HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/08/03 Item 13
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CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STATEMENT
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August 3, 2010, Item \'"2:,
ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,2010, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY, A MEASURE TO AMEND CITY CHARTER
ARTICLES III AND IX RELATING TO THE CREATION OF
COUNCIL DISTRICTS; CONSOLIDATING THE ELECTION
WITH THE STATEWIDE ELECTION; REQUESTING THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN
DIEGO TO PERMIT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS TO
CONDUCT SUCH ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY
CLERK OR HER DULY AUTHORIZED AGENTS TO
CARRY OUT THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR SUCH
ELECTION; DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO
PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE;
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
SUBMITTED BY: CITY ATTORNEY '13€f\/
4/5THS VOTE:
YES 0NO D
SUMMARY
At the July 13,2010 City Council meeting, the City Council directed the City Attorney's
office to draft and bring forth four (4) proposed Charter amendments for review,
discussion, and action by the City Council on July 27, 2010. During the July 27th
meeting, Council continued the item and requested that an accounting of available funds
be prepared to determine if sufficient funds were available in the elections budget to pay
for such measures to be placed on the November ballot or if such funds would need to be
appropriated.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The environmental review coordinator has reviewed this action and determined that it is
not a "project" as defined by CEQA.
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AUGUST 3,2010, Item 13
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RECOMMENDATION
None. The City Attorney's Office is returning to Council with this item based on the
request of the Council on July 27,2010.
DISCUSSION
At the June 22, 2010 City Council meeting, the City Council referred the issue of whether
a measure related to creating Council Districts should be placed on the November 2010
ballot to the Charter Review Commission for discussion.
At the Charter Review Commission's meeting of July I, 20 I 0, the Commission discussed
the referred item. The Commission was unanimous, each member holding the opinion
that the issue needed significantly more research, including reviewing the options for
establishing districts and ensuring that laws related to creating districts would not be
violated.
A report detailing the discussion of the Charter Review Commission was drafted and
presented to Council on July 13, 2010. Following the close of public comment, the Council
requested that the City Attorney's 0 ffice draft a proposed charter amendment that if
approved would provide the framework for and require the creation of Council Districts.
The Council additionally asked the City Clerk to prepare a rough estimate of costs
associated with placing a measure on the November 2010 ballot. The City Attorney's office
drafted proposed language for the Council's consideration and the City Clerk prepared an
estimate of costs.
At the Council meeting of July 27, 2010, during Council deliberation, the City Council
requested an accounting to determine if sutlicient funds were available in the elections
budget to place the measure on the November ballot.
DECISION MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not
site specific and, consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations
Section I 8704.2(a)(l) is not applicable to this decision.
CURRENT FISCAL IMP ACT
Having conducted the requested accounting, staff determined that insufficient funds are
available and additional monies would need to be appropriated to place the measure on the
ballot. Staff is returning to Council with this report and a new resolution for the ballot
measure, including a request for an appropriation of $50,000.. As previously noted, the City
Clerk provided an estimate of $35,000 to $50,000 to place an additional measure on the
ballot. It is recommended that $50,000 be appropriated in order to have sufficient funds
available for the associated costs. See Attachment B
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AUGUST 3, 2010. Item 13,
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ONGOING FISCAL IMP ACT
If submitted for the November 2010 consolidated statewide election, all costs would be
incurred in the current fiscal year. If adopted by the voters, the creation and
administration of Council districts would result in a significant staff time investment. For
example, staff time would be expended processing redistricting as a result of petitions,
mid-decade censuses and decade censuses. As the City has never had Council districts in
the past, it is not possible to quantify the fiscal impact associated with this Charter
amendment with specificity at this time
ATTACHMENTS
A. Amendments Establishing Districts
B. Election Cost Estimates
Prepared by: David kfiller, Deputy City Attorney
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ATTACHMENT A
Amendments Establishing Districts
ARTICLE III. CITY COUNCIL.
Sec. 300. Members, Eligibility and Terms.
A. There shall be a City Council of five members, consisting offour Cmmcilmembers,
elected by district, and a Mayor, elected from the City at large, at the times and in the
manner provided in this Charter.
