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City Council Staff Report
June 14, 2016
Agenda Item No. 4
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk - 949-644-3005,
(brown@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk
TITLE: Calling the November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election
ABSTRACT:
Under the provisions of the Newport Beach City Charter Section 1000, a General
Municipal Election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November
in each even numbered year for the election of Municipal Officers and for such other
purposes as the City Council may prescribe.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Adopt the following resolutions pertaining to the General Municipal Election
scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2016, pursuant to City Charter Section 1000:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-67, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Calling for the Holding of a General Municipal
Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the Election of Members
of the City Council as Required by the Provisions of the City Charter;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-68, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Orange to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday,
November 8, 2016, with the Statewide General Election to be Held on the Same
Date Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10403 for the Purpose of
Electing Members of the City Council;
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-69, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Adopting Regulations for Candidates for Elective
Office Pertaining to Candidates Statements Submitted to the Voters at an
Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016;
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Calling the November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election
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4) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-70, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Orange to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday,
November 8, 2016, with the Statewide General Election to be Held on the Same
Date Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10403 for the Purpose of
Submitting a Proposed Charter Amendment,
6) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-71, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Setting Priorities for Filing Written Arguments
Regarding a City Measure, and Directing the City Attorney to Prepare an
Impartial Analysis;
7) Adopt Resolution No. 2016-72, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Newport Beach, California, Providing for the Filing of Rebuttal Arguments for the
City Measure Submitted to the Voters at the General Municipal Election to be
Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Pursuant to California Elections Code
Section 9285;
b) Designate Council Member Keith Curry to draft a Direct Argument for the ballot
measure and any Rebuttal Argument, if needed; and
c) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines
because it will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or
indirectly.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Funding has been budgeted to conduct the November 8, 2016 General Municipal
Election.
DISCUSSION:
General Municipal Election
City Charter Section 1002 indicates that, unless otherwise provided by ordinance, all
elections shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code of the
State of California for the holding of municipal elections, as long as they do not conflict
with the City Charter.
Prior to August 12, 2016, the City Council must submit to the County of Orange
Registrar of Voters ("ROV") a Resolution calling and giving notice of the November 8,
2016 General Municipal Election to elect three Council Members for Districts 2, 5 and 7;
request consolidation with the Statewide General Election; and set regulations
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pertaining to candidates statements. Further, resolutions also need to be submitted
relative to any City measure, including text. The Impartial Analysis and Direct
Arguments are also due to the ROV by August 12, 2016.
The candidate filing period for the November 8, 2016 election will open on Monday,
July 18, 2016, and close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016. If the incumbent for
District 2 does not file, the period is extended to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17,
2016 for District 2 candidates other than the incumbent to file.
It is optional for each candidate to submit a candidate's statement. If the candidate
chooses to have a statement included in the Sample Ballot, the resolution stipulates that
the costs involved are paid by the candidate at the time the nomination paper is filed.
Based on an estimate from the ROV, the deposit for printing each statement (maximum
200 words) in the Sample Ballot is $1,500.
The resolutions calling and giving notice of the November 8, 2016 General Municipal
Election to elect three Council Members, requesting consolidation with the Statewide
General Election, and setting regulations for Candidates Statements are presented as
Attachments A, B, and C, respectively.
The Notice of the Election will be provided in accordance with Elections Code
requirements.
Charter Amendment
At the May 26, 2015 City Council meeting, the City Council adopted Resolution
No. 2015-44, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach Calling and
Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday,
November 8, 2016, and Ordering the Submission of a Proposed Amendment to the City
Charter to the Electors, the "Newport Beach Taxpayer Protection Act" (Measure -
Require 5 of 7 Votes of the City Council to Propose Taxes).
As stated in the May 26, 2015 staff report (Attachment D), the proposed Charter
Amendment does not alter constitutional requirements for voter approval. Presently, the
constitution requires a majority vote to impose general taxes, a 2/3 vote to impose
special taxes, and a 55% vote to impose ad valorem property taxes to fund school
facility bonds. This amendment does not alter the constitutional timing requirement for
placing general taxes on a ballot (such taxes may only be placed on a ballot during an
election where members of the governing body are on the ballot, unless by unanimous
vote, a council determines that there is an emergency need). Finally, this amendment
does not alter the constitutional and statutory processes, including the requirements for
hearings and notice.
