REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion of Impacts of District Elections on Council Seniority Outlined in Council Policy 7.3.11 (Seating Arrangements/City Council) and Possible Updates to Council Policy 7.3.11
Report
BACKGROUND
At its first meeting in January the City Council selects their seats on the Dais. Council Policy 7.3.11 (Seating Arrangements/City Council) identifies the center seat for the Mayor and the seat on either side of the Mayor for the Vice Mayor. Section 3 item B determines the order in which Councilmembers select their seat from among those remaining after the Mayor and Vice Mayor's seats are determined.
Councilmembers select their seat in the order of most senior to least senior. Seniority is determined by the length of continuous time of service on the City Council. When two or more Councilmembers have equivalent time of service, those Councilmembers shall be given priority in seat selection by the highest number of votes in his/her most recent election. Prior to 2005, priority for Councilmembers with equivalent time of service was determined by lot (see Attachment 2, RTC No. 05-357). Council seniority is also used to establish the order Councilmembers are listed on City letterhead, the voting board in Council Chambers and other administrative processes.
At the March 3, 2020 election, Sunnyvale voters approved Measure B, changing the Sunnyvale electoral system from seven at-large Councilmembers to a system with six district-based Councilmembers and a Mayor elected at-large. The number of registered voters varies between the council districts.
EXISTING POLICY
California Elections Code Section 10229 (Nomination of Candidates)
Sunnyvale Charter Section 616 (Proceedings)
Council Policy 7.3.11 (Seating Arrangements/City Council)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it...
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