Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Rosanne Foust, Chair, 2018 Charter Review Committee
Kalimah Salahuddin, Vice-Chair, 2018 Charter Review Committee
Subject: Executive Summary: Report and Recommendation of the 2018 Charter Review Committee
RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept the report and recommendation of the 2018 Charter Review Committee and direct County Counsel to prepare an ordinance calling an election on November 6, 2018 on a measure or measures to amend the San Mateo County Charter.
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BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to section 801 of the San Mateo County Charter (the “Charter”), on January 9, 2018, and January 23, 2018, the Board established and appointed the 2018 Charter Review Committee. As constituted by the Board, the Committee consisted of nineteen members who were nominated by Board members and designated organizations, representing a board range of interests. The members of the Committee are listed in Attachment A to this report.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with Section 801 of the Charter, and pursuant to direction given by the Board of Supervisors in Board Resolution Nos. 075570 and 075646, the 2018 Charter Review Committee herewith submits its recommendation for an amendment to the Charter, for consideration by the Board. This recommendation was developed over the course of 10 meetings, from January 30, 2018 to June 13, 2018, based on substantial input from invited speakers and members of the public and consideration of over 1,000 pages of written information. The final recommendation was developed, and adopted, after considerable discussion and debate by the Committee, and received the ten votes required by the Board’s resolution. The proposed Charter amendment is presented for consideration by your Board, with a recommendation that the proposed amendment be placed on the November 6, 2018 ballot:
Section 302 of the Charter shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
Section 302. Appointment and Removal.
The County Manager shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications and experience.
The County Manager is evaluated by the Board, serves at its pleasure, and may be removed by an affirmative vote of three of its members.
The Committee’s full report concerning all potential Charter amendments considered, along with subcommittee analysis, is attached as Attachment B. 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 Committee would also like to thank the County Manager’s office and the County Counsel’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 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.