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Attachment E requests a consolidated election with the County of Orange for the
purpose of presenting the Charter Amendment to the electorate.
City Attorney Impartial Analysis and Filing of Direct Arguments
Attachment F directs the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the ballot
measure showing the effect of the Charter Amendment on existing law. The impartial
analysis shall not exceed 500 words in length.
The City Clerk shall set the deadline for submittal of arguments for or against a measure
based upon the time reasonably necessary to prepare and print the arguments and
sample ballots for the election. The deadlines for translations and printing set by the
ROV, and the mandated 10 -day public examination period of arguments must be taken
into consideration. Therefore, the City Clerk is recommending that Tuesday, June 21,
2016 be fixed as the deadline for the submittal of the impartial analysis and Monday,
June 27, 2016 be fixed as the deadline for the submittal of direct arguments. Direct
arguments may not exceed 300 words in length.
Pursuant to Section 9295 of the Elections Code, the impartial analysis or any direct
argument will be made available in the City Clerk's Office for public examination during
the 10 -calendar day period. The examination period for the impartial argument shall
commence on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, and end on Friday, July 1, 2016. The
examination period for the direct arguments shall commence on Tuesday, June 28,
2016, and end on Thursday, July 7, 2016.
Filing of Rebuttal Arguments
Rebuttal arguments must be filed not more than 10 -days after the deadline for filing
direct arguments, or Thursday, July 7, 2016, and are limited to no more than
250 words.
Any rebuttal arguments will be made available in the City Clerk's Office for public
examination during the 10 -calendar day period commencing on Friday, July 8, 2016,
and ending on Monday, July 18, 2016.
The Resolution relative to rebuttal arguments is attached as Attachment G.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Calling the November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election
June 14, 2016
Page 5
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A - Resolution Calling Election (City Council Seats)
Attachment B - Resolution Requesting Consolidation (City Council Seats)
Attachment C - Resolution Establishing Regulations for Candidates Statements (City
Council Seats)
Attachment D - May 26, 2015 Staff Report (Ballot Measure)
Attachment E - Resolution Requesting Consolidation (Ballot Measure)
Attachment F - Resolution Filing Written Arguments and Directing the City Attorney to
Prepare an Impartial Analysis (Ballot Measure)
Attachment G - Resolution Providing for the Filing of Rebuttal Arguments (Ballot
Measure)
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ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR THE
HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016, FOR THE
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AS
REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY
CHARTER
WHEREAS, under the provisions of Section 1000 of the City Charter of the City
of Newport Beach, a General Municipal Election shall be held on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday of November in each even numbered year for the election of Municipal
Officers; and
WHEREAS, under the provisions of Section 1000 of the City Charter of the City
of Newport Beach, a General Municipal Election shall be held on Tuesday,
November 8, 2016 for the election of members of the City Council to represent the
Second, Fifth and Seventh Districts for a term of four years.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 400 et seq. of the City
Charter, there is called and ordered to be held in the City of Newport Beach, California,
on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, a General Municipal Election for the purpose of
electing members of the City Council to represent the Second, Fifth and Seventh
Districts for the full term of four years.
we
Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 2 of 3
Section 2: The ballots to be used at the election shall be in form and content
as required by law.
Section 3: The City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to coordinate
with the County of Orange Registrar of Voters to procure and furnish any and all official
ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment and paraphernalia that may
be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election.
Section 4: The polls for the election shall be open at seven o'clock a.m.
(7:00 a.m.) on the day of the election and shall remain open continuously from that time
until eight o'clock p.m. (8:00 p.m.) of the same day when the polls shall be closed,
pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10242, except as provided in California
Elections Code Section 14401.
Section 5: In all particulars not recited in this resolution, the election shall be
held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections.
Section 6: Notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the
City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of
the election, in time, form, and manner as required by law.
Section 7: In the event of a tie vote (if any two or more persons receive an
equal and the highest number of votes for an office) as certified by the County of
Orange Registrar of Voters, the tie vote shall be settled by the casting of lots pursuant
to Section 400 of the City Charter of the City of Newport Beach.
Section 8: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 3 of 3
Section 9: The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to administer said
election and all reasonable and actual election expenses shall be paid by the City upon
presentation of a properly submitted bill.
