HomeMy WebLinkAbout0203.091/
12
March 21, 1991
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
Coyncil Organilation Chang ••
Members of the Council:
The Policy and Procedures Committee referred to the attached
~aterials as background information for its discussion of potential
Council organization changes:
1. Memorandum dated October 5, 1990 fro~ MayoD Cobb and Council
Member Fazzino re Council Organization Changes in the City
ChJlrter.
2. Excerpt from the council Minutes of OCtober 22,
Council discussion of Council Organization Changes in
Charter.
1990 re
the City
3. Report of
Governance.
the Palo Alto Futurecast 2001 Subcommittee on
Findinqs and Recommendations, March 21, 1987.
4. Charter of the City of Palo Alto.
5. Letter dated Hay 14, 1990 trom Edward S. Arnold, former Mayor
and Courrc i 1 Member.
RCipectfully submitted,
I --...;;>'. ,;;l& j;v/t~
"tCCI RtJQIN
Assistant to the City Manager
9;:::;D4~~
1.6sistant City Manager
Attachments
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o fit}' of Yolo illto 0
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,,o,~o "no. CAliFOItNJA '''JO~
CITY OF PALO ALTO
MEMORANDUM
~i...ober 5, 1990
TO: Our Colleagues
FROM: MayoL Cobb and Council Membe~ Fazzino
SUBJECT: council organization Changes in the City Charter
A few months ago, the Council autho~ized the City Attorney to draft
a proposed Council term lim.it :measure which .. 'ould appear on the
November 1991 ballot~ We indicated at the time that we believed
su-ch authorization should bave occurred as part of a larger
discussion of Council org.e.nizatior.. changes~ For example, term
limits might be reasonable if the Council size was smaller, but
could be inappropriate given the present size. Forcing incumbents
to run in designated seats could conceivably encourage challengers
to run, thereby reducing the need for term limits. Any change to
the current organization should be evaluated ~ithin the context of
the entire charter. We encourage you to review the ~ork of the
Futurecast 2001 Committee in this ar~a, where some exciting ideas
were proposed~
With tnose thoughts in mind, we 'Will move that the Policy and
ProcedUres (P • P) Committee evaluate alternatives and make
recommendations -if appropriate -regarding the follo~in9 sections
of the Charter; and any others relating to Council or9anization~
~ectJ,on 2 -Number of :member-s. We propose that the Committee
consider the possibility of reducin9 the size of the Council
from 9 to 7 over the ne~t few years. Palo Alto has, ~y far,
the largest City council for a city its size in the state of
California. outstanding city go'.rernments like Sunnyvale are
able to function quite well with 7 members and play a
significant role on regional issues as well.. This change
could occur in such a way that present members would not be
unduly illlpacted.
SectiQO 4 -Elections~ Former Mayor Edward Arnold suggested
in a letter to us that we consider the possibility of creating
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seats tor t~e purpose of Council el.ctions4 This ~ould force
incumbents to campaiqn on the basis of their records, and
probably make it easier lor challengers to win elections. It
is lEIore difficult for challengers to win in an at-larqe
systea, given the inability to focus on the records of one or
two incumbents.
~~ction 8 -Mayor; elections' duties. We support the present
system of electing tlJe Kayor on a yel1r to year basis.
However .. concerns have :been raised tha.t our Mayors can't
possibly ~COMe effective in r.qion~l efforts qiven his/her
brief tenure~ A nUll1ber of citie:. have qone to two-year
mayoral terms for precisely that reason. others elect ~ayors
directly for two-or-tour-yel!!:r terms. We would rIot support
direct elections~ given the preference of Palo Altans for a
council-controlled government, but would ask the P , P
Committee to look at it and oth~r suggestions regarding the
mayorship.
We would also encourage the P'P Committee to rec~ive input from the
p~blic regarding these and other section8 of the Charter. It is
healthy to review our Charter every ten years or so to d~termine
whether or not Ot.lr Council orqanization is responsive to the
citizenry. We o£fer these areaS of consideration because it is
healthy t~ review issues, ev~n though we don't necessarily support
any particular item on the list.
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UW'dtYl -l.0 LUUIi\.U .. JIll"_~·l'.r;..s or WruHUt .l.'L. ~.'t.~ ,0
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c. fII<lyor Cobb and cOllr.cil 1'1erJber l-azzir:.o re Council Organilat!or".
Chc:nges in the City Ci"',arter (continucn. from 10/15/90)
(70~-90-0J)
council Hc.rnber Faz.zino 5tlid when th.~ issue of term limits w.).s dis
cll~,!,,('d a couple of rnunths ago" it vas a somc""hat pi!Zc2r:t€al
dj:::cussion in that term li:m1tS should really have b~cn discussed in
til" cO-n~.:>:t of oth{'r City Ch;'lrtcr changes with rl"'sp~ct to Co\;n~il
OI"J.lni/.llilln. 1'tl~ City C~uncil !lad rIot ~v~ludtcd the City Ch;,rtci
(.md the Council or~Ja.ni7.at.ion issues fox: almost 25 five years. and
givell that term limits 'i.,'ould be on the 1991 ballot, it could affect
Council organi.zati~n. There. '~:ere other issues which should b~
eVi"'!ltlate·d by the Policy and Procedures (P&P) COWJ>littee, some or
none of 'Which could appear on the 1991 ballot~ The FlJturecast
Committe€-, put together by Mayor Cobb four years ago, did an
outstanding job in the area of government organization, and i.t
""ould be lk'orttJwhjle for the. PS:P Com;nittee and the Council to
evaluate its 'Work and assure the community after-25 years that the
city Charter had been evaluated and to determine "i~'hether some or no
changes .... ere appropriate. O.'1e i terr. of the Charter which coul d be
rc .... iewc..(i b)'-the P-&P Coltl.mittee related to the nu~b€r of members o.r.
the Coun~il# and wheth€r it should be reduced from nine members to
SDvcn. Another possibil i ty was the concept pf designated seats for
purposes of elections. He clarified he 'Wa5 not referring to
district -election but rather d.esignated seats along ttle lines of
thco Sunnyvale sJlstem. Another possibility fer re .... ioew 'Was the
<:\\.\C-.s.ti(1Il of the. mayorship. He clarifi.ed that neither he nor Mcyor
Cchb ncecssar j ly "upported any of the p:roposals but merely ",anted
them to be ~ut on the table for debate.
MO'l'I()N" TO REFER: CounciJ Member Faz.zino moved~ seconded by Cobb;
to refer the subject of Council Organization changes in the City
Charter to the Policy and Procedures committee.
Roger Hansell, 550 Santa Rit<'l; opined that numbered seats would
enhance the po""er cf the incumbents because it was a case of
"divjde and conquer." If t' .... c· seats .... er2 open C1"l the Ccuncil and
t1!crc 'W0.:I'"C eight contenders; the contenders would b(';. cut in half
for cu,-::h of the ::,tanding seats. If the P&P Ccrnmittee revie· .... ed
sunnyvale's records, the pO'wer of incumbency -would speak for
itFc:C!lf. H.e oppos~d d'esigiiat:ed scats as a deceptive method to
proi\,ote incumi:>ent.s. He ... ·ould lik.e to see better public notifica
tion ~hcn the items were before the P;P Co~iLtee~
coullcil Member Andersen quer fed .... h.;!!ll the item would be bo;,ard by the
PiP committee if passed~
CiLY M3r.agcr Bill Zaner sdid the item .... ould be heard at the next
P&.:' Committee meeting, but how long it re:mained ...,ith th:3
P&P Co~mittee or when it would return to council would be deter
mined by the p,p Coromittee~
Counci.1 Member Andersen opposed the: motion. With regard to thE"
number of Council Membcl:"sl he l:.elieved it "Was premature, especially
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since cOI.!ncil ha.d directed staff to proccC'd ""lth a utilitiQ;c,
<.'oll'\.P\lssion. As a result th2t:"C :might be re-evaluat.ion e:.nd l-eslruc·
turinq of thC!-P&'P c:omrr.itt-ee and t.he other s.tC:l.nding committN:s.
There should first be an examination of the ~orkload of thos~ c~r
rently £erving. He -was concerned about the numbered seat~
especially having been the fifth person in a five-person race.
Those who were difficult to defea.t .... ould have no opt>osit.,ion and
'Would not havl2 to campaign or defend their positi(";J)s~~ On the c.,thc"('
hand. it could cause thcs,~ membtus of the Counci 1 who had ta:k~,.,
unpopular or controversial positlonz to be t~!.'"g~ts. 'i'hosc whQ \"ere
vulnerable would be targeted by organized vested interest groups
.... ho could pour in 6S much money 25 they ~anted and be abl e to
assess .... ho on thi! Ccunc i 1 would not be able to rai~.e the :money. A
person-to-person race concentrated more on ~l'sonalj ties than
issues,. -=..nd while pecsonalities 'Cere a part of any :political
campaign, one of the .nice things about a City Council opportunity
'-'"a~. that it was nonpartisan and dealt ..... ith issues and philosophy
rather than personality. He ",as concerned about creating an
atmosphere of public servants who -",e=-e ncncontroverslal, quieti ll,dt
name recognition, and dealt not. ~",ith governin() uut rat.her witt.
getting reelected. He did not believe the item was 'Worthy for
referral to the P&P committee and urged the moticn's d-efeat.
Council HelIlber Renzel 't;JClS also concern<.:!d about the refC'rraL III
previous discussions of term Ii rni tg.. tho::c CO'Jnc d Mcr.'bpr:s who
supported it spok<: eloquently on the opportunities tha't ... ·ould r'~
provided for peoplE' to serve on the Counci 1. 11)' cutting t, ~
council from nine to ~cven. those cppo:rtunitiec; 't:,:o'..lld b(> r-cduc{ d
Llcr;oss the board arK! the r-cduction would l71on.'J tb~n (;[fs(>t. t.r.-:.
opportnnities provided as a result of the "l\;'Q-teOll ]jJclit_
RegardiIJg the reorganizatic·n of col!tl'T'.ittecs f ll'.any ('xptessed concern
about a three-member committee, having a quorum of b:.'O, maidng a
decisio;!1 and recommendation to the council and r.<;-.,.. it coulrl ern3SCll
late the validity of the ccrn~ittee system. The nine-~8rnber cour.cil
hlld been 'Working well. It had been productive i'\nd th;;l var lOUS
changes to operating procedures to streamline efficiency h.,"'d beEn
effective> Her philosophy was, Itif it aintt bro}:r:n/ dQ.'1't fix it.'"
She saw no point to the referral. She a9re~d v..ith ~11 of tJ:('
aryuments madE by cO'J.ncil Mejl1ber Ander-sen. with reSpDct to S8~t.s. fCJr
purposes of the Council election. Palo Alto had a population af
55,000, and had experienced no difficulty foc'.1sing on issues in
c<lrnpaigns, and the public had no difficulty distinguisbing who jt
wished to support. Pal·:; Alto .... .3S not a giga:1tic city .'l1ere it 'Was
hard to get infortlation to the entire COTIUT1ui1ity. .shG had al!".:0 r.ot.
seen that P",lo .Alto "Was ineffective in the region because. ot t~l'::;'
length of the Mayor's term. If the notion pa5scJ~ she wanted the
entire issue of term limits incorporated into it and the prcviou~
Council action rescincl~d in crd(:r for the P&:P COlT1Hj t tC'c to r2vic'..!
the 1t000bole ball of 'Wax" in one sitting.
council Member Fazzino clarifiecl t;he intent of the mo'i.:ic,n '.II'~S 'La
t'efer the entire issue of Council Organization to the P&P Commit
tee. He 1io'as amazed at the reluctance to do GO. under tn"
designated system in Santa Clara and Sunny'Val-:, more incumbents
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office in time for Coun..:il to get the ma,tter on the November ballot
if it so chose~
Council Member McCown understood the ir.tent of the Illotion ""as to
raise some ideas that might or might ilot achieve support for some
additional el~ments or fine tuning of the ballet measure that ~as
already approved by the Council. While st:e ... as not thrilled with
any of' the thri:e id-aas and "'as not SUH;:! whe.t.her, after debat.e. t.hey
would have sufficient merit to be added 'to tr.e essence of the
proposed ballot measure, she vas net afraid of an opportunity fer
further discl..1ssion. The previous discussion of the t\olo-term Ib'lit
was narrow in foCUS and Council did not really have an opportunity
to discuss possible other features. She would not support the
amendm~nt but ,*,ould support the referral t.o the P&P Committ.ee
because the ideas needed to be flushed out. They 'Would either rise
or fall on th~ir own merits.
Council Member l!...ndersen said .... hen the environ.'I'.entat commission was
discussc-d, Council expressed conc~rn about sending anything to the
P&P Co~ittee that was unclear in the minds of the Council Merobers~
He had no tear of discussing the issues but queried -,,;hether a
referral 'Was beating a dead horse and olhether something loIouJd be
accomplished. It might be lJ10re ,")ppropriate to discuss such a
refe.rral after some of the dust settled in terms of the roles of
the committees including a utilities commission.
Mayor CObb believed the issue of reduclng the Cou.ncil size from
nine to seVE'.n needed t.he lIiOSt attention because he was not
convlncej there 'Would always be good candidates to run. wl1ile Palo
Alto was full of highly qualified, capable people, in 1987, it '.I."aS
difficult to qet someone to run for a "slam duru~" seat. He did not
necessarily support a single thing on the list, but if the City was
going to consider something as dra~atic as term limits, the entire
set of issues should be considered bec:::use they ... ·ere connecteu and
in context a better decision could be-made, The P&P Committee was
precisely the right forum to disclls.s the matter because it gave
people like Mr. Mans<::!ll an opportunity to talk in more detail, and
gave the public a chance to think abo~t the issues and provide so~e
input.
AKENDMF.NT FAILED 3-4, Andersen, Lev}', Renzel "aye, Of Kniss~ Woolley
abserll: .
Council Member Sutorius opposed spendin'J time on any of the three
issues ..... hich had been identified. He identified and concurred \lith
Mr. ~~nsell vith respect to numbered sedt$ and ~ith Council Member
"Andersen with respect to Council size and vith some of the comments
of council Me!llber Renzel. It seerne1 contradictory for council to
consider reducing its size ""hen it just recently discussed the
need, or rationale, for a public u.tilities body of some kind.
JUstification for the commission e~phasized the complexity of the
issue and council'S current volune of ~orkload. The proposal had
not yet returned to Counci 1. }'urther, there was r'lothing in the
current processes ~ .... hich precluded a NaYDr front serving t ..... o consec-
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utive terms or more. Mandating the ter~ seemed risky p~rticularly
whe.n current members of the council sccl:'.ed to believe there Wi,S d
considerable 'Workload just in being a Council Member. Finding
someone with the capacity and the cOID!Ritment to take on the
respo~~ibilities of Mayor for two consecutive years on a regular
basis was an inappropriate request of tuture councils and the
individuals who miqbt become Mayor. He opposed the entire motion.
Council Member Fal~ino said Palo Alto had the largest city Coun~il
for a city its size in the state of California. Everyone looked to
cities like Sun..'1yvale as a model of excellent city government I and
it functioned well with seven members. Palo Alto would do the
same. In terms of the workload issues, there ",as .not a city
qovernment more effective at regional involVement than Sunnyvale.
Regarding the mayorship, because of th43 importance of regional
involvement:!' oftentimes it tock nine or ten Clonths for the Mayor to
become effective on regional actiyities.
MOTZo. PASSED 4-3, Andersen, Renzel, Sutorius "no,· Kniss:!, Woolley
absent.
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FA W ALTO FL'Tmu:cr..sT 200 1
SUBCOM>tIT'l'EE ~ OOVERlIJWCE
Findings and a.ecolW'l-end~tiol'l$
March H, 198i
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The Governance Committee take. the view that there sr-e far more
que.tiona t.han ans'Wera and that it ta essential to caise these
question.s.. t() set out some concepts.. and to spark some rSebate.
