2017-01-17 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Councilmember Villegas, acknowledge that being an elected official is a lot of work; direct ward elections would take away rights of all City residents to elect their representatives. Councilmember Tinajero, opined that candidates should be living in the Ward for at least a year; possibility for reform and consider Los Angeles model; strengthen the residency requirement; supports Mayor Pro Tem Martinez option for campaign reform; voters to decide if they would like full-time or part-time representatives; need to be inclusive and allow all to have opportunity to run for office; motion to direct staff to prepare documents to place on the ballot - change minimum residency requirement and campaign reform; option for full- time or part-time elected officials; and create task force to decide whether mayor is directly elected or not; seconded by Councilmember Benavides. Councilmember Solorio, open to discussing some areas and Charter in general; support placing on the ballot in November of 2018 and not as part of a special election; should not extend the term of any current member; residency requirement is defined in case law; special election may be cost prohibitive. Indicated that he has been transparent about his residency; concerned that surplus budget may have been due to unfilled vacancies; need to get finances in order in addition to using enterprise funds to fund other operations. Also, noted that unions have traditionally endorsed candidates, now fewer unions involved. Mayor Pulido, suggest that Charter Amendments should be placed on 2018 general election ballot; opined that City is fortunate that we don't have district election — need to focus on interest of the entire City; voters decide who should represent City, but City represented by officials that live in all areas; dissented on proposed motion. Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, noted that several changes were proposed in the past such as reform of Personnel Board, in addition to term limits; supports matter placed on the 2018 General Election to reduce cost. Also, staff should consider vacant funded positions be consolidated into one account that all departments can tap into account; noted that retirement of long term employees not funded; matters should be discussed and considered since planning is time consuming. City Attorney Carvalho, noted that any Charter Amendments need to be approved by the City Council no later than 88 days before Election Day. Councilmember Tinajero, stated for the record that elected officials that are termed out would not benefit from term extensions; community needs to decide or residents may consider initiative process. MOTION: Direct staff to place on the ballots following charter amendments - increase minimum residency requirement, campaign reform, option to have full-time or pan`. -time elected officials and task force to review option to have directly elected Mayor. MOTION: Tinajero SECOND: Benavides CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 26 JANUARY 17, 2017