Section 10: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject
to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2)
(the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change
in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
Section 11: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
OR
ATTACHMENT B
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF ORANGE TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8,
2016, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
THE SAME DATE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE
SECTION 10403 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING MEMBERS OF
THE CITY COUNCIL
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, ("City")
called a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the
purpose of the election of members of the City Council to represent the Second, Fifth
and Seventh Districts for a term of four years; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General Municipal Election be consolidated
with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date and that, within the
City, the precincts, polling places, and election officers of the two elections be the same;
the County Election Department of the County of Orange canvass the returns of the
General Municipal Election; and the election be held in all respects as if there were only
one election.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Pursuant to the requirements of California Elections Code Section
10403, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange is hereby requested to
consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the
Statewide General election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the purpose of the
Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 2 of 3
election of members of the City Council to represent the Second, Fifth and Seventh
Districts for a term of four years.
Section 2: The County Election Department is authorized to canvass the
returns of the General Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as if
there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used. The election will
be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the
Statewide General election.
Section 3: The Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the
County Election Department to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the
consolidated election.
Section 4: The City of Newport Beach recognizes that additional costs will be
incurred by the County by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the
County for any costs.
Section 5: The City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this
Resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the County Election Department of the
County of Orange.
Section 6: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 7: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the
activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
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Resolution No. 2016 -
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because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
Section 8: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT C
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING
REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE
OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATES STATEMENTS
SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016
WHEREAS, California Elections Code Section 13307 provides that the governing
body of any local agency adopt regulations pertaining to materials prepared by any
candidate for a municipal election, including costs of the Candidates Statement.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND
ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: General Provisions. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section
13307, each candidate for elective office to be voted for at an election to be held in the
City of Newport Beach on November 8, 2016, may prepare a candidate's statement on
an appropriate form provided by the City Clerk. The statement may include the name,
age and occupation of the candidate, and a brief description of no more than 200 words
of the candidate's education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or
herself. The statement shall not include party affiliation of the candidate, nor
membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The candidate's statement
shall be filed in type written form, as well as in electronic format, with the Office of the
City Clerk at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. The candidate's
statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination
papers and until 5:00 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination
period.
Section 2: Foreign Language Policy.
A. Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act, candidates' statements will be
translated into all languages required by the County of Orange. The
County is required to translate candidate statements into the following
languages: Spanish and Chinese.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 2 of 4
B. The County will print and mail sample ballots and candidate statements to
all voters in Spanish and Chinese. The County will mail separate sample
ballots and candidate statements in Spanish and Chinese to only those
voters who are in the County voter file as having requested a sample
ballot in a particular language. The County will make the sample ballots
and candidate statements in the required languages available at all polling
places, on the County's website, and in the Election Official's office.
C. The City Clerk shall:
1. Have all candidates statements translated into the languages
specified in (A) above.
2. Have all translations made available upon request in the Office of
the City Clerk.
Section 3: Payment.
A. Translations
1. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the
candidate's statement into any required foreign language as
specified in (A) and (B) of Section 2 above pursuant to Federal
and/or State law.
2. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the
candidate's statement into any foreign language that is not required
as specified in (A) and (B) of Section 2 above pursuant to State and
Federal law, but is requested as an option by the candidate.
B. Printing
1. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the
candidate's statement in English in the main voter pamphlet.
2. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the
candidate's statement in a foreign language required by (A) of
Section 2 above, in the main voter pamphlet.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 3 of 4
3. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the
candidate's statement in a foreign language requested by the
candidate per (B) of Section 2 above, in the main voter pamphlet.
The City Clerk shall estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating and
mailing the candidate statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred
as a result of complying with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, and require
each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the City of Newport Beach his or
her estimated pro rata share as a condition of having his or her statement included in
the voters pamphlet. The estimate is just an approximation of the actual cost that varies
from one election to another election and may be significantly more or less than the
estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements. Accordingly,
the City Clerk is not bound by the estimate and may, on a pro rata basis, bill the
candidates for additional actual expenses or refund any excess paid depending on the
final actual cost. In the event of underpayment, the City Clerk may require the
candidates to pay the balance of the cost incurred. In the event of overpayment, the City
Clerk shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess
amount paid within thirty (30) days of the election.
Section 4: No candidate will be permitted to include additional materials in the
sample ballot package.
Section 5: The City Clerk shall provide each candidate or the candidate's
representative a copy of this resolution at the time nominating petitions are issued.
