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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-8-13 CRC Agenda Full Date:Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Time:6:00 p.m. Location:City Hall, Bldg. A, Executive Conference Room #103 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA Charter Review Commission Regular Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________ In-Person Public Comments: Join us for the Charter Review Commission meeting at the time and location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Each person will be allotted three minutes to address the Commission. Electronic Public Comments: At  www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting and click on the comment bubble icon. Select the item and click on "Leave Comment." The deadline to submit e-comments or any comments emailed to CRC@chulavistaca.gov will be noon on the day of the meeting. Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request modifications or accommodations in order to access and/or participate in a Charter Review Commission meeting by contacting the commission staff at CRC@chulavistaca.gov (California Relay Service is available for the hearing impaired by dialing 711) at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting. Pages 1.CALL TO ORDER 2.ROLL CALL Commissioners Castillo, Disharoon, Keyes, Vice-Chair Lopez., and Chair Buddingh 3.PUBLIC COMMENTS Persons may address the Board on any subject matter within the Board’s jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the Board from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if appropriate, the Board may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the matter to staff. If you wish to comment, please submit comments electronically at: www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda. 4.ACTION ITEMS The Item(s) listed in this section of the agenda will be considered individually by the Board and are expected to elicit discussion and deliberation. If you wish to comment on one of these items, you may do so at www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda. 4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes 5 Recommended Action: Commission to approve the minutes dated May 14, 2025. 4.2 Written Communications 10 Recommended Action: Consider Request for Excused Absence, Commissioner Hopida requesting from the February 12, 2025, Charter Review Commission meeting. Recommended Action: Consider Request for Excused Absence, Vice Chair Lopez from the May 14, 2025, Charter Review Commission meeting. Recommended Action: Consider Request for Excused Absence, Commissioner Castillo from the August 13, 2025, Charter Review Commission meeting. 4.3 Discussion and potential action to establish an Independent Auditor's Office Ad Hoc Sub-Committee Recommended Action: Discuss and take action as appropriate to establish an Independent Auditor's Office Ad Hoc Sub-Committee. City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Page 2 of 13 4.4 Discussion of the Annual Activities Report and Authorize Chair Buddingh to Work with Staff to Finalize and Submit 13 Recommended Action: Authorize Chair Buddingh to work with staff to finalize and submit the Annual Activities report. 4.5 Election of Chair and Vice Chair for Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026 Recommended Action: Nominate and elect Chair and Vice Chair for fiscal year 2025-26. 4.6 Discussion and potential action to appoint a Charter Review Commissioner and alternate Charter Review Commissioner to serve on an interview panel for current and upcoming vacancies on the Board of Ethics Pursuant to Chula Vista Municipal Code Section 2.28.050(A)(1) When a vacancy occurs, the City Clerk shall forward applications for membership on the Board of Ethics for review by a panel consisting of one Charter Review Commission member appointed by the Charter Review Commission and one Board of Ethics member appointed by the Board of Ethics. Recommended Action: To appoint a Charter Review Commissioner and alternate Charter Review Commissioner to serve on an interview panel for current and upcoming vacancies on the Board of Ethics. 5.PRESENTATIONS The following item(s) will be presentations given to the Commission. Action on these item(s) is typically limited to the Commission receiving the presentation and providing direction or feedback to staff, as appropriate. If you wish to speak on an item, please fill out a “Request to speak” form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting or submit an electronic comment per the instructions on page one of this agenda. 5.1 Discussion of Potential City Charter Amendment Allowing City Council to Appoint the City Attorney To discuss a potential City Charter Amendment Section 503 recommendation to the City Council allowing the City Attorney to be appointed by the City Council rather than an elected position, and to take action as appropriate. 5.2 Commissioner Disharoon to provide an update on his meeting with City staff regarding the unsheltered population. 6.STAFF COMMENTS 7.CHAIR'S COMMENTS 8.COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Page 3 of 13 9.ADJOURNMENT to the regular meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Materials provided to the Charter Review Commission relating to any open- session item on this agenda are available for public review by contacting the City Attorney's Office at CRC@chulavistaca.gov. City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Page 4 of 13 Page 1 City of Chula Vista Regular Charter Review Commission Meeting MINUTES May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. City Hall, Bldg. A, Executive Conference Room #103 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA Present: Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, Commissioner Hopida, Chair Buddingh Absent: Commissioner Keyes, Vice Chair Lopez Also Present: City Attorney Verdugo and Secretary Montalvo Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda. _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Charter Review Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Secretary Montalvo called the roll. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Robert spoke in favor of accountability. 4. ACTION ITEMS 4.