EXHIBIT H
000251
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
City of Riverside
October 9, 2003, 5 p.m.
Mayor's Ceremonial Room
City Hall, 3900 Main Street
MINUTES
PRESENT: Vice Chair Ben Johnson and Members Dale McNair, Dorothy Bailey, Rusty Bailey, Ray Higgins, Connie Leach, Mike Teer, Barry Johnson, Marjorie von Pohle, Marcia McQuern, Gar Brewton, Damon Castillo, and Rose Mayes
ABSENT: Chair Eric Haley (excused), Art Garcia (excused), William Turpin, and Stan Stosel
STAFF PRESENT: Colleen Nicol, Janis Lowry, Gregory Priamos, and Tricia Ruiz ALSO PRESENT: Councilmembers Joy Defenbaugh and Chuck Beaty, and Barbara Purvis Vice Chair Ben Johnson convened the Charter Review Committee at 5 p.m. - The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the Flag.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments presented at this time.
MINUTES
Following discussion, motion was made by Member Leach and seconded by Member Barry Johnson approving the minutes of September 25, 2003, as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER DEFENBAUGH
Councilmember Defenbaugh thanked everyone for serving on the Charter Review Committee, reviewed her credentials including her 12 years of service as a Councilmember, and offered the following comments. She supports retaining the current number of Councilmembers. If the Mayor becomes a voting member of the City Council his veto power should be rescinded. The Mayor could bring something to the table with respect to appointments to City Council Standing Committees which is currently done by seniority. The appointment process for citizen advisory boards and commission should remain as currently structured.
Councilmember Defenbaugh sees benefit in the grass roots Ward system because it is neighborhood oriented. With respect to the proposal where two candidates would be nominated by the Ward and then the Councilmembers elected at-large, the entire City would have input in the election of all Councilmembers, however, she has concern about big money influences or other special interest groups having undue influence on who is elected. If this 4-1
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option is considered, it should be carefully deliberated as well as consider how this system works in other communities.
The method of setting compensation for the Mayor and Councilmembers needs careful consideration. Councilmember positions are and should be full-time jobs in Riverside which is the eleventh largest City in California. The residents have a very high expectation for the Mayor and Councilmembers to be visible in the community. Elected officials should receive a living wage. The salaries for the members of the Board of Supervisors are tied to judges and a similar option should be considered for the Mayor and Councilmembers.
With respect to Sections 407 and 600, et seq., there should be more definition of the City Manager's powers and elected officials interface with staff and the City Manager. The policy- making roles should be defined more clearly. It may be appropriate to amend Section 602 to •. •
indicate that the City Manager shall be "entitled to participate in City Council meetings" replacing the language that requires a "seat at the table".
Without bias, Councilmember Defenbaugh recommends the Boards and Commissions called for in the Charter should be reviewed for relevancy. The involvement of the Board of Public Utilities in the setting of compensation of the Public Utilities Director should be reviewed in light of the disparity which has occurred among Department Head compensation. Section 1205 should be retained which requires a two-thirds vote to sell the utility. It is a very important safeguard. Section 1204 should be discussed. Although Councilmember Defenbaugh does not recommend a change in the General Fund transfer at this time, it may be prudent to raise the maximum level to 15% in case there is a need to access the utility capital and revenue although the utility must remain profitable and self-sustaining.
Councilmember Defenbaugh suggests that a maximum 35-year franchise as called for in Section 1302 be reduced to 20 or 25 years. Amending Section 1401 regarding violations and penalties to permissive rather than mandatory language may be appropriate. Changes to streamline land use approvals by granting staff and the Planning Commission greater authority has worked well and is an area the City Council can continue to review. The time is approaching when Councilmember assistants would be helpful, which is a budget issue. City Wards are now at 36,000 to 37,000 in population. The City may wish to review the number of Wards when the population reaches 45,000 or 50,000.
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER CHUCK BEATY
Councilmember Beaty thanked everyone for serving on the Charter Review Committee and reviewed his background, credentials, and service on the City Council. He supports election of Councilmembers by Ward which creates a closer relationship of Councilmembers with the residents of their Ward. Additional Wards are not needed at this time. If defined by time commitment, Councilmembers are full-time. The November 4, 2003, election has attracted nine candidates from a wide background. He does not support the various alternatives to the current run-off election system. Councilmember Beaty supports tying Mayor and Councilmember salaries to an external factor. The Mayor Pro Tempore salary which is inadequate at $50 per month should also be reviewed.
Although Councilmember Beaty prefers daytime meetings, the evening meetings seem to be working. He feels the advantage to incumbent Councilmembers for Wards 1, 3, 5, and 7 to run for Mayor mid-term should be examined as well as the powers and duties of the City Manager. 4-2
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Councilmember Beaty favors the current practice for appointments to City boards and - The current senior method of appointments to City Council Standir ommittees should remain. He does not support the Mayor receiving a vote. The streamlinir efforts which gave more decision-making responsibility to staff and the Planning Commission should continue as long as there is an avenue for appeal to the City Council.
Councilmember Beaty opposes term limits. Seven Wards is appropriate at this time, but may need review as the City grows. Campaign finance limits should also be reviewed. He does not support an ongoing Committee to monitor the Charter, but a ten-year review is appropriate.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1. Interviewed Councilmembers Defenbaugh and Beaty
TO DO:
1. Interview remaining Councilmembers
2. Schedule future Community Forums
Respectfully submitted,
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JANIS LOWRY
Deputy City Clerk
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