Section 6: All previous resolutions establishing City Council policy on payment
for candidates statements are repealed.
Section 7: This resolution shall apply only to the General Municipal Election to
be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, and shall then expire without further action by
the City Council.
Section 8: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 9: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 4 of 4
activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
Section 10: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
4-15
I
FROM:
PREPARED BY:
PHONE:
TITLE:
ABSTRACT:
ATTACHMENT D
NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
May 26, 2015
Agenda Item No. 24
HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk — (949) 644-3005, (brown@newportbeachca.gov
Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk
(949) 644-3005
November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election - Ballot Measure
On March 14, 2015, Council Member Keith Curry requested staff prepare a Charter Amendment to require
that taxes proposed by the City Council obtain 5 of 7 votes of the City Council to place tax increases before
the City's voters.
The Resolution, if adopted, would call a General Municipal Election for November 8, 2016, and order on the
ballot a Charter Amendment to add Charter Section 1115, entitled "City Council Sponsored Tax Proposals
— 5 of 7 Vote Requirement." This amendment is also known as and self -titled the "Newport Beach
Taxpayer Protection Act."
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 2015-44, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport Beach Calling and
Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016,
and Ordering the Submission of a Proposed Amendment to the City Charter to the Electors, the "Newport
Beach Taxpayer Protection Act" (Measure - Require 5 of 7 Votes of the City Council to Propose
Taxes).
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Funding will be budgeted to conduct the November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election.
DISCUSSION:
As a Charter City, the City of Newport Beach has the power to make and enforce all ordinances and
regulations with respect to municipal affairs, subject only to restrictions and limitations provided in the City
Charter or the state Constitution. Section 5(b) of Article XI of the California Constitution states that "it shall
be competent in all city charters to provide ... for ... conduct of city elections."
Further, the City Council generally may establish procedural rules, including rules to identify the necessary
vote requirement for the legislative body to take certain actions. For instance, while the City Charter (as
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ATTACHMENT D
well as general law) states that a majority of members of the City Council shall be required for the
enactment of any ordinance or resolution, the Charter presently specifies that certain actions require more
than a bare majority to take action. An example of a supermajority vote requirement presently in the
Newport Beach Charter include the adoption of an urgency ordinance pursuant to Section 412.
Thus, establishing the vote requirement for City Council action to place a local measure, especially one
drafted and sponsored by the City Council (as opposed to a measure submitted by citizen petition), on the
ballot is a "core" area of municipal concern. And, importantly, such a provision does not conflict with any
applicable state law of statewide concern or the California Constitution.
Statutory law applicable to general law cities, but not charter cities, prohibits any proposed general tax from
being presented at an election unless the tax proposal is approved by a two -third vote of all members of the
city's city council. See Govt. Code Section 53724(b). Under established case law, this statutory
supermajority vote requirement is not applicable to Newport Beach as a charter city. General law also
does not impose any specialized vote requirements on a city council presenting a special tax to the voters
(i.e., state law only requires a majority vote of a city council to present special taxes).
Thus, as it presently stands, the Newport Beach City Council need only obtain a majority vote to place
taxes (whether special or general) before the voters (with the potential exception of transaction and use
taxes, which require a 2/3 vote pursuant to Cal. Rev. & Tax Code Section 7285.9).
The proposed Charter Amendment would:
• Apply only to City Council sponsored tax proposals (not to the City Council's action to place citizen
sponsored initiative measures on a ballot).
• Apply to both general and special tax proposals, not just general tax proposals.
• Apply to tax proposals that impose, extend or increase a tax, which under the California Constitution are
deemed to be "taxes."
• Require five (5) of seven (7) votes of the City Council to present a Council -sponsored tax measure to
the voters.
Pursuant to California Constitution Article 13C, Section 1(e), the proposed Charter Amendment would not
apply to:
• A charge imposed for a specific benefit conferred or privilege granted directly to the payor that is not
provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the local government of
conferring the benefit or granting the privilege.
• A charge imposed for a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor that is not
provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the local government of
providing the service or product.
• A charge imposed for the reasonable regulatory costs to a local government for issuing licenses and
permits, performing investigations, inspections, and audits, enforcing agricultural marketing orders, and the
administrative enforcement and adjudication thereof.