B. Commencing with the 20]2 general municipal elections, no person shall be e1igib]e to
seek any Council District elective office unless they are residents of that District, and at
the time of their election or appointment, qualified electors residing in the District in
which they are seated. Each Councilmember holding a District OffIce shall reside within
their Council District during their entire term of office. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the term of office of a duly elected City Councilmember shaH not be
affected by the establishment or change in boundaries of a district that he or she
represents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision shall apply to Council seats one
(I) and two (2) starting with the 2014 general municipal elections.
E. A Council. seat shall be identified by a number one (1) through four (4), which number
shall correspond to the District contained within the boundaries established or thereafter
modified and identified by such number depicted on that certain "Official Council
District Map" on file in the Office of the City Clerk. Persons seeking election to the City
Council shall at the time of filing nomination papers, select one of said seats as the
Council position for which they seek election and identify said seat on all nomination
papers, certificates of election, and all election papers referring to the office.
ARTICLE IX. ELECTIONS
Sec. 905. MANNER OF ELECTION (COUNCIL DISTRICTS).
Beginning at the general municipal election of2012, the Council offices established
under Charter Section 300 shall be elected by district at the times and in the manner
provided in this Charter. The Oft Ice of Mayor shall continue to be elected on an at-large
basis. .
Sec. 906 DETERMINATION OF COUNCIL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
(DEFINITIONS).
Unless the particular provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions contained in
this s~ction shall govern the construction, meaning and application of words and phrases
used in this article.
(a) "Establishment" means the formation, by ordinance, of Councilmanic districts One
through Four and the determination of the boundaries thereof. The "Establishment" shall
be based on information contained in the United States 2010 decennial census.
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(b) "Modification" means any change by ordinance of the boundaries of Council
Districts previously established, however such change is initiated.
(c) "Council District Report" means a written document presented by the City Manager
that provides the Council with information, an analysis of such information, and a
recommendation for the Establishment or Modification of the boundaries of Council
Districts. Such Council District Report shall include:(1) the Council Districts proposed to
be Established or Modified; (2) the suggested boundaries for those districts to be
Established or Modified; and (3) such supporting information as the City Manager deems
relevant and material, which information may include maps, diagrams, tables, statistics,
and public comment.
Sec. 907. ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS.
On or before the first day of November 2011, the City Council, by ordinance, shall
establish the boundaries of all Council Districts of the City of Chula Vista. The districts
shall be nearly equal in population as may be and shall comply with the applicable
provisions of Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended. In
establishing the boundaries of the districts, the City Council shall review the Council
District Report and may give consideration to the following factors : (a) topography, (b)
geography, (c) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and (d)
community of interests of the districts. The City Council may establish further rules and
procedures by ordinance, consistent with this Article, to implement its provisions.
Sec. 908 MODIFICATION OF DISTRICTS
(a) Required Modification.
On or before the first day of November 2021 and on the November of the year following
the year in which each subsequent decennial federal census is taken. If the results of such
census identify changes in the population, which by la\v would require a change in
District boundaries, The Council, through the introduction and adoption of an ordinance,
shall adjust the affected Districts.
(b) Modification by Other Means. Modification proceedings may be initiated at any
time other than that identified in Section 908(a) by (1) the filing ofa petition pursuant to
the provisions of Section 912; (2) by the adoption of a resolution of initiation by the
Council at such time as Council deems necessary; or (3) on the fifth year following the
required modification proceedings identified in Section 908(a) based upon
recommendation of the City Manager, which recommendation shall identify observable
changes to the population of the city, including the composition thereof. The changes
identified shall be based on the federal mid-decade census or official census ofthe city,
The Council shall act on such a recommendation at a regularly scheduled Council
meeting.
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AUGUST 3, 2010, Item \~
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Sec. 909. DISTRICT BOUNDARY CRITERIA.
Council Districts are Established and Modified for the purpose of ensuring and enforcing
the rights and protections related to the right to vote granted by the state and federal
constitutions and associated rules and regulations by establishing district representation
that provides fair, just, and equal representation of all citizens of this city; protects those
classes of citizens who may otherwise be disenfranchised; and enhances the
representation of underserved areas of the city. In order to implement this guiding
principle, the following criteria shall be utilized in fixing Council District boundaries:
(a) Recognizing the sovereign power of the Charter City ofChula Vista, the District
boundaries shall conform to applicable State Law.
