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NEWPORT BEACH
1.1FORN'City Council Staff Report
March 14, 2017
Agenda Item No. 10
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Leilani i. Brown, City Clerk - 949-644-3005,
lbrown@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Leilani I. Brown, City Clerk
PHONE: 949-644-3005
TITLE: 2017 Election Reform
ABSTRACT:
At the February 28, 2017 City Council meeting, City Council Member Diane Dixon asked
that this election reform agenda item return for consideration under City Council Policy
A-6. Specifically, City Council Member Dixon is asking her City Council colleagues to
form a temporary City Council Ad Hoc Committee to study and report back regarding
potential election reforms.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly,-
and
ndirectly;and
b) Form and confirm Mayor Kevin Muldoon's appointments of Council Members Diane
Dixon, Jeff Herdman, and Scott Peotter to an Ad Hoc Committee to study and report
back to the City Council regarding potential election reforms. This Ad Hoc Committee
will automatically sunset once the committee concludes its work.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
The current adopted budget includes sufficient funding to provide staff assistance to this
Ad Hoc Committee.
DISCUSSION:
In the past several City elections, concerns have been raised regarding alleged election
issues and potential reforms (e.g., use of the City seal, fundraising limits, enforcement of
election rules, etc.). Council Member Dixon is asking her City Council colleagues to form
an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of less than a quorum of the City Council to study and
report back to the City Council regarding potential election reforms.
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2017 Election Reform
March 14, 2017
Page 2
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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