OUr report does not Beek to order ~1oritie.; we feel tnat it sets
forth more a pbilo80p,.ical friUncwork than a • !'lute and bol ts"
approacll. We lea.ve the latter t.o our successor. Since m2:ny or
the ideas oontemplat.d were mutually incompatible, it was a basic
teoet of our diaclJssioru that we did not feel t.."'l.at it W8 s neces
sary (or even poaaible) in the tim.e available to reaoh consenSLlS.
Th:!mes
Certain thetles emerged from the Committee' .. delJberatio-os 'Which
d.eserve further consideration by botb the City Council and its
consti tllents.
-Ac:cea8ibility of t.he the citi.zenry to the peli':!:! malters and
vice-versa ie 9ital.
-Proactive versus reactive
legislation are essential.
and .PC'epare for change.
approaches to policy making and
The City Council must anticipate
-Recognition of both local and regionaL {X"oble::ls and solu
tions and the different approachee required for each is
mandatory.
-The use of technoloqy is inevitable and r:V.lst be optimally
used.
Values
without expcessing any viev as to U· ... ir priority, th;! Committee
felt that certain values relating to governance pervade our: commu
nity of palo Alto. The COmmittee feels that the City Council
should demons:t.ra:te;
-Leader ship.
-Responsiveness to citizens' concerns.
-Encouragement of open communication.
-.Maintenanee .and el-.i'";~:..cei:ifu,nt of the community's diversity
(ethnic, ecooomic~ and commercial).
-Accountability.
-Openness to and pt"epraration for change.
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REOIONAL GOVERNANCE
Certilir. problem. nave stubbO:r.'nly defied piecemeal effo:ts -!It reso
lution or reglllation. Foe-this reason, 'We I"IlUst challenge the veto
power now hel~ by local governments. Such governments, including
Palo Alto, must be willing to surrender soll'le local contr~l in
order to mean.ingfully deal vith such broad issues ~8 environmental
pollution, t!'affic and m.asS tran.sit, recreation ar.d open space,
~a8te disposal (to~lc and otherwise), and aocisl services.
While regional involver.tent, as well as its geographic ext.ent, may
vary ~ith the ~Oblem addressed, the Committee strongly feels that
opportunity for individual" to ii.1dresa,. and be-~c"kno .... le<!ged by.
the decision makers should not be lost or diluted.
'nle structure and selection of the issues to be addressed. the
appropt"iate region to be d.efined.. the Committee stron9ly feels
that opportunity for individuals to address, a!'ld t-.e acKnowledged
by .. the decision makers s'h01l1d not be lost or diluted.
Absolute!y essential in the context of regional planning is
encourag~n9 the good-will of and maintaining openness with our
neighbors throuqh mutual re:apect and cooperation. Neighbors m.ay
be defined aa Stanford .. East Palo Alto .. Mo...mtain View, etc., or as
Pacific Rim countrles. All. influence and are influenced by our
commun!ty~
Narrower issues also need to b.e addressed 'With an attitude of
~utoal respect and cooperatlon. The City and the School District
need to avoid parochial concerns in order to assist each other in
maintaining high quality schools .and an attractive environment for
both current and proBpectiv~ residents.
OUr failure to deal with these iB8U~S locally or re9ionally __ "';'11
only result in decisions made by default or by imp:!sition of
·solutions· from Sacramento or Washington.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Essentia1 principles of governance include ma~1mization of citi~en
~rticipation and their access to decil1ion ma,'kers.. It is-very
important to recognize tha.t decision make.rs include elected offi
cials and their appointed boa.rd.., a. well a.s the City· 8 otaff
hired to "rye tho Be official s and 'board. and the conl1lmnity in
genera1.. When considering the decision maker.1 it 1s necessary to
recognize that decision making can be done oot only by regional or
city-wide units .. but by smaller unite as well.
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T'O encourage ['II! rticipation and access.. the Counci 1 s'hould con
sider: br-oadcastinq its meetings and thOse bf the Planning
Commis~ion. Archttectural Review Board~ and similar bodie$~ creat
ing n.c.i9~_oorhood or similarly defined groups. to consider iss'J.e5
such as variances, local traffic man&gement, neighborhood &afetY'.
and tree choices: using straW' votes through interacti .... e cable
technology; init1at.inq OpeD ·coff-ee hours· with Cour.cil members
before their m.eetlnq8: rem.odeling t.he City Council chambers to
alter its potentially int.imidating atmosphere; "hold.inq Council
reeetil"lq& in different areas of the City: creating the poeition of
ombudsperson/facilitator: etc~
In addition,. the actual structure of the City counci t and its
manner o!" selection shoul"-be reviewed * The City should consider
district. roepreeent&tion (wether exclusively or in combination
with at-large representation) I!nd~ recognizing that there may be
some ~8tit.\1t.ional const.raints... C'Onsider wa.ys of limiting t.."'e
length and cost of political car.tpal'Jne so as to encourage a larger
pool of candi~ate$.
An annual ·State of thE: City" Jfle8Sage~ prepared and deli~/ered by
our Mayor. setting forth the particular goals to be achieved and
re.JX)I'ting on the degree to which the prior year's got'lls .... ere
achieved would force ,a focuB on the City'. goals and tlle means by
'Which it achieves (or fails to achiev.) those qoa15, 'WOl.llc5 assist.
th~ citiEens to understand ~ae goals and Means of ~eaching th~m.
and ~uld help both the citizens and the decision makers to evalu
ate that gove-rnment'!!I etfectiveness~ Of possibly even greater
signifieanee is an annual budget profile, including pcospective
and retrospective exposition of both ahort-and long-range
trends.
AOMIN!STRATION
The primary purpose of the City Council is to establish policy and
to over see i.ts effective and efficient elC:ecution. Since f.>taff is
not. elected. and thl.ls not directly responsible to the people. the
Council must make sure that staff actions remain consistent ..nth
comm~nity values as reflected in the councIl's st.ated policy 90als
and that the staff employees continue to pcovide services in a
spirit of ooo~ration and sensitivity to the individuals vith·~~om
they dee.l~
The counci1 must aggressively anticipate~ pcepare for. and address
change. an aspect. of careful long-range plan,r:.ing is the regular
~eview of decisiond pceviously made~ Such reviews may be as dras
tic aB ·suIH!let-provisions or .8 simple as le9i!ll&t~on mandating:
periodic review.
In o~der to afford 9reater effectiveness and efficiency in provid
ing ~ial services. it is essential to coordinate the private and
public sectors so that services such as youth and senior pl'"ograms,
child-care .. and housing can be effectively delivered.
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§.!~W1\~~~l!~~ OF RESOURCES
N"ot only does the City Council have ultimate r-esponsibility for
polic)·. it also must recognize its accountability foz: the proper
maintenance of the: City and. its re8Cl.!rCea~ The City's quantifi
able resourr.es include its infrastructure (ita streets, buildings~
recreational f",cl1ities .. libraries, utilities, etc.) .. net worth 1
and fiscal hea.lth.
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Not quanttfiable .. but of equal importal"lee .. are the City's human
ani! aesthetic elements. Its tiiverse and creative populat1~n and
institutione, aoliCn. as our 8C'hoola" the Fanners' Market .. t.he O,i1-
dreo's Theatre proqr~~, and volunte~r orqaniLStions must continu~
to be cherished. nurtured, and maintained.
CONCLUSION
Of prime importance to 5uccessful governance is citi~en participa
tion in and access to the process, based on knowledge and thought.
G~eater kno~ledge can be developed by better oommunication~ As a
first step towards improved, coromunic~tion and participation .. the
Governance Committee urges that the ·state of the City· message be
given careful consideratioD. 'While many of tbe ideas set forth
above are mutually incompatible, we encourage the City Council and
its constituents to ccnsider the questiou. raised .. to raise addi
tional questions, t¢ thin1c. about t'he concepts expressed. and to
openly debate their merits. Througb thought, mutual rel!lpect~ and
fair debate we can ma'ke Palo Alto an eva?). better place to live~
.... or'k~ and raise our families ..
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EXHIBIT A
{Regional Government)
~ ma.jor concern for any group looking at questions of future
governmental stl"ucture is the extent to which any muniCipality in
a m.etropolitan area can continue to function as an autonomous
entity~ Decisions of one city involving traffic ... -.rater resources,
.air T.lal !.ty, and solid 'daste management automatically affect its
neig1'.bor s .
Already Palo Alto has felt the affects of development at Stanford,
Menlo pat'lc.~ East Palo Alto, the foothills a.nd even areas across
the bay. such as Union City and Newark. Likewise, Palo Alto's
decisions to reetrict development on baylands and hill areas under
our control, has pushe~ growth into other areas. We must realize
that just as "ole concern ourselves \;lith the impact of others on
Palo AI to. 90 our neighboring ~tties assess the problems caused
for them by our decisions.
The only rational solution may very well be ~me kind of r~gional
government that will have power t.o affect land use decisions of
individual cities. 'l"his means that cities will have to relinq-..lish
some of theic power t.o such a regional government~ This raises
many quest.ions l including queetio0l8 of allocating tax base reve
nues to regional authorities to manage slJ.ch matte:."s as garbage
disposal I water q'..lality control" sewage disposal I transit syst.ems.
road maintenance an.d developnent, and land use. studies. Although
it is f'iifficult to contemplate giving up control. the alternat.ive
seems to be endless resentment and court battles among co~~unities
dis: ·independent city developnent plans are challenged.
Per-haps there s"hQuld be some 'kind of -Regional Constitutional
Convention-to design the str octure of t'egional government and to
cteter;nine tofflat. matters mig:ht best be left to individual cities
(such as fire and pelice protection). Delegates to this conven
tion could be e1ected" appointed by existirlg city councils or some
combination of methods. The convention would have to. deter-mine
the means by Whicb regional legisl.atures or executive authorities
..,ouV! be chosen. One thing i8 certain. "however. if regional
govern.'TIent is to .... ork. cities cannot have veto power. For
example. the regional ;overnment must have at least as mucn
authority as BCDC haa to control ~ay fi111 etc.
Perhaps reSOL.:rces for cecreation l as well as for social services~
yill eventually have to be dealt with on a regional basis to avoid
costly duplication of e.fforts (hall parKS. convention cent.ers.
large theater complexes) and competition Which often dooms effocts
to attr",ct everything from professional sports teams to ballet.
orchestras. and theatre. Currently.. cities seem to be competing:
tl"JO -zone out-facilities for such social .services as board and
c~re 0," drug rehabilitation homes I jails. 'half-way houses. and
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facil ities for the homel-:!:ss~ i'here ia a Mnee ti'lat if a community
plan!! properly .. then it can send -tho •• people-someplace else.
The problem i. that if inadeqti.ate facilitiea are ,Pl"ovided, then
all communities Buffer as people roam the streeta. Re;ional plan
ning .. with financial aid from the stat.e., may well be the only
solution ~
To further complic:at<e planning" we may have to face the fact that
Palo Alto may have to define itself within the co.r].text of several
regions. Employment-housinq-traffic: pcObl~. may put Palo Alto in
the context of a regicn extendin9 beyond the Dumb4rton Bridge. as
.... e11 as to moet of San Mateo and Santa Clara cOljntles~ Toxic
waste pr-obleraa may be confined to a smaller region. while air
quality might call for ~~ even bro~der definition of ·region·~
What is iroportant is that we begin now to recogni E.e the regional
natuce of ~Oblem., and to chanqe our thinking_ After generations
of defining local government comfortably and narrowly, this ltind
of cha.nge may 'b4:!!; the most challenging of -2:;11.
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cynthia Olnnady
Sandra Eakins
lo!.ic1cey Hebard
Joe Huber
Oorot"hy Kaplan
C'!.rolyn Long
sidney P. Mitchell
Dorothy M. Monica
Ji .. Nichol s
Stephen W. Player
Keith Raffel
Attorney specializing in civil litigation
with the firtl. of Fiowick~ Dayis &. West.
Native Californian and Stanford Graduate ~
Parent of two children~
Co-owner and financial mana.ger of com
puter sales and service business; mother
of three young adults; interested in
horticulture.. visua.l arts. a.nd ways to
increa.. citisen pilrtiei~tion in local
government.
Artist .. poU.tical activist .. strong inter
est in sc'hools .. with Zlpecial concern for
art_ and human relations issues; founding
member of palo Alto Pa.rents a.."ld Profes
sionals for Art (PAPPA}.
Attorney, active in neighborhood organi
utionl!l and local politics; marriecd: two
SODS at Pal~ Alto High.
Palo Alto resident ..
Interested in school and comrt\unity rela
tl~... and the environraent in which we
.live ..
Retired medical
Alto • reaident;
activities ..
doctor: long-ti~e Palo
involved with senior
Stanford Lay School Faeility Manager.
long-time Palo Alto resident.
Palo Alto resident.
Attorney,
volunteer,
rel~ted to
polltic;al activist .. community
interes.ted in political issues
the bUBine.s community.
Lcmg-t.lme Palo Alto resident i employed at
ROLK in lnternational mat"K.etinq and
operation ...
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George B. Richardson Palo Alto residerlt. eince 1969: partner in
tne law firm ot Holtzmann. Wille , Shep
ard; m4rried and father of t~o boys;
activ~ in political catnp!igns and
electio[lI.
Gene Richeson En,)ine.er ~ co-foundr 3eyond War Founda
tion; co-founder ROLM corporation; father
of two beys; interested in 9lobal think
ing and revitalizing part.ici.patory
del'ilOCra.cy.
pat. Sanders
Anne Steinberg
Su~an Stewart
!l:.ent Wa,lKer
Jea.nne Moul ton
Staff Li alsen
Wifemotherteacher. actively involved with"
Sister Cities International. Neighbors
Abl'oad ~ Palo AI to Foundat.ion for Educa
tion and PTA: roller sKates.
Long-t.ime Palo Alto resident. form.er
member of Palo A1 to Planning Commission;
currently Director 'Of the Palo Al to Hous
ing Corporation and the Senior Day Health
Program of Palo Alto.
High School History and Government teach
er ilt Palo Alto unified School District;
board member of Palo Alto Adolescent Ser
vices and Friends of Childrens' Theatre:
two children.
Third-year student at stanford Law
School; interested in urban planning,
political participation and the local
acbools.
Coordinator .. Ca.ble Television
of Palo Alto Infor~ation
Department.
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.... it'h City
Resources
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CHARTER
OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Incorporated April 23, 1894
S,ItS, 1909, p, 1175
Amended;
Stats. 1191, p, 2040
Slits, 1911, p, 1 85~
Stars. J '121, p. 2167
Sats. 1933, p, 2746
Stats. 1950, Ch. 7
Slats. 195 I. Ch. 40
SUIts. 1961. Ch. 190
SlOts. 1965. Ch. 25. ACR 20
Stats, 1965.Ch.I36.ACR 161
SUIts, 1967.Ch, 103. ACR 106
Slats. !968.Ch. 163. ACR 143
SUIts. 1969. Ch. 223. ACR 192
SUIts. 1972, ClI. 71, ACR I 17
Filed with Seatt.aJ')l of Sf are, July 1.1976
Filed with Sec:rewy or State, November 26. 1976
FDed with Sea.tuy of Sute. July 17. 1978
Fded with ~!:1"'etary OfS!3te, May 30,1979
Filed with Se-crewy of State, December 12. 1979
Filed: with Secretary o{ State, December 10,198:;
Fi1ed wit':! SeC7etary of Sute, December 9,198.3
NOTE: This is the J9SO ChLt1:e; adopted by Stats.. 1950.0.. '. ail changes
since 1950 are iAcficated. Catch1ines haye been suppUed as the original had
eo calchImes.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
ALigu5t 2, 196.5
(Palo AtIO J 1'1'*)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Articlo l IIotJDdories.r 1M City
Article n. P ......
§ ! Po .... ers..
I 2 Number,Ienn.
I 3 Time of eli=ction.
I 4 Elections.
ArJeIo Dl Coun<il
I S CouncD to flX time and place of meetings.