(b) Communities ofInterest. Any identifiable geographic concentration of persons
sharing common social, political, and economic interests shall be, insofar as reasonably
possible, located within the same Council District.
(c) Population. Population within the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as
may be according to the most current ofthe following: (1) population census of the
United States Bureau of the Census; (2) State of California Department of Finance City
and County Population Estimates; and (3) statistics compiled by the Development
Services Department based on (1) or (2) above. Any other census, estimate, survey, and
population projection may be considered.
(d) Boundary Lines. Unless good cause requires otherwise, Council district boundaries
shall be: (l) census tract lines of the United States Bureau of the Census; (2) streets
(excluding alleys), highways, or freeways; (3) railroad rights-of-way; (4) waterways; or
(5) natural or artificial barriers.
( e) Contiguous and Compact. To the extent possible, Council District boundaries shall
take into account the following requirements: (l) territory shall be so located in Council
Districts as to promote contiguity and compactness of such districts; (2) territory of a
Council District shall be contiguous except as to any territory which is wholly
noncontiguous to any Council District upon annexation; and (3) Council Districts shall be
compact except for any irregularity of the City of Chula Vista boundaries.
Sec. 910. DISTRICTING COMMITTEE.
The City Council may appoint a Committee composed of residents of the City of Chula
Vista to study the Establishment and Modification of Districts and make a report to the
City Council of its findings. If the Council chooses to form a Committee, it shall be
established on or before the first day in June of the year following the decennial fedcral
census. Any Committee formed by the City Council shall hold at least one public hearing
prior to submitting its report to the City Council. Any Committee appointed by the
Council shall submit its report on or before the first day in August of the year following
the year in which the decennial federal census is taken. If the City Council considers
Modifications to District boundaries based on a Petition, significant annexations or other
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AUGUST 3, 2010, Item \_-S
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shifts in population between the decennial censuses, it may form a Citizen's Advisory
Committee on terms it shall establish. Any Ordinance establishing District boundaries
shall not be subject to the Referendum provisions contained in Section 903 of this
Article.
Sec. 911. RESTRICTIONS ON MODIFICATIONS. Notwithstanding any other
provision ofthis Article, a Modification of the boundaries of a Council District shall not
be made within ninety (90) days prior to the final date of voter registration for an election
where thc boundaries are changed or between the general municipal election and the
special runoff election specified in Charter Section 300(G) for the affected Council
District, and no boundary shall be modified so as to exclude any incumbent from office
prior to the expiration of that incumbent's term.
Sec. 912. PETITION TO MODIFY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
Proceedings for the Modification of any Council district may be initiated by the filing of
a petition with the City Clerk in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(a) Contents. A petition shall consist of the following parts: (1) the names and residence
addresses of at least one but not more than five proponents of the petition; (2) a statement
and/or map identifying the Council Districts to be modified, describing the proposed
Modification, and containing reasons for such Modification; and (3) qualified signatures
of registered voters.
(b) Qualified Signatures. No signature shall be qualified unless personally affixcd by the
signer who additionally shall affix the date of such signature and his or her: (1) printed
name; (2) residence address, giving street and number, or ifno street or number exists,
adequate designation of residence so that the location may be readily ascertained; and (3)
the number of the Council district in which such residence address is located.
(c) Number of Qualified Signatures. The number of qualified signatures required to
initiate proceedings for the moditication of any Council' district shall be equal in number
to not less than 15% of the registered voters residing in a Council district to be affected
by the proposed Modification, or 10% of the registered voters of the city, according to the
County Clerk's last official report of registration to the Secretary of State; provided, that
only signatures which were affixed within the last ninety days immediately before the
petition is filed with the City Clerk shall be counted.
(d) Ascertainment of Requisite Signatures. Within thirty days from the filing of a
petition, the City Clerk shall ascertain whether or not the petition was signed in a timely
manner by the requisite number of qualified signatures. The City Clerk shall file with the
petition a certificate showing the results of the examination. The City Clerk shall give the
proponents a copy of the certificate upon their request.
