Agenda Packet_2022-08-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Voter Ballot Measure to Amend the City Charter August 2, 2022 Page 5 Two New Items Section 607: Budget Adoption This amendment would change the voting requirement to approve the City budget from a majority of the City Council to a two-thirds vote of the City Council. This change would be consistent Section 609 relating to the two-thirds voting requirement to appropriate City funds. Sections 401 and 404, and Proposed New Section 401.01) This amendment would impose a "lifetime ban" by removing the eight -year cooling -off provision (sections 401 and 404). This means that after a Mayor or member of the City Council has reached their term limit (four 2-year terms for Mayor and three 4-year terms for Councilmember), they would no longer be eligible to serve on the City Council. The full text of each of the Charter amendments is attached to this staff report as Exhibit A to the attached resolution (Exhibit 1). Next Steps The California Elections Code requires that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Exhibit 1) to place the voter ballot measure before the voters at least 88 days in advance of the election. By adopting the attached resolution, the City will meet this deadline and have the voter ballot measure before the voters at the November 8, 2022 General Municipal Election. Second, the City may file written arguments in favor or against the voter ballot measure by members of the City Council, any individual voter eligible to vote on the voter ballot measure, or a bona fide association of such citizens, or any combination thereof. The Elections Code specifies that members of the City Council may be given preference and priority. If the attached resolution is adopted, any member of the City council who desires to submit an argument will be able to do so. Third, the City Council may direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the voter ballot measure that explains the effect of such voter ballot measure on existing law and the operation of the voter ballot measure. The impartial analysis would not exceed 500 words in length. The impartial analysis would be printed in the voter information guide. This direction is included in the attached resolution. Finally, if the attached resolution is adopted, the Clerk of the Council would be required to file a certified copy with the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters of Orange County at least 88 days before the date of the election. Furthermore, as the City's elections official, the Clerk of the Council would be required to publish legal notices relating to the General Municipal Election as prescribed by state law, along with other tasks. Conclusion The proposed voter ballot measure, if approved by a majority of qualified voters, would approve all of these proposed Charter amendments. By placing the measure on the ballot, the City City Council 18 — 5 8/2/2022