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CC - ACTION: (1) Discussion to Potentially Adopt a Position, or Take No Position, on the Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics, and Accountability Charter Amendment Ballot Measure, which will Appear on the November 5, 2024 Ballot; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: September 9, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell; Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/03/2024)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager’s Office (09/03/2024) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) discuss adopting a position, or take no position, on the Los Angeles County Government Structure, Ethics, and Accountability Charter Amendment ballot measure which will appear on the November 5, 2024 Ballot; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On July 30, 2024 the Board of Supervisors took action to put a comprehensive governance and ethics reform package for Los Angeles County on the ballot this November. (Attachment 1).
After discussion, on the motion of Supervisor Solis, seconded by Supervisor Hahn, this item was duly carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 3 - Supervisor Solis, Supervisor Hahn and Supervisor Horvath
Noes: 2 - Supervisor Mitchell and Supervisor Barger
The transcript of Supervisor Mitchell’s remarks on this item is found in Attachment 2.
Voters will now decide on a County Charter amendment that creates an elected County Executive; expands the Board of Supervisors from five to nine seats; and establishes ethics reforms.
The Ballot Measure will read as follows:
“LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER AMENDMENT. Shall the measure amending the Los Angeles County Charter to create an elected County Executive; create an independent Ethics Commission to increase restrictions on lobbying and investigate misconduct; establish a nonpartisan Legislative Analyst to review proposed County policies; increase the Board of Supervisors from five to nine elected members; require County departments to present annual budgets in public meetings; using existing funding sources with no additional taxes to implement, as detailed in the charter amendment ordinance, be adopted?”
According to the Office of County Council, if approved by a majority of the voters (50% + 1), the proposed Charter amendment would:
• By 2026, require all items of business of the Board of Supervisors ("Board") be on the posted agenda at least 120 hours before a regular meeting;
• By 2026, establish an independent County Ethics Commission, an Office of Ethics Compliance, and the position of Ethics Compliance Officer;
• By 2028, establish the office of an elected County Executive, and the positions of a Director of Budget and Management and County Legislative Analyst;
• Expand the membership of the Board of Supervisors from five to nine elected members following the 2030 redistricting process;
• Establish a Governance Reform Task Force and Charter Review Commission;
• Authorize the suspension, with or without pay, of an elective County officer who has been criminally charged with a felony related to a violation of official duties;
• Prohibit former County officials from lobbying the County for a minimum of two years after leaving County service;
• Require the presentation of department budgets during a public hearing; and
• Require implementation of the Charter amendment using existing County funding sources, with no additional taxes to implement.
At the August 8, 2024 Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) Meeting, there was a request from Council Member John Mirisch (Beverly Hills) for the WSCCOG to take action and support this reform at the next WSCCOG Board meeting on October 10, 2024. Currently, Council Member Eriksson serves as the City Council’s Delegate and Voting Member on the WSCCOG Board, and Vice Mayor O’Brien is the Alternate Voting Member. Any City Council action on this item would inform the City’s WSCCOG Delegates when this item is considered.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting a position or taking no position on the amendment to the Charter of the County of Los Angeles ballot measure.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024-09-09-CC-ATT-Los Angeles County Charter Reform for November 2024 Ballot-Certified Ordinance
2. 2024-09-09-CC-ATT-Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Transcript from July 30, 2024 Board Meeting regarding Charter Reform Ballot measure.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. Take a support position on the amendment to the Charter of the County of Los Angeles ballot measure, on the November 5, 2024 ballot; or
2. Take an oppose position on the amendment to the Charter of the County of Los Angeles ballot measure, on the November 5, 2024 ballot; or
3. Take no position on the amendment to the Charter of the County of Los Angeles ballot measure, on the November 5, 2024 ballot; and/or
4. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.