Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 1 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Amend ARTICLE III., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Section 300., Members, Eligibility and Terms as follows:
Sec. 300.
Members, Eligibility, and Terms.
(E) Limitation on Consecutive Terms. Councilmembers and Mayors may serve up to, but no more than, twothree consecutive terms in their respective offices. Any person who has held the office of Councilmember or Mayor for a period of twothree consecutive terms may again seek election to the office of Councilmember or Mayor, respectively, by submitting nomination papers to the City Clerk for such offi ce, but may not do so until a period of one year has elapsed from the termination of their secondthird term as Councilmember or Mayor, respectively. Any pe rson appointed by the Council to fill the office of Councilmember or Mayor may not seek election to said office of Councilmember or Mayor by submitting nomination papers to the City Clerk for such office until a period of one year after the termination of the appointed term has elapsed. Said appointee shall be eligible to seek nomination and election for twothree full terms thereafter. Any person elected in a special election for the balance of a regular term of Councilmember or Mayor for a period of two years or less may seek nomination and election for twothree full terms thereafter.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 2 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE III., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Section 302., Compensation for Councilmembers, as follows:
Sec. 302.
Compensation for Councilmembers.
(A) TheEffective January 1, 2027, the four Councilmembers shall exercise their functions during such hours and times as shall be necessary to discharge in full the duties imposed upon them.
(B) Prior to January 1, 2027, the four Councilmembers shall receive, as compensation for their services, aan annual salary equal to 40% of the salary of the Mayor. They (C) As of January 1, 2027, the four Councilmembers shall receive an annual salary of 45% of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State. (D) Effective July 1, 2027, the four City Councilmembers shall receive an annual salary set by the Salary Setting Commission established by this Charter; provided that the minimum annual salary for a Councilmember shall be no t less than 45% of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State.
(E) Commencing July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, except as otherwise determined by the Salary Setting Commission in its five-year re view, in order to provide a cost of living adjustment, the base salaries of the Counc ilmembers shall increase by a percentage equal to the percentage increase of the preceding calendar year’s annual average of the Consumer Price index-Urban (CPI-U), or successor index, for San Diego-Chula Vista- Carlsbad, CA, as determined by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in no ev ent shall the cost of living increase exceed 5% per year.
(F) For each Councilmember, a sum, as established by the Sala ry Setting Commission, shall be deducted from their salary for each regular meeting of the City Council, other than regular adjourned meetings, which they fail to attend in each calendar month; provided, however, that such deduction shall not be made for their failure to attend any meeting during which they are away on authorized Ci ty business, or from which they are absent because of their own illness or the illness of a close relative, as defined by the applicable Council ordinance or resolution. Such amount to be deducted shall be set annually by the Salary Setting Commission, effective July 1st of each year. (A)(G) Councilmembers shall also be entitled to receive reimbursement for Council- authorized and budgeted travel and other expenses when on official duty of the City consistent with City policies. The City Coun cil may also provide, by resolution, for the payment to Councilmembers of an allowanc e of a sum certain per month to reimburse Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 3 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. them for the additional demands and expenses made upon and incurred by them in serving as Councilmembers.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 4 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE III., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Section 303., Vacancies, as follows:
Sec. 303.
Vacancies.
(C) Filling Vacancies: Appointments and Special Elections. (5) Future Election of Appointee to Elected Office. Any person who is appointed by the Council to fill the office of Councilmember or Mayor, as provided in Charter Section 303(C), may not seek nomination and election to said offices of Councilmember or Mayor until a period of one year from the termination of the appointed term has elapsed. Said appointee shall be eligible to seek nomination and election for twothree full terms thereafter.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 5 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE III., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Section 304., Presiding Officer, Mayor, as follows:
Sec. 304.
Presiding Officer, Mayor.
(B) ) Compensation. The
(1) Prior to January 1, 2027, the Mayor shall receive an annual salary equivalent to 66% of the salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State. (2) As of January 1, 2027, the Mayor shall re ceive an annual salary of 70% of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State. (3) Effective July 1, 2027, the Mayor shall receive an annual salary set by the Salary Setting Commission established by this Charter, provided that the Mayor’s minimum annual salary shall not be less than 70% of the annual salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State.
(4) Commencing July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, except as otherwise determined by the Salary Setting Commission in its five-year review, in order to provide a cost of living adjustment, the base salary of the Mayor shall increase by a percentage equal to the percentage increase of the preceding calendar year’s annual average of the Consumer Price index-Urban (CPI-U), or successor index, for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, as determined by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in no event shall the cost of living increase exceed 5% per year. (1)(5) The Mayor shall also be entitled to rece ive reimbursement for Council-authorized and budgeted travel and other expenses when on official duty out of the City consistent with City policies. The City Co uncil may also provide, by resolution, for the payment to the Mayor of an allowance of a sum certain per month, as reimbursement for the additional demands and expenses made upon and incurred by the Mayor.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 6 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE III., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, by adding a new Section 313, City Council Committees, as follows:
Sec. 313.
