Gustav Larsson, CRC Chair
June 3, 2025
Charter Review Committee
Recommendations for Further Study
2City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study –June 3, 2025 Agenda
Charter Review Committee’s Progress To Date
Considerations
Request for Council Direction – Potential Amendments to Study Rankings of Potential Charter Amendments
3City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 CRC Progress to Date
4City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 CRC Progress to Date – 5 Meetings
Identify
Topics
Review
City Charter
Subcommittee
Research
Priority
Ranking
• 2 meetings
• Reviewed
each section
• Valuable input
from public
and staff
• Topics from
City Council,
staff, CRC
• 3 sub-
committees
for in-depth
research
• Detailed
reports to CRC
• Ranked 12
topics
• Asking Council
to “draw the
line”
5City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 Rankings of Potential Charter Amendments
6City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025
1. Alternative Project Delivery Methods for Public Works Combining design & build saves time and money – broad support
2. City Council Salaries and Compensation
Encourage high-quality candidates for increasingly complex decisions
3. Redistricting Commission Process
Update process based on 2020 redistricting experience
4. Remove Gender-Specific Language
Remove personal pronouns to increase clarity and precision Rankings – Highest Priority
7City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025
5. Full-Time Mayor Role
Suggest clarifying Mayor’s responsibilities and expectations
6. Council Vacancy and Appointment Rules
Adjust timing of election to fill vacancy – increased voter turnout
7. City Council Meeting Frequency
8. City Manager Settlement Authority
Consider Charter language that references dollar limit in ordinance Rankings – Mid Priority
8City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025
9. Publishing Legal Notices
Modernize print media requirements, but could address other ways
10. Alternative Voting Systems
Controversial, suggest revisiting after future County decision
11. Petty Cash and Warrants
Outdated but minimal impact on day-to-day operations
12. Merit Principle Language
Outdated language, but could address through policies Rankings – Lowest Priority
9City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 Considerations
10City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 • Focus on 4-5 amendments for further study
Tight timeline to finish by end of 2025
Thorough research by Committee and staff
Carefully evaluate options and reach consensus
Public outreach and polling
Finalize amendment language
• Alternatives for deferred items: study issue, ordinance/policy, or future topic-specific CRC
Considerations
11City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 Request for Council Direction – Potential
Charter Amendments for Further Study
12City of Sunnyvale – Recommendations from Charter Review Committee for Potential Charter Amendments for Further Study – June 3, 2025 • Does Council see opportunities to combine items?
• Which 4-5 items should CRC study further and develop into potential ballot measures?
Request for Council Direction