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CC:FA:HA:PA:SA - (1) Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor for Terms Commencing on April 27, 2020 and Continuing Until the Meeting at which the Results of the November 3, 2020 Election are Declared by the City Council (After Certification by Los Angeles County); and (2) Confirmation by the Boards of the Financing Authority/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency that the Mayor and Vice Mayor of the City Shall Serve as Chair and Vice Chair of these Bodies.
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Contact Person/Dept: Jeremy Green, CMC/City Clerk
Phone Number: (310) 253-5851
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (04/21/2020)
Department Approval: Serena Wright, Assistant City Manager (04/19/2020)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends (1) the City Council elect its Mayor and Vice Mayor for terms commencing on April 27, 2020 and continuing until the meeting at which the results of the November 3, 2020 election are declared by the City Council (after certification by Los Angeles County); and (2) the Boards of the Financing Authority/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency (Successor Agency) confirm that the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of these bodies, respectively.
BACKGROUND:
Section 606 of the City Charter states, in pertinent part(s):
“…In odd numbered years, the City Council shall elect the Mayor and Vice Mayor at the second City Council meeting following twelve months after the prior election. Both the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council. …” and,
“…A Council Member who has held the office of Mayor or Vice Mayor for one year shall not be eligible for reelection to that same office until one year has elapsed.”
Pursuant to Section 606 of the City Charter, typically the City Council has elected the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Culver City for terms of one year, and the Boards of the Financing Authority/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency have confirmed that the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall serve as the Chair and Vice Chair of these bodies, respectively, for the same terms.
At the November 2018 Special Municipal Election, the date of the General Municipal Election for the filling of all elective offices, not including the Board of Education, was changed from April of even-numbered years to “the date of the statewide general election.” The next General municipal election will occur on November 3, 2020. This change in election date resulted in an atypical situation for this cycle of the mayoral rotation.
During the course of reviewing the Mayoral Rotation Policy, the Council Policies Subcommittee(Mayor Sahli-Wells and Council Member Fisch, collectively “Subcommittee”) and staff discussed how to address the next mayoral rotation, considering the transition period between April 2020 (when the rotation would typically occur) until after the certification of the November election results (when the rotation will occur on a going forward basis during election years, pursuant to the City Charter).
At the December 9, 2019 City Council meeting, the Subcommittee recommended that there remain an election of a new Mayor and Vice Mayor in April 2020, to cover the transition period of approximately seven to eight months prior to the November 3rd election results being declared by the City Council (after being certified by Los Angeles County). This approximation is based on the amount of time anticipated for Los Angeles County’s certification of the election results.
After discussing the Subcommittee’s recommendation, the City Council, by a majority vote, directed the City Clerk to schedule the next mayoral rotation for April 2020.
DISCUSSION
REORGANIZATION 2020
Policy:
On February 24, 2020 Resolution 2020-R011 was adopted, amending the City Council Policy regarding Mayoral Rotation and rescinding Resolution Nos. 2017-R015 and 2018-R055 (Attachment 1).
The Mayoral Rotation Policy states that:
The City Council shall discuss and elect the new Mayor and Vice Mayor as follows:
1. At the meeting at which the election results are certified; or
2. At the second City Council meeting following 12 months after the prior election.
The newly elected Mayor shall select a date for the ceremonial community swearing in celebration, to take place within 30 calendar days of the election of the Mayor and Vice Mayor.
Given the current state of emergency, the City Council may want to consider making an exception to the requirement that the ceremonial celebration occur within 30 calendar days.
Procedures:
CURRENT MAYOR OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE NEW MAYOR
In accordance with state law, the current Mayor shall preside during the election of the new Mayor. The Mayor announces that this is the time and place to receive nominations for Mayor, calls for the nomination, closes the nomination, and calls for the vote.
NEW MAYOR OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR VICE MAYOR
Once the new Mayor has assumed the office and made any remarks he or she may wish to make, he or she shall open the nominations for Vice Mayor.
The new Mayor announces that this is the time and place to receive nominations for Vice Mayor, calls for nominations, closes the nominations, and calls for the vote.
Future meetings will be set-up with seating in accordance with past practice of the City Council.
The ceremonial pinning of the newly elected Vice Mayor and Mayor, in that order, shall occur in the well of the dais at a date to be determined when COVID-19 pandemic has ended and the public order has been lifted, allowing the public to gather in the Mike Balkman Council Chambers.
COMMENTS BY CITY COUNCIL AND PUBLIC
The Mayor calls on the Members of the City Council for any remarks they may wish to make at this time. There is no special action necessary by the Council.
Members of the public are now welcome to address the new Mayor and Vice Mayor via email.
Confirmation of Chair and Vice Chair of the FINANCING AUTHORITY/Housing Authority/Parking Authority/Successor Agency
The Mayor entertains respective motions of the Boards of the Financing Authority, Housing Authority, Parking Authority and Successor Agency (a joint motion for all four bodies is also acceptable) that the Mayor and Vice Mayor serve as Chair and Vice Chair of these bodies, respectively.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this staff report.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 2020-R011
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
That the City Council:
Elect a Council Member as Mayor and Vice Mayor, each serving terms commencing on April 27, 2020 and continuing until the meeting at which the results of the November 3, 2020 Election are declared by the City Council (after being certified by Los Angeles County).
That the Financing Authority Board, Housing Authority Board, Parking Authority Board, and Successor Agency Board:
Adopt respective motions confirming that the Mayor and Vice Mayor shall serve as Chair and Vice Chair of these bodies, respectively, each serving terms commensurate with the terms of the Mayor and Vice Mayor.