Title
Adoption of Resolution Amending Resolution No. 15319, “Calling an Election to be Consolidated with the Statewide Election on November 6, 2018 and Submitting to the Voters at That Election a Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter Ordinance 3148 (Rent Stabilization Ordinance), with Certain Modifications,” by Amending Section 3 (Ballot Question). [Not heard on March 6, 2018] (City Clerk 2220)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Re: Adoption of Resolution Amending Resolution No. 15319, “Calling an Election to be Consolidated with the Statewide Election on November 6, 2018 and Submitting to the Voters at That Election a Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter Ordinance 3148 (Rent Stabilization Ordinance), with Certain Modifications,” by Amending Section 3 (Ballot Question)
BACKGROUND
On October 17, 2017, the City Council accepted the Certificate of Sufficiency for the initiative petition and adopted a resolution placing the Charter Amendment on the November 6, 2018 ballot. At the meeting, possible changes to the ballot question were discussed.
DISCUSSION
The City Council expressed an interest in amending the ballot question and has to adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 15319 to do so. State election law requires that the ballot pamphlet include a ballot question of no more than 75 words. The City Council is to approve the wording of the ballot question.
The ballot question presented on October 17, 2017 was:
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City of Alameda Ballot Measure: Shall the Charter be amended by incorporating Ordinance 3148, which (a) limits residential rent increases to once annually, (b) requires a process for review of residential rent increases above 5%, (c) restricts reasons for evictions, and (d) requires landlords to pay relocation fees when terminating certain tenancies, and by amending Ordinance 3148 to eliminate the sunset date of December 31, 2019, and the City Council’s authority to amend Ordinance 3148 in response to changing conditions and concerns? |
The revised proposed question is:
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City of Alameda Initiative Measure: Shall the Charter be amended by incorporating the City’s Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions law, with the following modifications: (a) preclude City Council from amending the law in response to changing conditions and concerns, and require voter approval instead, and (b) eliminate the December 31, 2019 sunset clause? |
As mentioned in the October 17, 2017 staff report, the City Clerk will place the matter of ballot arguments on a future agenda to provide notice of the deadline and allow the City Council to determine its interest in authoring an argument regarding the measure for printing in the sample ballot.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Placing the measure on the ballot for the next general municipal election on November 6, 2018, would cost approximately $25,000 for translation, typesetting, and printing the measure. There is sufficient budget in the City Clerk’s Office FY 2018-19 budget to cover the cost of this service.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Alameda City Charter Article 19 governs Municipal Elections.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project and is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 15378(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, as it concerns submittal of a charter amendment measure to the voters of the City of Alameda.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 15319, “Calling an Election to be Consolidated with the Statewide Election on November 6, 2018 and Submitting to the Voters at That Election a Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter Ordinance 3148 (Rent Stabilization Ordinance), with Certain Modifications,” by amending Section 3 (Ballot Question).
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Financial Impact Section Reviewed,
Edwin Gato, Acting Finance Director