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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1978/01/05 MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CHULA VISTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Held Thursday - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 1978 An adjourned regular meeting was held of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista and the Board of Education, Chula Vista City Elementary School District, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on the above date in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue. 1. ROLL CALL Councilmen present: Mayor Hyde, Councilmen Hobel, Cox, Scott, Egdahl Councilmen absent: None School Members present: Superintendent Len Servetter, Peter Watry, Jon Miller, Joseph Cummings and Gloria Johnson Staff present: City Manager Cole, City Attorney Lindberg, Assistant City Manager Asmus 2. REVIEW OF PROPOSED CHARTER Mr. Jon Miller said the purpose of the school representa- AMENDMENTS AS RECOMMENDED tives meeting with the Council today is to have some BY THE CHARTER REVIEW COM- input regarding the proposed amendments to the Charter MITTEE specifically as it pertains to the change in the election date. Dr. Servetter remarked that Mrs. Judy Bauer, President of the Board, could not be present today; however, she expressed her concern with the proposed recommendation to go to a June election indicating that, with all other issues that would be on this ballot, the school district issues "would be lost in the shuffle." Mayor Hyde suggested a March election - the same as all general law cities. Discussion followed regarding the advantages and dis- advantages of a March election; consolidating city elec- tions with the school district elections which occur in the odd years; the extended length of terms for members of the Board of Education and Council if the change passes; and the effective date of such changes. Lois Richards, Chairperson Mrs. Richards stated that the Committee, for some years Charter Review Committee now, has been considering the change in election dates. Last year, they asked the three school districts for input and it was the consensus of the districts that the elec- tions be consolidated. She added that the June election date was recommended because Easter vacation generally falls around the April election and this could affect school bonds and the City's budget process the Council starts its deliberations around the first of May. Dr. Servetter commented that the school district budget must be adopted the first 10 days of August, and accord- ing to all statistics, the best time for a school election is in September. R. T. Denny Mr. Denny expressed his concern with the City and School Registrar of Voters District consolidating with the June Statewide election stating there are so many measures on this ballot, that it could possibly go to two pages. Historically, the longer the ballot, the more the people will just vote on the top issues and not vote on the others. Joint Meeting -2- January 5, 1978 Run off In answer to the Council's query, City Attorney Lindberg indicated that Chula Vista, beingaCharter City, could stipulate a special date for a run-off election if an election held in March necessitated such. Consensus of School Board Mayor Hyde summarized the consensus of the Board: (1) if there is to be a change in the election date, they would prefer a March election; (2)consolidate with the City elections. SECTION 1202 - Eligibility Mayor Hyde noted that the Charter Review Committee has recommended deletion of the requirement that a candidate for the school board office be a resident of the dis- trict for at least one year preceding his election or appointment. A general discussion was held in which the members of the Board expressed their opinions concerning this recommenda- tion: (Miller) a member of the Board should live in the District for at least one year in order to familiarize himself with the issues; (Watry) favor of keeping the requirement in; (Cummings) none of the candidates are really that knowledgeable about the office prior to getting elected and the provisions should be removed. City Attorney Lindberg stated that the residency require- ment in terms of the time period prior to the election is generally held to be unconstitutional, and the City has removed it from the Charter as it pertains to Councilmen. If this requirement ~s not removed from the Charter, the City would continue to enforce it but it would be subject to a challenge by a candidate for that office. The City Clerk would issue the nomination papers, and it would go on the ballot. If the person elected did not satisfy the requirements of this Section, then that person would be denied the opportunity of being sworn in to office. Mr. Lindberg added that the candidate does not have to sign an affidavit when taking out nomination papers stat- ing that he has lived in the district for the one-year residency requirement. The City Clerk does not have the authority to question the candidate - a citizen would have this right and then it would take court action. In answer to the Council's query, Mr. Lindberg stated that the City could provide an affidavit for the candi- date to sign stating he has lived in the district for one year; however, he could chose not to sign this affi- davit and then be subject to challenge at a later date. Mr. Watry indicated that the feelings of the members are "mixed" on this issue and they would recommend placing it on the ballot. The Members of the School Board left the meeting at this time. Motion for March election It was moved by Mayor Hyde and seconded by Councilman date Scott that the City opt for the general municipal elec- tion to be held at the same time as the elections are held for general law cities which iscurrently in March of the even-numbered years. Joint Meeting -3- January 5, 1978 Discussion of motion Discussion ensued concerning merits of a March election date. Councilman Egdahl noted that the candidates would have to take out their nomination papers in December and the holidays are very poor time to campaign; Councilman Scott spoke against the June date favoring a moYe to the odd-numbered years and consolidating with the school districts in order to save money; moving from April to March does not accomplish anything; having the election in April affords the City exclusive publicity on its election. City Clerk Fulasz discussed the cost of the election; the number of absentee ballots received when the election falls during Easter vacation; and the survey made several months ago by the Southwestern College district concern- ing consolidation of all elections. Substitute motion It was moved by Councilman Cox and seconded by Council- man Hobel that this item be continued - put it in abeyance for a period of time until the Council