TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kristen Crane, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Consider the Establishment of a City Council Subcommittee regarding a Statewide Ballot Initiative for November 2028
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ABSTRACT
At the April 7, 2026, City Council meeting, the City Council established several subcommittees, with direction to postpone the discussion regarding a potential subcommittee related to a statewide ballot initiative for the November 2028 General Election to preserve local control of land use.
RECOMMENDATION
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Consider establishing a Ballot Measure Ad-Hoc Subcommittee, and if established, appoint two Council Members to serve as members.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On April 7, 2026, the City Council established several subcommittees and provided direction to postpone the discussion and establishment of a Ballot Measure Ad-Hoc Subcommittee (Vote:4-0-1).
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
This item aligns with the City Council goal of: maintaining a high performing organization that values fiscal sustainability, transparency, accountability and organizational efficiency relating to priority Tier 1.
DISCUSSION
Protection of local control is a key topic in the City’s Legislative Platform. Specifically related to land use, this has been reinforced through legislative advocacy and with the adoption of resolutions.
The City Council has discussed the potential pursuit of a statewide ballot initiative for the November 2028 election seeking a Constitutional amendment to preserve local control of land use. Exploration of a statewide ballot initiative has also been identified by the City Council as a Tier 1 priority.
During the February 26, 2026, Special City Council Workshop and again on the March 3, 2026, Regular City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Holliday requested that the City Council consider forming a City Council subcommittee to work toward a statewide ballot initiative regarding local control for land use. If created, this subcommittee’s substantive work would eventually be transferred to an independent campaign committee operating with private funds, ceasing the involvement of City staff and funding.
At the April 7, 2026, City Council meeting, as part of a broader discussion on the establishment of several City Council subcommittees, the City Council discussed the potential formation of a subcommittee on this topic. The consensus of the City Council, at that time, was to table the discussion until after the California primary election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Accordingly, this item is now being brought back for City Council direction.
Placing a statewide initiative on the ballot requires a long lead time, as shown on the estimated timeline provided in Attachment 1. In particular, the draft language needs to be submitted to the Attorney General by August 2027, for review and approval prior to signature gathering. Signature gathering and verification could take approximately seven months; it is estimated that more than 870,000 signatures will be required. The estimated cost for a statewide ballot initiative is upwards of $50 million. Building a broad statewide coalition of varied stakeholders for advocacy and fundraising would be critical to successfully placing an initiative on the ballot and campaigning for eventual passage. State law prohibits the use of City staff time and financial resources for election advocacy.
If the consensus of the City Council is to form this subcommittee, staff seeks feedback on the vision for the role of the subcommittee and the Council Members appointed to serve on it, as well as expectations for the role of staff to support it, particularly considering the magnitude and financial cost of leading an effort for a statewide ballot initiative and the legal constraints on the use of public funds in connection with campaigns for ballot measures.
Additionally, if the City Council opts to form the subcommittee, the appointment of two (2) members will also be required.
PUBLIC NOTICING
The agenda item has been noticed in accordance with the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
FISCAL IMPACT
While there is no direct fiscal impact associated with this action to potentially establish a subcommittee, there is a value for staff time/capacity to support the work of the subcommittee, and in the case of the ballot initiative topic, until an independent campaign committee is established, as well as potentially for the early phases of initiating a statewide ballot measure, including the cost for legal services to draft language.
ATTACHMENTS
ATT 1 - Statewide Initiative Roadmap - November 2028 General Election