I 6 Quorum; .absent members; rmes.
f 7 :hhjority vole D~.
§ a Mayor; election; duties.
CHARTER
I 9 OffK'ers .appointed by colJncil ~ bo&rds, commi':tees... and commissions.
I 10 Vacancy on council.
I J I Levy of uxes; ra1e:; increase in levy.
t 12 Bua,e1 ~atentJ; transfer of funds.
f J3 Council t. estllblish utility rates.
I \4 Ordaininl clouse.
'
I IS Franchises rrantcd b:y ele"cton; exception. term.
16 Annual report.
I 11 Salaries 1)( counc;il membe~; c.out\c:iI members batted from other city
offICe.
t 18 Administrative code; contents.
I 19 Contract with st.ate retirement .system.
I 20 Assic;runmt of OrrlCen.· duties..
f 21 Bonds; deputia and usinants.
I 22 Board of compensation referees: cable television board; other boards
advisory only.
f 2.3 Continuation or 8O\lcmmenl; disaster.
ArticIoIV. Dudos or Off'1Oef>
I 1 Council appointed o(f":lctrs.
, 2 QualirJCations of city manlpT. 'I 3 Appointment and remo\""3l of city manq.er.
4 Bond cf ci1')l manaa;er.
4 Bond oC cit)' m.anqer.
, S Sal~ of manqe,.
"
7 City man ... , riaht of <!is<1u>ion ,"0 vole.
8 Assistant city man.ager.
I ., City manager pro tem.
I 10 Coercion by council members; campaign fu.nds..
, II Manager', Jtin disqualif'led.
t ] 2 Duties or ap~intive cfficen..
I l) Audits.
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CHARTER
ArtiCle V. Compu/s<>fy Atbim!ioa For File
""" Pa/ico Deportment Employ .. DUpuIes
I I Dedara'iOll of poliolL I 2 Prohibitioll apinst rtrlk ...
, 3 Oblip.tion to 'eco!lat. in JQod r";<h.
• 4 impose resolL/;ti~ procedwes.
ArtiCle VI. The Rc:a1I. _dYe""" Ref......rum , I _.
I 2 Initiative.
t 3. Ref."IlII\,m.
Article VlL _ .......
I I Interest or o(6cen in contracts,
I 2 Public utilities revenue.
I 3 Cmdi<lat .. ' design.lli<r.l.. I 4 No _ willlou' _,.
I 5 Effective elat. of WI liens. (Repeoled by St.ts. 1968. CII. ! 63, ,.uS)
I 6 Cont:acts; Ia_ lSpO""D!. biddor.
I , u-or city land.
S S Elf.." or dWlu ...... dm ... ts; oflken.
f 9 CIwter am_eot; _ted riahts; contracts; etc.
f 1 C EtTCICOt of c:bartcr unendments; pd\Siou: Tt'tirement.
I I! Seoer.Ibility pJOYiDon.
ArtiCle VIIl. Partes
ArtiCle VlU-A. _ of &hocotion
I 1 Mem~n; Dumber; residency; compensation.
I 2a Effcc1: or amendment; tenn.
I 2b TUDe of e1«tion.
I lc Tmn or office.
I 2d Varian<=
I 3 1'0 ..... and dutieo.
f 4 Superintendent or schoo1s~ appointment.
ArtIo:Ie IX. __ ..
I I Compfi2nce with Constitution.
f 2 Submission to electorate; QIlvass.
I 3 Ward in, of ballots.
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BOUNDARJES OF THE CITY
Excerpt from Califol1'...ia Government Code, Art. 2, Ch. 9, Part 2. Div. J,
TItle 4, Commencinl at SecUol'! 3844G, IS Rid Artlcle exisced on
Janumy I, 1965.
ArIicie L Boundaries.r ~ 0 ty
The boundaries or the Cit)' oC No Alto sJWI contain that rerntory wlthin
its praent borden... The territory em bn.c:ed therein may be added to or
c5m.in.ished in ac~ -..ith the aws of the State 0( CalIfornia: governing
the annexatlor: and exdusioo of tenitory by municipalities.
Anic:1e IL Po .....
The City of Palo Alto, by ar.d throu&h its council and otht-r ofncial$., shall
hlw: and may exercise aD powers necessary and appropriate' to a municipw
c:orpcntion and the pnenJ welf!1'e' ef its inhabitants ~1tich are not
prohibited. b".1 the Constitutio!! of the State-,.f California or by Crus .charter •
.and which it wowd be competent for this charter 10 set forth spectflcaJty.
and the specU>eatioll hetein or any pankuIar po ..... shaD DOt ~ held to be
exclusive of, or any limitation upor., the ,eneh1 JDrlt or POW"ers heretofore
or hereafter Jranted. 10 murucipaJ C«'pOf'3tions by the constirutiou Of' general ra .....
Sec. I. Powen.. All powers berem sranicd to and vested in the Qty of
Palo Alto shan, except as herein othen:.ise provided, be el( ercised b.,· 2
council to be dicsisn&cod the Council of the City of Pato Alto; i r. d said
councillhaD~ u;cept IS berein othuwiJe provid~, ha'i/e the rcwerJo fIX.and
establish the method and ma.,.·mcr in. which such powm shall be exercised.
Sec. 2. Numbe:r; tam.. Ctlmmencln& July I, 29 71 ~ saM coon ... iI sha!l be
comyQSed of nir.e members, each 0( wbom slWl at the time of a.ssuming such
office be In dector and shaD han been iI resident of the aty of Palo )Uto
for at leas' thirty days ne1I:t precedjna th(' rtnal tIlin! date for nomination
papers for suell ofl'"1U. The members of said coum:i shalt be kno .... n IS
councilmen. councilwomen, or council memben and their terms of office
shaD be four yean, ccmmenctnl on the rust day of JUIua.-y ttcxl succeeding
their eJection. Tht terms of coune-J members who took oifice on July I.
1971, shall expire on Dea:mber 31, 1981. (Amended by Sa". 1965, ACR
No. 20 and by Stat~ 1965, ACR No. 161 Uld by S"IS. 1972. Ch. 71, 7·7· n.
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I1I-3-ru·! OlARTER
by amendment filed with Sec:reury of State. lu!r I, 1976 and by amend
mer.t filed with Stcretaly of State. December 12, 1979}.
Sec. 3. r .... of election. A rqular dectioo shan be held in the Gt]! of
P&rIO Alto on the first Tuesday .. ner the f"u'St Monday in No .... ember of each
.,.,d rsumbered )lear, and the samC' shafl be k,n.;>wn as the w;nenl ~'Jrticipa~
election. All other municipal elections that may be called under the
autnority of Utis charter, or by the pmenJ laws, shaD be known as special
elections.. {.Amendment mod: with Secretar, of State, December 12,1979 •.
Sec. C. Elcetiou, AD electiOT\!S called .and held in SliJci City sJt.an be hdd
and conducted in manner and: rOOD as Rlli;!u.ired by th~ ,enenJ laws of th-e
stare aoveminI elections within municip"lIili:es, provided that thte council
may by ordinance detennine the manner of ho1dina elections, the nwnm of
JOtiq. precincts. the namina of e.~ction otrlCet!. and shall act 3.!5 ;II canvassing
board to camus the results of such elections.
Sec-. 5. CooIKI to rU. timt and place or meelinJs. SoUd council shalt fiJI: .II
-:ime and p1aoe for its recuIar t:neetlnp and may adopt ru.'es to cavern its
pnx:eodinp.
Sec:. 6. Quorum; ableni members: rmes. A majority of tht council s..'1aD
amstitute a quorum for the tnmactiotl of busincss; but a Ie1s number may
adjourn from time to time and compel the attendaoce of absent members,
and impose .suclI rUles as it may deem proper Jpoo mcm!>en .refusinl! or
nqlectinJ to ."end sud! meetinas. (Amended by Stats. 1%5. ACR No. 20)
Sec. 1. M.jority ... ote nea=sary. No ordinance or resolution shaD be
passed, DO appointment madt:. no cffker J'C:m.OIJed. and no contract shaD be
awarded without the srrutlUlthle vcte of • majorit) of the-council.
(Amended by Stats. 1965. ACR No. 20~
Sec. I. MaYI)l>; election; duties.. The council s!lall, at its first meeting in
lanuary~ dect ODe of its number as its presidin& OfI)l:e'T. who shall have the
title of mayoc, and one of its cumber to be .ke-m.ayoc~ wbo shall seT'Ve for one
year after their C'iection, and until th~ir 5~ are elected a.-''1d quaLiflt'd,
Tile mayor and vice.mayor shan serve until election and qualifi~tioll of their
SUCUSSOrs in Januuy J 982. The mayor sJo.all p~ide .. t aD meetings of the
.c:ouncii. slWI sign.an official documents whm the signal ure or Hle council or
m&Yor is required by law, and' shaD act as ofTJeial head of the city on public
or ~monial ~ons. 1bc mayor sha:ll not have .any reglllM administrative
duties but may ..... -t as u offICio member of aD boards, commissions, and
committee1;. The mayor §hall vl)te as other members orthe council. bu.t shall
have no power of 'eto. The m8yor shaD have the power to administer oaths
aIld afnrmations. The may.or iliaD. perform such other dut fes as from time to
time are ass,igned by tM council. When Ihe mayor i:s ah.'>et'lt rrom any
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COUNCIL [ll·9-1Il·11
meeting or the-CQ~c;:] Dr incapable o(pcrformin, his or her du!.ie~ t..i.c vkc
mayor shan. dUM. SlJ.ch time, h.II'IIC the full powers o( the mayor. A Heaney
in the positi.,ns of mayoc Of" vice-mayor sha11 be filled by the council ror thC'
unexpired term. (Amended by S!ats.. ]972. Ch. 71.7-7·'2 &1ld by amend
ment flied .-llh Secretary of State. Dec.cmber J 2. 1979),
Sec. 9. Ofr~ .appointed by C':ouDcil: bo&rds. commitlees., and
colllmi.ssions.. The council shan appoint a Qty manaaer, clerk. anomey. and
auditor. and. except as otherwise provided. ma)! by ordinance or
otherwise' cnat~ or abolish offices., boards., committees.. or commissions. and
provide lo! their manner of appOintment, their tenure, and the duciC's wh.ich
th.y shan perform. (Amend,d by Sta ... 1965,Ch. 2S, 2-1 'hSS and by St ....
1968. Ch. 163. 7-Uhnd by S ..... 1972. Ch. 71. 7·7-72 and by amendmen'
flied ."it.lt the Secretar) of Stare. December 9.1983).
Sec. 10. Vac:ancy on cou.nc:iI. A. VaeaTley on the (:",uncil may be ftiled by,
mltiorit)' of the nmaininc members of the council, and the appointee shan
bold OrrK:'e until the rust clay or hnWllrj succeeding the" ne.'d election at
whic...'1. council members are to be: elected. At the next election su..::.c:eedins
iUl)' YacaIlCY • coundt member shaD be: elected to serve for tlle unex.pired
renn. If Ule counci fails 1'> rill such Yaan~ Within 60 dlYS of such villcanq
or the CQuncb chooses 10 nn sucll vacancy by election. it shan forthwith call
• special dee-lion. &t .,hich a council member shaD. be elected: to SCf"\'C fOT the
unexpired tenn. (Amended by Stats. 1912. CtL 7J, 7"-72 and by amend
ment rued with the Secretary of State. December 12, 1979).
Sec. II. l...-y or ..... : rar.: inaease in lory. The council sha!I by
ordinance provide for the _, or cily property for city ""'eo. the
equ.aIiz.atiOfl aDd ~n of che &.DeSSmeWt, the coDection., payment a.''ld
enforc;ement of the taxes. includinJ: delinquent taxes., and the redemption of
i'f'Operty from ale or oUrer penalty for nonpayment of tity taxes. On IX
before Sep1ember first in each year, it shaD le\'Y suc.h tax as may be
necessary to raise revenue for Chc: mainhmance .I1'ld operation of the City ,11nd
the seven! departments durin, the f&aJ )"e.ar, but such tax levy fOT 3lI
mWlicip.al P"..LIpOSeS, except for the payment of interest and pr:-.ncipaJ of the
bonded debt and the c;ontnoutton of the city to e.mplcyeest retire:nent,. shaD
not exceed the sum of one hundred twenty...five cents upon each one
hundred doOat'S of U5tSSed valuation as the same appears upon the
assessment roll. If in the judJment or I majority of the council it should be
necesr.a:y to provide • te\fe.nlJre in ex.:es:s of the sum ralized from the levy
berM provided, the question of the levy of In additiona1 property tax shan
be :submitted to the taect:on.,. ancl a special election may be held for th.t
purpose. The additional sum or .rate required to be raised by suc.i. addj tion.al
tax levy shaD be expressed: upon the ballot. If a majority of the vOk'S east
upon such proposition shaD be in favor of luthorizins the council ao levy
sud! additional rate, then the council may levy the additional tax 50
c·s
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1IJ.l2-IIl-J 6 CHARTER
authorized for one fiscal year 0:'11)'. (Amended by Scats. 1968.0. 163,
7~8).
Sec. 12. au.".t oontenll; _or of funds. It I1ull be the duty of the
u)uT'lciI, upon the recommendation of the city rna:nqtT~ to consider L'1d,
after .. pl.lblic nearinJ,. adopt I. budget for eacb flsc:aI year. After the ;u!option
of I budget. transfers of appropriations from one department to another
may be made only by a majori ey vote of the council Th..is budget shan
include the estilNted receipts and expenditures of an p-u blic-funds, except
those wtticb a:re trust funds, from wfutever lOurce they are derived. AD
rxpendi'tUre$ made on behalf of the 0 t)'. directly or th.!"ougl-. any ag"er.q<.
acept chose required to be made by State law, must be made In accordance
with the authC'rization container! in the appropriatioQ ordinance. The form
in wtdcn tltis budrel is adopted :s.h.al! detennine the method to be follo-nd in
an ICCOUntins boy an representatives and adm.ini$trame ~nts of the Qty.
The coundl shaD se.t an aJuy ilnd waS': scales-, dete:mti:nt the proadure (or
the payment of aD dem1nds qai~ the Cry. and the duties of L'le City's
.fe\IeraI off'1Cet1 in ~ thereto. Additior.aJ appropriations of receipt} L"l
excess DC the total' appropriations made by the budCtt may be made by a
two-titirds "ote of the council.
Set. I), Council to esubttSh utility rales. The council sh.1!l: estabUsh roues
(or an RYenue produelnl utilities owned. controlled, Of oper.ate.d by the
City.
Sec. f •. OrdaininJ c:lause. The ordaining clause of all ordilloiiflces adopted
by the council I1ull be, "The Council of the City of Palo Alto d<><s ordain as
foJJoW!,· and the ordaWns clause of an ordinances ;lfiopted in accordar,ce
with the provisions of Artid< VI sh&ll be, "The peopl. of the City .,r Palo
Alto do on\airt as ronows.-
Sec. 15. ff3nChisn panled by ~Jecrors; exception. lerm. E)lcept [or any
fnnc.hise or franchises which the city cO\lnci] may grant for the provisio[]
of cable ~levisjon $CT'iiccs. no other franchise-for any otller purpose shaIl
be ifill ted by the council, b'U I may be panted by the e~ctors by ordinances
pro~ and adopted u prov:ided in Section 2 or Articie Vl of Ihis cllarter.
provided [hat the petition therefor shaD be signed by Qualifitd' and registered
"ote1'1 equal in number to at :least twelve percentum o( the number of
re,s:isCe~d voters at the lut pRcedinJ .~flenl mt~nicip~.l election; .and
provided further. that DO franchise shan be panted for I longer term tilan
rwenty.[l'I'e years. (Amende-d by S(lts. 1969. Ch. 223. 6-26-69 .and b,
amendment n1C"fl witiJ the Secretary of Start, December 9. 1983).
Sec. 16, Annual ftJJort. The council shall publish IlIn uaDy a rmandaJ
repon or me City which d'laIl be IVl.Jlable to taxpayers..
