Cathedral City, California, City Charter, Measure HH (November 2016)
| Measure HH: Cathedral City Enacting a City Charter |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
|
| Topic: |
| Home rule charter |
| Related articles |
| Home rule charter on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California Riverside County, California ballot measures City governance on the ballot |
| See also |
| Cathedral City, California |
A charter enactment measure was on the ballot for Cathedral City voters in Riverside County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of establishing the city as a charter city and enacting a charter that would, among other things, enact city service contracting procedures and make the mayor a rotating position appointed by other city council members instead of elected by city voters. |
| A no vote was a vote against establishing the city as a charter city and enacting a charter that would, among other things, enact city service contracting procedures and make the mayor a rotating position appointed by other city council members instead of elected by city voters. |
Election results
| Measure HH | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 7,273 | 53.13% | ||
| No | 6,415 | 46.87% | ||
- Election results from Riverside County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
To enhance local control over municipal affairs, shall the City of Cathedral City Charter be adopted to establish Cathedral City as a charter city, and giving the City the power to establish public works contracting procedures, set penalties for violations of ordinances and resolutions, and appoint a city clerk?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Cathedral City City Attorney:
| “ |
The City Council of the City of Cathedral City placed Measure HH on the ballot seeking voter approval of a charter for the City. If approved, this measure will have the effect of converting the City from a general law city to a charter city effective January 1, 2017. Cities in California are categorized as either a general law city or a charter city. General law cities may adopt ordinances and regulations that are consistent with the general laws of the State of California. Charter cities may adopt ordinances and regulations related to “municipal affairs” subject only to the limitations contained in the city’s charter. With respect to matters that are not “municipal affairs,” a charter city may adopt ordinances and regulations that are consistent with the general laws of the State of California. Both general law and charter cities must abide by the federal and state constitutions. Measure HH proposes a charter for the City of Cathedral City that would vest the City with the full power to adopt ordinances and regulations related to municipal affairs that are consistent with the provisions of the charter. The charter specifically authorizes the City Council to establish regulations with respect to public works contracting, economic development, purchasing, public finance, fines and penalties. The charter places the following limits and requirements on the City’s powers: 1. The City has no increased power to tax. 2. The City must meet and confer with City employees before contracting out for services the employees provide, and such contracts must be approved by the City Council at an open and public meeting. 3. The elective officers of the City are five City Council Members and one City Treasurer. This charter eliminates the elected City Clerk at the end of the current elected City Clerk’s term and makes the position one appointed by the City Manager. 4. At the end of the current elected Mayor’s term, the position of Mayor shall become an appointed, rotating position. The City Council will select one Council Member to serve a one year term as Mayor. 5. The City must convert to a system of electing City Council Members from districts by the 2022 general municipal election, or when the population of the City reaches 65,000, whichever occurs first. 6. City Council salaries will be adjusted annually to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index, except that in no case shall their salaries be increased by more than 3% in any given year or exceed $2,500 per month. 7. If a City employee bargaining group experiences a decrease in compensation, City Council salaries shall be automatically decreased by a corresponding percentage. If multiple bargaining groups experience varying pay decreases, the Council’s decrease must match the highest percentage decrease experienced by any bargaining group. 8. If a Council seat becomes vacant mid-term, the Council may hold a special election to fill the vacancy or may appoint an individual to fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled election. If Measure HH is approved, the charter cannot be amended or repealed without a majority vote of the qualified electors of the City.[2] |
” |
| —Cathedral City City Attorney[1] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[1]
- Stanley E. Henry, Mayor
- Shelley Kaplan, Council Member
- Josie F. Diaz
- John Aguilar
- Robert Hargreaves
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[1]
| “ |
Cathedral City has struggled over the years with over-reach by Sacramento politicians. Voting YES on HH gives our community a greater voice in their local government and the opportunity to reform how it works. Some cities in California are organized under State “general laws,” while others are governed by a Charter adopted by local voters. Cities organized under general law have less independence, while cities such as Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Indian Wells adopt their own procedures for local affairs. Give Cathedral City more Local Control — vote YES on HH! Currently Cathedral City operates from a Constitution dependent on State law. As a Charter City, a locally drafted Charter approved by a City’s voters becomes its Constitution. Cathedral City’s voters — not Sacramento politicians — better understand OUR needs. Any changes to our local Charter could then only be made by Cathedral City’s voters, providing more accountability to our community and its taxpayers — vote YES on HH! YES on HH means NO future City Council can EVER raise taxes without asking our voters first. YES on HH tells developers that they must hire local workers first, NOT import people from Los Angeles or Phoenix. YES on HH allows Cathedral City to hire the most qualified contractors, empowering city staff to make the reforms that eliminate waste. YES on HH locks in City Council salaries so future councils cannot give themselves a raise without asking the voters. YES on HH allows our City’s voters to have local control over local laws, ensuring the City can avoid costly regulations written by state government bureaucrats. Keep our money and decisions LOCAL! Join a unanimous Mayor and City Council --vote YES on HH![2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[1]
- Randy Winbigler
- Dale Jagodzinski AKA: Dale Jag, Neighborhood Watch Leader/Police Advisory Board
- Kathleen Patterson
- Donald D. Cross, Retired, Agua Caliente Gaming Commission Manager
- Denise Cross
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[1]
| “ |
The Cathedral City Charter states that it will improve the quality of life for the people of Cathedral City. However, it does not indicate how it will improve life for the residents. Cathedral City spent $35,000. to conduct a survey which found that 69% of those polled want to directly elect the Mayor rather than rotate the position. The City Council is denying you the right to vote for your Mayor if this passes. The proposed City Charter contains an automatic yearly pay raise for the City Council. Currently, Cathedral City cannot add a property transfer fee, nor can it increase fines and penalties for code violations. If this measure passes however, a new property transfer fee can be instituted as well as unlimited code violation fines and penalties without your approval. Approximately 75% of all California cities are NOT charter cities. Once a Charter City is formed, it is extremely difficult and very expensive to change or revoke by either the City or the Community. Do you understand all seven pages of this Charter completely? If not, VOTE “NO”. VOTE NO ON MEASURE HH.[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of Cathedral City, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Cathedral City City charters Measure HH. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
|
External links
Footnotes
 |
State of California Sacramento (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
