City of Arroyo Grande Home Rule Charter Adoption, Measure C (November 2014)

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A City of Arroyo Grande Home Rule Charter Adoption, Measure C ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was defeated.

Measure C would have adopted a home rule charter, changing the city from a general law city - largely governed by state laws concerning municipalities - to a home rule charter city - with more autonomy and independence from state mandates and state funding.

A summary of key provisions that would have been in the new charter and the full text of Measure C are available below.

Election results

City of Arroyo Grande, Measure C
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		4,374	64.90%
Yes		2,366	35.10%

Election results via: San Luis Obispo County Registrar of Voters

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Shall the charter be adopted making the City of Arroyo Grande a charter city so that the laws of the City of Arroyo Grande shall prevail over state law with respect to the management of municipal affairs?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure C:

“	Measure C-14, which was placed on the ballot by the City Council, asks whether voters wish to adopt a charter. California has two kinds of cities – general law and charter. 121 of California’s 482 cities have charters. Charters are a city’s Constitution which allows cities to control municipal affairs without interference from the State Legislature. The California Constitution allows charter cities to control municipal affairs according to local charters and ordinances and exempts them from contrary State laws. All cities must comply with State and Federal constitutional requirements, and State laws on matters of statewide concern. Municipal affairs include election procedures, public bidding and contracting, and rules for use of city property. Matters of statewide concern include open meetings and public records, environmental protection, and bargaining with employee associations. Key provisions in the charter include: - Gives the City power and authority over all municipal affairs. - Continues the Council-Manager form of government, with elective offices of Mayor (two year term) and four Council Members (four year term), whose salaries continue to be governed by State laws that apply to general law cities. - No power to increase or create new taxes beyond the power granted to general law cities and must follow procedures applicable to general law cities for any new tax or increase. - Encourages economic and community development and preserving and enhancing Arroyo Grande’s small-town and historic character. - Preserves the rule that zoning remain consistent with the City’s General Plan. - The City Council, by ordinance, can permit use of mail-in ballots for special elections, except, the charter can only be amended by a vote of the people at a Statewide General election. - The City Council, by ordinance, can create criteria and guidelines for when prevailing wages apply to a contract, unless they are required by law, required by Federal or State grants, or the project is not a municipal affair. This provision will not be operative unless a court enjoins the operation of Labor Code Section 1782 (SB7), or that law has been determined to be invalid and unenforceable. - Follows the California Public Contracts Code, but the City Council, by ordinance can establish criteria for awarding public works contracts to lowest responsible and reliable bidders, and other bidding, award and performance matters deemed in the City’s best interests. - Gives the City the right to accept donations on public works projects, perform work by its own forces, or contract with other agencies to construct public works. - Supports using volunteers in community projects. - Gives authority relating to purchasing rules, public financing, and utility franchises. - Limits reductions in revenues and unfunded mandates by other levels of government. - Any amendment of the charter requires a majority vote of the People. Voting “yes” supports adoption of the charter. Voting “no” opposes its adoption.	”
—Timothy J. Carmel, Arroyo Grande City Attorney

Full text

The full text of the proposed city charter is available here.

See also

• General law local government
• Chartered local government
• Home rule
• Home rule charter on the ballot
• San Luis Obispo County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• San Luis Obispo Elections Office website