(e) Insufficient Petition. If the petition contains an insufficient number of signatures on its
face, it shall be filed and no further proceedings had thereon. If the petition contains the
requisite number of signatures but an insufficient number are qualified, the petition may
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be supplemented within ten days of the date of the certificate by filing supplementary
petitions identical to the petition originally filed, except as to signatures and matters
required to be affixed by the signers,
(t) Supplementary Petition. Within ten days after the supplementary petitions are filed,
the City Clerk shall make a certificate showing whether or not the petition as
supplemented is sufficient.
(g) Insufficient Supplemented Petition. If the certificate shows that the petition as
supplemented is insufficient, no action shall be taken thereon and the petition shall
remain on file.
(h) Sufficient Petition. If the certificate shows that the petition, together with any
supplementary petition, is sufficient, it shall be submitted to the Council at its next
regular meeting. The certificate shall contain: (I) an identification of the Council
Districts to be modified; (2) a description of such Modification; (3) reasons for such
Modification; (4) the number of signatures required by this article; (5) the total number of
signatures on the petition: (6) the number of qualified signatures on the petition; and (7)
the number of disqualified signatures on the petition. Following Council action accepting
the petition as sufficient, proceedings to modify Council Districts shall be initiated.
SEe. 913. INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS TO ESTABLISH OR MODIFY
COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
(a) Notice of Initiation of Proceedings: Prior to any hearing to Establish or Modify
district boundaries, the City Clerk shall give notice that proceedings are being initiated
for such purpose as follows:(l) Publication of Notice. The City Clerk shall give notice of
the proceedings by: (i) publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in
the city; (ii) mailing copies of the notice to any individual, group, or organization which
has previously requested such notice; and (iii) posting notice on the City of Chula Vista's
official website. (2) Contents of Notice. The notice of proceedings shall contain the
following information: (i) the manner by which such proceedings were initiated; (ii) a
statement that a Council District Report is being prepared by the City Manager; and (iii) a
statement that public comment may be submitted in writing to the City Manager within
fifteen days after publication of the notice.
(b) Failure to give any notice specified in this section shall not invalidate any boundaries
fixed in accordance with the proceedings herein.
SEe. 914 HEARING ON COUNCIL DISTRICT REPORT
(a) Preparation of Report. No later than thirty days after publication of the notice of the
initiation of proceedings required by Sec 913, the {:ity Manager shall prepare, complete,
and file a Proposed Council District Report with the City Clerk.
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(b) Public Notice of Hearing on Report. The City Clerk shall give notice of the public
hearing on the Council District Report by publication at least once in a newspaper of
general circulation in the city no later than ten days after the filing of such Report. The
City Clerk shall also give notice by mailing copies of the notice to any imlividual, group,
or organization that has previously requested such notice. The notice shall also be posted
on the City of Chula Vista's official website. The notice shall contain the following
information: (1) a statement that proceedings for Establishment or Modification of
Council Districts, whichever is the event, are being held; (2) identification of the Council
Districts proposed to be Established or Modified; (3) the date, time, and place of the
hearing at which the Council District Report will be presented and at which public
comment may be given; and (4) a statement that the Council District Report is available
for public review in the office of the City Clerk and, if available at other public places for
review, the location of such other public places.
(c) Conduct of Council Hearing. On the time, date, and place identified on the Notice of
Public Hearing on the Report, at a regular City Council meeting, the Council shall
conduct a public hearing pursuant to City Council rules.
(d) Failure to give any notice specified in this section shall not invalidate any boundaries
fixed in accordance herewith.
SEC. 915. ADOPTING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES BY ORDINANCE.
Within fifteen days following the close of the hearing required by Section 913, the
Council shall, if the sufficient evidence is presented, by ordinance, approve the
boundaries set forth in the Council District Report, or such other boundaries as it deems
appropriate considering the criteria set forth in Section 909 and the public comment
received in accordance with this section.
SEC. 916. ADOPTION OF COUNCIL DISTRICT MAP.
