Next Meeting: September 19th

Sunnyvale Charter Amendments, El Camino Healthcare District term limits measure, and Prop 4: the California Fair Elections Act

When: Saturday, September 19th from 2 to 4 pm

Location: El Dorado Mobile Home Park (Clubhouse), 600 E Weddell Drive, Sunnyvale

 Or on Zoom

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMuf-qtqjovHNPAVS166CMSzq-wEmjffu98

Sunnyvale Charter Amendments

Three amendments to the Sunnyvale Charter are on the November ballot.

Measure G - Public Works Contracting: Allowing the City to use additional project delivery methods permitted under California law—such as progressive design-build, design-build, or construction manager at risk—for public works projects. Currently, the charter restricts the City to traditional design-bid-build procurement, which requires separate design and construction contracts. That ability would be preserved, with additional options added.

Measure H - City Manager’s Authority to Settle Claims: Authorizes the City Council to set by ordinance the maximum monetary limit the City Manager may approve to settle legal claims. Currently, the City Manager's authority is capped at $50,000—a threshold unchanged since 1989. The Council has approved increasing the City Manager's settlement authority to $250,000, the current amount of the City Manager’s purchasing authority, if the measure passes.

Measure I - City Council Vacancies: Requires that any person appointed by the City Council to fill a vacancy serve until a successor is elected at the next regularly scheduled November municipal election in even-numbered years. Under the current charter language, appointees serve until the next available consolidated statewide election.

El Camino Healthcare District term limits measure

The measure, if approved by a majority vote, would limit the board of directors to four, four-year terms. Currently, the board of directors have no term limits.

El Camino Healthcare District includes Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, most of Sunnyvale, and a portion of Cupertino, Santa Clara and Palo Alto.

Prop 4: the California Fair Elections Act

Craig Dunkerley President of Democratic 21st Century Club & South Bay Coordinator for CA Clean Money Campaign will give a brief presentation about Prop 4.

The measure would repeal the ban on public funding of campaigns, enacted by the approval of Proposition 73 in 1988, thereby allowing the state or local governments to establish programs for the public funding of election campaigns. Currently, state law allows charter cities to provide public financing for campaigns but prohibits the state, counties, districts, and general law cities from adopting such programs.[1]

We will hear presentations about these measures and hold endorsement votes.

Our endorsements for ballot measures will be conducted following our usual process, which can be viewed here.

Only members in good standing can participate in the discussions and vote.

Note that parking is limited at El Dorado Clubhouse. There is walkable parking close by as shown on this map.