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He then asked City Attorney to review the basic legal framework of the City . City Attorney discussed the various legislative acts of Council , principal ones being by adoption of an ordinance or by adoption of a resolution . As a chartered city , certain acts specified by a charter are acted upon by ord - inance ; for example , appropriations over $2 , 000 . A legislative act adopted by ordinance generally is of higher stature than by resolution, and therefore becomes more permanent . He explained the purpose of codification , noting that certain ordinances such as those relating to appropriations were of insufficient permanence to be codified . He explained that zoning regulations are required to be adopted by ordinance , and for convenience these are kept in a separate bound volume . City ' s Zoning Ordinance has the basic number of 1100 , and has been amended many times . Such amendments can be initiated by a property owner , Planning Commission , or by Council , with final action where required by Council . With respect to adoption of resolutions , this provides a convenient legislative action which is easier to amend , and does not require introduction and adoption , nor the 30 -day period before becoming effective , and publication requirement , as in the case of an ordinance . There are certain instances where public hearings may not be required , but are desirable from a public relations standpoint . In addition to legislative acts , Council also acts as a quasijudicial function , for example , where an individual appeals an action . He noted that in this area , he had found that more and more , the courts are imposing court proceeding requirements . Another function of Council is to award leases of City property . City Attorney followed these remarks with more detailed comments with respect to rules imposed on Council as a chartered City . He pointed out that the Charter is adopted , and amendments made , by the electors , and the portions can become obsolete by preemption by the State . One important area under the procedural aspect concerns the Ralph M . Brown Act ( open meeting act ) which provides various safegwrds to protect the public against the holding of secret meetings , and which grew out of certain abuses by elected officials down through time . Exceptions are provided for to permit discussions in executive session of specified matters , such as certain personnel matters and matters of litigation . In addition , for purposes of discussion and instructing representatives under meet and confer provisions of Meyers--Milias - Brown Act , executive session is permitted . Requirement to adjourn to time and place certain inthe event of extraordinary meetings was explained . City Attorney also cautioned Council with regard to the importance of the area of conflict of interest . He pointed out one of his functions was to advise Adj . Reg . Mtg . 5 - 9-72