sr-021311-4gCity C®uncil Rep®rt
Gity of
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: February 13, 2011
Agenda Item: y '
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Maria M. Stewart, City Clerk
Subject: Presentation of Options for the Process of Selecting a Mayor
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council review the information provided in this report and give
direction to staff.
Executive Summary
At the January 11, 2011, Council meeting, Council directed staff to conduct research on
different options for selecting a Mayor for the City of Santa Monica, including but not
limited to, by election, rotation, seniority, and receiving the most number of votes at the
last election, with the intent of making the best use of political resources for the
residents of the City.
Staff has conducted surveys of comparable cities and researched the process of
selecting the mayor. Based on these surveys, general information and options are
presented below for Council discussion.
Background
Currently, the Mayor for the City of Santa Monica is selected as provided for in Section
604(a) of the City Charter which reads:
(a) On the first Tuesday following any general or special municipal election
at which City Councitmembers are elected, the City Council shall meet
and shalt elect one of its members as its presiding officer, who shall have
1
the title of Mayor. The Mayor shall have a voice and vote in all its
proceedings. The Mayor shall be the official head of the City for all
ceremonial purposes. The Mayor shall perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by this Charter or as may be imposed by the City Council
consistent with the Mayor's office. The Mayor shall serve in such capacity
at the pleasure of the City Council.
The League of Califorriia Cities lists the population and the method of selection of the
mayor for the comparable cities listed below as:
CITY POPULATION PROCESS
Poway 51,103 Elected
Santa Barbara 90,305 Elected
Santa Monica 91,439 Council-Appointed
Temecula 101,057 Council-Appointed
Berkeley 106,697 Elected
Burbank 108,029 Council-Appointed
Ventura 108,261 Council-Appointed
Inglewood 118,878 Elected
Thousand Oaks 128,650 Council-Appointed
Sunnyvale 137,538 Council-Appointed
Pasadena. 148,126 Elected
Torrance 148,965 Elected
Of 83 cities surveyed 55 have council-appointed mayors. Of those, 41 were appointed
by council with no formal or written process (like Santa Monica), and 14 were appointed
by council with a specified process, including but not limited to: by rotation; by seniority
coordinated by election schedule; vice mayor moving automatically into mayor's seat;
order based on election date and number of votes received; 1-year mayor terms for
each of the five council members so each serves as mayor within a 5-year period; and,
2
based on the highest number of votes received. The mayors from 28 cities were
elected. A summary of this survey is attached as Exhibit A.
For the six cities listed that have an elected mayor, the elected mayor has at a minimum
the same rights and powers as any other councilmember and is elected for four-year
terms. Attached as Exhibit B is a printout of each Charter City's respective, applicable
charter sections defining the elective officers for the city and the powers of the mayor,
and are also summarized below:
CITY POPULATION COUNCIL NUMBER
Poway 50,830 Mayor + 4 =5
Santa Barbara 90,305 Mayor + 6 = 7
Berkeley 106,697 Mayor + 8 = 9
Inglewood 118,878 Mayor + 4 = 5
Pasadena 148,126 Mayor + 7 = 8
Torrance 148,965 Mayor + 6 = 7
Poway City is a general law city and its staff advised that there is no formal document
defining the elected mayor's duties. The mayor's duties are those provided for in the
various sections of the California Government Codes.. Government Code Section
34903 provides the following for an elected mayor: "The mayor is a member of the city
council and has all of the powers and duties of a member of the city council." The other
sections make provisions for the mayor presiding at council meetings, making
appointments to boards and commissions, and for compensation.
The Mayor of the City of Santa Barbara has no veto pdwer and is the official head of the
City for ceremonial purposes. The mayor has the primary but not exclusive
responsibility to interpret policies, programs and needs of the city government, and may
inform the people of changes in policies or programs as required.
3
The Mayor of the City of Berkeley also has no veto power and is the official head for
ceremonial purposes. The mayor is recognized by the courts for the purposes of
serving civil processes and by the Governor for military purpose. The Charter section
clarifies, that no administrative or judicial functions or other powers or functions of
mayor, under general laws of the State, are conferred upon the office.
In addition to presiding over the City Council meetings, the Mayor of Inglewood is the
chief executive of said city, signs all contracts, countersigns all warrants, and may
perform other duties as may be assigned to him by the council.
In Pasadena, the Mayor also presides as the chief executive of the city and performs all
acts required as such under terms of general laws of the State. The mayor is also
recognized as the official head for ceremonial purposes, by the courts for serving of civil
processes, and by the Governor for military purposes.
The Mayor of Torrance is given the duty to sign all warrants drawn on the City Treasury,
all written contracts requiring approval by the Council and all conveyances entered into
by the City.
Discussion
As these examples illustrate, mayors are either elected by the voters or selected by the
council; and the council selection methods include election by the council, designation
according to a particular standard or according to a set rotation. Thus, for instance,
local law could establish that the council candidate with the highest number of votes
would serve as mayor or that the position would rotate according to seniority with the
-most senior member, who had not yet served, serving for a specified term, until all
Council members had served.
