CC SR 20161115 F - Ord. 591 Moving Election to Even YearsRANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
AGENDA DESCRIPTION:
MEETING DATE: 11/15/2016
AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
Consideration and possible action to adopt an Ordinance to change the general
municipal election dates to coincide with the statewide general elections held in
November of even -numbered years; and to shorten the terms of the candidates to
facilitate the transition.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Adopt Ordinance No. 591, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.28 OF THE RANCHO
PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, REQUIRING THAT THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES BE
HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY OF
NOVEMBER IN EACH EVEN -NUMBERED YEAR BEGINNING 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT: Estimated savings of approximately $100,000 per election
Amount Budgeted: $0
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): 101-1004-411-32-00
ORIGINATED BY: Julie Biggs/Dave Aleshire, City Attorney
REVIEWED BY: Gabriella Yap, Deputy City Manager r FOR
APPROVED BY: Doug Willmore, City Manager)
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Ordinance No. 591 (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On November 1, 2016, Ordinance No. 591 was introduced to amend Chapter 2.28 of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code requiring, as mandated by SB 415, that the
general municipal elections of the City be moved from November of odd years to
November of even years to coincide with statewide general elections in order to
increase voter turnout. Accordingly, Section 2.28.020 notes the shortened terms, by
twelve (12) months, of those elected during the November 2017 and November 2019
elections to will facilitate the transition. This ordinance is presented for its second
reading and adoption.
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ORDINANCE NO. 591
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2.28 OF
THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE,
REQUIRING THAT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTIONS OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
BE HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST
MONDAY OF NOVEMBER IN EACH EVEN -NUMBERED
YEAR BEGINNING 2020.
WHEREAS, many studies have shown that voter participation in local elections
dramatically improves when local elections are held on the same day as statewide
elections; and
WHEREAS, in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, voter turnout in local elections
which are now held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd
numbered years is dramatically reduced from voter turnout in statewide general elections
held in June or November of even numbered years; and
WHEREAS, the California State Legislature has enacted SB 415 which takes
effect in 2018 and mandates changing local election dates to statewide general election
dates in communities where voter turnout for local elections is at least 25% less than voter
turnout in statewide elections; and
WHEREAS, in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the difference in voter turnout for
the November local election held in odd numbered years is significantly lower than the
turnout for statewide general elections held in even numbered years exceeding the 25%
deviation set forth on SB 415; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of Elections Code 1301(b)(1), cities are
authorized to change the date of their general municipal elections to coincide with the day
of the statewide general election; and
WHEREAS, in order to pro -actively encourage and promote greater voter turnout
in local elections the City of Rancho Palos Verdes wishes to take the lead among
California cities by voluntarily moving its general municipal election date to the statewide
election date; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that its goals of encouraging
maximum voter turnout and community participation in the democratic electoral process
will be promoted by changing the general municipal election date of the City from the first
Tuesday after the first Monday of November in each odd -numbered year to the first
Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years, to coincide with the
statewide general election as set forth in California Elections Code §1000 ; and
09999.0003/319437.1 A-1
WHEREAS, if approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, this
change will not have the effect of reducing or extending any term of office by more than
twelve months.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes general municipal election
scheduled to be held in November 2021 shall be rescheduled and instead shall be
consolidated and held concurrently with the general statewide election in November of
2020 and the City's general municipal election schedule shall thereafter be held in
November in each even numbered year to coincide with regular statewide general
elections. Accordingly, commencing with the general municipal election in November
2020, the general municipal elections for the City shall be held on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday of November in each even -numbered year. The City of Rancho Palos
Verdes general municipal elections for years 2017 and 2019 shall take place as currently
scheduled on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2017 and 2019
respectively.
SECTION 2. Chapter 2.28 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code is hereby
amended in its entirety to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 2.28 - ELECTION DATE
Sections:
2.28.010 - Election date designated.
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even -numbered
year is established as the date for the general municipal election in the city.
2.28.020 - Shortening of terms during transition elections.
The effect of this chapter shall be to shorten the terms of office for those members
of the City Council elected in 2017 and 2019 as follows:.
1) The City Councilmember terms of office that begin in 2017 and that would
have expired in November 2021 under the city's previous election schedule,
shall instead expire no later than the fourth Tuesday after the general
municipal election in November of 2020, and
2) The City Councilmember terms of office that begin in 2019 that would
have expired in November of 2023 under the city's previous election
schedule, shall instead expire no later than the fourth Tuesday after the
November general municipal election in 2022.
The effect of this change of election date during the transition shall not shorten any
City Councilmember's term of office by more than 12 months in accord with
California law.
09999.0003/319437.1 Ordinance No. 591
Page 2 of 4 A-2
2.28.030 - Terms of office.
The terms of office for those members of the City Council elected in 2020 and 2022
and thereafter shall be four years.
2.28.040 - Consolidation.
An election held pursuant to this chapter is intended to occur on the same date as
the regular statewide general election held in November of even -numbered years
and shall be consolidated with that election. The provisions contained in the
Elections Code pertaining to the conduct of elections shall apply."
SECTION 3. Certification.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance by the
City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and shall cause a summary of this
Ordinance to be published in accordance with Government Code Section 36933.
SECTION 4. Transmittal to Board of Supervisors.
The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Ordinance to the Clerk
of the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County, together with the request that said
Board approve this Ordinance and provide the City with notice of such approval.
SECTION 5. Notice to Registered Voters.
Within thirty (30) days after approval of this Ordinance by the Board of Supervisors
of Los Angeles County, the City Clerk shall cause a notice to be mailed to all registered
voters in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes informing them of the change in the general
municipal election date and council members terms affected by this Ordinance, which
notice shall be in accord with the requirements specified in Elections Code 10403.5(e).
SECTION 6. Effective Date; Operative Date.
This Ordinance relates to an election and shall therefore become effective
immediately after introduction, reading and adoption by the City Council in accord with
California Elections Code Sections 9235(a) and Government Code Section 36937. This
Ordinance shall become operative pursuant to Elections Code section 1301(b)ll) upon
approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and will be implemented at the
statewide general election held in November of 2020.
SECTION 7. Severability.
09999.0003/319437.1 Ordinance No. 591
Page 3 of 4A-3
If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause of phrase in
this Ordinance, or any part thereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall
not affect the validity of the remaining sections or portions of this chapter or part thereof.
The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, subsection,
subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance irrespective of the
fact that any one or more sections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or
phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 15th day of November, 2016.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Acting City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
I, Teresa Takaoka, Acting City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five;
that the foregoing Ordinance No. 591 passed first reading on November 1, 2016, was
duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting thereof
held on November 15, 2016, and that the same was passed and adopted by the following
roll call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
Acting City Clerk
09999.0003/319437.1 Ordinance No. 591
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