CITY OF SAN RAMON
POLICY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
WE PROVIDE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES THAT ARE
ESSENTIAL TO THOSE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN SAN RAMON
Mark Armstrong, Chair • Marisol Rubio, Vice Chair
City Hall - Training Room, First Floor
7000 Bollinger Canyon Road
Regular Meeting
4:00 PM
May 22, 2024
Agenda Questions: Please call the City Manager's Office at (925) 973-2530
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public are encouraged to address the Policy Committee on any non-agenda item relating to the business of the Committee. Comments should not exceed three (3) minutes. No Committee action can be taken at this meeting on issues raised during public comment. Written comments submitted prior to the start of the meeting were provided to the Committee for their consideration. Written public comments will not be read aloud during the meeting.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 Policy Committee - Regular Meeting - Feb 28, 2024 4:00 PM
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Candidate Statement Word Count Limit for the 2024 Municipal Election Staff Report by: Christina Franco, City Clerk
5.2 Establishing a Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limitation for the 2024 Municipal Election
Staff Report by: Christina Franco, City Clerk
6. POLICY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
I hereby certify that the agenda was posted 72 hours before the noted meeting. To make a request for disability-related accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 925-973-2539 or [email protected].
Dated: May 17, 2024
2 Policy Committee Meeting – May 22, 2024
ATTENDEE CONDUCT
There will be zero tolerance for any person addressing the Committee making profane, offensive and disruptive remarks, or engaging in loud, boisterous, or other disorderly conduct, that disrupts the orderly conduct of the public meeting. Specifically, it is important for all speakers to adhere to the following guidelines for participation in this meeting:
a. No profanity or obscenity
b. Refrain from personal threats or attacks.
c. Refrain from hateful epithets and demeaning language based on any person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or disability. d. Respect all people that are present.
At the discretion of the Committee Chair, a speaker may forfeit speaking time for any of the following reasons:
a. Exceeding the allotted time to speak;
b. Yelling, screaming, or other behavior that renders this Committee unable to continue the meeting;
c. Excessive profanity or slander; Specific threats or “fighting words” that incite violence; or
d. Speech that is outside the subject matter jurisdiction of the Policy Committee or the specific agenda item in which you are speaking.
While the City of San Ramon ensures the First Amendment rights of its citizens, we do not accept nor endorse any offensive or hateful comments made during our meetings. The City of San Ramon celebrates the diversity of our community, and we strive to be a welcoming and open community for all.
MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON POLICY COMMITTEE
February 28, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m.
Attendee Name Title Status
Mark Armstrong Chair Present
Marisol Rubio Vice Chair Present
Also in attendance: City Manager Steven Spedowfski, Deputy City Manager Scott Koll, City Clerk Christina Franco, and Public Works Division Manager Robin Bartlett.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3.1 Policy Committee - Regular Meeting - Oct 25, 2023 4:00 PM RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
AYES: Armstrong, Rubio
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Proposed Amendment to the 1989 Ordinance Prohibiting the Use of Chlorofluorocarbon-Processed Food Packaging (Ordinance No. 166) Recommendation: Receive Report and Provide Comments to Staff The staff report was provided by Robin Bartlett, Public Works Division Manager.
The Committee accepted the report, provided feedback to staff, and recommended the item be forwarded to the City Council for discussion.
5.2 Approving the City of San Ramon Records Management Policy, Electronic Communications Policy, Accepting Laserfiche as a Trusted System, and Records Retention/Destruction Schedule; and Repealing Resolution No. 2014-107 The staff report was provided by Christina Franco, City Clerk.
The Committee accepted the report and recommended the item be forwarded to the City Council for discussion and approval.
3.1 Packet Pg. 3
Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 28, 2024 4:00 PM (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) 2 Policy Committee Meeting – February 28, 2024
6. POLICY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:59 p.m.
3.1 Packet Pg. 4
Minutes Acceptance: Minutes of Feb 28, 2024 4:00 PM (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) AGENDA #5.1
POLICY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 22, 2024
TO: Policy Committee/City Manager
FROM: Christina Franco, City Clerk
By: Christina Franco, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Candidate Statement Word Count Limit for the 2024 Municipal Election
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Staff requests that the Policy Committee make a recommendation for the 2024 Municipal Election voluntary Candidate’s Statement word count limit, taking into consideration the estimated costs and benefits the limit will have on potential candidates.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City consolidates the Candidate Statement election printing with Contra Costa County (County). The County will charge a Candidate Statement fee at a flat rate for a maximum of 250 words. Elections Code Section 13307(a)(1) allows the governing body of the local agency to authorize its word limitations up to 400 words.