4
All of these methods work. And, each has advantages and disadvantages. For
instance, direct elections allow voters to choose the council leader and city
spokesperson. However, this process adds another political dimension to council
elections and to council's work and may yield a chairperson who is not supported by
other council members. Additionally, it may yield to a blurring of the lines between the
council's legislation functions, on one hand, and staff's executive and administrative
functions, on the other. Similarly, selecting the major by council vote is likely to produce
the selection of a chair person who has at least the general support of a majority of his
or her colleagues; but it may create frictions amongst council members. Awarding the
mayorship to the highest vote getter or on a rotating basis, affords equal opportunities
and eliminates questions of fairness; but it may, as a practical matter, result in uneven
council productivity over time because not all council members are likely to have
equivalent skills or support.
Elected Santa Monica Mavor
If the mayor were to be an elected position in the City of Santa Monica, the elective
officers would be one mayor and six councilmembers for four-year terms. An alternative
would be to elect a mayor for atwo-year term and elect six councilmembers for four-
yearterms.
This option would require an amendment to the City Charter and an election to put the
question to the people on the ballot. Should Council discuss the option of holding a
special election for the purpose of asking the question of having an elected mayor,
please note that the last two stand-alone elections held in the City were atwo-day
election, with polling sites and precinct workers, in 1999, and an all-mail election in
2003. The cost for the election in 1999 was just over $176,000, and the cost for the all-
mail election was $97,237.
5
Appointed Mayor by Process
The following comparable cities appoint by process:
CITY POPULATION PROCESS
Beverly Hills 36,084 Seniority!# of votes
Chino Hills 78,668 1-Yr. Rotation
Downey 113,607 Pro Tem rotates to Mayor
Huntington Beach 202,250. Seniority/Rotation
Culver City 40,870 Seniority/Rotation
Manhattan Beach 36,843 # of votes/9.5 Mo. Rotation
In Beverly Hills, when the process was formalized in 1981, the mayor was initially
chosen for aone-year term based on seniority and number of votes received. After the
mayor serves aone-year term, the vice mayor becomes the next mayor, but if at the
time of selecting a new mayor there is no vice mayor because he/she did not run or did
not get elected, a new mayor will be selected again based on the criteria for selecting
the initial mayor. This process is formalized in the City's Council Policy Manual.
The City of Chino Hills selects a mayor for aone-year term.. After the one-year term the
City's Administrative Policy provides that the mayor pro tem is automatically nominated
for mayor and then Council proceeds to make an appointment. Council is not mandated
to appoint the mayor pro tem, but can instead choose another councilmember. Chino
Hills staff advises that historically the council has always elected the mayor pro tem to
the mayor position.
6
The City of Downey has a written policy to select a mayor for aone-year term. After the
mayor serves one year, the mayor pro tem rotates to the position. Rotation to mayor
pro tem is based on the length of time a councilmember has served since last being
elected mayor: The longest tenured councilmember is placed next in the rotation
sequence.. After an election, newly elected councilmembers draw lots to establish the
order of rotation for Mayor Pro Tem but must wait one year before being eligible to
serve as mayor.
Via a resolution, in Huntington Beach the position of mayor is rotated based on a
formula of seniority, on the last time a councilmember served as mayor, and on the
number of votes received at the last municipal election. This process is similar to the
City of Beverly Hills.
Also by resolution, Culver City provides for the vice mayor rotating into the mayor's seat
for aone-year term. The vice mayor's seat is filled by the most senior member in length
of uninterrupted service who has not previously served as mayor. The vice mayor also
serves as the chair for the redevelopment agency.
The City of Manhattan Beach has a written policy to select the top vote getter in the last
election as mayor fora 9.5 month term. Thereafter, the position is rotated every 9.5
months so all councilmembers get an opportunity to be mayor during the 4-year term.
Council has the option of establishing a formal process for appointing a mayor that
includes any of the options listed above, or a combination of those options. The
process may be established by adopting a resolution on this specific subject matter, or
by amending the existing resolution setting forth the Council's rules of order and
procedure forCouncil meetings.
7
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
This report has no fiscal impact.
Prepared by:
Approved:
Maria M. Stewart
City Clerk
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachments: Exhibit A -Survey of Cities
Exhibit B -Other Cities' Charter Sections
8
CITY OF SANTA BARBARA
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Section 500. City Council. Terms.
The elective officers of the City shall consist of a City Council of seven (7)
Hers, including the Mayor all to be elected from the City at large at the times and in
anner provided in this Garter and who shall serve for terms of four (4) years and
ieir respective successors quali
The Mayor and members of t e City Council in office at the time this Charter
dment takes effect shall continue in office until their successors are elected and
ed. Three (3) members of the Citv Council shall be elected at the General
in
terms
to
commence on the
ig the receipt of
ce shall be settled
?, 1993; effective
Section 500.1 City Council -Limitation on Terms..
