REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Direction on Potential Charter Amendments to Revise Sections 604 (Filling Vacancies in Council Seats) and 606 (Designation of Vice Mayor) (Study Issue)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
At the January 10, 2017, Annual Public Hearing for Discussion of Potential Council Study Issues, Councilmember Klein sponsored a study issue to "close the loophole in the City Charter regarding special elections" relating to Council vacancies. All Councilmembers co-sponsored the study issue. At the February 17, 2017, Study Issues and Budget Issues Workshop, the Council ranked Study Issue OCM 17-02 (Evaluate Proposing a Charter Amendment to Revise Section 604 regarding Filling Vacant Council Seats by Special Election) number 1 for the Office of the City Manager.
The scope of the Charter Amendment Study Issue was also expanded at the request of staff to include a correction of a technical defect in Charter Section 606 regarding the designation of a Vice Mayor. An amendment is needed to bring this Charter section into conformity with the recent change in general municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.
This report provides information regarding the charter amendment process and the options for the Council to determine proposed amendments to submit to the voters. The study of Charter section 604 evaluates the current requirements of the Charter regarding the filling of a Council vacancy and outlines possible options for revising that section to provide fiscally responsible alternatives for filling vacancies.
BACKGROUND
Sunnyvale City Charter Section 604 provides requirements for filling a vacancy in the City Council. When an unscheduled vacancy occurs on Council, the vacancy must be filled by holding a special election. Under very limited circumstances, the Council may fill an unexpired term by appointment. When the special election cannot be consolidated with a General Municipal Election, the City must conduct a "stand-alone" sp...
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