(a) At the time of adoption of the ordinance approving district boundaries, such
boundaries shall be memorialized in a map bearing the following identification:
"COUNCIL DISTRICTS," which map shall Establish or Modify four Council Districts
and the boundaries thereof as designated on such map. The name of each Council district
designated in color on such map
(b) Such adopted map, as may be amended from time to time pursuant to this article, shall
be known as the "Official Council District Map."
(c) The Official Council District Map shall be kept on file in the City Clerk's Office. The
City Clerk shall keep a record of all ordinances amending the Official Council District
Map. The Development Services Department, or such department that may hereafter be
established to perform similar functions, shall immediately cause designation of such
amendments to be placed upon the Official Council District Map. The Official Council
District Map as adopted in the manner identified herein and as subsequently amended
shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and legality of the Council Districts
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designated thereon. The Development Services Department shall maintain the record of
the Office Council District Map, including by electronic media, as it may be amended by
Council.
SEe. 917. ANNEXATIONS.
Any territory, which is annexed or otherwise attached to the city, shall be allocated to a
Council District pursuant to the provisions of this section, etIective upon the completion
of such annexation or other proceedings.
(a) Contiguous Territory. If the annexed or otherwise attached territory's boundary is
contiguous to the boundary of not more than one Council District, such territory shall be
allocated to such Council District. If the territory's boundary is contiguous to the
boundaries of two or more Council Districts, the City Manager shall make
recommendations to the Council for the allocation of all or portions of the territory to
Council Districts based on criteria contained in this Section 900.
(b) Wholly Noncontiguous Territory. If the annexed or otherwise attached territory's
boundary is not contiguous with the boundary of any Council District, the distances
between the boundaries of such territory and Council Districts in the proximity of such
territory shall be ascertained, and such territory shall be allocated to the Council District
to which the distance is the shortest.
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A TT ACHMENT B
Election Cost Estimates
San Diego County Registrar of Voters:
November 2010 Election: $35,000 - $50,000 per measure (5-10 pages)
(The City's portion of the County's overall election costs is weighted based on the number of
registered voters, number of measures, and number of sample ballot pages needed.)
City Clerk's Staffing Cost Estimates:
Administration:
Campaign Statements:
Public Records Act Requests:
Records Management:
General Customer Service:
Average Supplies and Services:
Total
$8,600 per measure
$2,900 per measure
$2,200 per measure
$300 per measure
$1,600 per measure
$435 per measure
$ 16,305 per measure
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X+eA1L 1:3 Y/3/1O
'1!eVi<;tc 110'&>LuJt{)Yt
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY, A MEASURE TO AMEND CITY CHARTER ARTICLES
III AND IX RELATING TO THE CREATION OF COUNCIL
DISTRICTS; CONSOLIDATING THE ELECTION WITH THE
STATEWIDE ELECTION; REQUESTING THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO
PERMIT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS TO CONDUCT SUCH
ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK OR HER
DULY AUTHORIZED AGENTS TO CARRY OUT THE
NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR SUCH ELECTION;
DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE; AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
WHEREAS, Councilmember Mitch Thompson drafted and circulated a memo dated June
17,2010, related to establishing term limits for City Councilmembers and Mayor and placing a
measure on the November 2010 ballot; and
WHEREAS, at the June 22, 2010 City Council meeting this issue was discussed during
Councilmember Thompson's comments; and
WHEREAS, following discussion on the matter, City Council referred several items to
the City's Charter Review Commission for discussion: I) should the City establish term limits
for the Mayor and Council; 2) should similar term limits be established for the City Attorney; 3)
should the City establish council districts and hold district elections; and 4) should the City
eliminate mid-year elections and hold only a general election; and
WHEREAS, at the Charter Review Commission's meeting of July I, 2010, the
Commission discussed all of the referred items; and
WHEREAS, a report detailing the discussion of the Charter Review Commission was
drafted and presented to Council on July 13,2010; and
WHEREAS, following the close of public comment, the Council requested that the City
Attorney's office draft proposed charter amendments that if approved would: I) remove the
requirement that Councilmembers and the Mayor wait one year following serving two
consecutive terms prior to seeking nomination and election to an office of Councilor Mayor,
respectively, and limit the number of terms that an individual may serve as either a
Councilmember or Mayor to two lifetime terms; 2) establish a two term maximum lifetime limit
Resolution No.
