MEMORANDUM TO CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Review Charter Review Committee Scope and Discuss Work Plan
Report
Scope of the Charter Review Committee
The Scope of the Charter Review Committee is to analyze and propose alternatives for amending City Charter Section 604 (Filling Vacancies in Council Seats). The Charter Review Committee (CRC) will meet as needed, from January through April 2018. The CRC is expected to complete its task and make recommendations to the City Council by May 2018. The City Council will consider the recommendations of the CRC tentatively in June 2018 and will provide direction at that time to prepare and submit a ballot measure (Charter Amendment) to City voters on the November 6, 2018 General Municipal Election ballot.
Background
Report to Council No. 17-0668 Direction on Potential Charter Amendments to Revise Sections 604 (Filling Vacancies in Council Seats) and 606 (Designation of Vice Mayor) (Study Issue) (included in Attachment 2) provides a brief history of Sunnyvale City Charter provisions and election history relating to Council vacancies, a summary of the current requirements for filling a Council vacancy under Charter Section 604, and outlines potential options for amending Section 604 to minimize potential special election costs while balancing the public interest in directly electing Councilmembers.
Staff will make a short presentation summarizing Report to Council No. 17-068 and upon its conclusion the Committee can ask questions and discuss the establishment of a Work Plan to develop recommendations to the City Council by May 2018.
ATTACHMENT
1. Sunnyvale City Charter Section 604
2. Compilation of Staff Reports and Council Actions Following Resignation of Councilmember in April 2016