Item: 22-0547
City Council Meeting
July 5, 2022
CITY OF OAKLAND
CITY HALL ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612
COUNCILMEMBER LOREN TAYLOR (510) 238-7006
DISTRICT 6 [email protected]
Date: June 27, 2022
To: Oakland City Councilmembers
From: Councilmember Loren Taylor
Subject: Establishing Term Limits For The City Council
Colleagues on the City Council:
The most successful organizations are those who can leverage the longstanding institutional history, knowledge, and traditions that “have been” and also leverage the innovative, fresh, and unconstrained perspectives of what “could be.” Local elected bodies like the Oakland City Council are no exception, and as was reported in SPURs Making Government Work recommendations for improving Oakland City Government, “Long-standing councilmembers are key because they develop deep relationships with their constituencies and have the standing and longevity to stand up to special interest groups, while new councilmembers bring new ideas and policies.” Term limits are an important tool to ensure that an elected body has both perspectives and applies them to best serve its constituency.
As I have been a longstanding proponent for a more effective and efficient government that better serves Oakland residents, I am grateful to introduce the following resolution through which we can place on the November 2022 ballot a charter amendment to establish City Councilmember term limits. This legislation responds to the desire of most Oaklanders for term limits as documented in numerous polls and surveys over the past several years. It also will allow Oakland to be like all other large Through this legislation, I propose term limits of three consecutive four-year terms for both district and at large Councilmembers. Allowing elected officials to serve for up to three consecutive four-year terms, twelve years total, ensures the City can still benefit from the stability, independence, and experience of longer-tenured representatives. As they have in other cities, term limits will lead to more competitive elections, more diverse candidates, and improved and more responsive government.
Thank you in advance for your favorable review and support for this important legislation.
Yours in Service,
Loren Taylor
Councilmember District 6
AGENDA MEMORANDUM