Title
Recommendation to Consider Providing Direction to Staff to Prepare Charter Amendment Ballot Measure(s) and Potentially Determine the Election Dates when the Measure(s) will be on the Ballot. (City Attorney/City Clerk)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on City Council (Council) direction from previous meetings, potential City of Alameda Charter (Charter) amendment ballot measures are returning to the Council. Tonight, the Council may provide direction to staff about which measure(s) should go to the voters. Providing direction on the election dates when the measures should go to the voters may be addressed by the Council at the meeting tonight or at the June 16, 2020 regular meeting.
BACKGROUND
A Charter Review Subcommittee composed of Vice Mayor Knox White and Councilmember Daysog was formed to address potential Charter amendments. Most recently, the Council discussed potential Charter amendments on May 5, 6, and 7, 2020. The staff reports are attached as Exhibits 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
At the May 5 meeting, the City Council agreed to consider measures addressing Council pay (without including health benefits), the City Prosecutor, and other "cleanup" language.
On May 6, the Council expressed support for having Section 7-3 on the November 2020 ballot and directed staff to return with measure language in July that includes the Mayor and references State law.
On May 7, the Council approved Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft and Councilmember Oddie serving on a Subcommittee to address a potential measure regarding Article 26 (1973 Measure A).
DISCUSSION
The City Council is able to propose Charter amendments, but Charter amendments are required to be approved by the voters. At the May meetings, Council narrowed the number of Charter amendments to be addressed at this time.
Potential Items:
The 5 items to be addressed and the current Charter language for each are as follows:
A. Cleanup language: Co...
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