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COliNCIL UI-17-!JI·11
Sec. 17_ Salary of council men; ben: coo nci: mcm ben barrr-d' from 0 ther
city off"1Ce, No member of the councii shaD hold any other ofrl-C~ 01"
~mplo:ymenl tht compensation {or which :s paid out of t1le moneys of this
City. No membu DC the council shan be elected or appointed to any city
offlCe (Of' ,..hich cc:npensalion is paid until one )lear after the telmination
of memberlhip ill the council, eWler tiy resignation or C'l(piration of such
counC"J member's 14eTm. Compensalion may be paid counCIl members in
amounts not 10 exceed those provided by .senen:J law. (Amended by SUts.
1969. Ch. 223. 6-26-<;9 and by Sl.1u. 1972. Ch. 71. 7-1·72).
Seoe. 18. Administra~e code'; contents. Within six months after the
adoption DC this amended c...'arter. the council shall adopt by otdmance an
Idminilmtive code providi..,. for .. comp~te plan of administ.-ati\'e
orpniution of the Cit)' lovemme:rlt .... hich will c:oyu an matters concerning
the powers,. (futies. term of ofrlCe. proccdU.R of an the otTlCers. boards and
commissions. and employees of thr City; pro\ljded~ however. that the proYi
siom af' said code shall not be !n con.fli et wlth any 0 r the provisions 0 r thii
charter. This adminismtive code will coveT all rules and rt,ulatioru. rc-Iating
to rJ..5QJ operations, penonnd man~ment. election procedure, and other
miners concemin. the operaoon of the fu nct~ns or the Ci cy Jt.rvern men C.
Sec-. 19. Contracf with: StIle retirement system. The council is empo .... ered
to enter into I contract with Ehe Board of Administration of the California
Sure EmplOYefi· Retirement System. making the ~mpklyees or Lie City
members of said system, and for this purpos.e may levy J tax sufficient to
pili)' costs I~d expenses of the share ... hh:h the city must contn'but~ t<)
maintain employee pan:icipalion. It is provi.ded, bowcyeT, that the council
m&)/ tennilUlte rhis connct only upon authority arant~d by an ordinaJ'lct
adopled b)l • mJjority yo Ie of the electors of the City '\Ioting on such a
proposilion at .an cle-ction at which such proposition to discontinue the
contract is p1'e.sented.
I
Sec;. 20. ~I of efrJCetl' duties. The council rna)!. by ordi"lliTlCe .
.a:ssig21 additionaJ duties and PQwers 10 oftK:en. departments. commissions.
and boards provide-If in this chartn-o or may re~n (unctio.'ls from one
oma to another. or may I;Ombine in one ort)CC the powers and duties
of another-office. provided Wt tht offices of city manager and auditor
may nO( M combined and that an ofr..:e tu which the mlnager make.s t.~c
appointmenl sh.tD oor be combi:ned with oce to wh..i.;h che appoincment
.is made-by the council. (Amended by amendment filed with the Secretary
or 51.11" Dc<tmber 9, 198)).
Sec. 21. Bonds; deputies .nd .!SIbtants. The council may require any
of the-city officen U,;d deputies 10 pe-official bonds in su.ch 5L4?flS as it
may deem proper. and the City shaD pay an premiums \lpon su~[)' bonds
wben such bonds Ire-liven. It may provide for fr.e appointment of $".Jch
c-,
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o
U1-12-IV-3 Cl'-ARTER
deputies and awWlts IlJ, may be ~equired. and shan rL'l tllC' comper.s.atiol'l
of such offieers, deputies. and assistants. in the .annual lppropria~ion ordi
nance. AD offl«B shaD pt:r(onn such services as the council may reqjllre.
Sec. 22. BoInf of compenation re(ere-es; cable 1eJcovision board; other
board$ -.Jvisory only~ The" council may appoiM I '!)oard of compensation
reretee$. !o act u.pcn aD daims agalnst t..;e cit)i z..';sins; under the work
men~s compensation provWolll oftlJc Labor Code or the State of California.
The colJncil may also l.P?Oint an iIldependent board CIt boards; for cable
tele-vision maners. AIl .other boards. commissions..and committees appointed
by the COiJl'ltU or by any OfTlUT of the City Ur;dCl" tbe provisions .of [his
ehaner or c:1dcr any ordinance adopted by the council shall b<:: ad .... isor)
only and shan exercise no I1lvernmental or administrative powers.. (Amended
by amendmenE med: wjth the Secretary or State. December 9. 1983).
Sec. 23. Continution: 0( aovemment; disast:e'r. The Council may by
ordinance or rno!ution. provide (or the preservation and continuatioo of
aovemment in the event of ,Usurer Which rtnden unavaib.bJe a majority
of til. Council. (Am<nded by Sta ... 196 J. Ch. 190, 6-7-61 ~
Arock IV _ Ovlios of Off,.,."
Sec. 1. CouncG: Ippointett offlCelS. The council shall appoint the city
mln.r. clerk.. attGmeY and iudiitcr. who man sef\le at its I'j~aS1.Jre.
(Amended by St. ... 1965, Ch. 25, 2·19-65 and by SlOts. 196~. Ch. 163.
7-8-68 and by amendmenl ftled with the Secretaf)' of State. Oc(;e;nber 9.
19&3).
Sec. 2. Qu~JcatiOftS of city ~. Tb!' city man;oger shaD be the
chief .admini:!otntivc offlCer of tl;;e City. He shai1 be chosen wiu,out rtgard
to political consideration and 5o':l1~ly .... rtb reference to his execu.tive and
administrative quaIJfreations. He sh~U be I citizen of the United States, but
need not be .. rnident 0( the Slate of California Or of the City at the timc
of his appoincrnent,. but promptly thereafter he shan be<.."O!'OC" and theJ?after
remain. dU":'inC his incumber.cy. an actual resident ofithe City. No member
of the cot.lncil shaD. durina: his term of office. or for one y~ar thereafter. be
cfies"bIe to beld t1:Ie position of city manlier.
Sec. 3. Appomtmmt and' removal of city man.lJer. The city mana.ge-r shan
be appointed for.an indeftnite term by I majority vote of t11e councl1 • .and
may be removed by .resolution at the pleasure of the council. by a 1 .... 0-
thirds Vo!e ~hereof. iBcfore bt may be :removed. he shan, if h.e 50 demands.
be aiveS! a written stalclMnl of the re.asons for his remo ... ·a] anl1 the right
to be heard publicly thereon at a meetinl of the council prior to the lmal
'IOu: on the resolution providinl for hi!; removal, but pending and during
C-8
•
o
DUTIES OF OFfiCERS IV-4-IV-6
sucb I'leuin. the-council may IUspeod him from office, The Iction of the
coondl in suspendinl or re:mc'Vin, the dty mi-n.a,er shin be linal and con
dUJiw. Upon any vacancy (l(:CUnina: in the office of It,e dty man.3£er sub
sequent tc th~ rl1'it Ilppointment hereunder, the council shail. wi:hou!
de1ay~ adopt I rnolution of ju intention 10 appoint. city man3Ser. which
resolution shaD be: published Of)C;C in the-official nc\lt'S.papcl' of the City, No
appointmel1lf shaD be m.ade in less. L'Jan thirty days after i1.a;h publication.
This provision. bowev~. shaD not affect the appointment or a city manager
pro lem as bttc'in provided:.
See .•. BoDd' of' city maNlJet. The city manaGer shan.. before entering
upon IUs duties. rue with the city der" an ofn~iaI bo:ld. payabie 10 the
City, ror the faithfuJ perlonnanc;-e of his duties.. Tbll: amount of this 'bcnti
shan: be fixed by the o:ounci1 md shan be not Jess than fi\'c mousand dotlars
(55,000.00), III. premium for which shoJI be p&id by the City.
5«. 5. Saluy of 1!WlIJef. The city ntlnlltT shan be: paid a salary com
mensurate: wilh hIs duties and responsibilities as the chief .I.!ministrativ(
omen of the City.
Sec:.6. Dutia of city manapr. It sbaIl be the d1.lty of the city m.ana@cr:
I. To de"Yote his ~ntire tjm~ to the di5dlal'J'C or h.is offKiaJ duties,
b. To set thai aD ordinan.ces Ire enforced.
c. To appoint a.!] offieen. heads of departments. and employees of the
departments under his canuel. and remove the sam.e for a\.!~. and have
pn-traJ supervision and control over the same, subject to rules. and
rquI.a.tions ett.J!bfishe4 by the ~uncil for I. merit sys.'em of Ippointments
and promotions; provided, however, that the appointrMnt cf an ofricers and
beads of departments shaD be subjecl to the approv.aJ of the council He
may. with Ule Ipprtlm af the council. act as head or .assume the ex ecutivc
position of &ny department or the Cit)' under his controi for whicb he is
quaIilied bY tmnin • .,,4 experien<=. •
d. To attend aD mettinJS of the council unless excused therefrom by
the CO'.mciJ.
t. To act u ex olTtcio member of ali boar~ and commissions.
[ To keep the council ._4011 the ...... of the City.
.. To prepare and submit to the ~m:iI an InnlJal bl.ideet estimate for
aD dcpartmtmts wuler his COIitr..ll. toeetMt' With the budret t'Stimau5
PRpared by tM heads or '1M SotYe:al other dep&rtmcnts, and $U ch reporu.as
the council may require, inc:JudinC the annual reports or an departments of
1M 01)1.
h. To prepan, Cf causc to be pRpan:d, plans a .. -'1d speciiX:3.lions ror
'-';Work which the council may order; anet to provide such plans and
IpCCifJCations in sulfant :number and .in ample time to g:iv~ fuD
opporturu~ ror all cootrac:ton who desire to bid thenon 10 do so.
L To have p:ner2J ccmtrol of aD public utilities owned or operated by
tII.Oty,
•
o 0
IV-7-1V-9 CHARTER
i
j.. To eJteidse Jenera] JUper.'lSJon C¥e1 LfJ privatei>" owned utilities
operated within the aty 10 tv as the :5i&n'le ve subjec.1 to mu.nic:ip.al controL
t. To., that the provisions oran !randtises, le&sc:s, contracu, permits.
and p rlvil ..... .,..,..ed by the ary. are fuIJ)I observ<d. and to report 10 the
coun<~ an~ violIlion th<=>f_
L To have.aeneral supervis;lon oyer aD city property and equipment and
its use (or the public or by city employ ....
m. To coordi.'\a1:e the wori: of per.:.cnnel administration in the
departments of the City under his control.. subject !o the ruJes and
reru1ttions or the councl (or the establishment and opcJ'3tion of l merit
symm.
1L From time to tiJM:. in order 10 facilitate the prompt., economical,
anI! errtcit:n1 dispatch of city business, he may orpnize the wo!"\. of the
departments under rus .control. assign assistants.. dtputies., and employees
from any office or dep.art."1U:nt of the City aovemment under his control to
perform work. or senict in conned:ion with any other offK:t or department
thereor. or to \'9Ofk in more than one of said oir.ees or departments.
o. Ttl exa:min~~ or cause to be ex.amined, withO\lt notice, tile off1Cia]
condu~ of any emcer, .a.s:sis:lant, deputy~ derk or employet in an)" of the
departments of the Ory IOVC!'1UI'lenl, ex cept or the council or the officers
appointed by it.
p. To coordinate-the-purcha~ for aD departmenu of the Cit..!". No
pUTchase .shan be made wilhout the apprcval orthe city mana,er.
q. To appoint such committees as he may dum de5inble to .advise
and assfst him in his work. provide-d the members of sucr. C"ommittee5 shan
5eot without compcn.sation
r. To perform such other duties as may be required by this cl-..ar1er or
as the council may requLre of hfm. (Amendea' by Stats. 1969, Ch. 223.
6·26-69 and by ame-ndment fLIed with the Se::retary or Sta!e, December 9,
1983~
Sec. 7. aty manacer riJh~ of discussion; no "'ole. The ary martajtt and
SLtch other offlCers of the Ory U J1".ay be desisnated by vote of the Council,
shaD be entitled to seat! with the ~ouncil. but shaD han no vote therein. The
city manac:er shaD han the ri&he to uke "an in the discuS1.io:r~ of all m.att~!'5
comin, before the council.
S«. 8. A.s..odstanl city maMa.er. The council may pf'OYld~ for the
appointment of an assista1lC uty mana,ser. In suc:h us, be shaD be appointed
by the city manager witl:l the approval of !be COUfH;!I. He 5h.aD be under the
supeJYision Vld direction. or the city manaJei .
.5ec:. 9. City manaaer ptO tent. In the absence or cemponJ)! dis3bility of
:he city manqer and his assistant, if one is appointed, t.lJc council: shan
appoint I city manqer pro tern who sha~ possess the pollitrs and' disch~
the duties of the citjl manaaer durin, such absence or disability; provia'ed,
COlO
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•
DUTIES OF OFF!cE~ S IV·IO-I\,·13
however, that I city man.aaer pro tem shaD halle no authority to appoir.t or
remove any city off~ or employee except with the. two-thirds \lote of tht!!
council, or as provided in the ~tiYe'eode .
•
Sec. J O. O>erclon by cOIIDCil members; Qmpafgn funds. No member of
the council shaD in any manner~ dlrectly or incfiroo'...ctly. by suggestion or
otherwise, Ittemp~ to influence Of coc:rce tht!! dty manaaer in the making of
any appointment Of removal, Of in the pun:1u:se of supplies.. or attempt to
aaa any promise relative to any appointment from ar.y candidate for dty
manager. or diseuss. dired!y or indirectly ~ wit.'1 any such candidate, the
matter of 2.ppointmettts 10 any city otrlZe or employmer.t. Any villIatiO~ of
the rorqainl provisions of this lleCtion sh.!D constitute I misdemeanor and
shall work a forfeiture o( the offICe of the offenci!nll member of U:u: council,
who may be .removed therefn:trn 'by the counciI Of by in)' court of
comPemtl jurisdiction. Neither the dry rnana&er r.or any penon in the
employ of the City shaD taice part in securln, or So'1a.D contnoute any money
toward the nomir.atiOD or elec;tian of any candl1are fo!' a munkipai office,
(Amended by SUu. 1972, 01. 71. 7-7-ill-
s..:. II. MaruI ... •• kin disqulfifled. No penon rotated to the Mty m3JUI8U
by co=-inity or affinity within the third degree shall hold any
appointin otrKe or employment .-lUi the City.
Sec. 12. Durifs or app-oinme off"teen. The dUtiCi of the city clerk. and
attome)' shall be those normally nCl"c:sed by sucll ofitCe~ as pro"ided
in this charter and in the administrative code.
~t 5hat1 be d1t duty of the city luditor 10 ensure that the City depan
ments and officen respons.ible (Of" Icwuntinl and fman.ciaI management
activities comply with statutory requirements and Iccountln,g standard'>.
It shan be Ute duty of the luditor to condu.ct internal audits of an the
rlSCa! i...-..nsac:tions of the (::ty includitll. but not limited to, the exarr.ination
and l11aJysis of rlSCal procedures ud !he examination. checkinl. a.."'Id \'eriflca
lion of account! and upenditures~ and tbe city a~lditor shan provide ot.J.:er
an21y5rs of rmancial and opcratin, data as dir~ct:d by the city council.
The city auditor shall conduct internal audits in accordance with I schedule
appro\lcd by the city council and may conduct ;.msctleduled audits from
time to time. The .resulh of these audits shaIl "be reported: in writing to the
city council and the ctr)/ manq.er. In addition. L'le auJi10c shaO have S\.!ch
oth~r duties IS Ihe-council may by ordinance ciirect. (Amended' by Stats.
1968~ Ch. !63~ '-8--68 and by amendm-ent fIlro with the Secretary of State,
~mber 9. 1983).
