City of Ojai Mayor and Four City Council Members, Measure A (November 2014)

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A City of Ojai Mayor and Four City Council Members, Measure A ballot question was on the November 4, 2014 election ballot for voters in the city of Ojai in Ventura County, California. It was approved.

Upon its approval, Measure A was designed to establish the city under a mayor and city council form of government, with one position of mayor elected by the voters and four other city council members also elected by the voters. Prior to the passage of Measure A, voters elected five city council members and, according to long-standing council policy, the council members then elected one out of the five to act as mayor.

Since Measure A was approved, either Measure B or Measure C, which were also on the ballot, were designed to determine the length of the term of office for the position of mayor. Measure B was approved, setting the length of the term at two years. Had Measure C been approved, the term length would have been set at four years.

Election results

Measure A
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		1,710	66.88%
No		847	33.12%

Election results from Ventura County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The question on the ballot:

“

Shall the electors elect a mayor and four city councilmembers?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis was prepared for Measure A:

“	Measures A, B and C have been placed on the ballot to ask the voters whether they want to establish an elected Mayor of the City of Ojai. Ojai is governed by a five-member City Council. Pursuant to long-standing City Council policy, the Council annually selects one of its members to serve as Mayor for the next year. Current Powers and Duties of the Mayor Under City Council policy, the Mayor serves as the presiding officer of Council meetings, coordinates the agenda with the city manager and performs certain ceremonial functions. Under State law, the Mayor also has limited administrative duties of signing Council approved contracts, resolutions and ordinances. According to the Ojai Municipal Code, the Mayor has the power to appoint members of boards and commissions, with the approval of the City Council. By practice approved by the City Council, the Mayor nominates persons together with members of an ad hoc committee and the City Council confirms the appointments. Under the Ojai Municipal Code, the Mayor receives the same compensation as the rest of the City Council. Measures A, B and C State law requires that three separate but related questions be presented to the voters on the question of creating an elected Mayor. Those questions are as follows: Measure A -- “Shall the electors elect a mayor and four city councilmembers?” Measure B -- “Shall the term of office of mayor be two years?” Measure C -- “Shall the term of office of mayor be four years?” If Measure A is passed, the newly created office of elected Mayor will replace one of the existing Council seats beginning at the next general election in November of 2016. Measures B or C will determine whether the term of office of the elected Mayor will be two years or four years. The measure with the higher number of “yes” votes will prevail. Qualifications, Powers and Duties of an Elected Mayor Qualifications for office of elected Mayor will be the same as for a Councilmember. The elected Mayor would still be a member of the City Council and maintain the same powers and duties as the currently appointed Mayor. The elected Mayor would have no additional administrative powers. The elected Mayor would continue to draw the same salary established for Council members, unless a different amount is approved by the electorate or City Council at a later time. Under state law, the elected Mayor would have the right to make appointments to boards and commissions, subject to the approval of the Council, although the elected Mayor would also have the option of continuing the current ad hoc committee nomination process. The measure was placed on the ballot by a vote of the City Council	”
—Ojai City Attorney

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official arguments in favor of Measure A:

• Paul B. Blatz, Councilmember and Former Mayor of Ojai
• Severo Lara, Current Councilmember of Ojai
• Suza Francina, Former Mayor, City of Ojai
• Troy Becker, Former Chair, Ojai Planning Commission
• Jeffrey W. Loebl, Local Attorney

Arguments in favor

The following was submitted as the official arguments in favor of Measure A:

“	The mayor of Ojai should not be a ceremonial position. THE MAYOR OF OJAI SHOULD BE CHOSEN BY THE PEOPLE. A mayor elected by the voters is accountable to the voters. The citizens of Ojai should make the choice for this vital leadership position. Directly electing our mayor can be accomplished at no additional cost to the voters of Ojai. Today, the city council handpicks a mayor from among themselves, passing the gavel around like a party favor. This job is too important to fill with a different person every year just because it’s their turn. An elected mayor takes the choice of city leader out of the hands of politicians and puts it in the hands of voters where it belongs. The voters, not the council, will decide when a change is necessary. The elected office of mayor becomes one member of the council and can chair council meetings, set council agenda subject to council override, nominate commission members for council ratification, and deliver the State of the City report annually. Since Ojai is a general law city, the duties of an elected mayor are limited to these leadership responsibilities. The mayor would not be managing daily city operations, and will not get a bigger paycheck. With a constantly rotating mayor, everyone is accountable meaning no one is accountable. Long term strategies cannot be maintained, proper oversight of staff becomes impossible. A mayor’s election allows an open, focused debate among candidates about the city’s future direction so voters can express themselves on the path they want the city to take. Bring stability and proper oversight to city government. Stop revolving door leadership. Let the voters decide.	”
—Paul B. Blatz, Severo Lara, Suza Francina, Troy Becker and Jeffrey W. Loebl

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official arguments in opposition to Measure A:

• Steve Olsen, Former Mayor and Council Member City of Ojai
• Sue Horgan, Former Mayor and Council Member City of Ojai
• Rae Hanstad, Former Mayor and Council Member City of Ojai

Arguments against

The following was submitted as the official arguments in opposition to Measure A:

“	This is not an Ojai citizens’ initiative -- the Ojai City Council placed this measure of uncertain cost on your ballot to try to create a directly elected mayor. This measure is an attempt to undo the long-standing policy of five equally elected City Council Members and it could derail one of the most successful cities in California. The vast majority of cities in California operate under the balance of an equally elected City Council and professional city manager form of government like Ojai’s. Our City Council annually selects a knowledgeable and experienced mayor from its ranks, while the day-to-day business of the City is run by the city manager at the Council's majority direction. The balance of Ojai’s small town approach to good governance could be affected if the current formula changed and the focus was shifted from issues to individuals. Although the mayor has no additional powers or duties, the mayor is the ceremonial head of city government who sets the agendas and is in charge of City Council meetings. The mayor can also make commission appointments and has perceived influence over what is both a multimillion-dollar business and our cherished home town. An elected mayor would be in this position for two to four full years. Ojai has been a model city since the 1950’s. We are envied for small town character, high property values, community identity and excellent quality of life. We have been a leader in historic renovation, downtown redevelopment, growth control and environmental stewardship. Ojai’s success has not been an accident: it is the direct result of a balanced City Council equally elected by the people. It isn’t broke, so don’t fix it: vote NO on Measure A.	”
—Steve Olsen, Sue Horgan and Rae Hanstad

Related measures

• City of Ojai Mayoral Term Length - Four Years, Measure C (November 2014) d
• City of Ojai Mayoral Term Length - Two Years, Measure B (November 2014) a

See also

• City governance on the ballot
• Ventura County, California ballot measures
• November 4, 2014 ballot measures in California

External links

Suggest a link

• Ventura County Elections Office website