AgdaPkt 2017-12-04 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.C. - Page 1 REPORT To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager December 4, 2017 SUBJECT Receive Recommendations from the Charter Review Sub -Committee Regarding Proposed Charter Amendments RECOMMENDATION Provide Direction Regarding Proposed Charter Amendments BACKGROUND In California, a city is either a general law city or a charter city. A charter city is a city that has adopted a charter by majority vote of its electors. Under the California Constitution, charter cities have authority to make and enforce all laws related to local, municipal affairs. Charter cities are, however, regulated by state law in matters of statewide significance. Redwood City is one of approximately 120 charter cities in California. Often referred to as the "constitution" of a charter city, a charter sets out the foundational governing structure and laws for a charter city. Charter provisions can only be amended by majority vote of a city's electors, and they cannot be superseded by City Council action. The Redwood City Charter was adopted by the voters in 1929 and has been amended sixteen times since then, most recently in 2011. Periodically, the Council directs its Charter Review Sub -Committee ("Committee") to review the Charter and determine if any changes or updates are required. If it determines changes are required, the Committee may draft proposed amendments for review by the Council. After holding two public hearings on the proposed amendments, the Council may vote to submit the amendments to the voters at the next established statewide general election. The next established statewide general election is in November of 2018. On January 23, 2017, the Committee was tasked with considering several Charter amendments. These included potential amendments setting term limits on members of City boards and commissions, shortening mayoral terms to one year, replacing biannual mayoral selections with automatic rotation of the office among all Councilmembers, and updating the Charter in light of legal, technological, and cultural developments.