Agenda Date: 01/13/2026
Subject:
Title
Discussion of Council Protocols and Standards of Conduct, Board and Commission appointment process, and other Council guiding documents
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk |
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Presentations: |
Reid Betzing, City Attorney Colleen L. Norton, City Clerk |
PURPOSE:
To review and discuss potential updates to Council’s Protocols and Standards of Conduct and other Council documents, and to review appointment process for the city’s various boards and commissions.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
It is common practice for councils to adopt standards of conduct to govern their own interactions, and in the case of Littleton, the interactions of council-appointed board and commission members. Council has reviewed their own Protocols and Standards of Conduct several times since initial adoption and has made amendments to them as necessary, most recently in 2022 to add Section XI. Accountability of Council/Board Members, defining possible violations and remedies for such.
Additional Council documents are attached, should the Council wish to discuss them. These documents, and potential certain others, at Council’s direction, could be packaged into a “handbook” to facilitate easier Council and public review in the future.
BACKGROUND:
Protocols and Standards of Conduct
Council’s Protocols and Standards of Conduct were created by the council and have been periodically updated to reflect the needs and desires of current councils. These documents are applicable to City Council, as well as the members of all boards and commissions appointed by council.
Rules of Engagement
Provides for an expectation of preparedness and informed participation.
Legislative Rules
Provides an outline for different types of meetings and the purpose for each, as well as how meetings will be conducted.
Horizon 2027 Strategic Plan
Adopted outline and roadmap to achieve Council’s long-term goals of Vibrant Community with Rich Culture, Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty, Robust and Resilient Economy, Safe Community, and High-Quality Governance.
Board and Commission Member Selection and Appointment Process
Recruitment for the city’s boards and commissions begins on, or as soon after as possible, December 1 of each year and runs through midnight on January 31. There are generally two nights in February, with an additional night, if necessary, held for board interviews.
Once all applications are received and reviewed to ensure qualifications, i.e., resident of the city or other board-specific requirements, staff informs council of the number of overall vacancies and the number of applications received. Council may decide to review applications before interviews are scheduled to reduce the number of interviews conducted or council may opt to interview all qualified applications.
After all interviews have been conducted, council will begin a process of discussion and recommendations, by board, for all vacancies. Staff will provide council with board summary sheets which will include a list of current members and terms, vacancies and terms, a brief description of the board’s responsibilities, and a list of all applicants for that board. Appointments will be made based on several factors, some of which are:
• Is this an application to continue serving on the body after a completed term but before the member is term limited?
• Does the applicant have specific skills, education, background, etc. that would lend to the specific body being considered.
• Attendance of existing members, and those reapplying, may also be considered for either reappointment or removal from a council appointed body.
The clerk will record all council recommendations and bring them forward to council for formal adoption at the first regular City Council meeting in March, with most terms beginning April 1.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council’s Protocols and Standards of Conduct were adopted in February 2016 with amendments adopted in 2017, 2018, and 2022.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A