HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - Attachment 6 - 3/6/2012Attachment 6
Ballot Title/Question: Shall the City of Costa Mesa adopt the Proposed Charter?
A vote in favor of Measure changes the City of Costa Mesa from a general law
city to a charter city with all attendant powers of a charter city. If passed, Costa Mesa will
have authority over municipal affairs as defined by California's Constitution and courts,
including the following:
1. Form of Government: The Proposed Charter requires that the City continue to use
the "council-manager" form. However, by vote of City residents, the City could
later change this to any alternative form of government different from the
"council-manager" form.
2. Purchasing and Contracting: The Proposed Charter allows the City to engage in
contracting/purchasing that is different from California general law (e.g.
prevailing wages not required for municipal Public Works Projects funded solely
with City funds). However, by vote of City residents, the City could later change
contracting/purchasing to something different from both the Proposed Charter,
and general law.
3. Voluntary Employee Political Contribution: The Proposed Charter does not allow
the city to collect political contributions through payroll deductions from city
employees. However, by vote of City residents, the City could later change its
handling of this.
4. Public Employee Pension Benefits: The Proposed Charter requires a vote of City
residents before any increase of the employee or officers' retirement benefits.
However, by vote of City residents, the City could later change its handling of
this.
5. Council Compensation: The Proposed Charter requires that the City continue to
follow California General Law which regulates the compensation of city council
members. However, by vote of City residents, the City could later change its
handling of this.
6. Elections: The Proposed Charter requires that elections are continued to be
governed by California General Law. However, by vote of City residents, the
City could later change this and set up its own rules and regulations in handling
its municipal elections.
7. Management of non -elected City Officers/Employees: The Proposed Charter
proscribes rules regarding the election, appointment, and removal of municipal
officers and employees whose compensation is paid by the City, and for the
number of deputies, clerks and other employees that each shall have, and for the
compensation, method of appointment, qualifications, tenure of office and
removal of such deputies, clerks and other employees. However, by vote of City
residents, the City could later change this.
v. 2.03/02/2012
Attachment 6
8. Adoption of Ordinances: The Proposed Charter requires the City to continue to
follow California General Law in considering ordinances for adoption. However,
by vote of City residents, the City could later change this to set up its own rules
and regulations regarding adoption of municipal ordinances.
9. Taxes and Assessments: The Proposed Charter prohibits taxation of property
sales. However, by vote of City residents, the City could later enact property
sales taxes.
10. The Proposed Charter also authorizes the City to take actions and pass ordinances
consistent with the City's status as a charter city in connection with its municipal
affairs. Changes to the Proposed Charter, if enacted, would require vote of City
residents.
v. 2.03/02/2012