
1. All of the facts and recitals above are true, correct, incorporated herein, and made a part hereof.
2. Based on the entirety of the record before it, the City Council hereby finds that this proposed
Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Under Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA applies only
to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, and where it can
be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant
effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In this case, the proposed
amendment does not create any physical changes, approve any projects, or alter any environmental
or land uses and therefore does not have the potential or possibility to create significant
environmental effects. As such, the proposed Ordinance is exempt from CEQA.
3. The proposed Ordinance is consistent with the Legislature's stated intent under SB 329 to reduce
financial barriers to public service and recognize that modernized salary levels may help encourage
broader participation in local governance, including greater involvement from younger generations
and working professionals who may otherwise face financial constraints in serving.
SECTION H. AMENDMENT.
Chapter 1 of Title 2 of the Town of Los Altos Hills Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as set
forth in full herein.
The following sections in Title 2, Chapter 1 are amended as follows, with additions in red double
underline and deletions in stfikethfou . Sections, subsections, paragraphs, and texts not modified by
this amendment are not included below and shall remain in full force and effect.
§ 2-1.201. Councilmember salaries.
Each member of the City Council shall receive, as salary, MOM per month starting December 2028.
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held
invalid or unconstitutional the remainder of this Ordinance, including the application of such part or
provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall continue in full
force and effect. To this end, provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council of the Town
of Los Altos Hills hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection, subdivision,
paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections,
subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, or phrases be held unconstitutional, invalid,
or unenforceable.
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE AND PUBLICATION.
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Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 36933, a summary of this Ordinance shall be
prepared by the City Attorney. At least five (5) days prior to the Council meeting at which this
Ordinance is scheduled to be adopted, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the Summary, and (2) post in the
City Clerk's Office a certified copy of this Ordinance. Within fifteen (15) days after the adoption of this
Ordinance, the City Clerk shall (1) publish the summary, and (2) post in the City Clerk's Office a
certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those City Council members
voting for and against this Ordinance or otherwise voting. This Ordinance shall become effective on
December 2028.
INTRODUCED: April 16, 2026
PASSED: May 14, 2026
AYES: BHATEJA, TYSON, MOK, SWAN, TANKHA
NOES: NONE
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
BY:
Z,;� A4�-
ATTEST: ajiv B teja, Mayor
a Birdsong -Miller, C' Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_StevJLX4attas, City Attorney
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