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TERRY R. DOWDALL <br />trd@dowdalllaw.com <br />JAN D. BRESLAUER <br />jdb@dowdalllaw.com <br />MARVIN B. ADVIENTO <br />mba@dowdalllaw.com <br />August 28, 2023 <br />Via Electronic Mail <br />DOWDALL LAW OFFICES <br />A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION <br />ATTORNEYS AT LAW <br />284 NORTH GLASSELL STREET <br />FIRST FLOOR <br />ORANGE, CALIFORNIA 92866-1409 <br />WWW.DOWDALLLAW.COM <br />City of Santa Ana <br />Mayor, Valerie Amezcua <br />Councilperson Thai Viet Phan <br />Councilperson David Penaloza <br />Councilperson Jessie Lopez <br />Councilperson Phil Bacerra <br />Councilperson Johnathan Ryan Hernandez <br />Councilperson Benjamin Vazquez <br />Area Code 714 <br />TELEPHONE 532.2222 <br />FACSIMILE 532.3238 <br />IN REPLY REFER TO: <br />Re: OPPOSITION TO AUGUST 29, 2023 AGENDA ITEM #21: PROPOSED ACTION <br />VIOLATES SANTA ANA CHARTER, STATE LAW, AND CALIFORNIA <br />CONSTITUTION.' <br />Executive Summary <br />The City Council has been asked to consider amending the process for passage of <br />ordinances imposing rent control, requiring a 5/7 vote for amendment. The proposal is void <br />in ipso principio, because: <br />1. Preemptive state law requires majority vote for ordinances: California Government <br />Code expressly requires majority vote for passage of ordinances. The proposal violates state law. <br />2. City Charter requires majority vote for ordinances: City Charter also requires a <br />majority vote for ordinances. Democratic governance is a matter of statewide concern and not <br />subject to the provincial bent of charter city "home rule." <br />3. Changes in Charter requirements require voter approval: The California Constitution <br />permits amendment of a charter only upon voter approval. A Council cannot itself amend the <br />charter ipse dixit. The proposal discards the charter in favor of government by edict of a super <br />legislature. <br />4. The proposal violates due process of law: the proposal is bereft of a rational basis. <br />There are no findings to justify eliminating democratic principles guaranteed in the Charter. <br />5. A City Council qua Super Legislature: The proposal overturns the requirement of <br />majority vote, thus scuttling the Charter by whim of the tyrant. This seditious proposal dispenses <br />with rights of the council. An unprincipled rejection of American democracy. <br />' City of Santa Ana Agenda for Item 21, August 29, 2023, special meeting: "Discuss and <br />consider directing the City Manager to prepare an ordinance for City Council's consideration to <br />amend the City of Santa Ana's rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinance to require <br />supermajority approval of the Ordinance." <br />