Sec, 13. Audits.. 1n. additjo~ to the-audHs conduct~d by the city auditor.
the city C'Our:ciI shan enJaJe an indepc'nde:lt certified pubIk accoullting fum
to .conduct an annu~ external audil and report the res1J!ts of this audit if.
C-II (i'.I;O Alto 12 ·M)
o
Y-I-Y-4 CHARTER
wntinl to tile ~ty council. The city auditor S.~an C"oordinalc-the annual
exte-mar audit. (Amended by amendment filed with the Secretary of Slate.
o.comber 9,1983),
Artick! V. Compulsory Arbitntion ror fire W PC"!~
Oep.vtm.." Employee Disputes
SK. i. Ded.ar.ltion of PoUcy. It is bereby declared to be thC' policy of
the Qty of Palo Alto thaC strikes by r.uefighlus and police officers an not in
liIe pubDc interesl and: should be prohibited, aJ'Id chat a mefhod should be
adopted for peacefuDy ad e(lultably resoiYinI disputes that might otherwise
lead to sud! strikes.
Sec. 1. ProIu"bttion Ap.irqt Strikes. lr any firefi!hter or peace offic~r
employed by the City of Palo AJto wilfully e:n.pjtS in I strike .q.ainst the
City. said employee man be dismi5sed from his or her emplcoyment and rna}'
nett be rriniJtat~d or !'t:turned 10 City employment ~"C'ept as I new emplo)'~.
No officer. board, round. or commission shaD have: the JXI""er 10 annt
amnesty to Pny employee dloiIJed wi th enpging in a stnlte apl1'lit the City.
Sec. 1. Obliption to Nesotiate in Good faith. The City, throug. ... its
d\lly authorized n:praentatives, shan negotiate in aood falth with the
reco,niz.ed fire ITId poljce depmment empJoyee orpniution.s on all matters
ret.atinJ to tJ:le waaes, hours, and otber terms .and conditioni C>f Cfty
employme1'l:t, includinl the-establishment of procedures for the resol~tlot! of
gri~an~ submitted by either employee orpnization o~r the inlerpretatioo
or Ipplication of any negotiated .acreement including a provision foc binding:
arbitration of those ,lrieYances. Unle.u and unti agreemmt is n-ac:hed
throulh nqotia::ions betWftG tlte City and 'he reco&n1zed emplo)'~
ol1anizatioD for the rue or poJl~ department Cir :I detenn!."':atjon is made
th..~&h th~ arbitntKII! proccdl.ln: hcreinilftcr pr;;tvlded. no ex.isting benefit
C'f c::cndition of employment tor me members of th~ rue dt'part.'1lcnt or
police dcpartmffJ[ bargaWn& unit shaIl be eliminated or-changed.
Sec, 4. Impasse Raobation Procedu:res. Aft disputes or controversies
pe:riaininl to W'II~ hours. or terms and conditiorui of employment lio+Jch
remain unresolved after rood faith negotiations between the ary :nd either
the fire or police department employee orpniutioQ shaD be submitted to .II
three:-member Board of Arbitraton upon the declaration of an impus.e by
the city or by the recoptized employee org.anfz.ation involved in the dispute.
RePresentatives des;gnated by the City and representatives of the
~opUud employee oI1aniutiotl l.."lvolved in the dispute, controversy or
lrievance srha.D each sele...'"1: one arbitntor u' th~ Bbafd of Arbitrators within
three (3) day, aftel' either party has notified the other, irI wrlur.j:, that it
C-i2
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FIRE AND POLICE EMPLOY.E£ DISPUTES \'-4
desires to proceed 10 arbitration. Th~ third member of the Arbitration Board
sh.aD be .selected by q.:r-n:ment between the two arbLtn::ors selected by the
City and the employee o:ra,anizati<m, and shaIl seNe as the neutral arbitJ'3tor
anc! Chairman of the Board. In the ncnt that the arbitrators selected hy tbe
Oty ItId the employee orzanization cannot agree UPQn th-e selection of the
trurd arbitralor within ten (10) days from the date that either party has
notifi~d t.'l.c OC:htt that it flu dccl~d an impasse. then either party may
~ue.st the-State of California Conciiia~ioq,' Service to provide a lis1 of se~n
(i) perscns who are Q.ualified and experienced as labor arbitrators. )f t. ... e
.arbi!ralors selected by the City and the employee organiution cannot agree
wilhin three (3) days after receipt of suei'l list on one of :5r\Itn (1) Co lIct as
the third arhitralor. they shan alternateiy stnY.c namts from the list 'Of
nomirlees until only one name Rrnains .and t-'lat penon s:taD 11'en become
the third arbitr.J.tor and ch2irman 'Of the Arbitration Boud.
Any arbitratiOn convt;ned pursuant to this article shan be concfucte<l in
eonfonnance with. SUbje-C1 Fo, and IOlfemed by Title 9 of Pa."1 3 of t.'1e
c.Jlforni, Cod. or ow PrOC<dUf<.
At the conclusion or the arbitration hcari."lIP, the A1bitratlon Board
51aD direct e:ac:h (Jf the parties to submit, within such time limit as tne BOilrd
may establish, .. tat offer of settlement on each or the' issucs in dispute The
Arbitntion Board 'Shan decide each .issue by majority vote by selecting
whichever last offer of settlement on that issu~ it find, mO$t nearly ~onrorm5
with those factors uaditionany taken into consideration in we
deunninatioD of wages, hours.. and other terms and concflrions of public Vld
private employment,. includinl, but not limited to, changes. in the avl:"rage
QORSUmeT price index ror goods and 5er"Vlces, the wages, hours. and otl:!er
terms and conditions of ernproymer.t of other employees ptrl"orming similar
.mea, and the financial condition of the City and its Ibility to meet the
cost of the award.
After :reachinl I decision. the Arbitration Board shaIl ma11 or otherwise
deliver a true copy of its decision to the parties. The decision 0 f the
Arbitration Board sNll not be publicI,. <fuc:losed' ./Uld s.."\an not be bL ... crlog
\mill un (10) days :lifter it .is de:[ivered to the par"Jes. During tl!at ten day
period the parties may meet l'lrivately. attempt 10 1t':sol"'1e their differenc~,
Ind by mutuIJ agreemen t amend or modify any of the decmons of the
Arbitralioo Board. At the conclU$:ion of the ten day period:. wt-jch may be
exlended by mutual agretment belween t...'le parties. the decision cf We
Arbitrat!Qn Board togeL"I:!er with any amendm~nts or modifications agreed to
by the .parties shall be pub5c1y disclosed and shaD be binding upon tbe
parties. "The Cit)' and the ;etOa:ruited employee org.an.lzation shan take
whatever action is ~ecessary 10 carry oul and effectuate the award.
The eXpense of any arbitration ~nvened pursuant to this artici-t,
includina the f« for the :services. of the O:!.ainnan of the Ami tration Board,
shaIl be borne equally by the parties. AU other expen.:;es which the parties
may .incur individually are to be 'bome by the pil.rty incu;rring such expenses.
(Ad~ed by amendment med with the city clerk July 11. 19?5).
C-12.1
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REC"ll. INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM YJ-I
ArUcle: Vi T11e ReaD. Initiative and Refemldum
Sec, I. .Rec:ID. Proceedinas mOl)' bt commenced (or rccaU of any council
membt-r by the lervke', filing and publication of.ll notic.e of j1H~l'Ition to
circulatc a rec.aD "etition. Prcoceedinp may no( be commcnced un!e5&, at the
time of commenCl"ment. such council membd ha.l; held oflK=C' for at te~t six
(6) mor.ths Vld no rccaIl petition has been rued iI~1iSt suc" CO\Jndl member
withi:'! lhe precedin, six (6) months.
The petition dtmandinl: the ltcaD of the co ... r:acil member sourht to be
recall.:d. J1pJtd by ngistercd Yoten equal in m"nber to al Just twelve (} 2)
pcrccncum of the number of rqisten:d voters. It thl!' last ICIcraJ municipal
election. slIal1 ~ rdcd with the clerk. One 0) ekctioD is .sufficienr for t11e
ttcal1 or one (1) or more council' membeJ'5., bUI a StparalC' pr-tition is neccs-
JaI)' to 'propose the reaD of each council member .
. No signature may br afi.rxed to the pt'tition until the proponents have
K'fVed~ flied ;md published a notice ofintcntion to circuJak a ~eaD pC'tition,
~ntail1in, the name of the cc.uncil member sought to be recaJltd. a state
men, in Dot more than fi'\l~ bunt2red (SOIl) words of the pounds. ot! which
Ok rec:ul is sou;ht.. and the namc and add~S5 of It kist: ODe propon:::nt. The
aoticc-of jnh"lI110h sh.aD be sc:rved, personaDy or by ccrtif.led mail. OD che
council member sojJiht t.o he reca..l1ed, and it copy llIe~o{ with a certirlCate
of t1le time and manner of service shaD be fi]ed with rhe clerk.. A sepiU'i1te
notice of intentioa dta.D be f"lJed (or each council member soulllt to be rt
called.
Wjthin 5e'\'CD (7) days .fter the nlina of the notice of intention, the
.;:auncil mem her souJ:ht to be IeQ[led Il\ay me wjth the ckri: an answer in
not man than rIVe hundred (500) words to the stalement oC lhe proponents
and, if m answer is filed, sh.aJl serve .. copy tn!!!J'Cof, personally or by
cenmed mail, 011 Ollo: of t1'ie proponents name-d in tlIe notice of intention.
The sL.alement and 1l\S'4'eI an: intended IOlely for the information of the
Voters and nO' insufficiency in the form or .substance tnei'Cof s.h.a.R affect the
validity of the ch:-ction or proceedings. The aotice, statement and answer, if
any. shaD then be pubIlshed ill. newsp.apero(.Ieneral c.irculation by the City
C1uk.
No li&nature may be affixed to • recaD petilion until the County
RtJistr2r of Voters blS rtcti'lled .IWO blank copies or the petition and has.;ad·
vised the proponents .in writing that the form and wording are in order.
Seven (7) days after the pubficatio.D of the notic!!!, statement and answer,
If any. by th~ City ~.rk and provid.cd all the requiTemena or this section
re Notice of Jnlention. answers, and ronn orpetition have be-ec met. the.rc..
call petition may be circuJated and signed. The petition shan bear a copy of
tbe notice of inte.ntion, Statement and answ~.r. if an)'. If the co\JJ'1ci1 member
has Dol answered. the ~tition shall 50 state. Signatures shall be secured .and
t.bc ~titiOD r.a1ed witiUn ninety (90) days. from the riling of the notice of
intention. tr su~h petition is not filed: within the tim!!! permitted by this
section, tile same shall be 1Iojd for a.n purposes.
C-J3
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VI-l CIlARTER
The s.ij:na~uR' to the petiti.<J!t ~"d root an ~ appended to 'One paper.
bt.il said Pttition may be prcsen~d in .. coons. The n'Umber or s4natures to
eJlc.fl section shaD be 111 thr pleaSlJrt of the penon soIicil.i."'lliBnatut'es to the
same. Any qualirxd voter or the murUcipaliry shan be com p.:tent to 50ticit
~ ~tu7n. Unn 1M until jt be proven otherwist by orf"l,daJ investia;a
tlon. it I1l.aII be })n'sumC'd' that the pe:tirig~ presented conuiru the Sign;1ttu'C'S
of tnt' requisite numbrr of quaJir.led YOU!1"!. Eacll s(gner of sa.id petition Ulan
at the' limt" of si~in~ t:he ~tit~n include his printed name and his. piace or
residt'nce. pvjn~ strftt and numbeT. and if DO street or number eAists, t1Jrl'l .Ii
cfnifnation DC his prace of residence which Will erub1c the' location to be
readil'.: ascer...aJned' and the nune or the City. A p!.aao at least one~inch (l"}
wjdc-slWJ ~ Ie: ft blank aft£r elcll name for the use pf the c~rk in verifYing
1M petition. I ~ £3'" section or t11c petition shaD Mve attached to it , af!cLaration
li;ned b)' the cjrl;U!ator of lhat section of the peUtKIn, Ktting rorth aD or
L"'t loDowinl:
(:I) The: printed n~"!l orthe circ:ulouOf,
(bJ The l'eUdena addnss of the ~Jator. givin: sttut and number,
or.if DO Rreet or number exis~ adequate dmrnation of res,jdence 50 that
IIw location "oy ~ ... dily • ..,.ruflled.
(c) That the drculalor dtc:ulatcd that section .and saw the appended
sipltuR'S beinr: Wl"iUea..
«d) That ac:conJina ro the be-a ;information and btfierof tht circulator,
tid! si,n.1ltuI"e is the renum.:: sq:naru~ of the penon whose-nam~ .it porpons
to be.
(e) ~I Ehe ciret.3lator is a repul!!red ~ote:r oftheeJcctoraJjurudiction
of the-orrlUI' 50ulht to be ncabed.
(0 The cfatn. betwun whidl an the sirnatures to tile petition ..... ere
obtained .
.... ) The circUlator shall cenif)' to the content or thl!!' d'cclantion a.s to
Its truth and c:ottcctness. under-penalty or pvjul)' ..... ith the s.igN.rure of his
name It !en;th, incJudinllivm name, middle DmIe or initia.!. or iniliaJ and
middk name. The circulatoTshaU date thl!!' declaration irnmelfiately fol:iowini
his Jirlatun:.
Within fifteen (I SJ business days rr.:nn the datI!! of fljir..r: such petition,
the clerk slIalJ examine and ascertain jrom the ncorcls of reg:i5.tration
whether or not said petition is siped by the requisite number or eiectors
entitled to yote, and if nece55U')' the council ~ aIio'W the clerk extr.J help
for that purpose, and the cJerk thaD anach to !:!id petition his. ceniticate
sh~ th~ ~5UJt of said examination. If. by the "Said et:n.if"K2te. thr
~tition 15 shown to be insufrxic:nt, it ma)l be amended by additional signa
tures Within ten (to) days from the dau or said c:enif.lCiltC-, The dcik sh::n,
wjtJti1l fifteen (I S) bwiness days after such alnrndment. make li1.':c exam [na
tion of the-amell dcd petition, and if his c=:rtilkate shaD mow the same to be:
irlsuffkicnt. jt shall be retum~ 10 th~ penon filinr Ole same, wit "lout
FTejUcr.~. howev~r, to the tmn. of a DelM pctitJon to the same effecL
Chlo AbO •• 1)
c"-.
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C-14
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RECALL. INITlA TIVE AND REFERENDUM Vl-1
rr the-petitio!! shan be found 10 be wfrx:ient. the cirri: shan .s.ubntit the
same to the council 'Without deLay, and I.I\e c:ouncJ1 wn thereupon order and
rIX a date for ho1clina the-said election within tlu: tim~ set by the ,-eneraJ
Jaws of the State or Catifomia. Candid,ues for this election siaD tile .,ill, t11~
ell)! Oerle: Within the' nominaticn period ~t h the I~neral.taws of the State
of California.
At least ten (to) dlYs prior to the ReaD electio ..... the clerk shail .mail
lO c:adl voter I sample ballot and,l separate printed COH or the statemerH or
the proponents and or the-answer, if an)l. of the cOLmc:il m em bu SO\J~t to
be teQJl~, If the reca..!! of mOJe mill onC" c:ouncif member is solJ,I;hr. tb"
IUtcmrnl and answer (or ncb shan be printed together and:shaD be clearl)!
distinlUishcd from those of III)' othcr councB mtm~.
There shaD be printed on the ~aJl blllot, as to each council member
wbose .n:c:aD is to be vob::d on. the qlM:'stion: ~ha.i1 (nolm<: of person) bto n°·
called (rom the OrriCC of council member?" (P!']OWtd' by the words ')ie,"
and "DO." If • mljority of those "olin, on L"1)' question Yoted in fa .... or of the
nm()\lai of an incumbent. such lncumbent slIalJ be-deemed remo'ted' from
otI.au upon the q uaIi!"tcltion of the JU cc:t:$5Of •
On t'le leaD baDot. unckr each queruo~ thoen: shaD be print~d t..fte
names 0( those penons 'alho hay~ beeD nominated in the manntr pr01llded
herl!in .as candJdates 10 succeed' tll e U:U:Lim bfeni if su ch incumbent is recaikd.
