PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAF REPOR
Agenda Item #9.G
Meetin Date: June 2, 2026
TITLE:
Mayoral Term Measure on the November 3, 2026 Ballot
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the city a measure and ordinance relating to mayoral terms at the general election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis thereof;
2. Adopt a Resolution setting priorities for filing written arguments for a City measure submitted at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election;
3. Adopt a Resolution providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for a City measure submitted at the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
DISCUSSION:
At the April 21, 2026 Council Meeting, the City Council provided direction to staff to take the necessary steps to place a ballot measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The purpose of such a ballot measure would be to provide an opportunity for the voters to extend the Mayoral term from 2 to 4 years, beginning at the November 2028 election.
If the City Council directs the placement of the measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot, a majority of Pismo Beach voters would need to vote for the measure in the affirmative by a simple majority (50% + 1).
Placing a Measure on the Ballot
In order to place the measure on the ballot, the City Council must adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) by a majority vote to place the item before the voters at the next general election. The effective date of the ordinance would be ten days after the City Council’s certification of the election results pursuant to Elections Code Section 9217. This certification typically occurs in early-to-mid-December.
Impartial Analysis
California Elections Code (Code) sets forth that, whenever any measure qualifies to be placed on a ballot either by the initiative process or at the direction of the City Council, the City Council may direct the Elections Official (City Clerk) to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of the impartial analysis.
The City Attorney would then prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on the existing law and the operation of the measure in 500 words or less. This analysis is then printed in the voter information guide.
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-1
Arguments For and Against
For a measure that is placed on the ballot by the City Council, any member or members of the City Council authorized by the City Council, or any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument for or against the measure.
The Code further sets forth the process for prioritizing who may submit arguments for and against the measure. However, the Code is silent as to how to choose any, or all, Council Members to write arguments and rebuttals. The Council can decide to:
1) Delegate one or two Council Members to write and submit an argument on behalf of the Council.
2) Draft the argument at this meeting.
Arguments may not exceed 300 words in length and must be accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it. In case any argument is signed by more than five authors, the signatures of only the first five will be printed.
If Council’s decision is to delegate one or two Council Members to write an argument on behalf of the Council, the deadline to file arguments with the City Clerk for and against a measure would be June 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Rebuttals
The City Clerk shall give copies of the “Argument in Favor” and the “Argument Against” to the opposing authors as soon as the filing period for the “direct” arguments has closed.
The rebuttal arguments shall not exceed 250 words and would be due to the City Clerk no later than June 26, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. The author, or a majority of the authors, of an argument may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments and each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt three resolutions, adding a ballot measure, as described above, to the November 3, 2026 ballot and directing the City Attorney to prepare impartial analysis (resolution provided as Attachment 1 and draft ordinance exhibit provided as Attachment 1.A); setting priorities for the filing of written arguments for and against the measure (Attachment 2); and providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments (Attachment 3).
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of adopting the subject Resolution is up to $4,500, an estimate from the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder. This amount would be determined after the November 3, 2026 election and would be charged to the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund City Manager’s Office City Clerk Division’s election supplies budget.
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-2
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution placing Mayoral Term Measure on November 3, 2026 ballot
1.A. Exhibit A to Attachment 1 - Ordinance
2. Resolution setting priorities for filing of written arguments
3. Resolution providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for City measures Submitted by: Silas Clarke, Assistant City Administrator City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-3
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA ORDERING THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF
THE CITY A MEASURE AND ORDINANCE RELATING TO MAYORAL TERMS AT THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, AND
DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS
THEREOF
WHEREAS, while the other members of the City Council serve four-year terms, the Mayor of Pismo Beach currently serves a two-year term; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that it would be preferable for the Mayor to serve a four-year term; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 34900 and Elections Code 9222 authorize the City Council to submit to the voters a measure to change the term of office for its elected Mayor; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach has by Resolution R-2026-XXX called for a general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to submit to the voters at the Election a measure that will convert the Office of the Mayor from a two-year term to a four-year term, effective with the term elected at the 2028 General Municipal Election.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Election Code Section 9222 and Government Code Section 34900, the proposed ballot proposition attached hereto in draft ordinance form as Exhibit A, and titled “FOUR-YEAR MAYORAL TERMS MEASURE”, is hereby approved for placement on the ballot and submission to voters at the City’s regular election scheduled for November 3, 2026. The question shall be posed as follows:
CITY OF PISMO BEACH
MEASURE _____
FOUR-YEAR MAYORAL TERMS MEASURE. Shall the measure
changing the Mayor’s term of office to four years, beginning with the term elected on November 7, 2028, be adopted?
YES
NO
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-4
Attachment 1
SECTION 2. City staff is directed to take all appropriate and necessary actions to cause the foregoing proposition to be placed on the ballot at the regular election of November 3, 2026.
SECTION 3. By Resolution R-2026-XXX, the City Council requested that the Board of Supervisors of San Luis Obispo County consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The Council reiterates that request and requests that this measure be included in the consolidation and that all terms of the resolution requesting consolidation also apply to this measure.
SECTION 4. Pursuant to Election Code Section 9280, the City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney. The City Attorney is hereby directed to prepare and submit an impartial analysis explaining the effect of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure.
SECTION 5. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution, and immediately transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder for inclusion on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the City of Pismo Beach on _______________________.
