June 3, 2025
City CharterDevelopment Options
1 Options
2 Charter Commission
City Council
Charter Commission
3 Election to create commission and select 15 candidates Election to adopt proposed charter must occur within two years of commission election Meeting comply with Brown Act
Proposed Commission Timeline
4 By July 2026: Call election for November 2026
July / August 2026: Candidate nominations
November 2026: General Municipal Election
December 2026: Election certified
Proposed Commission Timeline
5 January 2027: Commission begins meeting
By July 2028: Call election for November 2028
November 2028: General Municipal Election
December 2028: Election certified
City Council
6 City Council may draft charter
Can solicit input from ad hoc committee or advisory group Council must hold two public hearings before placing on ballot
Proposed City Council Timeline
7 Through April 1, 2026: City Council drafts charter
(could include ad hoc or
advisory group assistance)
April 14, 2026 21-day notice
(to newspaper by April 1)
May 5, 2026 First public hearing
May 5 – June 4, 2026 30-day gap between hearings
Proposed City Council Timeline
8 June 16, 2026: Second public hearing
June 16-July 7, 2026: 21-day waiting period
July 21, 2026: Call November 2026 election
November 2026: General Municipal Election
December 2026: Election certified
Costs
General Municipal Election: $8500 / measure
Special Election Combined with Primary*: $200,000 - $400,000 Stand Alone Special Election: $250,000 - $500,000
*June Gubernatorial Primary / March Presidential Primary 9 Next Steps
Receive and file report
Select preferred method to develop a city charter and direct staff to implement next steps
10 11
Questions?