City Council Committees.
(A) The City Council shall have a Budget, Go vernment Accountability and Efficiency Committee consisting of two members of the City Council. Two members of the City Council shall be appointed to this Committee at the first regular meeting of the City Council each calendar year and shall serve for the balance of the calendar year and until a replacement is appointed. If a vacancy occurs during the calendar year, the City Council shall appoint a member of the City Council to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. For the avoidance of ambiguity, the Mayor is eligible to serve as one of the two members of the Committee. The Bu dget, Government Accountability and Efficiency Committee shall meet no less th an quarterly and shall provide members of the public a venue for commenting on issues related to the City budget, government accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. It shall also conduct such other hearings and provide such other recommendations for action to the full City Council as the City Council may so direct.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 7 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE V., OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, Section 503., City Attorney: Election, Powers and Duties, as follows:
Sec. 503.
City Attorney: Election, Powers and Duties.
(C) Election; Compensation. The City Attorney shall be nominated and elected in the same manner and at the same election as the Mayor, except as otherwise provided in this Charter Section 503. The
(1) Prior to July 1, 2027, the annual salary of the elected City Attorney shall be equivalent to the salary of a Judge of the Superior Court of the State. (2) As of July 1, 2027, the annual salary of the elected City Attorney shall be set by the Salary Setting Commission established by this Charter, provided that the City Attorney’s annual salary shall not be reduced below the dollar amount in effect as of December 31, 2026.
(3) Commencing July 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, except as otherwise determined by the Salary Setting Commission in its five-year review, in order to provide a cost of living adjustment, the ba se salary of the City Attorney shall increase by a percentage equal to the percentage increase of the preceding calendar year’s annual average of the Consumer Price index-Urban (CPI-U), or successor index, for San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, as determined by the United States Department of Labor, Bure au of Labor Statisti cs. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in no event shall the cost of living increase exceed 5% per year.
(1)(4) The City Attorney shall also receive reimbursement for budgeted travel and other expenses when on official duty out of th e City consistent with City policies. The City Council may also provide, by resolution, for the payment of an allowance of a sum certain per month, as reimbursemen t for additional demands and expenses made upon and incurred by the City Attorney. In addition, the City Attorney shall be entitled to such benefits as are granted to other department heads of the City, as established by the City Council.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 8 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE V., OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, Section 504., Office of Legislative Counsel; Duties, as follows:
Sec. 504.
Office of Legislative Counsel; Duties.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Char ter, the Council may establish by ordinance the office of Legislative Counsel, as described in this Charter Section 504. (A) Appointment or Dismissal. Legislative Counsel may be sele cted by the Council and serve at the pleasure of the Council, on term s and conditions prescribed by Council.
Appointment or dismissal of the Legislative Counsel shall be approved by a majority vote of the Council.
(B) Advice Regarding Legislative Duties. Legislative Counsel may advise the Council regarding its legislative duties. Legislative Counsel shall neither oppose nor urge enactment of any legislation.
(C) Advice Regarding Conflicts of Interest. Legislative Counsel may also advise the Council regarding conflicts of interest involving the City Attorney, and whether the hiring of special counsel is therefore warranted. If the Council approves the hiring of special counsel, Legislative Counsel may assist the Council in the selection and appointment of special counsel.
(D) Advice to Board ofCity Ethics Commission and Charter Review Commission. Legislative Counsel may further advise the Council or the City’s Board ofCity Ethics Commission concerning matters under the City’s Codejurisdiction of the City Ethics and alleged violations thereofCommission and further may advise the City’s Charter Review Commission. Legislative Counsel may also provide such other assistance to the Board ofCity Ethics Commission in investigating or assisting the BoardCommission in the conduct of hearings, including the hiring of special counsel to the BoardCommission. (E) Additional Provisions By Ordinance. The Council may further provide by ordinance that the advice of the Legislative Counsel on the matters set forth in this Charter Section 504 shall be in lieu of that of the City Attorney. The Counsel may additionally or alternatively provide by ordinance for the prevention or resolution of conflicts and/or disputes between the City Attorney and Legislative Counsel.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 9 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE V., MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, Section 506., City Council Authority to Add or Consolidate Functions, as follows:
Sec. 506.
