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HomeMy WebLinkAbout65B - STAFF TO PREP RESO CHARTER COMMITTEEREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: JANUARY 21, 2020 TITLE DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE AND CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 5, 11 /s/Kristine CITY MANAGER CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: ❑ As Recommended ❑ As Amended ❑ Ordinance on 1sf Reading ❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading ❑ Implementing Resolution ❑ Set Public Hearing For_ CONTINUED TO FILE NUMBER RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Direct staff to prepare a resolution establishing a Charter Review Committee for consideration at the February 4, 2020 City Council meeting. 2. Call for applications to serve on a Charter Review Committee. BACKGROUND The City of Santa Ana is governed through a Charter authorized by the California Constitution. The Charter is a vital document which establishes a degree of autonomy to local governments and outlines certain authority and restrictions the City has over municipal affairs. The Charter addresses important aspects of Santa Ana's authority. The original Charter of the City of Santa Ana was adopted by the voters on 1952. Modifications to the original document have been approved by the voters on several occasions, with the last major amendment occurring as part of the November 8, 2018 General Municipal Election. While most Charter amendments were prepared and executed individually, the City has used an advisory committee to review the Charter only once. On May 2, 2005, the City Council created an Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of reviewing the City's Charter. The Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the then -current City Charter and made several recommendations for changes to various sections in the Charter. On September 19, 2005, at the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee, the City Council created the Charter Amendment Citizens' Task Force ("Task Force"), an advisory body, and directed members to review and comment on the Ad Hoc Committee's recommended amendments. After a series of meetings, the Task Force made several suggestions related to the proposed changes and submitted the revised proposals to the Ad Hoc Committee for final consideration. The Ad Hoc Committee met on January 31, 2006 and approved proposed Charter amendments. Following this meeting, between April and June 2006, the City Council held four work study sessions at regularly scheduled City Council meetings to evaluate the proposed Charter amendments. The Ad Hoc Committee further recommended that the proposals be submitted 65B-1 Charter Review Committee January 21, 2020 Page 2 to the voters at a special election to be consolidated with the General Municipal Election that was held on November 7, 2006. Five ballot measures were submitted to the voters: • Measure Z: Amendments to Charter Sections 400 (start date for term of office), 413 (ordinance introduction), and 1200 (calling of elections) • Measure AA: Amendments to Charter Sections 421 and 422 (contract provisions) • Measure BB: Amendments to Charter Section 401 (eight year eligibility waiting period for councilmembers) • Measure CC: Amendments to Charter Section 901 (board and commission appointment process) • Measure DD: Amendments to Charter Sections 901.1 (prohibition against serving as treasurer), 910 (Planning Commission responsibilities), 911 (prohibition against City employment for Personnel Board members), and 912 (jurisdiction of Personnel Board) All five ballot measures received a majority vote, were accepted by the Secretary of State, and became effective. At this time, members of the City Council have expressed a desire to create an advisory committee to perform a comprehensive review of the City Charter ("Charter Review Committee"). About Charter Review Committees The purpose of a Charter Review Committee is to conduct an evaluation of a city's Charter, which includes preparing recommendations relating to amending the Charter, and advising the City Council of their findings. As an advisory body, a Charter Review Committee would do the following: • Engage community members, City staff, and the City Council relating to research and analysis of current or proposed amendments to the City Charter • Help coordinate community members, staff, and City Council's ideas with regard to potential Charter amendments • Formulate specific language for proposed Charter amendments in a form appropriate for placement on the ballot • Prepare and submit proposed ballot arguments in favor of or against proposed Charter amendments Guidelines for Structuring a Charter Review Committee The structure of a Charter Review Committee varies. For example, the City could structure a Charter Review Committee using the following criteria: • Establish a Charter Review Committee by adoption of a resolution to do so • Create a seven -person Charter Review Committee, composed of one resident from each ward, along with an at -large representative o Each member would be appointed by the City Council upon recommendation from each member of the City Council relating to the ward in which he or she represents • Identify eligibility criteria for Charter Review Committee members, which includes the following: o Be a Santa Ana resident 65B-2 Charter Review Committee January 21, 2020 Page 3 o Demonstrate both interest and knowledge of local government administration and operations o Be able to commit to the necessary time required to conduct a Charter review • Designate City staff and/or third -party consultants who are subject matter experts to facilitate all aspects of the Charter Review Committee • Prepare a regular, recurring meeting schedule, along with a work plan to carefully articulate the Charter Review Committee's purpose, goals, and timeline of activities • Develop a plan to engage the community from the beginning and openly share relevant data Next Steps Upon City Council direction to proceed, staff will prepare a resolution, to be considered by the City Council at the February 4, 2020 meeting, which establishes a Charter Review Committee using the guidelines described above. Additionally, the City will call for applications to fill the Charter Review Committee using the eligibility criteria described above. Applications will be made available immediately and will be accepted until a date to be determined. The applications will be reviewed by staff to determine eligibility, and eligible applicants will be considered by the City Council and appointed at a future meeting. At this time, staff seeks feedback relating to establishing a Charter Review Committee using the above guidelines. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 - Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #1 (establish a comprehensive community engagement initiative to expand access to information and create opportunities for stakeholders to play an active role in discussing public policy and setting priorities). FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. L•