In past elections the City Council has allowed candidates to use up to 300 words in their Candidate Statements. For the November 2022 election, the City Council allowed up to a maximum of 400 words. The County will allow candidate statements up to 400 words, but the cost for production for a 400-word limit does increase.
The November 2024 election the costs per statement are specified below by elected office. 250 Words 250+ Words
Mayor $1,144.00 $2,288.00
District 1 $390.00 $780.00
District 3 $371.00 $742.00
Candidates are wholly responsible for the cost of their statements as they are an optional cost.
The County pricing structure is based on a ‘flat rate.’ Additionally, the City does not charge a filing fee to run for elected office.
The suggested considerations of the Policy Committee would be:
5.1 Packet Pg. 5
AGENDA #5.1
• San Ramon’s prior allowance of 250+ words for Candidate Statements • Candidates ability to provide voters with a concise statement using 250 words
FISCAL ANALYSIS
No impact to the City, as candidates bear the entire cost of the optional candidate statement.
STEPS FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the Policy Committee make a recommendation on the word count and forward to the full City Council for review and approval.
ATTACHMENT
A: Draft Resolution No. 2024-XXX
5.1 Packet Pg. 6
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAMON
ESTABLISHING A WORD COUNT LIMIT FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS FOR THE 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, under Election Code Section 13307(a)(1), the governing body of the local agency is permitted to set the word count for the Candidate Statements; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that a XXX word count Candidate Statement allows enough words to detail candidate qualifications and experience and sets a reasonable cost for the candidates who bear the entire cost of the optional Candidate Statement in all Municipal Elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, under authority of Election Code Section 13307(a)(1), the word count of XXX is established as the word count limit for Candidate Statements in the 2024 Municipal Election.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at the meeting of May 28, 2024 by the following votes:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_________________________
David E. Hudson, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Christina Franco, City Clerk
5.1.a
Packet Pg. 7
Attachment: A: Draft Resolution No. 2024-XXX (4360 : Candidate Statement Word Count) AGENDA #5.2
POLICY COMMITTEE STAFF REPORT
DATE: May 22, 2024
TO: Policy Committee/City Manager
FROM: Christina Franco, City Clerk
By: Christina Franco, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Establishing a Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limitation for the 2024 Municipal Election
RECOMMENDATION
Staff requests that the Policy Committee make a recommendation as to what spending limit would be reasonable and fair to all candidates, and to determine the Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limit for the 2024 Municipal Election.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City of San Ramon will hold a Municipal Election for Mayor and two Councilmembers (Districts 1 and 3) on November 5, 2024. The courts have held that the amount spent by a candidate on his or her behalf in an election cannot be limited. The City of San Ramon addressed this issue in its Municipal Code, Division A3 Elections, Chapter II Campaigns which states:
A. Inherent in the high cost of election campaigns is the possibility and the appearance of improper influence, real or potential, exercised by campaign contributors over elective officials.
