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Memorandum <br /> <br />TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: Tamika Greenwood <br /> City Clerk <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Potential Charter Amendment to DATE: May 23, 2016 <br />increase councilmember term limits, <br />on the November 8, 2016 ballot <br /> <br />At the May 16, 2016 City Council meeting, the City Council approved a request for additional <br />information on the possibility of a charter amendment to increase councilmember term limits. <br />Specifically, Council requested the following information: 1) potential costs to add an additional <br />measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot, and 2) Councilmember term limits in neighboring <br />cities. <br />Elections Code Section 9255 provides in relevant part, “A proposal by the governing body to <br />amend the City Charter shall be submitted to the voters at an established statewide general <br />election provided there are at least 88 days before the election.” <br />To place a charter amendment on the November ballot, Council would need to approve a <br />resolution establishing November 8, 2016 as the election date for the proposed charter <br />amendment. Once the resolution is approved, the City Attorney must prepare an impartial <br />analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on existing law. <br />After Council approval, the proposed charter amendment and impartial analysis would be <br />submitted to the Registrar of Voters (ROV) for inclusion on the November 8, 2016 ballot. <br />APPLICABLE DEADLINES <br />The timeline below outlines the process for the City Council to approve a ballot measure: <br />Ballot Measure Deadlines <br />Action November 8, 2016 Election Deadlines <br />Last scheduled City Council meeting prior <br />to the 88th day deadline <br />July 18, 2016 <br />Possible special City Council meeting prior <br />to the 88th day before the election <br />(currently a Work Session) <br />July 25, 2016 <br /> <br />88th day before election August 12, 2016 <br /> <br />Key action items to consider in placing a measure on the ballot not only include drafting the <br />charter amendment language but also allowing sufficient time for the City Attorney to draft an <br />impartial analysis as required by the Elections Code. Typically a City Attorney is allowed <br />approximately 30 days to prepare an impartial analysis given work load, priorities and other <br />outstanding deadlines. Currently, July 18, 2016 is the last scheduled regular Council meeting <br />prior to the 88th day submission deadline for the November election. July 25, 2016 is currently <br />scheduled for a Work Session, however, if necessary, Council can call a Special Meeting and