City Council Authority to Add or Consolidate Functions. (C) Transfer To or Consolidation With State, County, or Other City Governments. TheExcept with respect to the City Ethics Commission, the City Council may also transfer or consolidate functions of the City government to or with appropriate functions of the State, County, or other city government, or may make use of such functions of the State, County, or other city governments to supplement or replace City functions. In such case, the provisions of this Charter providing for the function of the City government so transferred or consolidated shall be suspended and shall be covered by ordinance or resolution establishing such transfer or consolidation. Any such transfer or consolidation may be repealed in like manner.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 10 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE VI., APPOINTIVE BOARDS AN D COMMISSIONS, Section 602, Appointments, Terms and Vacancies, as follows:
Sec. 602.
Appointments, Terms, and Vacancies.
(A) Appointments and Terms. TheExcept for the Salary Setting Commission, the members of each City board or commission shall be appoin ted, and shall be subject to removal, by action of the City Council. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Members of the City Ethics Commission and Salary Setting Commission shall only be subject to removal for cause. The City Council shall, by ordinance, establish the grounds and procedures for removal for cause provided that such grounds and procedures are consistent with, and do not conflict with, this Charter. The members of such boards and commissions shall serve for a term of four years and until their respective successors are appointed and qualified.
Board and commission members shall be limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms and an interval of two years must pass befo re a person who has served two consecutive terms may be reappointed to the body up on which the member had served. For the purpose of this Charter Section 602, an appointment to fill an initial term or an unexpired term of less than two years in duration sha ll not be considered as a term; however, any appointment to fill an initial term or an unex pired term in excess of two years shall be considered to be a full term.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 11 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend Article VI., APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, by adding a new Section, Section 608, City Ethics Commission, as follows:
Sec. 608.
City Ethics Commission.
(A) In General. There shall be a City Ethics Commission consisting of seven members to be appointed by the City Council from the Resident s of the City that are at least 18 years of age. No member of such commission shall ho ld any other elected or appointed public office, including, without limitation, any elective office in any jurisdiction, shall not be an employee of any holder of an elected or appointed public office, a member of a public body whose members are appointed by an elected official, or any employee of such public body.
(B) Appointment Process. The City Council may establish, by ordinance, any procedures for appointment and removal it deems appropriate; provided the procedures are consistent with the Charter.
(C) Additional Qualifications.
(1) If a City Ethics Commission member, during their term of office, desires to engage in fundraising activities or make a financial contribution to the campaign of a City candidate or elective City officer, such City Ethics Commission member shall first resign from the Commission. Failure to resign before such participation or support shall be grounds for removal from the Commission.
(2) No person shall be appointed as a member of the City Ethics Commission or shall be entitled to retain such membership if they, within the past ten (10) years prior to the date of appointment or during their term have been convicted of a any felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, are found to have committed a criminal violation of the Fair Political Practices Act or have a conflict of interest as provided in this Charter , state law , or any municipal ordinance. Further , no person shall be appointed as a member of the City Ethics Commission or shall be entitled to retain their membership if they are related to an elected City official. (3) No person may serve as a City Ethics Commission member whose profession, occupation, or employment consist of (a ) providing services to candidates for public office or to elected officials within the City; (b) engaging in public affairs or legislative liaison services for an employ er doing business with the City, or with any Joint Powers Authority of which the Ci ty is a participant or member, or with any Special District covering the City. Further, no person shall be appointed as a member of the City Ethics Commission or shall be entitled to retain such membership if they are employed by the City of Chula Vista or any business, Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 12 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. venture, or other entity which is owned, operated, managed, or controlled by any City official or employee.
(D) Powers and Duties . The City Ethics Commission shall have the power and duty to supervise the investigation of and enforce alle ged violations of any provisions of this Charter or ordinances relating to campaign finance, lobbyist registration and regulation, revolving door rules and public official gift bans as the City Council may enact and assign to the City Ethics Commission for enforcement. The Commissi on shall further have the power and duty to appoint and remove me mbers of the Salary Setting Commission established in this Charter.
Ancillary to its investigation and enforcem ent powers and duties, the City Ethics Commission will provide ethics training to cand idates for elective city office and elected city officials. The City Council may expand the scope of the City Ethics Commission’s ethics training responsibilities by ordinance.
With the assistance of the City Attorney, the City Ethics Commission or its designee shall:
(1) Investigate potential violations within the City Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. (2) Receive written complaints alleging possible violations of any Charter provision or Ordinance within the City Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. (3) Obtain copies of campaign statements, reports, and other filings for which the Political Reform Act requires the original to be filed with the City Clerk or other designated filing officer.