Page 2
for individuals serving as the elected City Attorney; 3) provide the framework for and require the
creation of Council Districts; and 4) eliminate mid-year elections and remove the requirement
that an individual obtain a simple majority vote, thereby allowing the individual candidate
receiving the highest number of votes cast be deemed elected; and
WHEREAS, the Council additionally asked the City Clerk to prepare a rough estimate of
costs associated with placing a measure on the November 2010 ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's office and the City Clerk returned to City Council at the
time and date requested, which hearing was duly noticed, for the review and potential action of
City Council; and
WHEREAS, at the Council meeting on July 27, 2010, Council directed the City Clerk to
conduct an accounting to determine whether additional funds would need to be appropriated to
place a measure related to establishing Council Districts on the November 20 I 0 ballot; and
WHEREAS, insufficient funds are currently available, and additional monies in the
amount of $50,000 will need to be appropriated in order to place this measure on the ballot; and
WHEREAS, the Council previously authorized and called for a Special Municipal
Election in Resolutions No. 2010-148 and 2010-181 and the Council wishes to also authorize
and call for a special election for the purpose of submitting to the voters a Charter amendment, as
stated in Section 2 of this resolution, at the same November 2, 2010 Special Municipal Election
called for by Resolutions 2010-148 and 2010-181.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City ofChula Vista
as follows:
SECTION 1. All of the foregoing recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. That the City Council, pursuant to its right and authority, does order
submitted to the voters at the Special Municipal Election on November 2, 2010, the following
question:
Shall the Chula Vista City Charter be amended to provide
for the establishment of Council Districts and to have each YES
Councilmember elected by the voters of the
Councilmember's respective Council District?
NO
Resolution No.
Page 3
SECTION 3. That the proposed Charter amendment to be submitted to the voters is
attached as Exhibit "A."
SECTION 4. That notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the
City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of the
election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
SECTION 5. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9282, the City Council
hereby acknowledges its authority, and the authority of any individual voter who is eligible to
vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and
associations, to submit a written argument, not to exceed 300 words, for or against the measure.
Arguments must be submitted to the City Clerk, and may be changed until and including the date
fixed by the City Clerk, after which no arguments for or against the measure may be submitted,
withdrawn or changed.
SECTION 6. Pursuant Elections Code section 9285, rebuttal arguments will be allowed.
The rebuttal arguments may not exceed 250 words. Rebuttal arguments must be submitted to the
City Clerk, and may be changed until and including the date fixed by the City Clerk, after which
no rebuttal arguments for or against the proposed measure may be submitted to the City Clerk.
SECTION 7. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9280, the City Clerk is
directed to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney. The City Attorney is directed to
prepare an impartial analysis of the measure, not to exceed 500 words in length, showing the
effect of the measure on the existing law and the operation of the measure, and transmit such
impartial analysis to the City Clerk by the date fixed by the City Clerk.
SECTION 8. Pursuant to Elections Code section 10403, the Board of Supervisors of the
County of San Diego is hereby requested to permit the Registrar of Voters to perform and render
all services and proceedings, and to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices,
printed matter and all supplies and equipment and paraphernalia incidental to and connected with
the conduct of the election of the City of Chula Vista, in order to properly and lawfully conduct
the election.
SECTION 9. The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego is hereby requested
to consolidate this election with the statewide election to be held on the same day, in the same
territory. Pursuant to Section 10411 and Section 10418 of the Elections Code, (a) the election
shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election; (b) only one form of the ballot
shall be used; and (c) the Registrar of Voters of the County of San Diego shall canvass the
returns of the subject election as part of the canvass of returns of the election consolidated
hereby.
SECTION 10. Pursuant to Section 10410 and Section 10418 of the Elections Code
within the territories affected by this consolidation, the elections precincts, polling places, voting
booths and polling hours shall, in every case, be the same, and there shall be only one set of
elections officers in each set of the precincts.
Resolution No.
