The Sunnyvale Sun
News
Election ballot is lengthy, measured
By Cody Kraatz
The city of Sunnyvale has placed 11 measures on the November ballot.
One would fund a proposed new public library and requires a two-thirds vote to pass. The other 10, requiring simple majorities, would update, clarify and, in some cases, change parts of the city charter--the document that outlines the city's fundamental laws.
The library bond has faced criticism because it could displace a popular garden, calls for debt financing and does not indicate how the city will come up with the $2.2 million additional operating expenses the new library would require.
The amendments to the city charter were proposed by a Charter Review Committee in April and approved by the council in May. The charter had not been reviewed since 1991.
The following summaries explain the highlights of what would happen if each measure passes. More information will be available on the web at www.smartvoter.org/ca/scl, and the City Charter is available at charter.insunnyvale.com.
Measure B would allow the city to sell $108 million in bonds to design and build an energy efficient, green-designed, environmentally sustainable library right next to the current library, which proponents of the measure say is outdated and heavily used.
Measure C would limit council members to serving only eight years in any 12-year period, but an appointment for less than two years to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term would not count towards that limit. Currently a person can serve two four-year terms, wait two years and run again, thus serving 10 years in a 12-year period.
If it passes, a council member would have to wait four years before running for re-election.
Measure D would allow all board and commission members to serve two consecutive terms and serve concurrently on another board or commission with council approval. Currently, they have to take a two-year break before serving another term and must finish their existing post before taking on another.
Measure E would allow the council to appoint members after a six-month vacancy, rather than the current requirement for employee nomination. Also, officers of local, state or national partisan groups could serve on the Personnel Board.
Measure F would give all boards and commissions a chance to review and make recommendations on the city's budget, rather than allowing only the Library Board and Parks and Recreation Commission.
Measure G would allow council members more than the four absences from council meetings currently allowed, with council approval. The council would decide whether those days will be paid or unpaid. Currently, council members can request up to four excused absences per calendar year.
Measure H would require that the mayor and vice-mayor be appointed at the first regular meeting in January and would extend the mayor's term from one to two years.
Measure I would delete a requirement that the city manager live in the city but would strongly encourage this. The requirement has been found to violate the California Constitution.
Measure J would require a 10-year balanced budget each year that includes details about level of service expectations, a look at historical financial trends and easy-to-understand charts. Also, funds for capital improvement projects would carry over to the next fiscal year unless they are completed, closed out or modified by the council.
Measure K would require that election results be certified at the first meeting in January. It would allow the council to punish people for disorderly conduct and would clarify that the council holds study sessions and closed sessions outside council chambers, generally in a nearby conference room.
It would clarify that the city clerk reports to the city manager and allow city notices to be posted on the Internet.
Measure L would call for a city manager pro tem if the city manager were absent more than two weeks. The council could fire the city manager and city attorney without cause. The city attorney would have to approve any department seeking outside legal counsel.
