REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 for the Election of Councilmembers to Seats 1, 2 and 3; Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Providing Regulations for Candidates’ Statements and Determining to Levy Costs of Candidates’ Statements
Report
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale will hold a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, for the purpose of filling elective offices for City Councilmember Seat Numbers 1, 2 and 3. Pursuant to State Elections Code, the Council must adopt a resolution calling the election and requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election, and requesting the Registrar of Voters to provide election services.
The nomination period for the November 6, 2018 election opens Monday, July 16, 2018 and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018.
Pursuant to Sunnyvale City Charter Section 602, Qualifications, no individual may serve more than two successive four-year elective terms, and shall not serve again until at least four years have passed since that person last held office. Councilmember Gustav Larsson (Seat 1) and Mayor Glenn Hendricks (Seat 2) will have each served one full term and are eligible to serve a second term. Councilmember Jim Griffith (Seat 3) will have served two full terms and will not be eligible to serve again at this time. If an eligible incumbent for an office does not file by 5 p.m. Friday, August 10, the nomination period for that seat only will be extended five days with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15 to nominate candidates other than the incumbent.
In addition to calling the General Municipal Election, the resolution requests that the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors permit the County Registrar of Voters to provide all general election services, and the City will be responsible for issuing, receiving and processing candidate nomination papers and statements; forwarding candidates’ statements to the County for translation, printing and mailing to the voters; forwarding any vote by mail applications and write-in declarations received by the Office of the City Clerk to the Registrar of Voters; and publishing notices of election and notices of nominees.
EXISTING POLICY
Section 1400 of the Sunnyvale City Charter requires that the General Municipal Election to fill City elective offices be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Section 601 provides that Seats numbered 1, 2, and 3 shall be filled at the General Municipal Election held in 2018, and every fourth year thereafter.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County Registrar of Voters estimates the cost of publishing candidate statements at $2,767 for each candidate, which includes the cost of ballot printing in five languages. This cost is paid by each candidate who chooses to have their candidate statement published in the voter information pamphlet unless waived pursuant to Sunnyvale Municipal Code § 2.28.010. This section allows for the fee to be waived if the candidate submits 250 valid signatures, and prorated if fewer valid signatures are submitted. For candidates who submit qualifying signatures, the City of Sunnyvale will pay the publication costs in full (for 250 signatures) or in part (pro-rated at $11 per signature).
The estimated cost of conducting the 2018 Municipal Election of Officers by the County of Santa Clara is estimated to be $259,458. Additional costs of the November 2018 election may be incurred by inclusion of one or more ballot measures at a cost of $101,014 per measure. The FY 2018/19 Recommended Budget includes $450,000 for election costs. Following the election, the County will determine the actual costs and will bill the City for its pro-rata share. Should costs exceed the approved budget amount, staff will return to Council to request additional funds via a Budget Modification.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 for the Election of Councilmembers to Seats 1, 2 and 3; Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Providing Regulations for Candidates’ Statements and Determining to Levy Costs of Candidates’ Statements.
Staff
Prepared by: Kathleen Franco Simmons, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 for the Election of Councilmembers to Seats 1, 2 and 3; Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Providing Regulations for Candidates’ Statements and Determining to Levy Costs of Candidates’ Statements.