(4) Prescribe forms for reports, statements, notices and other documents required by any Charter provision or Ordinance wi thin the City Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
(5) Issue subpoenas duces tecum for bank re cords of campaign accounts of City candidates, elective officeholders and any other City political committee. (6) Issue other subpoenas duces tecum in connection with compliance investigations and enforcement proceedings in accordance with any rules and procedures prescribed by ordinance.
(7) Provide any training within the City Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. (8) In its discretion as part of compliance or enforcement activities, cause an audit to be performed of City elective officers an d City candidates' campaign accounts to ensure compliance with any Charter provision or ordinance governing such accounts.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 13 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (9) Provide compliance-related advice to any person concerning the requesting party's duties under any Charter provision or ordinance within the City Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
(10) Review the City’s campaign finance, conflict of interest, gift ban and lobbying rules, and recommend to the City Council such modifications as the Commission may deem fit. To the extent such rules do not exist, make such recommendations to the City Council for the substantive content thereof as the City Ethics Commission deems fit.
(11) Appoint members of the Salary Setting Commission, subject to the eligibility requirements established in this Charter.
(12) Remove members of the Salary Setting Commission for cause.
If the City Attorney or any attorney employed by the City Attorney’s Office is the subject of a complaint or investigation, has a conflict of intere st, or is otherwise unable to provide impartial assistance, the City Attorney and his or her Office shall recuse themselves. Outside counsel shall be appointed by the City Ethics Commission to advise the City Ethics Commission regarding the complaint alleging misconduct. The City Ethics Commission may establish procedures for the selection of such counsel consistent with City policies, procedures, and ordinances. (E) City Council authorization to further define powers and duties. To the extent not set forth in this Charter, the City Council shall prov ide by ordinance the procedures for the accomplishment of the City Ethics Comm ission’s duties and fulfillment of its responsibilities, including but not limited to:
(1) A prohibition on any City Ethics Commiss ion member initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications, that is, any communications to or from the City Ethics Commission member outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending investigation, enforcement proceeding, or appeal; (2) Investigatory and enforcement procedures; and
(3) Remedial authority.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 14 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend Article VI., APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, by adding a new Section, Section 609, Salary Setting Commission, as follows:
Sec. 609.
Salary Setting Commission.
(A) In General. There shall be a Salary Setting Commissi on consisting of five members to be appointed by the City Ethics Commission from the Residents of the City. (B) Member Qualifications. To be eligible for appointment to the Salary Setting Commission, the appointee must be a resident of the City, be at least 18 years of age, not be related by blood or marriage to any City officer or employee, and not be employed by the City or any business, venture, or other entity which is owned, operated, managed, or controlled by any elected City officer or employee.
(C) Powers and Duties. The Salary Setting Commission sha ll have the power and duty to establish the salaries of the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Attorney and to establish a standard salary reduction for Councilmembers pursuant to Article III, Section 302(E) of this Charter
(1) No salary shall be established for the Mayor, Councilmembers, or City Attorney, except as provided in this Charter.
(2) For the purposes of this Charter, the term “salary” shall mean the base salary exclusive of fringe benefit payments.
(3) Commencing in 2027, the process for establishing the salary for the Mayor, Councilmembers, and the City Attorney shall be as follows:
a. Between March 1st and April 30th commencing in 2027, and every five (5) years thereafter, the Salary Setting Commission shall set the amount of the annual base salary which it deems appropriate for the Mayor, Councilmembers, and City Attorney, co mmencing July 1 of that year. The annual base salary shall be in an amount which takes into account the nature of the offices and which is consistent with this Charter and commensurate with salaries then bein g paid to other public or private positions having similar duties, responsibilities and obligations. b. Failure of the Commission to make a determination of salary amounts in any year within the time prescribed sh all be deemed to mean that there is no change to the annual base salary, other than the cost of living adjustment provided for in Subsection F of this Article VI., Section 609, shall be made.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 15 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (4) The Salary Setting Commission’s determination of the Mayor, Councilmember and City Attorney salaries, together with the reasons therefor, shall be made in writing and submitted to the City Manager no later than a date established by ordinance so that funds can be budgeted and appropriated for that purpose. Before it submits any such determination to the City Manager, the Commission shall conduct at least one public hearing on the matter. When such a determination has been submitted to the City Manager, it shall not thereafter be amended by the Commission.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 16 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend ARTICLE X., FISCAL ADMINISTRATION, by adding a new Section, Section 1013, PUBLIC CONTRACTING, as follows:
Sec. 1013.
Public Contracting.
