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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3874 City of Palo Alto COLLEAGUES MEMO June 03, 2013 Page 1 of 3 (ID # 3874) DATE: June 3, 2013 TO: City Council Members FROM: Council Member Price, Council Member Kniss, Vice Mayor Shepherd SUBJECT: COLLEAGUES MEMO FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS KNISS, PRICE AND VICE MAYOR SHEPHERD REGARDING POTENTIAL CHARTER CHANGE INITIATIVES FOR COUNCIL TERMS, NUMBER OF SEATS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS FOR NOVEMBER 2013 BALLOT Description Recommend that Council discuss and consider directing the City Attorney to return with language at the June 10, 2013 meeting for a draft Charter Amendment regarding possible changes: 1) Under the Charter, council members are limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms. We recommend that the Council propose a Charter amendment to extend permissible terms to three, 2) That the Council size be reduced from nine members to seven. Furthermore, that staff consider the various options for timing of such a reduction with respect to the election cycle if this were to be considered, and 3) Other charter items which should be considered if these changes were brought forward. Background: Item 1, Term Limits In 1992 the City limited council members to two terms. Although term limits in the 1980s were an immerging action by many elected bodies throughout the state and nation, recently the voters of Santa Clara County decided to change the limitation on terms for Supervisors from two terms to three. We believe this is a good idea that Palo Alto voters should consider. Term limits play a valuable function of bringing new people into government. On the other hand, there is a steep learning curve required to be an effective council member. Palo Alto council members serve on regional planning and regulatory bodies with complex responsibilities, for example preserving the Bay, countywide public transit, regional water planning, gas/electric regulation, ABAG, VTA, Caltrain and more. To effectively represent Palo Alto’s interests, the city’s representatives need time to gain expertise and build seniority on these bodies. Term limits interrupt this process. Under the current charter, members can sit out an election cycle and re-run for two more terms, but we consider this disruptive and not in the City’s interest. We think Palo Alto will be better served by extending consecutive terms. June 03, 2013 Page 2 of 3 (ID # 3874) Recommendation 1 We think county voters struck the right balance by keeping term limits but extending the number of terms from two to three. Palo Alto should consider following their lead. Background: Item 2, Council Seats The size of the Palo Alto City Council body of nine members is unusual for municipal government for a city of our population. Although reduced in 1971 from 15 to 9 members, we believe that council should discuss the merits of reducing the body of government further from nine to seven members. It is typical for municipalities to have a smaller council. Menlo Park is a five member council, we consider this to be too small. On the other hand, Mountain View has seven and we think that this could bring efficiencies of meeting effectiveness and workload which deserves discussion and consideration while also reducing costs. Our Charter established a council/manager form of government making council the legislative body of the City. It sets policy and establishes the City’s overall priorities and direction. The City is run through the professional expertise of four Council Appointed Officers (CAOs), the City Manager, Attorney, Auditor and Clerk who administer the City business and serve at the pleasure of the council. The rotation of Mayor and Vice Mayor are elected each year through the council member body and their role is for a period of time, customarily one calendar year. Council members are elected at large to a four-year term in a general municipal election, four members during a Presidential year and five during the mid-term congressional elections. In 2014 there will be an election of five council members. We consider that a possible reduction of council members might need to occur during a future mid-term election cycle, perhaps during the election cycle in 2018 for two reasons; 1) the mid-term is a likely period to reduce elections from five to three council members, and 2) current seats from this last election cycle (four members) were elected for their first term and could disrupt the developing efforts and measured experiences of colleagues representing various regional organizations and related expertise. Recommendation 2 That council discuss the merits of a reduced body and consider having the City Attorney prepare draft language to reduce the mid-term elections of council members from five to three in the year 2018 for the June 10, 2013 council meeting. Background: Item 3, Other In the event that council size is reduced, elected members would need to manage more liaison positions, roles and appointments which will impact their ability to serve in time and quality. Additionally, serving on the City Council demands a significant amount of time, including preparing and attending meetings, meeting with the community and attending events. We recommend that council discuss this impact, consider an increase to the $600 per month (plus benefits) stipend, to accommodate this possible change. Although this is not a Charter change, June 03, 2013 Page 3 of 3 (ID # 3874) we think that at the appropriate time and if the voters reduce council members the Finance Committee should take up the task of discussing council member pay. Furthermore, there may be other charter changes which are not identified in this memo based on these possible changes to the election process. We recommend that staff help identify these changes for the purposes of consideration at the June 10 meeting. Recommendation 3 That council discuss these items and direct staff to identify a thoughtful process/changes to help address the various requirements for Council members for the meeting of June 10, 2013. Financial Impact: When this item returns to Council, the Clerk should report the estimated cost of one or more Charter amendment measures for the November 2013 ballot. Additionally, prepare an estimate of administration expenses for reduction of work from nine to seven council members.