To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Steve Potter, City Manager
Prepared By: Liz Habkirk, Assistant City Manager and Julie Lucido, Public Works Director
TITLE:
Title
Discussion of Designation of two members of Council to author argument in favor of Measure G for the November 5, 2024 ballot.
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Designate two members of City Council to author the argument in favor of Measure G, seek additional signatories to the argument, and file a rebuttal to the argument against the measure.
Body
DISCUSSION:
On June 4, 2024, Council adopted Resolution R2024-058 authorizing the placement of “Measure G” on the November 2024 ballot. The Resolution establishes deadlines for the submittal of arguments for and against the measure, as well as deadlines for any rebuttal to an argument against the measure. In order to meet the County Registrar of Voters requirements, the City Clerk must receive an argument for or against the measure by August 9, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Rebuttal arguments would then be due by August 19, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.
In the initial agenda report on June 4, staff recommended that Council consider designating two Council members to author the argument in favor of Measure G, as well as to file a rebuttal to any argument against the Measure. Council indicated they would like more detailed information on the options for this effort and requested that staff return to discuss at a future meeting.
For the City of Napa, ballot measure arguments are governed by California Elections Code Sections 9280-9287, Napa Municipal Code Section 1.08.035, and Policy Resolution 32. Under Elections Code Section 9282, the City Council, or a member or members of the City Council authorized by the City Council, or an individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or a combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument for or against a City measure. Per Napa Municipal Code 1.08.035 (b) and Policy Resolution No. 32, if more than one argument is submitted in favor of the measure, any argument authorized by the City Council receives first preference and priority for placement in the voter information guide.
City Council has two general options related to the submittal of ballot arguments in favor of the measure. These are:
1. Council could designate two members to draft an argument in favor of Measure G on behalf of the City Council and a rebuttal to any argument against Measure G. Additionally, designated Council members could be authorized to seek additional signatories to the argument, up to a total of five individuals, pursuant to Elections Code Section 9283.
2. Council could not designate anyone to author the argument in favor of the Measure, in which case any eligible person or association could author an argument in favor of Measure G. Under this scenario, Council would not have the ability to select the authors or control the content or message contained within the argument.
If Council chooses not to designate two Council members to author the argument in favor of the Measure, and more than one argument in favor is submitted, the City Clerk would select one of the arguments for placement in the voter information guide in accordance with the procedures set forth in Policy Resolution No. 32.
Staff is recommending that the Council designate two members to draft the argument in favor, as well as to seek additional signatories and draft a rebuttal if necessary to an argument against Measure G.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
None.
CEQA:
The City Manager has determined that the recommended action described in this agenda report is not subject to CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15060 (c).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None.
NOTIFICATION:
None.