Discussion and Direction Regarding
Creating a Charter Review Committee
Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
City Council
June 4, 2024
2City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 • On Nov. 28, 2023, Colleagues Memo. proposed nine potential charter amendments.
• Memo. proposed a Charter Review Committee to review the Charter and propose additional amendments.
• On Jan. 30, Council directed to:
Place three topics on the Nov. 2024 ballot;
Update one Council Policy; and
Return with steps to create a Charter Review Committee.
Background
3City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Charter Review Committee Project Timeline
June 4 June – Oct. Nov. – Dec. Jan. – May May June – Dec. Jan. – April May – Aug. 2024
2025
Selection and
Onboarding
Committee Members
Council Approval
of Ballot Measure
Topics
Council Approval of
Ballot Language
Create Committee
Size, Scope,
Requirements, etc.
Outreach
Regarding Committee
Applications
Ballot Language
Drafting and
Refinement
Committee Review
and Idea Generation
2026
Voter Education
Committee Meets 1 – 2 times/month
4City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Recent Charter Review Committee Efforts
Year(s) Scope of Review Timeline
(inception-
election)
Num. of
Mtgs.
Committee
Selection
Process
Election
Date
Election
Outcome
2020 1 item from Council -
district elections*
18 months 5 Open
applications
Mar 2020 1 measure
passed
2017-
2018
1 item from Council –
filling vacancies
12-18 months 8 Open
applications
Nov 2018 1 measure
passed
2010-
2011
2 items from Council –
directly elected Mayor,
Council compensation
12-18 months 8 Open
applications
Nov 2011 1 of 2
measures
passed
2006-
2007
10 items
-7 from Council, some
from Committee
18 months 12 Appointed by
Council
Nov 2007 9 of 10
measures
passed
5City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 • SIZE
How many members should
be on the charter review
committee?
• SELECTION PROCESS
How should members be
selected?
• ELIGIBILITY & MEMBERSHIP
Should there be specific
qualifications for
membership?
• RESTRICTIONS
Should there be restrictions
on activity during and post
service?
• SCOPE & TIMELINE
Charter Review Committee Decision Points
6City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Selection Process Size
Size and Selection Process
Charter Review Committee Decision Points
• Application similar to 2018
Application?
• Interview format similar to
Board/Commission interviews?
• Other selection process?
Direct appointment by individual
Councilmembers?
• 7 – 15 members
Staff suggests 7 members
• Alternates
Staff suggests 0, 2 or 4 alternates
• Role of Alternates (see next slide)
7City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Participation / Voting
Role of Alternates
Charter Review Committee Decision Points
• Do alternates participate similar
to the public unless serving in-
place of an absent member?
• Do alternates participate in
deliberations regardless of
whether they are filling in for an
absent member or not?
• In the case of an absent
member, which alternate fills in?
Is there a ranked order for
alternates to fill in?
Are alternates assigned to fill in
for specific members?
Selecting an Alternate
8City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Eligibility & Membership Restrictions
Eligibility & Membership and Restrictions
Charter Review Committee Decision Points
• Sunnyvale residency?
Any exceptions?
• Voter registration?
Any exceptions?
• Minimum age?
Any exceptions?
• Past or future Council service?
• Past or future Board/
Commission service?
• Involvement with Sunnyvale
campaign committees?
• Similar to Redistricting
Commission?
9City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Scope of Review Scope of Review Cont.
Scope of Review & Timeline
Charter Review Committee Decision Points
5 Colleagues’ Memo Items:
• Council vacancy appt timeline
• Role of the mayor (full-time?)
• Council salary and compensation
• Evaluating an alternative voting
system
• Rules for empaneling
Redistricting Commissions
• Overall Process:
June 2024 – Nov. 2026
• Committee Meetings:
Dec. 2024 – Dec. 2025
Timeline
• Committee-Recommended Items
• Staff-Recommended Items
10City of Sunnyvale – Charter Review Committee – June 2024 Alternatives
1. Determine the number of Charter Committee members and adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1 to the report) establishing the Charter Review Committee.
2. Provide direction to staff on (a) Committee formation, including membership requirements, eligibility, and the selection process for Committee membership, (b) scope of the committee, and (c) general timeline for the Committee’s work.
3. Other direction as provided by Council.
Staff Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation. This report is developed to facilitate a conversation for the public hearing and action by the City Council related to the formation of a Charter Review Committee