CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: JUNE 1, 2016
PREPARED BY: Irma Torrez, City Clerk
APPROVED BY: City Manager
TITLE
CALL FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
1. Adopt resolution Calling for a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 to elect a Mayor, two City Council Members, a City Clerk, and a City Treasurer; and
2. Adopt resolution Requesting the Services of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara and the Registrar of Voters' Office - for the Consolidation of the Election.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
Fostering a positive organizational culture
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Improving our communication
REPORT NARRATIVE:
Pursuant to Election Code ? 10002, the attached Resolution "A" calls for a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 to elect a Mayor for a two-year term; two (2) Council Members for four-year terms, a City Clerk for a four-year term and a City Treasurer for a four-year term. Resolution "B" requests the services of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters' Office; for the consolidation of the election. These are standard procedures for General Municipal Elections and the consolidation with other jurisdictions helps to keep election costs to a minimum.
Section 5 of Resolution "B", Candidates' Statements, establishes a 200-word limitation for the Candidate's Statements. Per City Council Resolution No. 16-005 (attached), Section 6 of Resolution B, provides that candidates pay half the estimated costs to submit a "Candidate Statement."
The City Council typically certifies the general municipal election results the first week in December following the election. Section 10262 of the Elections Code gives the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office (ROV) up to the fourth Friday after the election to complete the canvass of election results. The ROV has indicated that the canvass will be completed by Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Section 10262(b) of the Elections Code states that:
For a consolidated election, the city elections official, upon receipt of the results of the election from the elections official conducting the election, shall certify the results to the governing body which shall, no later than the next regularly scheduled city council meeting following presentation of the 28-day canvass of the returns, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, comply with the applicable provisions of Section 10263.
Therefore, the staff report to the City Council requesting certification of the November 8, 2016 General Municipal Election will be scheduled for Council action after December 8, 2016.
It is also important for the Council to understand that August 12, 2016 is the last day a municipality can submit a Measure Resolution to the County of Santa Clara/Registrar of Voters Office to be included in the November 8, 2016 ballot. This deadline requires that the City Council take action on adopting a resolution(s) on a ballot measure(s) prior to August 12, 2016. Should the City Council wish to place a measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot, a staff report and accompanying resolution(s) will return to the City Council for action.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Empower
As a General Law City, Morgan Hill is governed by Government and Election Codes for the purpose of electing municipal officers (e.g., mayor, council members, city clerk and city treasurer).
Adopting the two attached resolutions that call for a General Municipal Election to be held in Morgan Hill on November 8, 2016 and the consolidation of the election, allows registered voters in the City of Morgan Hill to be involved in the democratic process of electing their municipal officers.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
None.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
Municipal Elections are conducted every two years for the purpose of electing officers as required by law.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
The cost for election services to elect officers is estimated at approximately $93,021. As stated above, candidates who submit candidate statements for publication will pay half the cost to print said statements. Election costs have been recommended in the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Proposed Budget under Administrative Services - Elections (Account No. 010-42231-2420).
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not Applicable
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution "A" Calling for a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016
2. Resolution "B" Requesting the Services of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara and the Registrar of Voters' Office - for Consolidation
3. Council Resolution No. 16-005 Pertaining to Candidate Statements submitted to the Voters