REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, AICP, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: ASHLEY ATKINSON, AICP, Assistant Director
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
BILL - (For Introduction) Amending Section 2-603 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the Publication of Legal Notices (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council amend Section 2-603 of the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) to remove references to specific newspapers and require publication in any newspaper of general circulation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FMC Section 2-603(a) indicates all legal notices shall be posted on the City Clerk’s website and published in the Fresno Bee, and The Business Journal when a second publication is required by law. This ordinance amendment updates Section 2-603 of the Fresno Municipal Code to modernize the City’s legal notice publication requirements. The revision removes references to specific newspapers and instead requires that all legal notices be posted on the City Clerk’s website and published in a newspaper of general circulation, consistent with state law. This change provides greater flexibility, reduces reliance on named publications, and supports more efficient administrative practices.
BACKGROUND
FMC Section 2-603 currently requires legal notices to be published in the Fresno Bee and, when a second publication is required by law, in The Business Journal. Naming specific publications in the Municipal Code limits the City’s ability to adapt to changes in newspaper availability, circulation, or cost. California law requires publication in a “newspaper of general circulation,” but does not mandate the use of any particular publication. Updating the ordinance to reflect this standard ensures compliance with state law while allowing the City Clerk’s Office to select the most appropriate and cost effective publication options.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed amendment to Section 2-603 is not expected to create any new fiscal impacts. By removing references to specific newspapers and allowing publication in any newspaper of general circulation, the City may realize cost savings through increased flexibility and the ability to select more cost-effective publication options.
Attachment:
Ordinance Amending Section 2-603 of the Fresno Municipal Code