Page 4
SECTION II. The County of San Diego shall be reimbursed in full for the services
performed by the Registrar of Voters for the City of Chula Vista upon presentation of a bill
therefor, and this City agrees to indemnify and save free and harmless the County, its officers,
agents and employees from expense or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees, as a result
of an election contest arising after conduct of this election.
SECTION 12. The City Clerk is hereby directed to forthwith file a certified copy of this
resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters of the County of San Diego
and to issue instructions to the Registrar of Voters to take any and all steps necessary for the
holding of the election.
SECTION 13. That the ballots to be used at said election shall be, both as to form and
matter contained therein, such as may be required by law to be used therefor.
SECTION 14. That in all particulars not recited in this resolution, the election shall be
held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections in said City.
SECTION 15. That notice of the time and place of holding the election is hereby given
and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of
the election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
SECTION 16. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution, and file it with the City's original resolutions.
SECTION 17. That funds be appropriated to provide for the conduct of this Special
Municipal Election.
~
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A
SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010, FOR THE PURPOSE OF
SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE
CITY, A MEASURE TO AMEND CITY CHARTER ARTICLES
III AND IX RELATING TO THE CREATION OF COUNCIL
DISTRICTS; CONSOLIDATING THE ELECTION WITH THE
STATEWIDE ELECTION; REQUESTING THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO
PERMIT THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS TO CONDUCT SUCH
ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK OR HER
DULY AUTHORIZED AGENTS TO CARRY OUT THE
NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR SUCH ELECTION;
DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN
IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEASURE; AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
WHEREAS, Councilmember Mitch Thompson drafted and circulated a memo dated June
17,2010, related to establishing term limits for City Councilmembers and Mayor and placing a
measure on the November 2010 ballot; and
WHEREAS, at the June 22, 2010 City Council meeting this issue was discussed during
Councilmember Thompson's comments; and
WHEREAS, following discussion on the matter, City Council referred several items to
the City's Charter Review Commission for discussion: 1) should the City establish term limits
for the Mayor and Council; 2) should similar term limits be established for the City Attorney; 3)
should the City establish council districts and hold district elections; and 4) should the City
eliminate mid-year elections and hold only a general election; and
WHEREAS, at the Charter Review Commission's meeting of July 1, 2010, the
Commission discussed all of the referred items; and
WHEREAS, a report detailing the discussion of the Charter Review Commission was
drafted and presented to Council on July 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, following the close of public comment, the Council requested that the City
Attorney's office draft proposed charter amendments that if approved would: 1) remove the
requirement that Councilmembers and the Mayor wait one year following serving two
consecutive terms prior to seeking nomination and election to an office of Councilor Mayor,
respectively, and limit the number of terms that an individual may serve as either a
Councilmember or Mayor to two lifetime terms; 2) establish a two term maximum lifetime limit
13-12
Resolution No.
Page 2
for individuals serving as the elected City Attorney; 3) provide the framework for and require the
creation of Council Districts; and 4) eliminate mid-year elections and remove the requirement
that an individual obtain a simple majority vote, thereby allowing the individual candidate
receiving the highest number of votes cast be deemed elected; and
WHEREAS, the Council additionally asked the City Clerk to prepare a rough estimate of
costs associated with placing a measure on the November 2010 ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney's office and the City Clerk returned to City Council at the
time and date requested, which hearing was duly noticed, for the review and potential action of
City Council; and
WHEREAS, at the Council meeting on July 27,2010, Council directed the City Clerk to
conduct an accounting to determine whether additional funds would need to be appropriated to
place a measure related to establishing Council Districts on the November 2010 ballot; and
WHEREAS, insufficient funds are currently available, and additional monies in the
amount of $50,000 will need to be appropriated in order to place this measure on the ballot.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Chula
Vista does hereby call for and give notice of a special election to be held in said City on
Tuesday, November 2, 2101, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the city, a
measure to amend the City Charter Articles III and IX, relating to the creation of Council
Districts; consolidate the election with the statewide election; request the Board of Supervisors
of the County of San Diego to permit the Registrar of Voters to conduct such election; authorize
the City Clerk or her duly authorized agents to carry out the necessary procedures for such
election; direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure; and appropriate
funds therefor.
Presented by:
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