• A charge imposed for entrance to or use of local government property, or the purchase, rental, or lease
of local government property.
• A fine, penalty, or other monetary charge imposed by the judicial branch of government or a local
government, as a result of a violation of law.
• A charge imposed as a condition of property development.
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ATTACHMENT D
• Assessments and property -related fees imposed in accordance with the provisions of California
Constitution Article XIII D.
The proposed Charter Amendment does not alter constitutional requirements for voter approval. Presently,
the constitution requires a majority vote to impose general taxes, a 2/3 vote to impose special taxes and a
55% vote to impose ad valorem property taxes to fund school facility bonds. This amendment does not
alter the constitutional timing requirement for placing general taxes on a ballot (such taxes may only be
placed on a ballot during an election where members of the governing body are on the ballot, unless by
unanimous vote a council determines that there is an emergency need). Finally, this amendment does not
alter the constitutional and statutory processes, including the requirements for hearings and notice.
The attached Resolution calls a General Municipal Election on November 8, 2016, which the City will be
calling regardless for the election of members of the City Council, and orders on the ballot at that election a
proposed Charter Amendment. Pursuant to the Elections Code, Charter Amendments of this nature may
only be placed on Statewide General or Primary Election ballots. This ballot measure satisfies those
requirements.
At a later date, the City Clerk will bring forward resolutions relating to (1) consolidating this election with the
County -run general election, (2) authorizing any member of the City Council to author ballot arguments,
(3) authorizing rebuttal arguments and (4) directing the City Attorney prepare an impartial analysis of the
measure. As City Council Member Keith Curry suggested this Charter Amendment to the City Council, he
has also asked that he be designated to draft the argument and rebuttal argument, if any, for this ballot
measure.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable
indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in
Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it
has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING -
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at
which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Attachment A - Resolution
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ATTACHMENT D
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND
GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 8, 2016 AND ORDERING THE SUBMISSION
OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CHARTER
TO THE ELECTORS, THE "NEWPORT BEACH
TAXPAYER PROTECTION ACT" (MEASURE NO. —
REQUIRE 5 OF 7 VOTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO
PROPOSE TAXES)
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority provided by Section 3 of Article XI of the
Constitution of the State of California, Section 1000 of the Newport Beach City Charter,
and Section 1415(a)(2) of the Elections Code of the State of California, the City Council
of the City of Newport Beach ("City") desires to submit to the qualified electors a
proposed amendment to the Charter that increases the vote requirement necessary for
the City Council to present to the voters most City Council sponsored proposals that
impose, increase or extend a tax, from the current majority vote (in most cases) to a
vote of 5 of the total membership of the City Council;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach is authorized by the
California Constitution, Section 1000 of the Newport Beach City Charter, and by State
statute to submit this proposed amendment to the Newport Beach City Charter to the
qualified electors of the City at a general municipal election to be held the same date as
the November 8, 2016 statewide general election; and
WHEREAS, under the provisions of Article X, Section 1000, of the Charter of the
City of Newport Beach, a general municipal election shall be held on November 8, 2016
for the election of municipal officers and for such other purposes as the City Council
may prescribe, to wit the placement of amendments to the City Charter.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Pursuant to Section 3 of Article XI of the California Constitution,
Section 1000 of the Newport Beach City Charter and Section 1415(a)(2) of the Elections
Code of the State of California, there is called and ordered to be held in the City of
Newport Beach on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, a general municipal election for the
purpose of submitting the following proposed Charter Amendment measure to the
qualified voters of the City:
The full text of the proposed Charter Amendment measure (with additions to and
deletions from the current Charter text indicated thereon) is set forth on Exhibit 1
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference as if set forth in full.
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ATTACHMENT D
Said proposed Charter Amendment measure shall appear upon the ballots for
said municipal election in substantially the following form:
MEASURE--
Yes
REQUIRE 5 OF 7 VOTES OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO PROPOSE TAXES. Shall
Section 1115 be added to the Newport Beach
City Charter to require at least five votes of the
total City Council membership in order to place
City Council sponsored general or special tax
No
proposals on a ballot for voter consideration?
SECTION 2: The ballots to be used at the November 8, 2016 election shall be in
a form and content required by law.
SECTION 3: The City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to procure and
furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment
and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the
election.
SECTION 4: The polls shall be open at seven o'clock a.m. (7:00 a.m.) on the day
of the election and shall remain open continuously from that time until eight o'clock p.m.
