Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 8.1. 10/10/2023 File #: 23-0626
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Mike Vigliotta, City Attorney
1. SUBJECT
Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 14-23 adding Chapter 2.13 to Title 2 of the Orange Municipal Code Related to Lobbyist Registration and Reporting.
2. SUMMARY
Ordinance No. 14-13 adds registration and reporting requirements for lobbyists, as defined, and other related provisions, including those related to exemptions, prohibitions and enforcement.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
Introduce and conduct First Reading of Ordinance No. 14-23. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange adding Chapter 2.13 to Title 2 of the Orange Municipal Code Related to Lobbyist Registration and Reporting.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 4: Provide Outstanding Public Service
b: Provide facilities and services to meet customer expectations. d. Foster an environment of leadership, teamwork, and innovation.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
Ensuring transparency with respect to governmental decision-making in the City of Orange is of the utmost importance. To that end, cities have adopted regulations related to “lobbyists”and “lobbying” to regulate lobbying activities within a city. These ordinances have, for example, required annual registration and quarterly reporting. As such, like other cities, the proposed Ordinance does the following:
· Defines relevant terms such as “Lobbyist”, “Lobbying Activities”, and “City Representative.” · Requires Lobbyists, as defined, to register with the City Clerk within ten (10) days of qualifying as a Lobbyist, and pay a Lobbyist Registration Fee, as established by resolution of the City Council.
· Requires Lobbyists to report to the City Clerk the names of all City Representatives contacted City of Orange Printed on 10/5/2023Page 1 of 2
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Item #: 8.1. 10/10/2023 File #: 23-0626
· Requires Lobbyists to report to the City Clerk the names of all City Representatives contacted at least eight (8) days prior to a public hearing (if there is one), meeting, or other activity where a decision is being made.
· Requires Lobbyists that have received compensation of $5,000 or more for lobbying on behalf of a Client, as defined, during a prior calendar quarter, to file a quarterly activity report, which is required to contain a list of specific issues upon which the Lobbyist engaged in Lobbying Activities and a list of City Representatives contacted, among other information. · Requires Lobbyists to obtain, preserve, and provide books, papers, and documents substantiating the quarterly activity report within ten (10) days of a request from the City and for five (5) years from filing of that quarterly activity report. · Provide certain exemptions. For example, public officials or public employees acting in their official capacity are exempt from registration and reporting. · Prohibits certain activities that have the appearance of impropriety, are unethical or would tend to erode the public trust. For example, a Lobbyist, or others, as specified, may not cause any communication to a City Representative in the name of a fictitious person or in the name of real person except with that real person’s consent.
At this time, staff recommends introducing, for First Reading, Ordinance No. 14-23.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Ordinance No. 14-23
City of Orange Printed on 10/5/2023Page 2 of 2
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