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RECEIVE RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT LANGUAGE AND HOLD PUBLIC HEARING TO SOLICIT COMMUNITY FEEDBACK REGARDING CHARTER ARTICLES XI AND XI-A RELATED TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the proposed Charter amendment language for Articles XI and XI-A regarding the Public Information Office and hold the second public hearing to solicit community feedback related to these recommendations.
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Summary
The City Council created the Charter Review Advisory Commission (“the Commission”) and the Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee (“Ad Hoc”) to advise the City Council regarding potential amendments to the City Charter. In accordance with City Council direction, Staff first presented information regarding Charter Articles XI and XI-A related to the Public Information Office to the Charter Review Advisory Commission for review and potential recommendations to the Council Charter Ad Hoc Committee.
Both the Charter Review Advisory Commission and the Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee received information regarding potential changes to these Articles and made recommendations for those changes. On May 2, 2024, the City Council held its first Public Hearing to review these recommendations, consider the proposed changes, and hear from the public. At its meeting the City Council provided staff with direction to clarify the Public Information Office as the “City of Stockton Public Information Office” and remove language regarding “extenuating circumstances.”
DISCUSSION
Background
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 City Council first tasked these bodies with the review of Charter Articles XI and XI-A regarding the Public Information Office.
At its January 24, 2024, meeting, the Charter Review Advisory Commission via Motion 2024-01-24-0301 voted five-to-one (Commissioner Dailey dissenting and Commissioner Prost absent) to recommend a charter revision to allow public information offices in both the City Manager and Mayor’s Office, clean up job descriptions consistent with the change, clearly define job duties by differentiating between the two positions, consider different job titles for each position, and clarifying information access by the Mayor’s Public Information Officer.
At its January 31, 2024, meeting, the Ad-Hoc via Motion 2024-01-31-0301 voted unanimously to recommend City Council consider a ballot measure amending Charter Articles XI and XI-A to assign the Public Information Office to the City Manager and to allow a Mayoral Public Information Officer. The recommendation included that the Mayoral Public Information Officer would be allowed access to information necessary to fulfill their role in a reasonable and timely manner, as coordinated through the City Manager Office, with the exception for extenuating circumstances where access cannot be afforded.
Present Situation
On May 2, 2024, the City Council held its first public hearing regarding the proposed changes and provided staff with direction to clarify the Public Information Office as the “City of Stockton Public Information Office” and removing language regarding “extenuating circumstances.” Proposed charter amendments reflecting this direction have been included as Attachment A.
Following this second public hearing, any changes or direction received will be incorporated into the proposed ordinance. 21 days following the second public hearing, the Council will receive the item again for a final vote on whether to approve submission of the proposed amendments to the voters.
Notice
Pursuant to California Government Code section 34458(b) notice of this Public Hearing must be posted in three public places within the jurisdiction at least 21 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing. This notice was posted in three public locations on May 6, 2024, and published in The Record on May 13, 2024, and May 20, 2024.
Financial Summary
There is no fiscal impact to the City. Should Council decide to place the measure on the ballot, the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters has provided an estimated cost of $50,000 to $80,0000.
Attachment A - Proposed Charter Amendment (redline)