HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-01 SpecialMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 1, 2012
CALLED TO ORDER
ATTENDANCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COUNCIL CHAMBER
22 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CA
4:44 P.M.
(Pursuant to SAMC 2-101 due to unavailability
of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem).
Clerk of the Council Huizar called the Council
Meeting to order with quorum established thru
presence of Councilmembers Benavides,
Martinez, Sarmiento and Tinajero (4)
Motion made by Councilmember Martinez,
seconded by Councilmember Sarmiento to
elect Councilmember Benavides as Chair.
Motion approved 4-0 (Alvarez, Bustamante,
and Pulido absent).
COUNCILMEMBERS Present:
P. DAVID BENAVIDES
MICHELE MARTINEZ
VINCENT F. SARMIENTO
SAL TINAJERO
COUNCILMEMBERS Absent:
MIGUEL PULIDO, Mayor
CLAUDIA C. ALVAREZ, Mayor Pro Tern
CARLOS BUSTAMANTE
STAFF Present:
PAUL M. WALTERS, City Manager
SONIA R. CARVALHO, City Attorney
MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of the Council
COUNCILMEMBER BENAVIDES
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 AUGUST 1, 2012
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Glen Stroud, resident of Riverview Neighborhood, supports proposed Charter
amendment to be consistent with City Council term limits; suggested Mayor term be
total of 12 years; noted that issue had be proposed by Charter Review Committee.
• Albert Castillo, supports term limits; supports the two (2) 4-year term option.
• Jeff Dickman, resident of Historic French Park neighborhood, represents Coalition
for Better Government, spoke in support of proposed measure; would prefer Mayor
and Council terms be same, but of options offered supports two (2) 4-year terms.
• Rob Cook, does not believe in term limits; measure would be a set-back to pre-1986.
• Tish Leon, applauded the City Council for considering measure; supports two (2) 4-
year terms.
BUSINESS CALENDAR
REPORT
65A SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 6, 2012 GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION: QUESTIONS RELATING TO CHANGES IN THE
CITY CHARTER REGARDING OFFICE OF MAYOR
Council discussion ensued.
Councilmember Martinez thanked staff for expedience in agendizing the
matter; time sensitive matter that requires action soon since OC Registrar of
Voter's Office has August 10, 2012 deadline; on-going dialogue on matter for
many years; reviewed options; opined that proposed amendment would bring
balance to the City Council.
City Attorney Carvalho clarified option 3 and noted that Mayor would serve at
the pleasure of the City Council. Also, any of the options would allow Mayor
to serve as City Councilmember for 12 years.
Councilmember Sarmiento also thanked staff for expedience; proposed
amendment allows the voters to decide; various options offered by the Ad
Hoc Committee for City Council consideration; noted that U.S. President and
State Legislators have term limits and allows for new vision and perspective;
favored option 1 that does not disrupt current office and is consistent with
other cities of similar size.
Councilmember Tinajero concerned with Option 3 because law would be in
effect in 2014; asked the City Attorney if separate election for Mayor could be
held in June of even number years to allow City Councilmembers to seek the
Mayor seat; requested a recess to allow staff to investigate possibility of June
Primary Election for Mayor seat.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2 AUGUST 1, 2012
COUNCIL RECESSED AT 5:28 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 5:38 P.M. WITH SAME
MEMBERS PRESENT.
City Attorney Carvalho indicated that June Primary Election is an option, but
would require a Special election either consolidated or stand alone and could
cost more than $300,000 for said election. Furthermore, the first election
would extend the term of the incumbent mayor until June, 2016 rather than
end in November, 2014.
Councilmember Sarmiento made motion to approve option 1 and amend
language to include a cap of twenty (20) consecutive years in office - 8 years
as mayor and 12 years as Councilmember.
MOTION:
1. Adopt a resolution as amended.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-034 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA GIVING NOTICE OF A THE CITY'S
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA ON NOVEMBER 6, 2012 FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
QUESTIONS TO THE VOTERS RELATING TO CHANGES IN THE
CITY'S CHARTER CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.
2. Adopt a resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-035 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AUTHORIZING COUNCILMEMBERS TO
FILE WRITTEN ARGUMENTS FOR OR AGAINST THE VARIOUS
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
3. Direct the Clerk of the Council to prepare guidelines for preparation
of arguments for or against the proposed Charter amendments, fix
the date for the submission of direct arguments and rebuttal
arguments, and post the notice for the argument process in
accordance with the provisions of the California State Elections
Code.
4. Authorize the City Attorney to prepare an Impartial Analysis for the
Charter amendment submitted to the voters as proposed.
5. Adopt a resolution as amended.
RESOLUTION NO. 2012-036 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SETTING FORTH THE LANGUAGE OF A
BALLOT TITLE FOR A CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT REGARDING
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO BE INCUDED ON THE BALLOT FOR THE
2012 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3 AUGUST 1, 2012
MOTION: Sarmiento SECOND: Tinajero
AYES: Benavides, Martinez, Sarmiento, Tinajero (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Alvarez, Bustamante, Pulido (3)
COMMENTS
90A CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS - None
90B CITY COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Tinajero:
• Commented on need to change infrastructure;
• Takes pride in allowing voters to decide; and
• Encouraged all to vote.
Councilmember Sarmiento:
• Thanked residents who addressed the City Council on matter and
colleagues for voting to place on the Ballot.
Councilmember Martinez:
• Noted that it was important for voters to ultimately decide on the matter;
and
• Thanked staff for efforts.
Councilmember Benavides:
• Commented that matter is not a new topic; and
• Thanked City Council for bringing matter before the voters for
consideration.
ADJOURNED - 5:55 PM - The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled for
Monday, August 6, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. for the Closed Session
Meeting immediately followed by the Regular Open Business
Meeting at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 22 Civic Center
Plaza, Santa Ana, California.
Maria'Huizar,
Clerk of the Council
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 4 AUGUST 1, 2012