B. The intent and purpose of this chapter, through the voluntary action of city council candidates, is to:
1. Preserve and foster an orderly political forum in which persons may express themselves effectively;
2. Place realistic limits on the amounts of money that may be spent in political campaigns for city council elections;
3. Decrease the cost of campaigns; and
4. Prevent the appearance of improper influence.
(Municipal Code § A3-13, Elections Code § 20400, 20420, 20440-20444) In previous elections, the recommended voluntary campaign expenditure limit was established
5.2 Packet Pg. 8
AGENDA #5.2
by determining the number of registered voters, the price of postage, and an expenditure amount per registered voter. For the November 2022 election, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-098 establishing a voluntary campaign expenditure as follows; - Mayor - $69,402, which approximates the sum of $1.40 per registered voter - Councilmember District 2 - $31,427, which approximates to $2.35 per registered voter - Councilmember District 4 - $25,848, which approximates to $2.35 per registered voter The candidate expenditure information for the 2020 and 2022 elections is presented below. 2020 SAN RAMON MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Candidate Amount Spent Average Per Registered Voter
Mayor (48,335 Registered Voters)
Dinesh Govindarao $8,176 $.169
David Hudson $26,997 $.558
Aparna Madireddi $77,777 $1.61
Susmita Nayak $3,852 $.079
Sanat Sethy $6,107 $.126
Sabina Zafar $55,918 $1.156
District 1 (12,462 Registered Voters)
Luz Gomez $34,681 $2.78
Scott Perkins $31,439 $2.52
District 3 (11,686 Registered Voters)
Varun Kaushal <$2,000
Sameera Rajwade $3,305 $.28
Reza Majlesi <$2,000
Sridhar Verose $12,918 $1.105
2022 SAN RAMON MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Candidate Amount Spent Average Per Registered Voter
Mayor (49,271 Registered Voters)
Dinesh Govindarao $13,780 $.279
David E. Hudson $32,936 $.668
Sabina Zafar $56,466 $1.146
District 2 (14,110 Registered Voters)
Mark Armstrong $12,778 $.905
Sara Lashanlo $10,900 $.772
District 4 (12,507 Registered Voters)
Heidi Kenniston-Lee $8,080 $.646
Marisol Rubio $18,136 $1.45
5.2 Packet Pg. 9
AGENDA #5.2
Historically, the City has established a campaign spending limit and offered candidates the opportunity to voluntarily agree to that limit. Consistent with past elections, the City Council could consider a voluntary campaign expenditure limit based upon the number of registered voters while taking into consideration the price of postage, the number of mailings, and the cost of campaign signs. Several proposed Expenditure Limits are presented below for each elected office for November 2024:
Number of Registered
Voters*
Amount Per Voter Proposed Expenditure
Limits
Mayor - 50,188 $1.30 $65,244
$1.40** $70,263
$1.50 $75,282
$1.75 $87,829
$2.00 $100,376
*Registered Voters as of February 22, 2024.
**Amount per voter for November 2022 election.
Number of Registered
Voters*
Amount Per Voter Proposed Expenditure
Limits
District 1 - 12,105 $2.00 $24,210
$2.35** $28,447
$2.50 $30,263
$2.75 $33,289
$3.00 $36,315
*Registered Voters as of February 22, 2024.
**Amount per voter for November 2022 election.
Number of Registered
Voters*
Amount Per Voter Proposed Expenditure
Limits
District 3 - 11,128 $2.00 $22,256
$2.35** $26,151
$2.50 $27,820
$2.75 $30,602
$3.00 $33,384
*Registered Voters as of February 22, 2024.
**Amount per voter for November 2022 election.
FISCAL ANALYSIS.
None.
STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL
5.2 Packet Pg. 10
AGENDA #5.2
Staff requests that the Policy Committee review this report, make a determination as to what spending limit would be reasonable and fair to all candidates, determine the Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limit, and forward the resolution with a recommendation for adoption to the City Council.
ATTACHMENT
A: Draft Resolution No. 2024-XXX
5.2 Packet Pg. 11
ATTACHMENT A
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAMON
ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTARY CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURE LIMITATION FOR THE 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, inherent in the high cost of election campaigns is the possibility and the appearance of improper influence real or potential, exercised by campaign contributors over elective officials; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, through the voluntary actions of City Council candidates, seeks to preserve and foster an orderly political forum in which persons may express themselves effectively, to decrease the cost of campaigns, and to prevent the appearance of improper influence; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds $XX,XXX, which approximates the sum of $X.XX per registered voter, is a reasonable limit for funds to be spent by individual candidates for Mayor; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds $XX,XXX, which approximates the sum of $X.XX per registered voter, is a reasonable limit for funds to be spent by individual candidates for Councilmember District 1; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds $XX,XXX, which approximates the sum of $X.XX per registered voter, is a reasonable limit for funds to be spent by individual candidates for Councilmember District 3.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, under authority of Government Code Section 85400 (Political Reform Act of 1996) of Section A 3-13 of the San Ramon Municipal Code, that the sum of $XX,XXX for Mayor, $XX,XXX for Councilmember District 1, and $XX,XXX for Councilmember District 3, is established as the campaign expenditure limits for the 2024 Municipal Election.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at the meeting of May 28, 2024 by the following votes:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_________________________
David E. Hudson, Mayor
5.2.a
Packet Pg. 12
Attachment: A: Draft Resolution No. 2024-XXX (4358 : Campaign Expenditure Limit)
ATTACHMENT A
ATTEST:
_________________________
Christina Franco, City Clerk
5.2.a
Packet Pg. 13
Attachment: A: Draft Resolution No. 2024-XXX (4358 : Campaign Expenditure Limit)