REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Certification of the November 5, 2024 Election Results for Ballot Measure E (Sunnyvale Main Library Measure) and Ballot Measure F (Charter Amendments)
Report
DISCUSSION
A General Municipal Election was held November 5, 2024 for the purpose of submitting to the voters Measure E (Sunnyvale Main Library Measure) and Ballot Measure F (Charter Amendments) as follows:
Measure E:
Sunnyvale Main Library Measure. To provide residents an accessible, modern, sustainable, earthquake-safe library; expand spaces for: collections, events, educational programs for children, teens and seniors; replace deteriorating plumbing, electrical, roofing; shall the measure of the City of Sunnyvale to issue $290,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates with a maximum levy of $27.47 per $100,000 of assessed value while bonds are outstanding, generating approximately $18,600,000 annually, with audits, citizen’s oversight, all funds used locally, be adopted?
Bonds Yes ___
Bonds No ___
Measure F:
Shall the Sunnyvale City Charter be amended to (1) eliminate the voter registration/citizenship requirement for members of all boards and commissions to remove barriers to volunteering; (2) change the required City Council meeting frequency from 2 meetings per month to at least 24 meetings per year, with no more than 6 weeks between meetings, to provide more scheduling flexibility; and (3) replace gendered references throughout the charter with gender-neutral language?
Yes ___
No ___
California Elections Code Sections 9269 and 10262 require the City Council to adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election no later than the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of returns. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) canvassed the returns of the election and presented the certified results to the City on December 5, 2025.
Measure E required a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast for approval. Measure E did not receive a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote and was not approved by the voters.
Measure F required a majority of votes cast for approval. Measure F did not receive a majority vote and was not approved by the voters.
The attached resolution (Attachment 1) recites the number of votes cast, percentage of the votes received by each measure as follows:
|
BALLOT MEASURES |
CHOICE |
VOTES |
PERCENT |
|
Measure E - Library Bond |
YES |
29,503 |
59.29% |
|
|
NO |
20,260 |
40.71% |
|
|
Total |
49,763 |
100.00% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measure F - Charter Amendment |
YES |
17,959 |
37.78% |
|
|
NO |
29,577 |
62.22% |
|
|
Total |
47,536 |
100.00% |
Total Registration: 71,844
In-Person Ballots Cast: 6,825
Vote by Mail Ballots Cast: 47,410
Total Ballots Cast: 54,235
Voter Turnout: 75.49%
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The adoption of the resolution certifying election results does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15378(b)(4) and 15378(b)(5) in that it is a fiscal and governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment and does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact resulting from certifying the election results.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Declaring the Canvas of Returns for the Consolidated Regular Municipal Election held November 5, 2024.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $250 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Declaring the Canvass of Returns for the Consolidated Regular Municipal Election held November 5, 2024 (Measures E and F)