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San Bernardino, California, Revised City Charter, Measure L (November 2016)
| Measure L: San Bernardino Revised City Charter |
|---|
|
| The basics |
| Election date: |
| November 8, 2016 |
| Status: |
 Approved
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| Topic: |
| Local charter amendments |
| Related articles |
| Local charter amendments on the ballot November 8, 2016 ballot measures in California San Bernardino County, California ballot measures |
| See also |
| San Bernardino, California |
A measure to establish a new charter was on the ballot for San Bernardino voters in San Bernardino County, California, on November 8, 2016. It was approved.
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of adopting a new city charter to reduce its length and complexity. |
| A no vote was a vote against adopting a new city charter. |
Election results
| Measure L | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 27,478 | 60.57% | ||
| No | 17,890 | 39.43% | ||
- Election results from San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Should the City of San Bernardino adopt the new Charter?[2] |
” |
Impartial analysis
The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the San Bernardino City Attorney:
| “ |
The measure placed on the ballot by the Council would replace the existing charter, significantly reducing its length and complexity. No change is proposed in the City's boundaries, name, powers, personnel system, property or obligations. All ordinances, resolutions, and policies consistent with the new charter will remain in effect. Existing litigation would be unaffected. The City would have a council-manager form of government, with the City Manager running the City's day-to-day operations, supervising all City employees. There would be a full-time directly elected Mayor and seven member Council, elected by ward. The Mayor's duties would be reduced. The Mayor would preside at Council Meetings, but vote only to break a tie, veto a matter or appoint and set compensation of the City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and for Commission and Committee appointments. The Mayor appoints members of Council Committees, is chief spokesperson and ceremonial head of government, represents the City in intergovernmental relations, and executes ordinances and contracts. The Council will continue as the City's primary policy-making body, and with the Mayor ensure municipal functions are carried out for public health and safety, and the City's fiscal integrity. Most Council actions require a simple majority, but only five votes can override the Mayor's veto. The Mayor's and Council's compensation will be set by ordinance, after a public hearing and input from an advisory commission. Any ordinance takes effect at commencement of council terms following the next regular election. The Mayor and Council must follow state and local conflict of interest codes. None may be a City employee. The proposed charter would change the City Attorney and City Clerk from elective to appointive officials hired and their compensation set by the City Council. Existing City departments would continue; the City Manager can establish new departments with Council approval. The charter requires a municipal police department. Council must also provide for community development, finance, fire, emergency medical services, information technology, library, parks, recreation, personnel, public works, water and wastewater. Existing Commissions and Committees would continue in effect, including the Library Board of Trustees, Personnel Board (who serve without compensation), and the Water Board (compensation set after public hearing). The charter requires an annual budget and capital improvement plan be adopted after public hearing and an annual independent audit. City elections would move to November of even-numbered years, consolidated with the statewide general election. Existing terms would be extended one year to facilitate transition. Council members would continue to be elected by ward, for staggered terms of four years. Boundary adjustments would comply with state and federal law. The citizens' powers of initiative, referendum and recall would be as provided in state law. The Council will provide for periodic Charter review to identify potential amendments enhancing clarity, efficiency, and principles of council-manager form of government. Charter amendments shall be made pursuant to state law. A "YES" VOTE MEANS you want San Bernardino to adopt the proposed charter. A "NO" VOTE MEANS you do not want San Bernardino to adopt the proposed charter. [2] |
” |
| —San Bernardino City Attorney[3] | ||
Full text
The full text of the measure was available here.
Support
Supporters
The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:[4]
- Jill Vassilakos-Long, president, League of Women Voters of San Bernadino Area
- Dr. Albert Karnig, president emeritus, California State University, San Bernardino
- Margaret Hill, board member, San Bernardino City Unified School District
- Gloria Macias Harrison, small businesswoman
- Chris Mann, founder, Inland Empire Taxpayers Association
Arguments in favor
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:[5]
| “ |
Vote Yes on Measure L. For many years, San Bernardino has deteriorated, unable to overcome problems that nearby cities fight more effectively. Over the years, we've chosen various leaders from different political philosophies and parties. Despite their efforts, the city has continued to decline. After San Bernardino declared bankruptcy in 2012, a committee of citizen volunteers was formed to study how to fix our city. After two years of study and countless public meetings including the League of Women Voters, civic groups, and Cal State San Bernardino government experts, everyone agreed. The current city charter (a constitution for local government) was adopted in 1905 when the population was less than 10,000 residents. It needs to be replaced with a new charter that reflects the needs of a modern City of more than 200,000 residents. The new charter will:
The Bankruptcy Court's Recovery Plan called for the city to update the charter to operate in a more efficient, accountable, and transparent way. Measure L does that so San Bernardino can get back on the right track and begin to move forward. Start at the bottom of your ballot. Vote Yes on Measure L to Fix Our City. [2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:[6]
Unknown authors
Arguments against
Official argument
The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:[7]
| “ |
Common traditions, culture and history form the fabric of a city. Checks and balances are paramount to American government. Our Charter, adopted in 1905, provides the People the right to elect their City Attorney, Clerk and Treasurer. Our City was the All-America City in 1977, attracted a fine State University, kept its water supply independent from Los Angeles and built the SB Symphony, Western Regional Little League, regional soccer and many other achievements, all accomplished with our strong mayor form of government. All cities have bad times, and San Bernardino has certainly experienced our share recently with bad politicians, economic challenges and crime. Some want to disincorporate or change the name of our City. Others, like the Proponents and the Politicians who appointed them, want to throw out our historic Charter. While well intentioned, they have lost their perspective and respect for our historic City which predates Los Angeles whose historic Charter shares many features in common with San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco and many other successful cities. Let's take pride in our heritage and bright future. Let's not accede to the portrayal of San Bernardino by Southern California media, hired consultants and a few non-scientific "studies." San Bernardino is only temporarily tarnished, just like Orange County was temporarily tarnished by bankruptcy. We have already taken steps to correct the problems. The People need more accountability and control of City Hall, not less. This proposal to throw away our historic Charter follows outsourcing City departments and giving away our historic Fire Department, reflecting loss of pride in our history and hope in San Bernardino's future. We stand apart from cookie cutter cities in Orange County (from which our politicians' high-priced Consultants hail). Orange County suburbs lack San Bernardino's time-tested Charter, heritage and values. Let's not discard ours. #SBStrong[2] |
” |
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing officials of San Bernardino, California.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms San Bernardino Local charter amendments. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Resolution No. 2016-175," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Measure L Impartial Analysis," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument in favor of Measure L," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument in favor of Measure L," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument against Measure L," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters, "Argument against Measure L," accessed October 5, 2016
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