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Recommendation to Review Ballot Argument Against the Initiative Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter, Ordinance 3148 Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions, with Certain Modifications, on the November 6, 2018 Ballot. (City Clerk 2220)
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To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Re: Recommendation to Review Ballot Argument Against the Initiative Measure that Proposes to Amend the City Charter by Incorporating into the Charter, Ordinance 3148 Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions, with Certain Modifications, on the November 6, 2018 Ballot
BACKGROUND
On October 17, 2017, the City Council accepted the Certificate of Sufficiency for an initiative petition and adopted Resolution No. 15319, “Calling an Election to be Consolidated with the General Municipal and Statewide General 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, with Certain Modifications.”
On March 20, 2018, the City Council subsequently adopted Resolution No. 15363 amending the ballot question to read:
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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? |
On June 19, 2018, the City Council appointed a subcommittee of Vice Mayor Vella and Councilmember Matarrese to draft the ballot argument against the measure (Exhibit 1) for printing in the voter information guide.
DISCUSSION
Argument Against
The subcommittee prepared the argument against the measure for the entire City Council to review and edit tonight. The Council also needs to decide who will sign the argument. The options are: 1) have the entire Council sign; 2) have a combination of Councilmembers and other eligible voters sign; or 3) have up to five other eligible voters sign. Signers’ original signatures are needed on a Declaration of Authors form, which is available from and can be completed at the City Clerk’s office. Signatures must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Rebuttal Argument
In addition to the direct argument, Resolution No. 15319 provides that rebuttal arguments can be filed. The rebuttal argument and Declaration of Authors form must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018. The rebuttal is limited to 250 words. On June 19, 2018, the City Council voted to have the subcommittee of Vice Mayor Vella and Councilmember Matarrese draft the rebuttal argument. If Council wishes to review the rebuttal argument, a special meeting would have to be called on Wednesday, July 18th. If a special meeting is not called, Council must decide who will sign the argument tonight or, alternatively, can defer the decision to the subcommittee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Placing the measure on November 6, 2018 ballot will cost approximately $25,000 for translation, typesetting, and printing the measure. There are sufficient appropriations allocated in the City Clerk’s Office Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget to cover the costs.
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
Review the ballot argument against the initiative measure that proposes to amend the City Charter by incorporating into the Charter, Ordinance 3148 Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions, with certain modifications, on the November 6, 2018 Ballot.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk
Exhibit:
1. Draft Argument