No "rote ClSt shaD ~ wunled lor any eandidat'e (or the offlCC unless the
yoter also voted on the-queruon of the reCill of the perscc sought to be re-
caJ1~ from thai OrfKC. The name of the person against whom the petition
is r~ed sh&lJ not appear on the b.ano~ as I candid,ue for the ofrla.)f the Vote
recaDs the c:olJnCJ1 member, the candidai.e' w~o has receilled the Wghe5.t
Dumber of votes for the office shan be dec1a.n:d clecee:d (or the unexpired
unn or the former incumbent. If the pen.otl who nceivcd! the highest
number of votes fails to quanfy wjth.in len (10) days after nce.i\lin,g the-certJ·
r)(.ate of election the-offlCc shall become .. ,ean t.. S.a.id election VoaD be .cOD
ductc'd, retu.Im:d, VIc! the re.scTI5 thrrc:of dc.clact'd, in aD respects as are aD
other municipal ejections; provided, llut if theTt be any conflJl;:t of proy}
sions this charte-c \h.;.D c:onuol
Sec. 2. InitiatiVe. My proposed ordmana may be SlJbmiuc:d to th~
coun;M by a petition si£ned by quafilJed and nJislere-d! eiectors o( tJ:!.t" cit)'
equal in nurn ber 10 the percental'=' hereinafter J"eQtJ ired, The petition shaIl sc [
rOM .. copy o(thc-proposed ordinanc.t.
An irutiati¥e petition,.in erder to be ulid, must m~1 th~ foO:owlnG re-
quirernenu: <I> A notic~ ofi."lIenoon to circulale-a1! iniUative petition must be pub
li5hed i:I a newspaper or aene-nI circulation in the CHy 01\<:1:' prior to the
.ffixin. of' Rrly signatul"C" to any petition and' shan be sub'5tanti.a.J1y in the
!oUowinJ; rorm:
C·IS (PJJ<> At .. ! ..... U)
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Q
Vl-~ CHARTER
Nader o(lntenl 10 Circ1JJate' lnitiati'v-e Petitio"
Notic::t is ~by Jiven of the inte'lition of the pe~ns .. bose names.
appear beJ1!OD co <:V.cu.la.'te an initiative petition ... ichin the-dty of Pii!O
Al10 for the PUlpO'.iC of ....•...•.... ,... A natemeru of tl:Ie reasons
of the pfOpowd action .IE conlt"mplated in sald p!'tition is as fono ..... s:
(b) A copy of th~ notict of intention. tosethCT with an affidavit of
publication. shillf be-~d .. -ith tht ckrtc prior to Ole affb;in,g or In)l sign3-
tUR' to any petition.
(0:) rmmediltely after the publication ana rUin, of the notict or i..,
tcntion to circuiaU'. the initiative petition m3lY be: circulated and fiJed,
The siptltul'H 10 the petition nud nol aI be append"' 10 one paper,
bUI said' petitiOn may be p!!"lenl.ed in :lemons. fa!;)] section of tlIc petition
shaD contain .. copy of the notice of intention to circulate and:l ropy ofL~e
proposed ordinance. Jbco number otsi;n&turu ao each section shin be at 'Ihe
pieasure of the penon soJicitinr Acnahues to thto same. Any QualJf"x-d voter
of the municipality shaD be competent to SOlicit said signaturn.. Unless anc:!
unt.i1 it be proven otherwise by official investir:.-'tion. it :shaD bt prestimed
~at the petitiOn preanted contain the sfptarureli of the requisite number of
q uaIil"ltd YolIn.
Ead sipeJ or said petition shall It the time of sipJin, the-p: tiOOn in-.
dude-his printed name and pbe:r of re.siden~e. Jiving street and number. and
iI DO street or number exi5ts. then I d=~&n.:Ioon of his .pIaa 0( resldence
wftidI win enable Uk kx:iticlt to be readily uceJ'U:lmd lind lhe name aCme
city. A place of at least 0I1C-inc:h (1") wide stWJ be left blank af[er-uch
Jlame for the-we of !be dtJi ;in ~rd'y.inl the petition.
In IdcfitiOn to the requirements specuzed' .above, each section shaH
line attached thereto the affidavit of the person 50Ilciting the sirnatures
.rall»lo
(J) The twr'Ie and ad'clress of the circulator and a statement that he or
she is I qualiflC'iS nJiste~ voter.
(:0 Th.a[ aD the siJnaru~s aJnx.:d to the .section "ere made in his or
her prntnce.
(3) Th.at to the bat of tlis or ber knowltclge Ind belief. elch signature
is the' ,JeIIuiM :5ianalWt Df the: penon whot name' it purports to be.
(4) The dales Mr.-eell whicll: aD $ip\.l.tures were obtained.
(5) The siamtur: 0( the circulator. No othe-r affidavit thc:~to shan be
nquirod.
Within fifteen (J S) basiness ':tays from the date of filing such
petition. the cJed: thaD examine and uceruin from the records of registra
tion ... berber 01" Dot said petition is :q:ne-d by tJ1e requisite number of
electott entitled to l'oee. and if necessary the: ~ouncil shall anow the clerk
extra hcJp jor th.a.t purpose. and the cleric shzll attach to said petition his
cmirJClte sbOVIina the tetUh of said examination.
Jf the petition accompanyin.r the proposed ordinance be siBncd by
qlUlU>ed and .registered eJectors equ.al III number of six (6) pucentum of tlIe
C-!6
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o o
RECALL. INITIATiVE AND REFERENDUM '1]·3
number of n:lislcred' voters at the last gtneraJ municipal dC=l,;tion th~ couneu must either pISS such ordinanc,: without aJtl:FolItion or submit !hl! same to
the erectonte at rhe n;:xt .general municipal election that shall occur at any
time DO~ kss. than eishty--eieht (88) days from the date of the clerlc·5o ccrtin
caie of JUff...:::iency. But if such petition is signed by qualified and re-gistt'red
cleeton eqw:J in nurnbt::r to twelve (1:1) pt;rccntum of said number of
rqistl'rcd ;/Oter5 at the last :general municipal election. and cOl'lrains.a reqLle'st
[hat ~IUCh. ordinance be submitted to .a \'(jtf: of till:" people at a speciaf elec
tion. then the coon",iI must either pass the ordinl1l1cc without alt~ratio:1 or
submit the same to rn~ eJectoratr at I special election 10 be caned within the
period provided b)l the ,enerai 1'''''':5 of the: State of Calirornia.
If ~ cJerk', certifit::ation shows L'lal the petition: is insufficienl b}'
re~n of £hI!:' railure 10 obtain sufficient valid sil,l:naturcs [heTtOr',. a suppJe
metlL:d petition., in ronn • tluJ'lfic.l:ll? of the original petition, bearing ne .....
ad<.Jitional signatures may be rued within leo {10'1 days of the mailingof th~
certiliC<llC' of imutTlCtency 10 the proponen[S of the iniHati'lle. Supplement.a]
petitions shall be proce~d by tho: clerir. irl the same mann,;:,:r as sct (crth
:heJ'1:io with R:1pC!CI to original petitions. .
Tile ballots used when voting upon such propo5ed ordinance "han
c:onwn the 'IVOrds "For thl,!' Ordinance," and -Asainst the Ordlnance""
(stating the nature or the proposed ;Jf'\:UJian~). if.;a majonry of tht: quaJiiled
e~ctors votinr on Slid proposc:d ordinance shan vote in f3\'001 thCTeOi. sucb
ord"inJ1\1."C shaD become a lIa)id and binding ordinance or tht City The
council may at such election sub-nUt .any amendment [hereto th,lt it m3Y
d~em proper, and the ballots used .;at such election sh.aU contain the WDrJ!o
"Fen-the Amend.ment .... or "Agalnsr the Amendment. .. or ordinance (naming
the ordinance), aJ'ld also Slating the natur~ or tile proposed amendment.
If a majority of the qLlaiirw:d cleeton; voting on said proposed amendm€-nr
shan vote in fallor thtm:of, such ordin3J1re shan thereupon 'be deemetl
am~nded!n acCOf'dance therewith. The council may a!so propose and submit
any ord'"inaJ1ce to the electOrs.. and SlIcll oro.lToanc~, UPOD receivi."lg OJ majority
of the votes or !he eJectors. vo~g then:QI1. shat! be deemed to ha~'e ~~n
adopted and shall be a 'IIJ.r:d and binding ordinance of the City. Such ordi
nances shaD be consjderrotj u adopted upon tile dat.: the council c!loducts
tbe officmJ cUlvass cf the election L"ld shall go into effect ten d<lYs after that
dare. An)' cromanc!!: adopted by the electors under the provisions of this
section cannot be repealed or-amended. e.xcept by a VOle of the people ob
tained in the manner hereinotoo",C' stated. I.onks.s S"u;;h ordinance shan other
wise pro~ide.
Ally numl:M!:r or proposed onfiniUlccs may be 'IIoted' lJPon at the SJme
erection in accordance .. it11 the provisions of thi5 !eetion; pro\'idcd, that
there shall not be held under this section of the cha..""tl:'r more wan ont!
iopeciaJ election in any period of twem m"Jnths.
Sec.. 3. Refvendwn. AllY ordinance. other than wch as mal" be-requir<:d
to be passed .t ;I partkl.liar time or ror tht' plJtpOie of complying with .)
C-16.1 (r .. ~ All", I O~7)
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o
VJ-J CHARTER
choUteT or ~t:ncra1 la ...... and uC\:ptinC IlUch oniin.ances or measlJ.res. for the
immediate pTl!1C'rvation or the public peace, heoalth. or safet)'. shaD be scbjt"o:t
to a rt'fefl:p.d\lm as h~n:in pro\lid<=d. Provided further that the petition for
w~ nferendum be filed Within thirty {30} days from Wt: rmaJ passage of
:SUdl ordinance:. and the same dlan Dot be effective during said pt:riod dunng
which the same is 5ubjr:ct to rcfnendllrtt.
The counei) mOlY, of its own motion, submit any ordinance 0{' q1lestion
of pam.')' to 3 rere~ndum"
A :n:rerendum petition .askin, that a partic'Jlar oTdinance nam~d th~rein
be submiut:d to a 'Vote of the elcctoI3tc:, in order to be vaJid, mu~ meet the
fo.llo-"ing !'Iequi.f'tments:
(01.) A notil.:e of intention to circubtc-II referendum petition must be
publisi,.~d i!1 a newspaper of general circulation in th~ City ono= prior [0 th~
afrlxint! of any signature to iUl)l petition Ind o;;hOl.ll be substa:ltianjl in thE
followin, fonn:
SoL~ ortnlent to Circul:.tc Referendum Petitio!!
Notice ~ hereby given of the intention of tht: persons ... h~ namC";
"'ppear hereon to ciKub.tc' .. :referendum petition within the Ci,y or PaTo
Alto for the plJrposc of ... ""." •. """.. A statct':leT1' of the
~ason5 of t.''Ie propme.d action IS oontrmplatc:d In said pt:tition is as
ro~'Ws:
{bl The notice: or intention shaD be ilk.j .... im the clerk prior to the
amxjn~ of any siJPlarul'e '0 an)' petition. I
(C) ImmL"'Hah~'1) after the publication and filing of the notice of in
tention to circulate the referendum petition may bt: cir;:ul::acd.and filed" The
pelition sl' • ...n bear .. copy 0( the Douce of iraention to circulate. Signat\lfeS
shall bt:! secured a:.,d the petition fIkd within thirty aJl}<5 of che dale of the
adoption or PitSSafC' of the crdin<lonC"C" filed with the clerk. If such petition is
not flied within the time ~uired by this scII.'tion. the: same shan be "Void for
aD purpos.t!s..
The signatures 10 the petitkln need not aD be appc-oded to one paper.
bur $aid petitioll may be prciCnted in $Cctiom •. Ea\;n s.:ction shaD ;:ontaln
t. ... e number .. nd title of the ordinam::-proposed to bl:: rcfetende.d and a sUte·
men!. that the purpose or the ~tit:ion is to !'tferend such ordinance. The
number or sign.atures to each section "un be at the plc.asurc Q-f the persou
sobciting signatures 10 the same. Any qU&lirlCd '¥oter of the municipality
s1'l.aJ1 be competent to solicil said sign.aIU~.i. Ea-ch slgnt!r of s.a:id p~tition sn"aD
2t the: time of signing the petition include: his prin~d namt! Vld place of resi·
4en~. gi .... in, 5~t and number. -S'nd .. no street or number exuts., then ..
dcsi;n.ation of his pl<Ju of resjdeocc w.bicb wilJ enable the }o.;;atio!l 10 be
TeIIdUy ascertained and the name or tlic Cit)'. A place of It !em one inch
wide s1uD be left blank arter each name for the use of the clerk u, .... erifying
the petition.
Each section. sl'IaIl have .. ttached therelo the affidavit of tile person
soliciting signaf'.Jf"es to the S&lDe stating:
('-to Allo 10-1:7) C-16.2
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o o
IlECAll, INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM YJ-J
(I) The Dame and addn-.5S of the drctdalor Vld .a statC'men~ that be or
IItr i:5 • registered vOkr of Palo Alto .
• ~) Thai an the-.qnanues afrlXed to the section 'lftte nu.d'~ in hls or
ber presen~,
(3) That to the best of his or 'her knowJcdae and belief, cad sigllatlJf'C
b the ,t'nuint siJlUtul!' of 'lllc person .... hole name is purports 10 be.
~4) The-dales bctw~n which aD sirnarures .... ere obtained.
(.5) The sianatur=-of t. ... e citcuIal0r. No other atrKla~it there-fO shaJJ be
required.
tinJ~ and until it be proven otherwise bl" ofncUil In'llC'stic.ation, it shall
be ~med that the petition preleDted con tains the signatures of the
requisite number of qualified Yoten.
Within rtfceen f] S) business; dlll)'s r1"Oft'1 th~ dale of filinl sue}>. ~tition.
th.:-clerk sh~ exmlme and ascertain rrom the records or regis::ntioll
whether or DOl sajd petition is li&ned by the requisi1e nurn ber of Ie leeton.
entitled to YOte, and if necessary the counc:,g shaD aDow thr clerk extra help
lot thai pUl]X}Sc. and the cltrk ~ attach to said petition his certilkalC'
showing tht result of said examination. If th't clerk's certifk.ation sho"",
that the petition is insuf'fkJeI'H by reason of the railu~ 10 obtain sun1cicnt
.. aDd' IiJn,atura thmru.. 8 JUppiemcntal pztition. in fonn 8 duplicate of the
ol'ij:inal' petition, burin, oe:w additional sipaturcs may be' filed within ten
(1 Q) day" of the mailins afthe artiflcate or insu.(r~ncy to tbe proponents
of the nferendum. SIJ,,,leme-ntaJ petitions shaD be proc:::sed by the: clerk in
1M: .sa . .'n~ manner as set rorth herein wjth .respect 10 original' petitions.. If the
petition is signed by qualified and :reJi$ured e1eclors equaI.in number to six
«6) p£rantum of the Dumba' of rqistered 9'oten at the last ,!!ncral murtici
pal' eJection anlf the petition shan be found' to be su frJcient... the cierk sha.fi
submit lfle same to the councii w.ilhout dday and it shaD be the d\lty of t.h.e
council to reconliider sudl ordinance. tr the counc:l1 fail!. to ent.iTely .repeal
suc.'!:!i ordinance. it shall hi: the duty of the council to submit the question of
the as!Pro'll'iI.! or ft'jection of IUch ordinance to the electors at the ~ext
reneraJ municipal eJection or a srec::ial ele:etion that lll.aD be-beld' not less
than ei,:ht)'--eiJht (88) days from the date: of the clerk's «rtific.aft of
IUffJ.dc:nCy and, LlJ'iti! such election is held' and' the ordinar.cc-Ipproiled by
the eJectors, such ordinance shall be suspended and inopent.;"'e.