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-5
Attachment 1
MEASURE ____
ORDINANCE NO. O-2026-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH, CALIFORNIA ADDING SECTION 2.04.005 OF THE PISMO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO
CHANGE THE TERM OF THE ELECTIVE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO FOUR YEARS WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach is currently composed of a directly-elected Mayor who serves a two-year term and four Council Members who serve four-year terms; and
WHEREAS, under current law, in each even-numbered year the Mayor and two Council Members come up for election; and
WHEREAS, the People of the City of Pismo Beach desire that beginning with the Mayor elected at the 2028 general municipal election, the term of office of the Mayor be four years.
NOW, THEREFORE, the People of the City of Pismo Beach, California do ordain as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 2.04.005 of the Pismo Beach Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
2.04.005 Membership.
The City Council shall be composed of a directly-elected Mayor and four at-large Council Members.
The term of office for Council Members shall be four years. Commencing with the term of office elected at the November 7, 2028 election, the term of office for the Mayor shall be four years.
SECTION 2.
The intent of this ordinance is to convert the elective office of Mayor to a four-year term, beginning with the term of office elected at the November 7, 2028 election. Under existing law, the four other members of the City Council are elected to staggered four-year terms, so that in each even-numbered year, two of the seats come up for election and in the next even-numbered year the other two seats come up for election. Nothing in this ordinance is intended to in any way change the terms of office of the four Council Members or to change the election schedules for Council Member seats, and all language in this ordinance regarding the office of Council Member is declaratory of existing law. It is the Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-6
Attachment 1.A
intent of this ordinance that the person elected Mayor at the election held on November 3, 2026 shall hold office for two years pursuant to the law in effect prior to the adoption of this ordinance.
SECTION 3.
This ordinance shall not be interpreted in any manner to conflict with controlling provisions of state or federal law, including, without limitation, the Constitution of the State of California. If any section, subsection, or clause of this ordinance shall be deemed to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining sections, subsections and clauses shall not be affected thereby.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance was submitted to the People at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9217, if the measure proposing this ordinance is adopted at that election by a majority of the qualified voters voting on that measure, this ordinance shall be considered as adopted upon the date that the vote is declared by the City Council, and shall go into effect ten days thereafter.
SECTION 5.
There is no possibility that the adoption of this ordinance will have a significant impact on the environment, and therefore, the adoption of this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations).
SECTION 6.
If passed by the voters, the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, shall enter the same in the book of original ordinances of the City and shall make a minute of the passage and adoption thereof in the records of the meeting at which the same is passed and adopted.
Before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after the passage of this Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause the same to be posted in three public places within the City of Pismo Beach, to wit: 1) City Hall, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, 2) U.S. Post Office, Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach, 3) U.S. Post Office, Crest Drive, Pismo Beach.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the People of the City of Pismo Beach this 3rd day of November 2026.
Attest:
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-7
Attachment 1.A
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING WRITTEN ARGUMENTS FOR A CITY MEASURE SUBMITTED AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach has by Resolution R-2026-XXX called for a general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026; and WHEREAS, at the general municipal election, there will be submitted to the voters the following measure: Four-Year Mayoral Terms Measure; and WHEREAS, under Elections Code Section 9282, the City Council, or a member or members of the City Council authorized by the City Council, or an individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or a combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument for or against the measure set forth above.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9282(b), the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor and/or City Council members to prepare and file written arguments not exceeding 300 words regarding the City measure as specified above, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, and to change the arguments for such City measure prior to the deadline for filing such argument set forth herein.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9287, in the event more than one argument for or against the City measure described above is submitted to the City Clerk within the time prescribed, the City Clerk shall select one of the arguments in favor and one of the arguments against the proposed measure for printing and distribution to the voters. In selecting the argument, the City Clerk shall give preference and priority, in the order below, to the arguments of the following:
(a) The Mayor and/or members of the City Council authorized by the City Council; (b) Bona fide associations of citizens; and
(c) Individual voters who are eligible to vote on the measure.
SECTION 3. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9286(b), the deadline for filing (and changing or withdrawing) arguments for or against the City measure described above with the City Clerk shall be not later than 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2026.
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-8
Attachment 2
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the City of Pismo Beach on _______________________.
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-9
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA PROVIDING FOR THE FILING OF REBUTTAL ARGUMENTS FOR A CITY MEASURE SUBMITTED AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach has by Resolution R-2026-XXX called for a general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026; and WHEREAS, at the general municipal election, there will be submitted to the voters the following measure: Four-Year Mayoral Terms Measure; and WHEREAS, Elections Code Section 9285 authorizes the City Council to adopt provisions to provide for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measures submitted at municipal elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9285, when the City Clerk has selected the arguments for and against the measure which will be printed and distributed to the voters, the City Clerk shall send a copy of an argument in favor of the measure to the authors of any argument against the measure and a copy of an argument against the measure to the authors of any argument in favor of the measure immediately upon receiving the arguments.
SECTION 2. The author or a majority of the authors of an argument relating to a city measure may prepare and submit a rebuttal argument not exceeding 250 words or may authorize in writing any other person or persons to prepare, submit, or sign the rebuttal argument. The rebuttal arguments shall be filed with the City Clerk, signed, with the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization, and the printed name and signature of at least one of its principal officers, not more than 10 days after the final date for filing direct arguments. A rebuttal argument may not be signed by more than five authors.
Rebuttal arguments shall be printed in the same manner as the direct arguments. Each rebuttal argument shall immediately follow the direct argument which it seeks to rebut.
SECTION 3. All previous resolutions providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for City measures are repealed, and the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 shall apply only to the election to be held on November 3, 2026.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 2nd day of June 2026, by the following vote:
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-10
Attachment 3
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the City of Pismo Beach on _______________________.
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 6-2-2026 9.G-11
Attachment 3