(8:00 p.m.) of the same day when the polls shall be closed pursuant to California
Elections Code Section 10242, except as provided in California Elections Code Section
14401.
SECTION 5: In all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be
held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections.
SECTION 6: Notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the
City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the
election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
SECTION 7: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 26th day of May, 2015.
Edward D. Selich
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT D
Exhibit 1 to City Council Resolution Regarding
Charter Amendment to
Require 5 of 7 Votes of the City Council to Propose Taxes
CHARTER AMENDMENT MEASURE NO.
SECTION 1: TEXT OF AMENDMENT TO NEWPORT BEACH CITY CHARTER
The City Charter of the City of Newport Beach is hereby amended as follows
(underlining showing additions and strike through showing deletions):
Section 1115. Citv Council Sponsored Tax Proaosals — 5 of 7 Vote Reauirement
Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of this Charter, no City Council
sponsored proposal to impose, extend, or increase a tax shall be presented at an
election unless the ordinance or resolution proposing to impose, extend, or increase
such tax is approved by at least five (5) of seven (7) votes of the City Council. As used
in this section, the term "tax" shall mean both a "general tax" and a "special tax" as
defined in Article XI I IC, Section 1, subdivisions U and (d), respectively, of the California
Constitution.
SECTION 2: BALLOT DESCRIPTION
As provided in Government Code section 34458.5, the following ballot description is
included in this proposed Charter Amendment measure:
CHARTER AMENDMENT (Section 1115): This Charter Amendment measure would
amend the City Charter to add Section 1115. Proposed Section 1115 would require any
tax proposal sponsored by the City Council that imposes, extends or increases a tax to
be approved by at least five (5) of seven (7) votes of the City Council to be presented to
the voters at an election, whereas presently only a majority vote of the City Council is
required to place most tax measures on the ballot for voter consideration. The term
"tax" in proposed Section 1115 means both "general" and "special" taxes as defined in
Article XIIIC of the California Constitution. A "general tax" is defined in the California
Constitution as a tax imposed for general governmental purposes. A "special tax" is
defined in the California Constitution as a tax imposed for specific purposes, including a
tax imposed for a specific purpose which is placed into a general fund. This
amendment does not give the City Council power to raise its compensation or that of
other City officials without voter approval.
SECTION 3: SEVERABILITY
It is the intent of the people that the provisions of this Charter Amendment measure are
severable and that if any provision of this Charter Amendment measure, or the
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid such invalidity shall not
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ATTACHMENT D
affect any other provision or application of this Charter Amendment measure which can
be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
In the event this Charter Amendment measure and another measure or measures
relating to City Council vote approval requirements for the matters described herein
shall appear on the same general municipal election ballot, the other measure or
measure shall be deemed to be in conflict with this Charter Amendment measure. In
the event that this Charter Amendment measure receives a greater number of
affirmative votes, the provisions of this measure shall prevail in their entirety, and the
provisions of the other measure or measures shall be null and void.
If this Charter Amendment measure is approved by the voters but superseded in whole
or in part by any other conflicting measure approved by the voters at the same election,
and such other conflicting measure is later found held invalid, this measure shall be self-
executing and given full force and effect.
SECTION 5: EFFECTIVE DATE
This Charter Amendment measure shall become effective in the manner allowed by law.
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ATTACHMENT E
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF
ORANGE TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8,
2016, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO
BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10403 FOR
THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING A PROPOSED
CHARTER AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority provided by Article XI of the California
Constitution, Title 4, Division 2, Chapter 2 of the California Government Code and
Division 9, Chapter 3, Article 3 (commencing at Section 9255) of the California Elections
Code, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach is authorized to submit a proposed
Charter Amendment to the voters;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, called a
General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the purpose
of submitting a proposed Charter Amendment to the voters;
WHEREAS, California Elections Code Sections 10400 et seq. authorize a
municipality to consolidate its election with a statewide election to be held on the same
day; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General Municipal Election be consolidated
with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date and that within the City
the precincts, polling places, and election officers of the two elections be the same; the
County Election Department of the County of Orange canvass the returns of the
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 2 of 3
General Municipal Election; and the election be held in all respects as if there were only
one election.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Pursuant to the requirements of California Elections Code Section
10403, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange is hereby requested to
consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the
Statewide General election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, for the purpose of
submitting a Charter amendment.
