EXHIBIT M
000285
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
City of Riverside
January 22, 2004, 5 p.m.
Mayor's Ceremonial Room
City Hall, 3900 Main Street
MINUTES
PRESENT: Chair Eric Haley and Members Barry Johnson, Marjorie von Pohle, Gar Brewton, Connie Leach, Damon Castillo, Dale McNair, Ray Higgins, Dorothy Bailey, Rusty Bailey, Marcia McQuern, and Stan Stosel ABSENT: and Wila rused, Mike Teer (excused, Rose Mayes, At Garcia, STAFF PRESENT: Gregory Priamos, Susan Wilson, Tricia Ruiz, and Janis Lowry ALSO PRESENT: James Anderson, Dan Hantman, Amanda Delfin, and others Chair Eric Haley convened the Charter Review Committee meeting at 5:05 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the Flag.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
James Anderson asked if the Committee accepted comments from the public and was advised it would be appropriate to submit his comments at this time.
MINUTES
Following discussion, motion was made by Member Leach and seconded by Member Haley, approving the minutes of January 8, 2004, as amended clarifying Councilmember Hart's comments on the election of councilmembers and run-off elections. (See page CRC-25).
Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Haley announced he will be meeting with Vice Chair Johnson to develop a matrix to compile the data to-date and opinions expressed. The City Attorney's office has drafted a form that will include issues and positions, and later recommendations will be added. Staff was requested to prepare this form in detail and include as part of each meeting's Committee packet.
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER-ELECT ART GAGE
Councilmember-elect Gage presented the following issues for the Committee's consideration:
(1) language in the Charter for public works contracts should be changed to provide an advantage to Riverside-based businesses; (2) the process for determining the Mayor and City Council salaries should be tied to an external factor and/or cost of living increase and the City Council should not set their own salaries nor have to vote on their own salary; (3) the Mayor's and Councilmember's Salary Commission should be eliminated; (4) whether Councilmembers are full or part-time is determined by the amount of time required to run the City; (5) the Park CRC-27
000286
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER-ELECT STEVE ADAMS
Councilmember-elect Adams offered comments on the following: (1) does not favor at-large elections for Councilmembers or instant run-off and would like to see a run-off election 30 days after the general election; (2) the setting of the Mayor and Councilmember's salary should be tied to an external factor, an appointed committee, or an automatic pay raise; (3) to eliminate controversy the City Council should not vote on their own pay raise and after an acceptable system is in place the Mayor and Council Members Salary Commission should be eliminated; (4) the Mayor should not be granted the power to vote and his powers should not be increased; (5) favors the current City Manager form of government; (6) feels that each Ward should have at least one representative on each board and commission; (7) preference should be given to Riverside based businesses for public works contracts; and (8) would favor the election of the Mayor to coincide with the Presidential election.
Councilmember-elect Adams felt he did not have enough experience at this time to comment on (1) appointments to City Council standing committees; (2) full-time vs. part-time Councilmembers; and (3) whether all the Boards and Commissions should be included in the Charter.
INTERVIEW WITH COUNCILMEMBER-ELECT BETRO
Councilmember-elect Betro thanked the Committee and offered comments on the following matters: (1) the method of setting the salaries for the Mayor and Councilmembers should be the recommendation of the Mayor and Council Members Salary Commission and considered final, not subject to vote/overrule of the Councilmembers or the salaries should be set and fixed in the Charter; the Mayor and Councilmembers should not determine their salaries; (2) feels the Mayor is a full time position with the Councilmember positions defined as part time with an expected 30 hour per week commitment and scheduling flexibility; (3) increase the roles and duties of the Boards and Commissions giving more decision-making responsibility to staff and Board or Commission as long as there is a process for appeal to the City Council; (4) favors run-off election with the ballots due six weeks after Election Day (before the holidays begin) with the term of office beginning on January 1s!; (5) the election of the Mayor should be tied to the presidential election year to insure the greatest possible turn out of voters; (6) Councilmembers should be elected by Ward; (7) the Mayor should not be granted a vote but feels the Mayor should be responsible for conducting the evaluations of the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk; (8) feels the current number of Wards is sufficient; (9) feels the City Council standing committees should elect the Chair; and (10) favors local preference to bidders on public works contracts.
CHARTER SECTION 805 - BOARD AND COMMISSION VACANCIES
Without formal motion, the Committee unanimously continued discussion of Charter Section 805 - Board and Commission vacancies.
The Committee adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
JANIS LOWRY
, Deputy City Clerk
CRC-28
000287
- ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Interviewed Councilmembers-elect Adams, Betro, and Gage TO DO:
1. Charter Section 805 - Board and Commission vacancies (continued from 1-22-04)
2. Continue discussion regarding the Board of Public Utilities' recommendation for local preference to Riverside-based companies for construction contracts
3. Begin policy deliberations and formulate positions
CRC-29
000288
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE
City of Riverside
February 12, 2004, 6 p.m.
Cal Baptist University
Yeager Center Lecture Hall, A112
8432 Magnolia Avenue
MINUTES
PRESENT: Chair Eric Haley and Members Barry Johnson, Marjorie von Pohle, Gar Brewton, Connie Leach, Damon Castillo, Dale McNair, Ray Higgins, Dorothy Bailey, Rusty Bailey, Marcia McQuern, Rose Mayes, Mike Teer, Sharon Tyrell, Art Garcia, and Stan Stosel
ABSENT: Ben Johnson
STAFF PRESENT: Gregory Priamos, Susan Wilson, Tricia Ruiz, Colleen Nicol, and Janis Lowry
ALSO PRESENT: James Anderson, D. E. Kessinger, Sylvia Martin-James, Chani Beemen, David St. Pierre, Phyllis Pursell, Jennifer Vaughn-Blakely, Susan Nash, Katie Greene, Sue Mitchell, and others
Chair Eric Haley convened the Charter Review Committee meeting at 6:05 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no oral comments presented at this time.
ELECTIONS
City Clerk Colleen Nicol reviewed the Charter sections governing elections, election dates, nominations, measures, current and proposed voting systems, election costs, mail-in ballot elections, voter turnout, and community proposals.
INSTANT RUN-OFF VOTING
Nanette Pratini of the Califomia IRV Coalition reviewed instant run-off voting. Voters rank their choices in order of preference. She feels the benefits of instant run-off voting are that it saves
COMMUNITY INPUT
Susan Nash spoke regarding public campaign contributions. Sue Mitcheli spoke regarding at- large elections and the expense of Citywide elections. Chani Beeman spoke regarding separate election of Mayor.
4-4
CRC-30
000289
DRAFT TEMPLATE FOR CHARTER ISSUES
City Attomey Greg Priamos reviewed the draft template for proposed Charter amendments under consideration.
The Committee adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
COLLEEN J. NICOL
City Clerk
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. Elections community forum
2. Instant run-off voting presentation
preference to Riverside-based companies for construction contracts
3. Begin policy deliberations and formulate positions
000290