(A) Mandatory Disclosures. Every person or entity contracting with the City shall first disclose to the City Clerk the names and identities of all natural persons who will receive more than 10% of the contracted amount or who own more than 10% of the entity contracting with the City, where the City will be expending or receiving more than the amounts established by ordinance of the City Council or where the City Council approval is required by this Charter or by ordinance. Contracts subject to this Subsection (A) of Section 1013 of this Charter include, but are not limited to:
(1) contracts awarded pursuant to Article X of this Charter, where the City will be expending or receiving more than the am ounts established by ordinance of the City Council or where the City Council appr oval is required by this Charter or by ordinance;
(2) transfers of interests in the City’s real or personal property; and (3) grants or renewals of franchises pursuant to this Charter.
The same disclosure shall be made to the Ci ty Clerk by every person or entity later receiving or assuming any rights or obligations under such contracts where City approval is required to transfer such rights or oblig ations. This Subsection (A) of Section 1203 of this Charter does not apply to public agencies , or to entities that are publicly traded companies listed on a stock exchange in the United States. (B) Failure to Truthfully or Fully Disclose. The City may reject a proposed contract, terminate a current contract, or rescind a prior contract, if any person or entity submits false information or omits information required to be disclosed by this Section 1013 of this Charter.
(C) Provision of Disclosure Information to the City Council. The City Clerk shall provide the City Council with the disclosures received from every person or entity contracting with the City where City Council approval is required, prior to the City Council meeting where the contract will be considered. If the person or entity the City will be contracting with has not been determined by the date of the City Council meeting, the City Clerk shall provide the City Council with the disclosures at least fifteen days prior to the contract being awarded. (D) Other Disclosures. Nothing in this Section 1013 of this Charter shall preclude the City from requiring disclosure of any other information from persons or entities contracting with the City.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 17 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (E) No Favoritism in City Contracting. No elected official, officer or employee of the City shall favor one bidder over another by giving or wi thholding information, nor shall any elected official, officer or employee of the City w illfully mislead any bidder in regard to the character of the material or supplies called for, nor knowingly accept materials or supplies of a quality inferior to that called for by the contract, or shall knowingly certify to a greater amount of labor performed than has actually been performed, or to the receipt of a greater amount of materials or supplies than has actually been received.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 18 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend Article XII., MISCELLANEOUS, by adding a new Section, Section 1206, LOBBYING AND LOBBYIST REGISTRATION, as follows:
Sec. 1206.
Lobbying and Lobbyist Registration.
(A) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(1) "Lobbyist" means any individual or entity employed, retained or otherwise engaged for compensation to communicate with an y elective or appointed official, any officer or employee or any task force, committee, board, commission or other body of the City for the purpose of influencing any legislative or administrative action. (2) "Municipal legislation" means resoluti ons, motions, appeals, applications, petitions, nominations, ordinances, am endments and other matters pending or proposed before the City Council or any of its committees, or before any board or commission, or any committee of a board or commission, or any officer or employee of the City.
(3) "Public official" means and includes an el ected or appointed officer or employee or officially designated representative, whether compensated or not, of the United States or any of its agencies, the state, any political subdivision of the state, including cities, counties, districts, or any public corporation, agency or commission.
(B) Registration as Lobbyist.
(1) Except as provided in Article XII, Section 1206(C) of this Charter, any lobbyist shall register with the City Clerk by filing a written statement containing the following information:
(a) The lobbyist's full name, business address and telephone number; (b) The name, business address and telephone number of any individual or entity by whom the lobbyist is employed, reta ined or engaged for compensation to perform lobbying services in the City;
(c) The legislative or administrative action for the City as to which the lobbyist has been engaged.
(2) Effective January 1, 2027, such registrati on shall be filed on an annual basis between January 1st and January 31st each year or upon initial employment if that occurs after the annual filing period. Shou ld the registration be filed upon initial employment after the annual filing period, such registration shall be filed within fifteen (15) days of such initial employ ment. The City will im pose a one-hundred- Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 19 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. twenty-dollar ($120.00) fee for cost recovery for such annual registrations and the Council may amend the fee by resolution.
(3) Should a lobbyist have a change to its re gistration information, including but not limited to, the legislative or administrati ve action for the City as to which the lobbyist has been engaged, after the annual registration period, such lobbyist shall file an amended registration with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) days of such change with the changed information. Th e City will impose a twenty-five-dollar ($25.00) fee for cost recovery for such amended registrations and the Council may amend the fee by resolution.