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes Chair Buddingh asked Secretary Montalvo to amend the minutes to clarify Mr. Hanu spoke on behalf of the Association of Local Government Auditors. Moved by Commissioner Disharoon Seconded by Commissioner Hopida Page 5 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda 2025-05-14 Charter Review Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 Commission to approve the minutes dated February 12, 202 5. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, Commissioner Hopida, and Chair Buddingh Result:Carried (4 to 0) 4.2 Written Communications Commission to approve the absence of Commissioner Keyes from the May 14, 2025, Charter Review Commission meeting. Moved by Commissioner Disharoon Seconded by Commissioner Hopida The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, Commissioner Hopida, and Chair Buddingh Result:Carried (4 to 0) 4.3 Discussion of Modification to Charter Section 303 (C) (3) Chair Buddingh spoke in favor of amending the time to fill a vacancy from 45 days to 60 days. Commissioner Disharoon agreed it was a good idea. Moved by Chair Buddingh Seconded by Commissioner Hopida Commission to take to City Council the proposed modification to Charter Section 303 (c) (3) to allow up to 60 days to fill a vacancy by appointment for a City Council vacancy. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, Commissioner Hopida, and Chair Buddingh Result:Carried (4 to 0) Page 6 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda 2025-05-14 Charter Review Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 4.4 Discussion of Potential City Charter Amendment Allowing City Council to Appoint the City Attorney Theresa wrote in opposition to appointing the City Attorney. Robert spoke in opposition to appointing the City Attorney. Chair Buddingh spoke in favor of appointing the City Attorney and shared that having an elected City Attorney politicizes the office, and those not in the legal field do not understand the position of City Attorney. Commissioner Disharoon spoke in favor of the City Council appointing the City Attorney, as this would limit the political ramifications. Commissioner Hopida spoke in opposition and worried that the City Attorney would lose their independence and accountability if appointed. Commissioner Castillo spoke in favor of appointing the City Attorney due to the cost of holding an election for the City Attorney. Moved by Chair Buddingh Seconded by Commissioner Disharoon Commission to recommend to the City Council to amend City Charter Amendment Section 503 allowing the City Attorney to be appointed by the City Council rather than an elected position. The motion failed by the following vote: Yes (3): Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, and Chair Buddingh No (1): Commissioner Hopida Result:Defeated (3 to 1) 4.5 Discussion of Potential City Charter Amendment to add an Independent Auditor's Office Matthew Helm spoke on behalf of the Association of Local Government Auditors in favor of creating an independent auditor's off ice. Robert spoke in favor of accountability and transparency. Chair Buddingh spoke in favor of recommending to the City Council to create an independent auditor's office. Page 7 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda 2025-05-14 Charter Review Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 Commissioner Hopida spoke in favor of bringing this item to the City Council for their consideration. City Attorney Verdugo shared that the City is currently obtaining and contracting for auditing services, as well as obtaining an ethics hotline. The City Attorney's Office is currently reviewing a contract for auditing services. Director of Finance Sarah Schoen shared that the City is required to rotate auditing partners every five years. Having an external auditor allows access to multiple areas of expertise within the firm opposed to a three to four-person department. The City's contract is $225,000 per year, which is significantly less than the proposed $900,000. Deputy City Manager Courtney Chase shared that the City takes audits seriously and stated that the City has already been working to find an audit system that works best for the City of Chula Vista. Commissioner Disharoon spoke in favor of recommending to the City Council to create an independent auditor's office. Moved by Commissioner Disharoon Seconded by Commissioner Hopida Commission to discuss and potentially take action to establish an Independent Auditor's Office Ad Hoc Sub-Committee at the next meeting. The motion was carried by the following vote: Yes (4): Commissioner Castillo, Commissioner Disharoon, Commissioner Hopida, and Chair Buddingh Result:Carried (4 to 0) 4.6 Discussion of Potential Creation of a Sub-Committee to Address Homelessness Commissioner Disharoon spoke in favor of the creation of a Sub - Committee to Address Homelessness and would like to lead it. Chair Buddingh recommended the commission make a presentation to the housing commission to find out if this is something that needs to be changed in the Charter. Page 8 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda 2025-05-14 Charter Review Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 Deputy City Manager Courtney Chase shared that housing and homelessness is working on a strategic plan with multiple departments to address the homeless crisis. Commissioner Hopida shared that the issue is complex and supports speaking at the housing and homelessness commission opposed to creating an ad-hoc. Chair Buddingh would like to table until the next meeting. 5. PRESENTATIONS 6. STAFF COMMENTS City Attorney Verdugo thanked everyone for attending. 7. CHAIR'S COMMENTS 8. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Hopida shared it was his last meeting as he has served for eight years. He thanked everyone and shared it was a pleasure working with the commission. Commissioner Disharoon shared it has been an honor serving with Commissioner Hopida. Commissioner Castillo shared it was his first meeting and thanked everyone for the opportunity. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Sydnie Montalvo, Secretary _________________________ Sydnie Montalvo, Commission Secretary Page 9 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Page 10 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Request for Excused Absence Form – 6/19 REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE City of Chula Vista Boards, Commissions, and Committees Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Absence: _________________________________ Board/Commission/Committee: _________________________________________________________________________________ Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.25.110 (C) allows board/commission/committee members, by a majority vote, to excuse a fellow board, commission, or committee member’s absence from a meeting for any of the reasons listed below. A member who is absent from three consecutive, regular meetings will be deemed to have vacated his or her membership, unless the member’s absence is excused by a majority vote of the other members. An absence is only recorded as “excused” upon receipt of a member’s request and majority vote of the board/commission/committee to excuse the absence. Accordingly, if you have been absent from a regular meeting, please complete and submit this form to the chair or secretary. Please indicate the reason for the absence: 1.Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend of the member; 2.Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of the member at a meeting; 3.Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was provided to the respective board or commission in advance of the meeting; 4.Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony, wedding, or other similarly significant event; 5.Unexpected, emergency situation that prohibits the member’s attendance; or 6.Other reason for which the member has given notice to the secretary of his or her unavailability at least seven days in advance of the meeting. OR The absence was not for any of the above-listed reasons. I understand that the absence will be recorded as unexcused. I certify the reason for the absence indicated above is true and correct. Member’s Signature: ___________________ Date: _____________________________ If completed by secretary or staff to board/commission/committee: Completed on member’s behalf by: _____________________________, per member’s Verbal Written request on: _________________. (date) (secretary/liaison’s name) U-14-25 Charter Review 3-24-25 Victor Lopez 4 Page 11 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Request for Excused Absence Form – 6/19 REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE City of Chula Vista Boards, Commissions, and Committees Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Absence: _________________________________ Board/Commission/Committee: _________________________________________________________________________________ Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.25.110 (C) allows board/commission/committee members, by a majority vote, to excuse a fellow board, commission, or committee member’s absence from a meeting for any of the reasons listed below. A member who is absent from three consecutive, regular meetings will be deemed to have vacated his or her membership, unless the member’s absence is excused by a majority vote of the other members. An absence is only recorded as “excused” upon receipt of a member’s request and majority vote of the board/commission/committee to excuse the absence. Accordingly, if you have been absent from a regular meeting, please complete and submit this form to the chair or secretary. Please indicate the reason for the absence:  1. Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend of the member;  2. Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of the member at a meeting;  3. Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was provided to the respective board or commission in advance of the meeting;  4. Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony, wedding, or other similarly significant event;  5. Unexpected, emergency situation that prohibits the member’s attendance; or  6. Other reason for which the member has given notice to the secretary of his or her unavailability at least seven days in advance of the meeting. OR  The absence was not for any of the above-listed reasons. I understand that the absence will be recorded as unexcused. I certify the reason for the absence indicated above is true and correct. Member’s Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________ If completed by secretary or staff to board/commission/committee: Completed on member’s behalf by: _____________________________, per member’s  Verbal  Written request on: _________________. (date) (secretary/liaison’s name) 7/31/2025 August 13, 2025 Charter Review Commission Sydnie Montalvo Guillermo Castillo 4 4 Page 12 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda Page 1 of 1 F Charter Review Commission Highlights of Activities During Fiscal Year 2024-25 1. Discussion regarding potential amendment to Charter Section 503 (D) Remove City Attorney Residency Requirement. 2. Discussion regarding Rank Choice Voting. 3. Worked with sub-committee on proposed modifications to Charter Section 303(C)(3), including review, discussion, and direction/action on proposed edits to proposed ordinance. 4. Worked with sub-committee on proposed modifications to Charter Section 503, including review, discussion, and direction/action on proposed amendment to allow the City Council to appoint the City Attorney. 5. Discussion and research on potential City Charter amendment to add an independent auditor’s office. 6. Discussion on addressing homelessness and assessing whether a charter amendment was applicable. Board/Commission Comments or Recommendations to Council The Commission recommends that the Council modify Charter Section 303(C)(3), regarding vacancies of more than One Year but less than Twenty-Five Months remaining in term, to allow the Council up to 60 days to fill a Council vacancy be appointment instead of the current deadline of 45 days. The Commission will continue to explore the above-referenced issues as well as any other issues raised by community members. With respect to the issue of Rank Choice Voting, while noting potential benefits of various forms of Rank Choice Voting, the consensus of the Commission is that it would be cost prohibitive to implement unless some other city within the County of San Diego (or the County itself) agreed to adopt a Rank Choice Voting procedure. Page 13 of 13 City of Chula Vista Charter Review Commission August 13, 2025 Agenda