The baDots used when 'JOlin. upon sud! ordinanc.e shaD contaln the
""oTd's .... For the Otd'iTlance" and "'Aplrut the Ordinance" (stating the
nature of the proposc.d' ordinance). If a m.ajority or the qualified tlectors
votina on ~d pro,poted' ordinan ce shan ~tc .in favor thereof, sud!. ordj
JW1" shall become a ~id and bin<!in.c ordinan« on the Cit)!.
Jr the ordinance voted upon is approved. jt sh:d! hive th~ sune force
and efrect of any oEber ordinance adopted by COLtl'Icl and may be w;cm2ed
81 any time IS thouah no ekctio~ .. ere held. If the ordinance voted 'U.PQD is
dillppl"'Oved'. 1he ~nQ may not .dopt I substantially sImilar Oldinance for
• period or a1.: &eut C)(lt (I J yur rrem the dare of election. (Amen.:fed by
SUI$. 1912. CIL 71. 7·7·n and by Sa"-1982, Q. 30. 12·1()'8~).
C-16.3
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VU-I-VU-<5 CHARTER
_ VIL Mioc<IIIneou.
Soc, I, In_ 01 -. in co._ ... No ollker 0( the aty shall bo
In,eftSled In ""y """1m:! on"",, 111'0 by tho City. and the renen! laws of
tho ltate 1om4<\inl city otrJdals to be 10 int=ed are hereby !:lade. part
oIthis_,
Soc. 2. "'11&: .1ilI1ies ... .., ... lM ....... ue 0( t<>ch public utility sIuJl bo
lrept in • so:>-te fUm! !rom oil other receipts &lid sbaI! be .... d roc tho
_."d in tho onIor .. follows:
L For tile pa.yme:n.l or thot opentlnJ and maintenan~ expenses of IUch
utility. indudlna tho necoDGy contribution to .. tiRmont 01 its employees.
b. Far the poymont 0( 111_ on tho bonded debt incum.d rex the
oonstnIction or a<quisltioll 0( JUCh utility.
Co For the poymonl 0( the priDdpal 0( Aid c1eb~ as it may bec<>JM due.
II. For apitaloxpenclllum of ItId> utility.
e. For the trmma! payment into. reaef\"e fund fer continaenc:ies, of an
omoUDt _ to .. ceed len per=t 0( the expenditure for capital outlay for
the year. ex_ 0( bond tlmd expcndilwcs. '!be Iota! a=uIated in this
,.,..,.. for OODlilI8mcies sbaI! II no limo exceed five _, 0( the book
_ 0( tho utl!!ty's capital in ...... Ice. This roerve f."d shall be a.wable for
_ by the utility. cmIy for "Plaoanents or ~ Jepaizs ar.d af!n
'I*ial appropri.atio1l by the COlDICi.
r. '!be remaiJ>dor oIWl be pa;d into tho FneraI fund by qlWt<tly
oIlotmaIls.
Sec. 3. Candidoleo' cIeoI .... tioe. No ballot u...l .t my municipal election
IbID """lain any rer .... ce 10. poliliW pony. and no <lesicnatio. or 'YDlbol
shall be placed in <oDDC<:ticn WIth tho name of any candidate. The ortier 0(
JIstin& or candida ... • ....... on the ballot shall be dewminod by IoL
(Amonded by Stats. 1967. Q.. 103, ACR No.1 06 and by Stata. 1969, a..
223,6-26-<59 and by Stats. 1972, Q.. 71.7-'-72).
Soc. 4. No __ willlou ....... t No -. rllTll or oorporation shall
"'" exercise any fnn<:Im<. ~. permit, easement, priviIere or other use,
except in 10 far IS be or it may be ontitlcd to do 10 by c!iJut authority 0(
tho Ch_tution 0( the State of California, or 0( the Constitution or laws 0(
tho Un;ted SIa .... III, upon, .,..,., under or aIon& any street, hilhway or
other public ploee In tho City unIets "" or it oIWl have rlnt obtained. snnt
~or III a=mIanoe _ the proYisions 0( this cltJrter.
Soc. S. Effecli> .... '" 0( laX __ (Repealed by Stats. 1968, Q.. 163,
1-a.6II).
Sec. 6. Con""""', 10_ reopoaoIbIe bidder. In tho erection,
lmpraYcmon' Of repair or oil ""b6c buil<ful&s and """,ks, and in all street and
C-16.4
,-'.-i.
•
--~.
"' .-.
o o
MISCELlANEOUS VlJ-7-VlJ-9
....... work, the cost of wIli<h is to be plld £rom funds realizod by bonded
iDdebt_ of the City 0< by usessmenl apinst any panicuIu property in
die aly, th< _ slWi be "', 10 the 10_ responsible bidcler, provided,
boweoter. Chi! council may reject allY IUId aD bids if deemed exot5StYe, and
__ ror bids <II' provide fo< the ",ort '0 be done by the City_
In case IiO bid is received~ the ccuncil may likewise provide Car the .me 10 be done by the City_
When the _te of the oost of said work by the a.-, En&ir>eer show.
th< said wori: C&Jl be done for an equal or .... cost tIwl thot of the lo .... st
bid, then ",y of the 'OIOrk hen:in _nlimled may be done by the City. and
the City shaD be deemed the contrador. with the risht to enfo:ra: an bens,
ond with the sam. powen, riahts. duties, and ob!ipoons IS an: made .. ,d
pmrided. by the 1I.ws of che: state. fDr ~trolCtOr! -who have entered into
coatram 10 do such work .. tho -.. mpoftlibJe l:ldder.
The oounQI IbaII ..... po ..... to odopt ordinances (or the purpooe of
""'Yinl oul tb<oe prooisions. and such ordinances IbaII be rupplem •• ta1 to
!he etistina /.I .. of the State, and sholl ~ .... the ..",. (ore< and e!fect.
Sec. ,_ u-of city 1Ind_ The Council moy lease 0< sulH .... ro.aI
JII'Ora1y 0WDed or leased by the Oty for • poriod oot 10 .xcoed ruty yean.
NoIlUna hcU IbaII be doomed to ratify, .-aIid>te or ."end 'be te:m of any
_ oUlSIalIdinl "" tho effective da'. of this section. (Amended by Stats.
1961,0.. 190, 6-7-<i1).
Se:. 8. Effec. of _ ommd ....... ; otrJCaS. All om«B, deputi ...
..mtanta, and: employees in offacc or employment when this dwttlT or its
lI1II<IKIments take effect, IbaII CODtinue 10 hold ond exercise their '"POctM orr...,. 0< omploymenl, _ the _ or thisfcbaner, until removed or
Ulltilthe ljlpointmenl and qualif'latiOll of their su"""","-
Sec. 9 Ow'" ...... _.; _ted ,..Ii; eoa!>acts; 01<. AIl..,:od rights
d the City sha.U (.Of:Itinue and sJ-..aD not in all)! manner be affected by the
amendment of this. C1w1~, unlets sped.fICJlly so provided, nor-shaD any
ril;ht. liability, i'<"'dinI suit 01' prosecuticm, either in ~.aIf of 0< against tJ-.e
aty. be afl'ected by ..... amendment of this cIwter. unI= otl',enriso heroin
e:xpresdy provided. AI ~uacts entered' into by the Ciry prior to the taking
oITOCI of the amendments '0 !his chaner sh!lI be con tinuod and perf.CIod
thereunder. Public impro-emen'b for which leIisioJtive steps shall have been
tabn under laws in fo:rce at the time these ~
C-165 CJ'lI.lo "110 "-I))
•
PARKS VII· I 0-V111·A·~
mmts take ~ffect.. may be .c;a:rled to ccmpletion in accordince with the
provisior.s or su.dlllws.
Sec.. JO. EffK1 o( dw1er-amcndmr.ra; pension: retlmne-nL Tbl!:
pension artd retirement nc.'J.u and prhileaes 0{ omcen and employees of the
aty It the time this charter is amended. sban !lot be adversely affected: by
its prorisiono unless .pe<lficoDy providod heRin.
Sec.. 11. 5eYerabilir, pr':I'ftaO:'l!. If any section or part or .. section of
trus clw1er prov~ SO be irrralid. it s:wJ Dot be held to irlvaTIdat:e or impair
the validity or any other section or part of I 1«1ion. unlHs it dearly appean
that sucb otber section or pal1 of • section .is dll:'pendent for its operation
upon trus sectioD O!" pari of • 5e1:tion .so held Invalid.
Article vm.' Pm<s'
(This Article am."dod by Slits. 1969, CIL 223, 6-26-69).
All lands owned or contra ned by tt.c City wb.ich .an OJ" will be used for
paric. plaYSfOund, zecrntion or c.onservalion purposes wn be dedicated for
lOch purpo5<$ by onflrwLco.'
No land heretofore or hereafter dedicated for such purposes shan be
said or cthuwise disposed' of. nor shaD its use be aband'Oned or disco!ltinued
except pursuant 10 majority yote or tt~ elcctoT1lte. Any erection and related
procec:ium undeT Article VIII dull conform to th~ provisions set forth m
reneral Law IS it existed January]. ] 965. except t.ltat the council may can
such election by majority Yote.
~ substantial buildina. constructicn~ reconstruction or development
upon or .,.jtb respect to InY lands so dedi.;ated shaIJ be made ex cept
punuant to ordinance: subject to Rferendum.
Article VIn·A. Board' Df Education
(This Artl<I. ,ddod by SI.ts. 1951,CIL «l, ~14-51).
5rc. 1. Members: Dumber: residency; compmsation. The Board of
Education of the Palo AIto lJnirled School Dtstrkt shan consist of five
mcmben "'bo are: rcsjdentli of the territory of the unified school district, or
any additions thereto. They shlD SCfte without compensation.
Sec.. 2. Effect or ImmdtDr.'lt; Ienn. (a) The memben 0{ the Board of
EdUC:aholJ holding gfflCC ... ben this amerldmcll1 u-kes effect mlil continue in
offICe until tbci..-respective te.nn, of offlce shaD expire and until t. ... elr
successon are elected and qualified.
(b) Time DC ~ion. The election and retail o( members of the Board
or EdiJation shaD be held at the time'! and in the m.mner provided by the
Education Code of the State of California. (Amended by amen-limen! filed
With the city elm July 17, 1979~
(e) Tmn of OlTICE. The term of office of the members. of th-::o 'Soard of
Education, ihaD be four yun (rom and arte: Ihe rznr d:l)! of Ihe month
1. f~ ArtidI= vtD AIcohoik tiq.won;...,...wlry StalL 1t6.!, {Aile NiI.10).
2. DiIpoNI or pk t..k -.. AP9t1lfl2 ,.\.. s.. s.e ~ un, U".llf4. 23000.1351. 246'.
C-J7
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"
o Q
V111-A-J-X CHARUR
sueceedina dleir ~ection and until their rucces.sors.arC' el~ted and qualified..
The term of offK:c aC the members of the BoMd DC Education wh ich
corruncnced July 1, 1975, IhI:.D upire in 1979. The tenn of .office of the
member of the Boai1l or EduCition which commenw:! April t. J 977. shaD
expire in 198'. The term of offICe or the member of the Board of Educ;aticn
whkh ~nunenced April I~ 1978, shaD expire in 1983. (Amended by
amend",.,., filed with the Sc<:relary or Stale, July 1,1976; JUly 17,1978
and May 30, 1979~
(d) V.ec&DCies. Vacancies on the Board DC Education ~ be filled by
ippointmenC by the Board and: suc;h appointee shall bold office until the
r.ext regular dection of munbers of the Board and untiJ their SUCteS$C)rs are
elected and qualif.aed. At said !le"t rqular eiection :Alcceeciing any vacancy. I
member shan be elected to serve (or the Uo"lUpired term and untiJ his
sua::nsor • eJected and qualified. {Amended by Stilts. 1969, Ch. 223.
~Z~9).
Sec. 3. Pewers and dudes. the powers and Ch.ltlei of the Board of
Educatioa; shaD be those prescribed by tbe Constitution, Education Code,
and .FnenJ laws of Ute Sute of Califo:n.ia. as rhry may now uist or may
hereafter be amended.
Sec. 4_ Superintend ... , ~r .mools; _intm<n,_ The Bo.rd of
Educ.ation shaD appoin t I Supcrin fendc:nt of Schools. He shaD. be tM chic r
executive offICer of tht Board and shaD enforce an rules and .regulations of
the baud ind the Educat!OD Code of the State. He shaD alro act u ex officio
secretary ""d dert or the board.
Article IX. Amendments
Sec.. J. Compliance wlth Constirution. This chapter may be amended
on compliance with the PfOvisioru of the COJUtHutiOD cr the Su.tt!: 0(
U1ifonUa. (Amended by Slm. !969, Ch. l~3, 6-2~9).
5ec.. 1. Submis.sfoll Co rlector.l:le; camus. The council m:JS! make :all
aecessary PNvisions for submittini the proposed amendments 10 the
dectors. and shan CUlvass tht vot~ in the same manner .as in oth~r elections.
Sec. 3. Wordina of ballots. The ballots used .t 5iu<:h decl:or.s sl-.aIl
contain the words "'For the Amendment""' and ... ·.Against the Amendme1lC
(~.atina tht' natu~ of the pro~ amendment)..
Article X. Effective In[e or Amrnded Charter-
This amended: charter shaD take effect 01li the first day (if Jury, 1950, at
tw~"'e o"dock noon. AI iotdinan.ces., resolutions, and rq;ulalions in force at
the time of the ilpproval of lhis amended charter by the Jqis.la~U1e are
C-J 8
•
APPENDIX
heftby continued in tun torte and tffeet uti) the aame shaD be ameflded or
Jel W, &Dc! if ineonsiJ;tent with this amended ehart.a", until the fi.. ... t day
CIt July, 19SO, at twelve o'doct noon.. The membe:rw of the COIJDciI m :>t!'1Ce
at 1M time or 1M approval or this amended :ba.rW-by th< IegWzture ahtll
contine to hold ofr.ace and disc:harse their duties unUl the apitatio.o 01
their terms <'l ofC'tCe and the election a.nd qualtfieation of theiz au~.
APPENDIX A
(See Section 3, Article vm. Pub, Added by Stats. 1965, ACR No.
161).
EXCERPT FROM CALIFORNIA GOVERNYEN'I' (x)oE ART. 2, CH. 9,
PART 2, DIY. 3, TI'I'LE 4, COMMENCIJI;';; AT SECTION 3B44(), AS SAID
ARnCLE EXISTED ON JANUARY 1, 1965.
Artkle 2. Park. Ded ieal<d by City
Sec. S3l4O. Abaadoomerd aud disposal; au:thorfty. A. city may discon·
tinve and abandon the t!SC as a public parll: of ey land D,,"nrc! 10 f.ee by it
and dedicated or pla.ced 'Sn such use by IUeb efty. and thenafter dispose of
the l:o.nd.. pwTant to thlI; .vtic!c.
8n. 3.1441~ Exdla~n; autborlt.n ecnultuona. With01.l1: I. specia1 eke·
Uon.l!:!~ IegisJl.tive bedy t-~~y convey a minor portion c.! such I. park in ex~
eha..ne-fo:'" La equal or-cruter aru or \~e of p:nv..tel)" ~'1loed la.nU COD-
tiguous to the park otter: .
(a} Notice aDd a public hearing pursu:lIlt to this article.
(b) Dctermin::a.tion th~t the cxcban~ is in the public interest.
(cj .\dDption ot a resoJutiot:. . .; di!iCofltinuan~.
~ S844!. Protu""b!t<td (!i~nti::t!!l.nt"eS-~~ 'Fl-S ~~~d~ i.:l ~.iCl!!