Section 2: That a measure is to appear on the ballot as follows:
uIMMAW11:121
Yes
Require 5 of 7 Votes Of The City Council To Propose Taxes
Shall Section 1115 be added to the Newport Beach City
Charter to require at least five votes of the total City Council No
membership in order to place City Council sponsored general
or special tax proposals on a ballot for voter consideration?
Section 3: The County Election Department is authorized to canvass the
returns of the General Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as if
there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used. The election will
be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the
Statewide election.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 3 of 3
Section 4: The Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the
County Election Department to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the
consolidated election.
Section 5: The City of Newport Beach recognizes that additional costs will be
incurred by the County by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the
County for any costs.
Section 6: The City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this
resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the County Election Department of the
County of Orange.
Section 7: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 8: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the
activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
Section 9: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 4 of 3
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT F
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SETTING
PRIORITIES FOR FILING WRITTEN ARGUMENTS
REGARDING A CITY MEASURE, AND DIRECTING THE
CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL
ANALYSIS
WHEREAS, a General Municipal Election is to be held in the City of Newport
Beach, California, on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at which there will be submitted to
the voters the following measure:
MEASURE
Yes
Require 5 of 7 Votes Of The City Council To Propose Taxes
Shall Section 1115 be added to the Newport Beach City
Charter to require at least five votes of the total City Council No
membership in order to place City Council sponsored general
or special tax proposals on a ballot for voter consideration?
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City Council authorizes the following City Council
Member(s) of its body:
Keith Curry (Council Member in Favor) (Council Member Against),
(Council Member in Favor) (Council Member Against),
(Council Member in Favor) (Council Member Against),
to file a written argument not exceeding three hundred (300) words regarding the City
measure as specified above, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of
the author(s) submitting it, in accordance with Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the
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Resolution No. 2016 -
Page 2 of 3
California Elections Code. The arguments may be changed or withdrawn until and
including the date fixed by the City Clerk after which no arguments for or against the
City measure may be submitted to the City Clerk. A direct argument may not be signed
by more than five (5) authors.
The arguments shall be filed with the City Clerk, signed, with the printed name(s)
and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an
organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at
least one of its principal officers who is the author of the argument. The arguments
shall be accompanied by the "Form of Statement to be Filed by Author(s) of Argument."
Section 2: The City Council directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the
measure to the City Attorney. The City Attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of
the measure of no more than five hundred (500) words, pursuant to California Election
Code Section 9280.
Section 3: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 4: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the
activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
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Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the rResolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT G
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR
THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE CITY
MEASURE SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016, PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 9285
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9282(b) the City
Council and other interested parties are authorized to submit arguments for and against
the City's proposed ballot measures; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9285 the City Council,
by majority vote, is authorized to adopt provisions to provide for the filing of rebuttal
arguments for direct arguments submitted under California Elections Code Section
9282(b).
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT
BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9285(a)(1), when the
Elections Official has selected the arguments for and against the measure which will be
printed and distributed to the voters, the Elections Official shall send a copy of an
argument in favor of the measure to the authors of any argument against the measure
and a copy of an argument against the measure to the authors of any argument in favor
of the measure upon receiving the arguments.
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Resolution No. 2016 -
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Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9285, the author or a majority of
the authors of an argument relating to a City measure may prepare and submit a
rebuttal argument not exceeding two hundred fifty (250) words or may authorize, in
writing, any other person or persons to prepare, submit or sign the rebuttal argument. A
rebuttal argument may not be signed by more than five (5) authors.
The rebuttal argument(s) shall be filed with the City Clerk, signed, with the
printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf
of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of
at least one of its principal officers, not more than ten (10) calendar days after the final
date for filing direct arguments. The rebuttal argument(s) shall be accompanied by the
"Form of Statement to be Filed by Author(s) or Argument."
Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments.
Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to
rebut.
Section 2: All previous resolutions providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments
for City measures are repealed.
Section 3: The rebuttal provisions provided within Section 1 shall apply only to
the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Section 4: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
Section 5: The City Council finds the adoption of this resolution is not subject to
the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the
activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in
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Resolution No. 2016 -
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the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3,
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly
or indirectly.
Section 6: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of June, 2016.
Diane B. Dixon
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
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