has had an oppor- tunity to contact the three school districts within the boundaries of the City with the idea of considering this change on the June primary election and also to pursue the possibility of legislative changes to allow the schools to change their election dates to the even- numbered years. Councilman Egdahl clarified the motion stating that the reference to the June election was to put this measure on the June election and not the City changing its elec- tion date to June. The motion carried unanimously. SECTION 300 - Members and Mrs. Richards remarked that the major change in this Terms section was to hold the Mayor's election at the same time as the Council's election in the even-numbered years. Motion not to adopt change It was moved by Councilman Scott and seconded by Council- man Hobel that this change not be adopted. Discussion of motion Councilman Cox spoke against the motion noting that it would be cost-saving; Councilman Scott commented that when the Mayor runs, the Councilmen get very little publicity; Councilman Egdahl felt the Mayor's position is being proposed at this time as a full-time position and it should be maintained in a separate election - "it would be money well-spent." City Attorney Lindberg remarked that the Mayor's election, occurring in the odd- numbered years could be consolidated with the school dis- trict elections. Mrs. Richards noted that the cost of the Mayor's election could cover two year's salary of the Mayor at the present time. She added that the Committee is further proposing a change in the job description of the Mayor. Motion carried The motion not to change Section 300 carried by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hyde, Egdahl Noes: Councilman Cox Absent: None Joint Meeting -4- January 5, 1978 Numbered Seats Councilman Hobel discussed the last Charter change which numbered the Council's seat indicating that it turned out to be a protective measure for the incumbents as no candidate opts to challenge an incumbent. Motion to change numbered It was moved by Councilman Hobel and seconded by Council- seats man Egdahl that the Council consider putting this (change) on the ballot - to eliminate the numbered seats. Discussion of motion The Council discussed the issue of candidates getting a majority vote, the run-off possibility and the other changes in the Charter that would have to be made if this motion passes. Mrs. Richards recalled the reasons made by the Charter Review Committee in recommending this change stating it was one of philosophy and not personality. Substitute motion It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- man Scott and unanimously carried that this proposal be referred back to the Charter Review Committee along with the rest of Section 300 for consideration to be placed on the June election. SECTION 304 - It was moved by Councilman Scott and seconded by Council- Presiding Officer, Mayor man Hobel that the recommended changes in this Section be approved. Councilman Hobel questioned the proposed change that the Mayor is to represent the City in all regional public agencies which require an elected City official. It was noted that it would require a majority vote of the Council to change this amendment. Hours at work for Mayor Councilman Egdahl discussed the change which referred to the Mayor working du~ing the u~ual business hours t~t thc City offices are open plu~ such other hours .... He felt this was too rigid. Motion to change wording It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by Council- man Egdahl and unanimously carried that the word plu~ be changed to and. Expenses for Mayor Councilman Scott questioned having the sum of $100 per month spelled out in the Charter change. City Manager Cole suggested the amount be designed by Council resolution. Motion to change wording It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- regarding expenses man Scott and unanimously carried that the wording be changed to The Mayor shall a~so be r~imbursed for Council authorized trav~ and relo~ed expe~es and a sum per month as set by r~olu~ion of the City Counc~ .... " Topic changes It was moved by Mayor Hyde, seconded by Councilman Egdahl and unanimously carried that the following changes be made to Section 304: 1. After (bi,insert the title D~ties. 2. Change (9) to {c) and insert the title Compe~Lon. 3. Change (c) to (d). Main motion carried The main motion to approve the recommended changes, along with the amendments carried unanimously. Joint Meeting -5- January 5, 1978 SECTION 1000 - General Municipal Elections Mayor Hyde noted that this Section has been referred back to the Charter Review Committee for consideration for the June ballot. SECTION 1202 - It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- Eligibility man Cox and unanimously carried that approval be given to this one. 3. REPORT OF CITY MANAGER City Manager Cole submitted a memo to the Council REGARDING GRANT FUNDS from the Assistant City Manager in which Mr. Asmus AVAILABLE UNDER THE stated that the staff is in the process of determining ROBERTI-Z'BERG URBAN a project for which the grant money of $47,580 can be OPEN SPACE AND RECREA- used and a report will be forwarded to the Council by TION PROGRAM the last meeting in January with this recommendation. Motion to accept report It was moved by Mayor Hyde, seconded by Councilman Scott and unanimously carried that the report be accepted. 4. REPORTS AND COMMENTS City Manager Cole asked that the agenda item for the Conference of January 12 regarding his report on City department reorganization be continued to the confer- ence of January 26, 1978. Request granted It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- man Scott and unanimously carried that this be approved. PROPOSITION 12 - Councilman Cox discussed Proposition 12 which will be Jarvis Amendment placed on the June 8 ballot which would cut the propert'~ tax revenues by 2/3s. This would go into effect July 1 of this year. Motion for staff report It was moved by Councilman Cox, seconded by Council- man Scott and unanimously carried that the staff be asked to analyze the implications of passage of this particular proposition on the City budget and the services it can provide. Housing for Low-Income Councilman Egdahl noted that this proposition will be Citizens put on the April ballot, and it would require some publicity to inform the citizens the importance of this as a tooZ which the City may or may not use, but without it, federal grant monies can be lost. Councilman Scott commented that it would be put into the arguments going to the registered voters; the Mayor said he would mention it in his State of the City message; citizens groups could be used to promote the proposition. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hyde adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.