38(tl, thili article shaD not be-eonstrued to I.uthori.ze.:
(a) A disconti:!luance and abandonment. or thange in 'Ule ure, Df sUQ:!
lands which will CI.\!Se the l"'e'W:rsi(lD of the lands to private ownership or a
lom.'ture or the -It}''. ownemup in lee.
(b) The di"oCO:CtiouanCl!' of' the Wie of p.a.:rk Ja.nds I.cc;,ui.red by funlis ob
tained from & 1oea.I useament baaed on benefita..
Sec:. 3&&43. Inltlation of proceedin.;:s; resclution. Proeffdings Ire initi
ated when the kgisI&.ti,,"e body .:l.iiapL a ruolution aeclarong that pl.lbU.: i::'l
t.ere3t or eonve-nienCf' requires tbe diseontin'll&rlu of the use at aueh ],en d: as
& pu'bnc park, and that the legislative 'body intends to can a 5peCia.l election
to aubmit the qutsUon of di.Ioontiauanc:e to the city elector&..
_J8444. ResoIuIIoa, """ ..... 16. Tho ~ ihall,
Co) Cont.l.in ... aecun.t< d.oseription of thelaruls.
C-19
:;-'.
-.......... -
•
'> ,
(10) Stale tile _ ""'" oltlle park.
(0) Stale tile dIopodtioa _ tile ~ boc!y _ to make
ol tile park.
(d) "" & -. &ot ... IIwl tblrty DO<' """" thaa -,. uy. .ne,
~ olille .-bItIoD, """ • ~ at _ tile jlt"J>IIc or po-... par-
tIcal&rIy " ter• 111&7 prow.t. s..... . 7 uo.; p"NSc.t.f'1-n.e dty tlerk ~ C&UIII th~ f't8O
_ to be pubIlobod _ to .. dally _ publlohed aM clmIlated
III tile dt7. ""If _ • __ In • ...uI7or ~y_
., 1""" ....... aM cin:QIat.ed. 11_ .... r.o __ PO"'. the rosoIution
ohalI be pobII..-_lD • _ P'!hIiahod In the~. PubUC&t\On
__ be .... p¥od 01 _ \Wart7 da.y1i W .... tile ~ set f"" the houfng.
See. IM4f,. Jrollc:a of Il"la t ftoni,.... T!te park .uperiDtcm!ent or __ po!*-_paW by the JocIoIo1In body oh&II __ at _
,-
•
o
, u.-_ at 1M ~ <II tile -. to be pooled c:ompicooU8ly
_ ...,... tIwI. tine 1" ... _ feet aport ~ the exterior bound&ries of
the .... p.0pcM4 to be _ ODd abandoiiOd u & public pari<. Post
~ IiI>alI be """'IIIet.ec at lout hmity d&~ before the time let for the
Iiearlng. :I"aIIuft to peat tile _ "-I>Ot Innlldate the proceedlnga or
_, the Iq!aIatlYe body fnmi aequlriiir 1arlodietion to proceed .,;tb the
diIIcootinuarJce ud th-1"""""'t.
IIoc. SSU,. N_ 01 r "lion; -. ODd __ The posted
_ diaD be _: "Notiee 01 ~ dlocontilluanee of public park
_ .. In Jec>'bI< eIianetoro, alate the date 01 acIopt!on of the ftOOlution. and
ftcite thefKbi _In th • .--
SoO. IU4II ~ At any time bef"", the hour ... for the bearing.
any _ or ptraO:lO Intueoted .... y prot"'" In "1'Itin& agalnot the pro-
poood _ and _tm ........ or to the atent thor.or. The pro-
_ "!WI be deIiv<red to the derIt 01 the ~ body. &!c...... PJoC.wta;~. At the time aet tor the hearing or to
_ it io pootponed. the JocWo.ti-.. body iIholI h .... and _ opon alllUc:h
prota!I.
Soc. lIB4lIO. _, _p, call at 0ji0daI -... Protesto are 011&
tained _ 09Vi'1iIecI by two-thinbi -. of the JecioIativ< body. The Ieg
'-lam. body -.v ~ ~ .. to "'"' po:1.ion, and OV<!mile them ..
to ""othor poTtkm of park lam!. J! pr-oteotI .", overruled, th. logWativ.
body ""Y adopt an _ eallinr, and tlxing date of, & opecial eleetion
to ..,hmIt to the eft)' eleeloni the queaIlon of dlocontilluanee and abandon
_ of the _ af park land Oft _hid> pr-oteotI were overruled.
!lee. I845l SpedaI _., _ voCe, _ .r _liIIu·
ACe. If a majority or the e:lecton YOtinr DC the prcpol:5tion arE! in favor
of It, the 1egW&m. body diall adopt an ordlr. .... declaring that".. of the
_ cIeocribed In the ordiIWl"" c:aIIinr the _n for park PIlTpOSe'l !o
cIi.ooootillued ... d .M ..........
s... IIU5!. 8pedoI _; ~ \'Ole: ... 1In ....... f park. If
lea than a majority ot lOch electors vdte for J:t. tlI~ legOOative boCIy shall
DOt iDJt1ate pl"'Otftdinp tor cIiecoJ:;tinuance at the UIot of well land fOJ" fU'k
~ for_ yoarofterthe-.
!lee. _ _ 01 ._, &UlIu>rIt). to I!Iopooo .f properly.
Wben the ordin&noe 'become. effeetfw. the land deacn'bed in it is dtemed
held by the eft)' In fee. '1'Iie dlJ' may oeD 0< oth.rwis< di8pooe of the prop·
erty In the ea.me manner .. it may dJapoae of ether c:ity property DO longer
required for DII",ldpol ~
Jr .. : .... SIdI IJurwrIII DUI ..-a. ,..w ..,. Ike .u.te ~ure III. J tn
•
o
.... _ Fl I. IlI_: __ :--, __ Uthel&nd ....
uquIrod by _ deriwd fr<>m -. ._ for po.rk -. ODd the _ ocid, tile _____ «< the I&nd at tile time at .aop.
_ III tile i>niIzIaDoo abaII be _emo/I to tile __ fr<>m nob other
...mdpaI _ .. the IopII&tift body __ U the I&nd .... !lOt
uquIrod from __ ODd tile !aDd 10 ooId,. the proeeedo fr<>m ""'"
ale IlIaD be 4epooIte4 ill the ~ _ of the dtT •
.... -. Fl' I., _: __ ........... l1li fID4. !Czt,ept
.. permIUa4 by pDen! ~ ... ~ ~ at boad tuD4a, _ ao _1I'I'Od IlIaD be _ ody to the Pi' far which the __
Wt!ft ·pth rl , . :~
...... ;'
...
o
CHARTER
CHARTER IN DEX
I.I)NINfSTU nvE CODE
COPtlT[Nn> .0. T u[. i II
COONer:.. TO Itoon-. A -'1 HI. I 11
AME. ... DMENTJ
he CKA:I.TU,
AITOR..'IIEY.CITY
APPOIJrrinIfNT illY COVNClI..
",UN., I
D1.J1U:S. CrNEIlAl!. Y. ART lv. t J 2
.4I.1DtTOR
DUTIES. !j[NEIlALL Y. Alli IV. I II
AUDITS
ItEQtJIR[D. ART IV.I lJ
IOAlI) Of CONP£NSAnO!ll ItEfUEES
ESTABLISHED. AU tn. t U
ICARD Of" EL1OCA.T1ON
4N£."'iONENT TO QfAJlTU ..
Ei"nCT. oUT VUI-"-12\:31
ELECTION. nW'E.IlIANNEII ••
11.1.1 vOl_ ...... I 2 11» •
vENeERS. Nl,.rM8!:::'"
C(JfOENSA noN . .utT Vllhll •• I
POWERS AND DI.."T1E$,
AaT VUl-A. t 1
SVPER1NTENOfNT Of: SCHOOLS.
~N"TNDiT. ,uT VUI· .... I 4
TEJUt.. UT VIU-A. I 2(c}
l'"cANCl£S. A ItT VID-A. t lUt)
lION. an MI\."It\;[K. oUT N ....
C1TY OFf>CEkS, oEI'V'tTES..
AllT oq 2L
IOONDARJES
DESJGNA 1"£0. All T I
O\IDCEl
CONTENTS. T'RI\1IIS..-ER Of FU!IOD$
An [II.. !l
CABU: TEUVU10N lOAM>
ESTAaUSKED. "u 111.112
CHAI.TU.
AMENDED. E.ffEC1tvI 011. TE.
ARTX
"'NEN ONEt."'S
Com prwaa witII roMtitlll:iDn
ART LX. II
E"tel upon u.....vnIobe;,.1:S, anpklyeel.
ARTVU" •
"eUrmlll'lt 1'iJbts. pauigl\..
Aill 'till .• 10
SIlbmwioa 10 doc1onle. UIl ..... :u.
UT lX. 12
\/"'" fllhta. <:Or'.t1a:li. AIlT Vllt'
Wordln; 01 bUlan. AU IX. t 1
EFFECT ~ 1.."iCt',,", BENTS A., ... D
em tMJ'LOYEE$, AP.T VIl, IS
S[VU"'B1LiTY PRO .... 1SJOi'.' .•
AIlTVU·lll
'm1L DEFENSE IJriD DtSASttIt.
CONTl""1,J .... TIQN Of GOVER.N'-'!Tf'oj"T
iF .... '-'ORrrY or CO{,."NCll
JlL!IIDER.(D UN .... "jAn.ABLE.
i\I. T lU, ~ 2J
CUJ)(S
JOAR D Of' COMPENSA TIO~
ItEI':EREES TO .4.(,.1 . All r nt §!1
CLEaJC..,Ctn'
ILPPOINTMENT B't' COLiNe I L.
AJt:TN.1 J
DUTIfS. G(/liEIlAll. Y . .4.!t T tv. i 1 ~
CONTRACTS
IIOC[k.lOWUT RESl'ONSI6LE
A\I.'ARDEDCO,,"'TII.ItCT. ART \'11. ~ fi
OIA R T Lit AJaj ENDN ENT. EJTtCT
.\R"1 VU I'
UolTUtST Of" cr;" OJ-nCIALS,
"'II:1I1R.ll1.'
COf\jn.c>Li.£1l. C1TY
.4.Pt"OlNntLNT IY COllscrL
AaT N.1i I
COON<:1I.
AD~IN1STll4 nVE CODl
"(jOplloll. ART III. 1i)8
C(U,leIlUART OLII8
ADVtsQRY &QARDs... tJ"'ITr:.D
CAP "CITY • APf'QfNTI,(ENT
AL'THORITY. IUtT DI. ~ 22
ASSJST ANTS. Dk:f>1.,ll:ES.
Of-'FlCl:::llS. AUTltOJlJTi' TO
.-.M'OINT.ltATIIJ·121
BCA.RD Of COMP!:NS,", TIO:'>-
R EH REES, CASU TEL EVlS10N
BOAllD ItPror;.rrED. ART m. ~ ~2
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
Af'POINTNEN'!. ART fil t ~
JIJDGET
Aclor:ion.. ,'Oftlen,!.., A II: T III. Ii 12
1r~1a(O:; ':If fund.!.. 1t)1 m .• 12
CAMPAIGN FUNDS rOR
I MVN1C[P,'L Of"FICE.
CONTkrBUTWNS. "U IV. I 10
CO[RCION or ClTY M "NAGER.
AItT N.I 10
COMPE'NS,t,. TIC"'. ART m i j 1
ELECTIONS
CeIl~r~I1')'. ART m. 54
Time, A.RT m. , ;
(pille Abo 11 ~)
•
., ,, __
"Ii-;
" "~-/:
CHARTER
F[p.,;ANCiAL II:EPOltr. A)117tfVAl..
"nil!. I )6
rItANCHISES. NOT TO GRANT.
ARTUI. f 13
kANAGU.on
AppoilllmlEJ!l md l'C"':"H:o,aj.
"UN·I!'
\I~le d~. clI5aluWn I'lIhll!!
OIe-rtinf". ItJl:T IV. I "/
~A YOR.. [.LIC'TtOPoi OJ-• AAT m. I I
lrlElTING5
"'b$enlmemberl.. finn.UT m.,.
QuQ1'Im. 4.11 m.1 6
T1II'Ic and pilla. All T 1lI. I 5
VOle, ml}orit)' MttUU). A1T m. I 7
W£MBERS
.Barred ftom oiNT :;it}' oIr~.
AJI;T m.117
Numbn. ART 111..2
OFfICERS
AppCWllmCtlI. ART iV., J
Dul~ .. aw;nmmc. ArtT D1. I 20
ORD41NlNC CLAl'SE, ART m. I I"
pov.'EkS. A.!nlll., I
Jt£TUI:I::'4IItNT 5YST"El4 OF STATE.
CONnACT WITH... ".1 hI, Ii !,
SAl.All Y. A.RT III. , i 1
TUES
~tlIl. /try". (oliet1 ion..
AUULlli
lI.a:r:. ltaT trll 11
TERN Of OFFICE. AJI.T m .• 2
un [.tTY IlA n:S. EST" BL!SH"n.,
"UnI.Il)
VACANCY. AU rn.IIO
~SASTER
5t'e aVll DEFE~SE AJ'(O
DlSASTEJI.
EDUCA. noN. IOAAO OF
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I!u 16 13 lS AM '91)
CITY :U.f!I<'':'' DFFICE
PALO ALTO CIT! COliNC IL
PALO ALTO. CA
Lad1e~ and Gentlemen:
"
/
EDWARD S. ARNOLD
1454 HAMILTON AVENUE
PALO ALTO CA 94301
ri ~ ';"
.:;r·~ (ji_ ~:_:. t.. . -': " .
/lu I) 4 Ie rH~u
Duc1nq the 1960's I wa~ a member of the council a~ its s1:e
shrank from 15 to 9 1n two-member 1ncrement~ 4n~ as the t~rm
decrea!l~d from eix yeanl to four. Both Chdn9'e~ 'W~re ,govd ideae.
At this time I ~nder5t4nd that you are con~ider1ng both s1:~
,)f ..:ouncil and lim1tation of terms. I should like to contmf'nt on b':'l:.h
mattera and to offer an add1tional proposit1on for you.r conslderati-:,r,.
SIZE OF COUNCIL: I recommend a $even-member council in order
to focue ['eeponslb.111 t1 more prl!'ci:lely and to elill.inate ttJo-r.1nth~
of the speech making. I will defer to your opinion if YOu f~~l that
your committee demands along ~ith thp time r~quirem~nt5 of intet
qovernmental duties dictate nine member~.
TERM. LrM.ITATIC-H~ The opposing arguments are cla~51c: Experler;.:e
versus fresh vigor and 1dea~. Thpre i$ no dearth of talent in this
~ctlve and vigorous community .. and w nef!'d not fear neophytee.~ Can
didates often brinq commi$sion and com.m.ittee-exper1~nce to the-con
test. FUrthermore. a genuinely intere~ted 1ndividual can become
adequately grounded. by ~11 months to 4. 'y~ar' s clo.$1! ob~el"\l'ation eif
the cour~ilr its committees. and vArious comml!~lons. 1 gr~nt ex
perience a credit :by agreeing that a. second te:rm can be a vety u.s€"
f1./;1 contribution to a council lIenbec':s effectlveness~ But th.'1t· ~
enough. Time to move over a.nd let someone else have the oppoctur,it]
to serve and participate in our qovernment~ YOU're ~ct that 9rea~~
Since 1nculfWents are virtually invulneE"'abll!' they have the e-ffect
cf stifling competition a.nd thereby limiting new ,F-eople a,no nel.,'
ideas.
NUMBEFtED SEATS: I recouend that the se4.t~ be nulUbecE"d one th!:'·.J
nine :ana that each candidate decla.re for one specific ~t'at ~ In tti-is
way each incumbent may face an individual challenge and be forced
to defend his/her record and ph11o~ophy~ Th~ existing sWf'ep~t~~~5
system blUrs and confuses cand1dates and issue! in the mind of th~
electorate. One·on -one Will 11501ate a.ru! identify.
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