(C) The provisions of Article XII, Section 1206(B) of this Charter shall not apply:
(1) To a public official acting in their official capacity; (2) To any newspaper or other regularly published periodical, radio or television station (including any individual who owns, publishes, or is employed by any such newspaper or periodical, radio or television station) which in the ordinary course of business publishes news items, editorials, or other comments, or paid advertisements, which directly or indirectly urge action upon municipal legislation, if such newspaper, periodical, radio or tele vision station or individual engages in no further or other activities in conne ction with action upon such municipal legislation;
(3) To a person invited by the City Council or any of its committees, or by any board or commission, or any committee or a board or commission, or by any officer or employee of the City charged by law with the duty of conducting a hearing and making a decision as to a pending or pr oposed matter, for the purpose of giving testimony in aid of the body or person extending the invitation; (4) To a person applying for a grading pe rmit or for a permit relating to the construction, alteration, demolition or movi ng of a building or to a person filing a parcel map or subdivision tract map; prov ided, however, that if a person is one described in Article XII, Se ction 1206(B) of this Charter and they make an appeal, or represents a person maki ng an appeal, pursuant to any procedure or authority provided by law from an administrative determination made with respect to such an application or map, they shall be required to register as provided in Article XII, Section 1206(C) of this Charter upon making the appeal or any action relating to the appeal; and
(5) To a person who is a professional lic ensed by a state licensing organization, including, but not limited to, attorneys, architects and engineers; provided however, this exemption for attorneys shall only be applicable if the attorney is engaged in the practice of law with respect to the subject of the employment.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 20 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (D) A regular employee of an organization, whose regular duties do not principally constitute the tasks set forth in Article XII, Section 1206(A)91) of this Charter, communicating to the City during the course of their employment, shall not be considered a lobbyist. (E) The City Clerk shall issue a "notice of registration required" upon the written request of the Council, or any board or commission, or any officer or employee of the City, charged by law with conducting a hearing and making a decision on a matter pending or proposed.
Any person who, in good faith and on reas onable grounds, believes that they are not required to comply with the lobbyist registration provisions of Article XII, Section 1206 by reason of being exempt under Article XII, Sections 1206(C) and/or (D), shall not be deemed to have violated the provisions of this Charter or any ordinance relating to influencing municipal legislation if, within fifteen (15) days after notice from the City Clerk, they either comply or furnish satisfactory evid ence to the City Clerk that they are exempt from registration. The City Clerk, in consultati on with the City Attorney, shall review that evidence, as well as any other evidence they deem relevant, and make a determination whether the person is required to register as a Lobbyist. A decision of the City Clerk requiring a person to register as a Lobbyist, or assessing a fee, may be appealed to a hearing officer, whose decision shall be final without any further action of the City being required.(F) All information required to be filed under the provisions of this Charter or any ordinance relating to influencing municipal legislation shall be compiled by the City Clerk as soon as practicable after the annual regist ration period and shall be forwarded to the City Manager.
(G) It is unlawful for any person or entity to act as a lobbyist in the City without having registered in compliance with this section, or to knowingly employ a person or entity to serve as a lobbyist when such person is not registered pursuant to this section. (H) The filings required by Article XII, Sections 1206(B) and (I) shall be filed under penalty of perjury on forms prescribed by the City Clerk and filed in the form and manner prescribed by the City Clerk. The City Clerk may require electronic filing and may authorize alternative filing methods when appropriate. A filing shal l not be deemed filed until any applicable filing fee has been received.
(I) All reports and statements required under th is section which are filed with the City Clerk shall be preserved by the City Clerk pursuant to the City's records retention schedule, shall constitute part of the public records of the Ci ty Clerk’s office, and shall be open to public inspection.
(J) This provision shall be known as the Revolv ing Door Prohibition and shall be in addition to any restriction on service as a lobbyist enacted by the Council by ordinance. No former member of the City Council, former member o f a C i t y c o m m i s s i o n , o r f o r m e r C i t y employee employed in an unclassified serv ice position may serve as a lobbyist with respect to the City within one year of leaving office or employment with the City.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 21 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (K) It is the policy of the City to avoid the potential for undue or im proper influence over elected officials resulting from lobbying. In furtherance of th at purpose, the City Council shall adopt, by ordinance, the procedures, processes, standards, timelines, enforcement provisions, and other requirements necessary to implement and administer this section, provided that such regulations are consistent with this Charter. Such regulations shall include, as necessary, defined terms, pub lic disclosure requirements, applicability, required recordkeeping by the City Clerk, administration and enforcement provisions, penalties, and prohibitions against lobbying immediate family members.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 22 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Amend By Adding ARTICLE XIII., IMPARTIAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION FOR EMPLOYEE BARGAINING UNIT DISPUTES, as follows:
ARTICLE XIII.
IMPARTIAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION FOR EMPLOYEE BARGAINING UNIT DISPUTES Sec. 1300
Declaration of Policy.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the City of Chula Vista that maintaining effective public services depends upon the maintenance of stab le employer-employee relations and adequate staffing levels. In order to assure that effective public services are provided to all people of Chula Vista, a method is hereby adopted for peacefu lly and equitably resolving disputes that might otherwise lead to labor unrest or to reductions in public staffing levels.
The people of the City of Chula Vista hereby declar e it to be the policy of the City that strikes by employees of the City of Chula Vista endanger th e public health, safety, and welfare, are against public policy, and are prohibited by this Charter.
Sec. 1301
Prohibition Against Strikes.
Consistent with the policy set forth in Section 1300, no City of Chula Vista employee shall willfully engage in a strike against the City. Any such em ployee against whom the City brings charges of willfully engaging in a strike, including willfully fa iling to report for or perform duties as part of a concerted work stoppage, shall be subject to di smissal from their employment in the event the charges are sustained upon conclusion of the proceedings required by law for the imposition of disciplinary action upon said employee. No office r, board, council, or commission shall have the power to grant amnesty to any employee against whom such charges are sustained.
Sec. 1302
Obligation to Negotiate in Good Faith.
The City, through its duly authorized representa tives, shall negotiate in good faith with the recognized employee organizations that represent City of Chula Vista employees on all matters relating to the wages, hours, and other terms an d conditions of City employment, including the establishment of procedures for the resolution of grievances concerning the interpretation or application of a negotiated agreement. Unle ss and until agreement is reached through negotiations between the authorized representati ves of the City and the recognized employee organization involved, or a determination is ma de through the impartial arbitration procedure hereinafter provided, no existing benefit, term, or condition of employment for said employees shall be unilaterally altered, eliminated, or changed.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 23 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Sec. 1303
Impasse Resolution Procedures.
(A) All disputes or controversies pertaining to wages, hours, or terms and conditions of employment which remain unresolved after good faith negotiations between the City and a recognized employee organization shall be submitted to a three-member Board of Arbitrators (the “Arbitration Board”) upon the declaration of an impasse by the City or by the recognized employee organization involved in the dispute. The Board shall consist of one representative selected by the City, one representative selected by the recognized employee organization and a third neutral panel member shall be selected by these representatives as set forth below.
(B) The representative designated by the City and the representative of the recognized employee organization involved in the dispute shall each select and appoint one arbitrator to the Arbitration Board within three (3) days after either party has notified the other, in writing, that it desires to proceed to arbitration. The third member of the Arbitration Board shall be selected by agreement between the two representatives appointed by the City and the employee organization and shall serve as the neutral arbitrator and Chairperson of the Board. In the event that the two appo inted representatives cannot agree upon the selection of the third, neutral arbitrator within ten (10) days from the date that either party has declared an impasse, either party may then request the State Mediation and Conciliation Service of the State of California Department of Industrial Relations to provide a list of seven (7) persons who are qualified an d experienced as labor arbitrators. If the two appointed representatives cannot agree within three (3) days after receipt of such list on one of the seven (7) persons to act as the neutral arbitrator, they shall alternately strike names from the list of nominees until one name remains, and that person shall then become the neutral arbitrator and Chai rperson of the Arbitration Board. The representatives shall choose a method for deciding who initiates the first strike. (C) Any arbitration proceeding convened pursuant to this Article shall be conducted in conformance with, subject to, and governed by Ti tle 9 of Part 3 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, as may be amended from time to time. The Arbitration Board shall hold public hearings, receive evidence from the parties, and cause a transcript of the proceedings to be prepared. The Arbitration Board, in the exercise of its discretion, may meet privately with the parties and mediate or med-arb issues in dispute. The Arbitration Board may also adopt such other procedures as are designed to encourage an agreement between the parties, expedite the arbitration hearing process, or reduce the costs of the arbitration process.
(D) In the event no agreement is reached prior to the conclusion of the arbitration hearings, the Arbitration Board shall direct each of the parties to submit, within such time limit as the Arbitration Board may establish, a last o ffer of settlement on each of the remaining issues in dispute. The Arbitration Board shal l decide each issue by majority vote by Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 24 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. selecting whichever last offer of settlement on that issue it finds most nearly conforms to those factors traditionally taken into consider ation in the determination of wages, hours, benefits, and terms and conditions of public and private employment, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Changes in the average consumer price index for goods and services; (2) The wages, hours, benefits, and terms and conditions of employment of the comparable California cities and by the principal competitor agencies identified in this subdivision, comparing classifications that perform similar services to the classification(s) at issue, determined as follows:
(a) “Comparable California cities” means the six full-service California cities next larger in population than the City of Chula Vi sta and the six full-service California cities next smaller in population than the City of Chula Vista, as determined by the most recent annual city population estimates published by the Californi a Department of Finance as of the date the impasse is declared or, if such estimates are unavailable, the most recent city population estimates published by the United States Census Bureau. (b) “Full-service city” means a California city that directly operates both its own municipal police department providing general la w enforcement services and its own municipal fire department providing fire suppression services, and that does not obtain either such service by contract with, or membership in, another pub lic agency, county, joint powers authority, or special district.
