REPORT TO CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion of Alternatives to Filling Councilmember Vacancies and Possible Amendments to City Charter Section 604
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
This report provides supplemental information requested by the Charter Review Committee (CRC) at the January 25, 2018 meeting.
BACKGROUND
At the January 25, 2018 meeting, the CRC discussed three broad options for filling vacancies in city council seats:
1. Election
2. Appointment
3. Hybrid election/appointment
Many members expressed general interest in option #3. Members raised some key themes for further discussion on this option, including:
* How to determine the appropriate balance between the financial burden of a special election and ensuring that voters have a say in choosing their representatives?
* Should the distinction between voluntary and involuntary resignations in the current provision be maintained?
* Is there a way to give the council more flexibility in calling a special election (especially by expanding the window of time during which a special election could be called)?
* If the city adopts a hybrid election/appointment approach:
o Should the number of appointed officials be capped? If so, at what number?
o Should there be a defined process for appointment?
DISCUSSION
A. Information Requested from Staff
The CRC requested that staff provide additional information on the following items to help facilitate discussion at the February 8, 2018 meeting:
1. Election history related to the 1991 Charter amendment adding the voluntary/involuntary resignation distinction.
The election materials for the 1991 Charter amendment did not include any ballot arguments, and the impartial analysis does not discuss the reasoning for the proposed change. However, it appears that the 1991 Charter amendment followed the resignation of a council member in 1990, which resulted in a special election to fill the vacancy in January 1991 that preceded a regular election in Novembe...
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