COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

2010 Charter Review Committee

DATE:

June 23, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

June 29, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Sean Foote, Chair, 2010 Charter Review Committee

Melanie Hilldebrand, Vice Chair, 2010 Charter Review Committee

SUBJECT:

Executive Summary: Report and Recommendations of the 2010 Charter Review Committee

RECOMMENDATION:

Accept the report and recommendations of the 2010 Charter Review Committee and direct County Counsel to prepare an ordinance calling an election on November 2, 2010 on a measure or measures to amend the San Mateo County Charter.

DISCUSSION:

In accordance with Section 801 of the San Mateo County Charter, and pursuant to direction given by the Board of Supervisors in Board Resolution no. 070497, the 2010 Charter Review Committee herewith submits its recommendations for amendments to the San Mateo County Charter, for consideration by the Board. These recommendations were developed over the course of 13 meetings, from January 13, 2010 to June 23, 2010, based on substantial input from invited speakers and members of the public and consideration of over 600 pages of written information. The recommendations were developed, and adopted, after considerable discussion and debate by the Committee. Each recommendation received the nine votes required by the Board’s resolution. The following recommendations for amendments to the San Mateo County Charter, are presented for consideration by your Board, to be placed on the November 2, 2010 election ballot:

1.

A Charter amendment to change the system of electing members of the Board of Supervisors to a district system. The Committee believes that voters should have the opportunity to either change to a district system or affirm the current at large system.

2.

A Charter amendment to change the manner of filling a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors to provide that:

Ÿ

Any vacancy occurring in the first 2 years, 9 ½ months of a term must be filled by election.

Ÿ

Any vacancy occurring in the last 1 year, 2 ½ months of a term can be filled by election, appointment, or left vacant.

Ÿ

A resignation must be in writing and becomes irrevocable upon receipt, allowing the process of filling the vacancy to commence even if a future effective date of resignation is specified.

Ÿ

A vacancy filled in the first two years of a term will count as a full term for term limit purposes.

Ÿ

The vacancy may be filled through an “all-mailed ballot” special election, at the option of the Board of Supervisors.

3.

1. A Charter amendment to add to the existing section of the Charter which addresses the filling of vacancies in other County elected offices, language to provide that:

Ÿ

• A resignation must be in writing and becomes irrevocable upon receipt, allowing the process of filling the vacancy to commence even if a future effective date of resignation is specified.

Ÿ

• The vacancy may be filled through an “all-mailed ballot” special election, at the option of the Board of Supervisors.

4.

A Charter amendment that designates the offices of Treasurer-Tax Collector and Auditor-Controller, which are currently designated as elected, as appointed offices. These offices would be appointed by the County Manager and would report to the County Manager. Further, these offices shall not be combined. The change would be effective the end of the term which expires in January 2015.

5.

A Charter amendment to require the Board, at intervals of no more than 8 years, to review existing boards and commissions to determine which boards and commissions should be continued and which should be eliminated.

Proposed versions of the recommended Charter amendments are attached as Attachments B through F to the report.

The Committee further recommends that each of the Charter amendments be placed on the November 2, 2010 election ballot as separate measures.

The Committee wishes to extend its sincere appreciation to the Board of Supervisors for the opportunity to be of service to the County, and to participate in the important task of updating the County’s Charter. The County would also like to thank the County Counsel’s office and the County Manager’s office for the exceptional and tireless staff support that they have provided the Committee over the last six months. Finally, the Committee extends its greatest thanks and appreciation to the many citizens and invited speakers who took time out of their evenings to appear before the Committee to provide invaluable information, and to share their viewpoints, on issues of critical importance to the County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact in accepting the report.