(c) In addition to the comparable Calif ornia cities, the comparator pool in any arbitration proceeding convened under this Arti cle shall include the two principal competitor agencies of the department whose employees are represented in the proceeding. The “principal competitor agencies” of a department are the tw o California public agencies, without regard to population, geographic location, county boundaries, or form of organization, to which the greatest number of that department’s sworn personnel separated in order to accept sworn employment during the sixty (60) months immediately preced ing the declaration of impasse, as documented by the City’s personnel records.
(d) In the event of a tie, or if the City ’s records identify fewer than two agencies under paragraph (C), the Arbitration Board shall designate the remaining competitor agency or agencies upon evidence of the agencies with which the department principally competes for the recruitment and retention of qualified sworn personnel; and (e) Nothing in these proc edures precludes the parties from mutually agreeing to any comparable agencies, data points and/or ma rket measurement (e.g. median or average) to be used for purposes of arbitration under these sections; and Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 25 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026. (3) The financial condition of the City of Ch ula Vista and its ability to meet the costs of the decision of the Arbitration Board; and,
(4) Any stipulations of the parties.
(E) After reaching a decision, the Arbitration Board shall mail or otherwise deliver a true copy of its decision to the parties. The decision of the Arbitration Board shall not be publicly disclosed and shall not be bindin g until ten (10) days after it is delivered to the parties.
During that ten (10) day period the parties sh all meet privately, attempt to resolve their differences, and may by mutual agreement amend or modify the decision of the Arbitration Board. At the conclusion of the ten (10) day period, which may be extended by mutual agreement between the parties, the decision of the Arbitration Board, as it may be amended or modified by the parties, shall be publicly disclosed and shall be binding upon the parties. The City and the employee orga nization shall take whatever action is necessary to carry out and effectuate the ar bitration award, and the City Council shall appropriate or otherwise make available the funds necessary to implement the award. No other action by the City Council or by the electorate to confirm or approve the decision of the Arbitration Board shall be permitted or required.
(F) The expenses of any arbitration proceeding convened pursuant to this Article, including the fee for the services of the Chairperson of the Arbitration Board and the costs of preparation of the transcript of the proceedings, shall be borne equally by the parties. All other expenses which the parties may incur individually shall be borne by the party incurring such expenses.
Sec.1304.
Scope; Definitions.
(A) This Article applies only to recognized employee organizations. It does not apply to unrepresented employees, nor to individual disciplinary actions or grievances arising under a memorandum of understanding.
(B) As used in this Article: “strike” means a concerted failure to report for duty, willful absence from one’s position, stoppage of work, or abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful, and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of inducing, influencing, or coercing a change in the co nditions, compensation, rights, privileges, or obligations of employment; and “recognize d employee organization” has the meaning given under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act an d the City’s employer-employee relations rules.
Charter of the City of Chula Vista Page 26 of 26
These proposed amendments are subject to approval by the electorate in November 2026.
Sec. 1305.
Relationship to Other Law.
This Article supplements, and is intended to op erate consistently with, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (California Government Code Section 3500 et seq.) and the City’s employer-employee relations resolutions. The impartial arbitration pr ocedure provided in this Article constitutes the final step of the City’s impasse procedure for the employees to whom it applies. This Article is enacted pursuant to the City’s authority over municipal affairs, including the constitution, regulation, and government of its police and fire forces, reserved to charter cities by the California Constitution. This Article supplements, and is intended to operate consistently with, the Meyers- Milias-Brown Act (California Gove rnment Code Section 3500 et se q.) and the City's employer- employee relations resolutions. The impartial arbitration proced ure provided in this Article constitutes the final step of the City's impasse procedure for the employees to whom it applies.
This Article is enacted pursuant to the City's authority over municipal affairs, including the constitution, regulation, and government of its police and fire forces, reserved to charter cities by the California Constitution.2
Sec. 1306.
Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase , or word of this Article, or any application t h e r e o f t o a n y p e r s o n o r c i r c u m s t a n c e , i s h e l d t o b e i n v a l i d o r u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l b y a c o u r t o f competent jurisdiction, that hold ing shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this Article. The people of the City of Chul a Vista hereby declare that they would have adopted this Article, and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more portions of this Article be declared invalid or unconstitutional.