SR-080610-8BC7®
City Of City ~®~~.11I ^\~ip®~
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: June 10, 2008
Agenda Item: $~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Director of Records & Election Services (City Clerk)
Subject: Resolutions related to the General Municipal Election to be held on
November 4, 2008
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt four resolutions related to the General
Municipal Election to be held on November 4, 2008, as follows:
(a) Resolution calling for the General Municipal Election to be held on
November 4, 2008;
(b) Resolution requesting consolidation with. the Los Angeles County
Statewide General Election;
{c) Resolution requesting services from the Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorderfor the General Municipal Election; and
(d) Resolution authorizing the City to enter into a contract with the firm
of Martin & Chapman for services and supplies required for the conduct of
the General Municipal Election
Executive Summary
Adoption of these resolutions is the first step in the conduct and administration of the
November 4, 2008, General Municipal Election. In addition to City Council and Rent
Control Board elections, the elections for members of the Board of Education and the
College's Board of Trustees are consolidated with the Municipal Election.
1
Discussion
The first resolution (Exhibit A) calls for the General Election and gives notice that four
Council seats, two Rent Control Board seats, three full-term (4-year) Board of Education
seats and one partial (two-year term) seat, and three Community College District Board
of Trustees seats are to be filled at this November 4, 2008, General Municipal Election.
The second resolution (Exhibit B) requests that Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors approve the consolidation of the City's General Municipal Election with the
statewide General Election to be held on the same date, and that the statewide General
Election and General Municipal. Election be held in all respects as if there were only one
election.
The third resolution (Exhibit C) requests that the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors direct the Registrar of Voters to provide all necessary election services, to
the extent determined necessary by the City Clerk, to mail sample ballots and polling
place information to the registered voters of the City.
The fourth resolution (Exhibit D) authorizes the City to enter into a contract with the firm
of Martin & Chapman, Co., to obtain specified services and supplies necessary to
conduct either a concurrent or consolidated election, in an amount not to exceed
$456,000. The services and supplies required are outlined in said resolution
Background
Section 1400 of the City Charter provides that a General Municipal Election shall be
held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday of November of each even
numbered year for the purpose of the election of elected officers.
2
Consultant Selection
The firm of Martin & Chapman is the only company in Southern California that provides
consulting services and election equipment. Los Angeles County and most of the cities
that conduct stand alone elections in Southern California historically have used the
services of Martin & Chapman. The other known election services company that would
be able to meet the City's needs is located in Northern California. It would not be
practical or responsive to the election administration's needs to hire the services of a
company located in the northern part of the State.
Public Outreach
As in previous years, the Department will participate in election and candidate
information workshops with the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of
Commerce. In addition, staff will provide the same information to neighborhood groups
upon request.
Budget/Financial Impact
The City Clerk's Office has requested approval of an elections budget for Fiscal Year
2008-2009 in the amount of $456,000. The consolidated costs, once received from the
L.A. County Clerk, will be pro-rated and the City will be reimbursed by the Rent Control
Board, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, and the
College District Board of Trustees for the costs of each respective election.
Prepared by: Maria M. Stewart, City Clerk
Attachments:
Exhibit A -Resolution Calling General Municipal Election
Exhibit B -Resolution approving consolidation with the County of Los Angeles
Exhibit C -Resolution requesting the County to render election services
Exhibit D -Resolution authorizing City Clerk to obtain vendor election services
3
Approved:
Records & Election Services
Forwarded to Council:
Manager
4
Reference Resolution Nos.
10299 (CCS), 10300
(CCS), 10301 (CCS), and
10302 (CCS).