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DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATION TO THE CHARTER REVIEW AD-HOC COMMITTEE REGARDING CHARTER ARTICLES XI AND XI-A RELATED TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Charter Review Advisory Commission discuss potential amendments to Charter Articles XI and XI-A regarding the Public Information Office and consider making a recommendation to the Charter Review Ad-Hoc Committee.
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Summary
In accordance with City Council direction, Staff presented information regarding Charter Articles XI and XI-A related to the Public Information Office for discussion and potential recommendation to the Charter Review Ad-Hoc Committee.
DISCUSSION
Background
City of Stockton Charter Article XI-A, Public Information Office, was incorporated into the Charter via the March 7, 2000, special election. Specifically, the provision was included in “Measure U.” On November 23, 1999, the City Council via Resolution 99-0545 directed the City Clerk to place the following on the ballot for the March special election (Attachment A):
“Approval of City of Stockton Charter Amendments relating to redefining the role and responsibilities of the position of Mayor of the City of Stockton, effective January 1, 2001.
Shall the Charter of the City of Stockton be amended to: (1) Redefine the role and responsibilities of the position of Mayor of the City of Stockton as it relates to the Council/Manager form of government by giving the Mayor the authority to direct the City's Public Information Office; propose direction and goals that the annual budget would be built around; nominate the City Manager subject to confirmation by the City Council. AND (2) Establish a commission for setting the salaries for City elected officials. AND (3) Expand the audit duties of the City Auditor.”
The results of the election were declared on April 11, 2000, via Resolution 00-0122. Measure U, “Mayor Redefined,” was approved by Stockton voters 56.4% Yes to 43.6% No (Attachment B).
Following its adoption, Charter Article XI-A and the language regarding the Public Information Office authority have remained unchanged. Specifically, Charter Section 1151 provides:
“The Public Information Office shall be administered by a Public Information Officer appointed by the Mayor who shall serve at his or her pleasure. The Public Information Officer shall be under the direction and supervision of the Mayor.”
Notwithstanding Measure U, the Mayor’s Office has utilized its own public information officer only to disseminate mayoral information but has not controlled or directed the Public Information Office for the City more generally. The City Manager’s Office has maintained the primary role of disseminating information to the public and media.
At the June 13, 2023, City Council Meeting, noting the inconsistency between existing practice and the Charter language, Councilmembers Blower and Wright directed staff to present information regarding potential amendments to the Charter to correct such inconsistencies. On September 26, 2023, the City Council determined that a more comprehensive Charter review was required.
On October 24, 2023, the City Council created the Charter Review Advisory Commission and Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee via resolution 2023-10-24-1502. The Commission is tasked with reporting findings and making recommendations to the Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee. The Commission was first tasked with the review of Charter Articles XI and XI-A regarding the Public Information Office (Attachments C and D, respectively). The Commission met on November 16, 2023, and January 4, 2024, to receive information regarding the Articles and the Public Information Office.
Present Situation
In addition to the information presented at the Commission’s prior meetings, Staff has gathered the following information to aid the Commission in its discussion.
Public Information Officer Job Specifications
At its prior meeting the Commission requested additional information regarding the job specifications for the Mayor’s public information officer (Public Information Officer II), the Community Relations Officer, and other roles in the City with the “Public Information Officer” title. The Commission further requested historical information for these roles, including revisions to the duties following the passage of Measure U.
• Public Information Officer I and II (Attachment E and F)
o Established: 01/19/1959 (Ordinance: 190-CS)
o Exempted: 08/01/1966 (Ordinance: 1431-CS)
o Title Changed: 07/21/1968 (Resolution: CS3827)
o Title Changed: 06/30/1998 (Resolution: CC98-0268)
o Spec Amended: 08/14/2015
o Spec Amended: 02/02/2017
• Community Relations Officer (Attachment G)
o Established/Exempted: 03/03/2009 (Resolution: CC09-0068)
o Spec Adopted: 02/23/2009
o Spec Amended: 08/14/2015
Moss Adams Presentation
At its November 13, 2023 meeting, the Council Audit Committee directed the City Auditor, Moss Adams, to conduct a City Charter Best Practice Review. In accordance with the direction of the Council Audit Committee, the City Auditor gathered information regarding the practices of five similar cities in California to compare the City of Stockton’s Charter language and practices and to evaluate alignment with industry best practices.
The following cities were selected based on their similar population size and form of government.
Information regarding this evaluation will be presented by the City Auditor at the Commission’s public meeting. (Attachment H)
Ad-Hoc Committee Meeting
The Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee will meet on January 31, 2024, to discuss a potential recommendation to the City Council. Accordingly, at this time, the Commission is asked to consider making a recommendation to the Committee for its consideration. In particular, the Commission is asked to determine the following:
1. Is a change to the language of Charter Articles XI and XI-A needed?
2. If changes to the language are needed, what changes are recommended?
• Align the language with the practice.
• Allow PIO for Mayor and CM with specified duties.
Attachment A - Council Resolution 99-0545, Charter Amendment
Attachment B - Council Resolution 00-0122, Declaration of Vote
Attachment C - Charter Article XI
Attachment D - Charter Article XI-A
Attachment E - Public Information Officer I
Attachment F - Public Information Officer II
Attachment G - Community Relations Officer
Attachment H - Moss Adams Report