City Council
MEETING DATE: 2/24/2016
TITLE:
Title
Draft City Charter
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council review the draft charter, discuss and provide direction to staff.
Body
BACKGROUND:
On February 11, 2015 City Council adopted a resolution establishing priority goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The goals were developed at the Council's planning retreat held on January 24, 2015. Among the adopted goals was an item covering governance issues: "Hold a series of study sessions on governance issues and develop a plan to move toward a fall election on those requiring voter consideration." Among the topics listed under the goal were the following:
Adoption of a City Charter
Elimination of direct election of the Mayor
Elimination of the elected City Clerk position
Possible elimination of the elected City Treasurer
Expansion of allowed uses of Public Arts Funds
Annexation into the Desert Recreation District
On June 10, 2015 Council held a study session discussion on the possible referral of a City Charter to the voters. Included in the discussion were the first four topics listed above. The other two items, expansion of uses of the Public Arts Fund and Annexation into the Desert Recreation District were determined to be separate issues not relevant to a Charter and have been handled separately. At the June 10 meeting Council decided to appoint a subcommittee, consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Pettis and Councilmember Kaplan, to develop a draft Charter for further Council consideration.
The Council subcommittee met on two occasions to review charters from other Cities and discuss policy questions related to a charter. A draft charter was developed as a result and was reviewed by Council during study session on December 9, 2015.
DISCUSSION:
Since the last study session discussion on December 9 the new City Attorney has started work and he and his staff have reviewed the Charter and made a few suggested revisions for Council to consider. The city attorney's staff have provided suggested revisions to the draft as follows:
-Added a new Section authorizing the Council to set the maximum amount of any fines, penalties or forfeitures for violation of City ordinances or resolutions.
-Added a new section authorizing economic development activities and specifically listing the types of economic development activities that are allowed.
-Added a new section authorizing franchises for the use of City rights of way and property generally, and requiring the payment of compensation in exchange for the grant of a franchise.
-Revised the provisions related to moving to elections by districts to require the change to be made effective with the November 2018 election.
-Clarified that the change to an appointed mayor will occur once the term of the current elected Mayor is over.
-Clarified the provision regarding reductions in Council compensation to tie any mandatory reduction to a similar reduction approved or imposed on a group of represented employees.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Elimination of the elected City Clerk and/or City Treasurer positions would result in an annual savings of approximately $25,000 each.
The cost to refer a measure to the voters will range from approximately $11,200 to $21,200.
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft City Charter