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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />JUNE 2, 2020 <br />TITLE: <br />REVIEW PROPOSED CHARTER <br />AMENDMENTS FROM THE AD HOC <br />CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE <br />AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO <br />STAFF <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1" Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For_ <br />CONTINUED TO <br />/s/ Kristine Ridge FILE NUMBER <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Review the proposed Charter amendments from the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee and <br />provide direction to staff. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Background <br />The City of Santa Ana is governed through a Charter authorized by the California Constitution. The <br />Charter is a vital document which establishes a degree of autonomy to local governments and <br />outlines certain authority and restrictions the City has over municipal affairs. The Charter addresses <br />important aspects of the City of Santa Ana's authority. The original Charter of the City of Santa <br />Ana was adopted by the voters in 1952. Modifications to the original document have been approved <br />by the voters on several occasions, with the last major amendment occurring as part of the <br />November 8, 2018 General Municipal Election. While most Charter amendments were prepared <br />and executed individually, the City has used a citizens advisory committee to review the Charter <br />only once (in 2005), and has deployed an ad hoc committee of the City Council in 2005, 2018, and <br />most recently in 2020. <br />2020 Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee <br />At the January 21, 2020 City Council meeting, Mayor Pulido appointed an ad hoc committee ("Ad <br />Hoc Charter Review Committee"), composed of Councilmembers Bacerra, Penaloza, and Solorio, <br />to review the current Charter and make recommendations to amend it. The City Attorney's Office, <br />City Manager's Office, and Clerk of the Council's Office provided staff support to the Ad Hoc <br />Charter Review Committee. Between March and May 2020, the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee <br />met 11 times. As a result of these meetings, the Ad Hoc Charter Review Committee recommends <br />17 Charter amendments, as well as presents five outstanding topics for discussion. These items <br />are outlined in the table below. <br />65A-1 <br />