No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Ci{~r Council for more than
two (2 consecutive four (4) year terms. No person shall be eligible to serve as Mayor for
more than two (2) consecutroe four (4 ear terms. No person shall be eli able to serve
cumulatively as a member of the C)i~y Council and Mayor for more an four (4)
consecutive four (4) year terms. Election to a term of office begginning prior to the
effective date of this amendment shall not disquali{y any incumbent from completing said
term. (Approved by election held November 6, 199Q; effective December 5, 1990.)
Section 504. The Mayor.
The Mayor shall be
be included as a membe
otherwise expressly provi
entitled to vote on all ms
and second motions and
the official head of the Cii
the exclusive resoonsibili
ig officer at all meetings of the City Council and
y Council for all pur oses under Phis Charter u
all be counted in determining a quorum and sh;
(hall possess no veto power. The Mayor may i
a voice and vote in all its proceedings. He shy
as maY oe prescnoea py tnis ~narrer or as may De imposea by me city ~ouncn.
The City Council shall designate one () of its members as Mayor Pro Temp
who shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the City Council. The Mayor
Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor during the absence or disability of
Mayor.
Section 505. Powers Vested in City Council
All .powers of the City shall be vested in the City Council except as othewise
provided in this Charter.
CITY OF BERKELEY
(Printed from City's website January 2011)
Charter Section sections pertaining to elective officers and to Elected Mayor's Powers:
Section 8. The elective officers.
The elective officers of the City shall be a Mayor, an Auditor, eight (8) Councilmembers,
five (5) School Directors and nine (9) Rent Board Commissioners.
The Council shall consist of the Mayor and eight (8) Councilmembers, each of whom,
including the Mayor, shall have the right to vote on all questions coming before the
Council.
The Board of Education shall consist of five (5) School Directors, each of whom shall
have the right to vote on all questions coming before the Board; provided, however, that
the Mayor shall serve as a School Director with the right to vote on all questions coming
before the Board for the four (4) year term commencing July 1, 1951.
Section 9. Election.
The Mayor, Auditor and School Directors shall be elected at the general municipal
election on a general ticket from the City at large.
The Councilmembers shall be elected at the general municipal election by districts. The
Councilmembers shall be recalled by districts.
The City is hereby divided into eight Council districts as hereinafter set forth, and,
commencing with the general municipal election in November, 1986 and continuing
thereafter until new districts are established as hereinafter set forth, such districts shall
be used for the election and recall of Councilmembers and for filling any vacancy in the
office of Councilmember by appointment. If and when new districts are established, as
hereinafter provided, such new districts shall be used for the aforesaid purposes;
provided, however, that no change in the boundary or location of any district by
redistricting as herein provided shall operate to abolish or terminate the term of office of
any Councilmember for which such Councilmember was elected or appointed. The eight
Council districts, as established herein, shall be bounded and described as follows:
ARTICLE VI.
THE MAYOR
Section 21. The Mayor's powers.
The Mayor shall be the chairman of the Council, and shall preside at the meetings of the
Council and perform such other duties consistent with his or her office as may be
imposed by the Council. He or she shall be entitled to a vote on all matters coming
before the Council, but shall possess no veto power. He or she shall be recognized as
the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes, by the courts for the purposes of
serving civil processes, and by the Governor for military purpose. He or she may use
the title of Mayor in any case in which the execution of contracts or other legal
instruments in writing, or other necessity arising from the generai laws of this State, may
so require; but this shall not be construed as conferring upon him or her administrative
or judicial functions or other powers or functions of a Mayor, under the general laws of
the State. The powers and duties of the Mayor shall be such as are conferred upon him
or her by this amendment, together with such others as may be conferred by the
Council in the pursuance of the provisions of this amendment, and no others.
Section 22. Mayor pro tempore.
During the temporary absence or disability of the Mayor, the Vice-President of the
Council shall act as Mayor pro tempore. In case of the temporary absence or disability
of both the Mayor and Vice-President the Council shall elect one of its members to be
Mayor pro tempore. In case of vacancy in the office of Mayor, the Vice-President of the
Council shall act as Mayor until such vacancy can be filled as provided in this Charter.
e~-~~ a~ ~~~wa®~
ARTICLE 7IX
Mayor
Section 15 The Mayor of the city shall be the chief executive of
said city, and as such shall sign all contracts on behalf of the
city, countersign all warrants, and perform such other duties as may
from time to time be assigned to him by the council. In all other
respects he shall perform the same. duties and have the same rights as
any other member of the council.
ARTICLE XXI
Water Works Superintendent
Repealed
Election fi-3-80
ARTICLE 7OLII
Fire Fighting, EMS services, and Hazardous Materials
Section l: Responsibility for providing fire protection, EMS
services, and protection from hazardous materials in the City of
Englewood is hereby transferred from the Inglewood Fire Department to
the Los Angeles County Fire Department subject to the provisions of
this section,
Section ~: The Inglewood City Council shall take all necessary
steps to carry out the provisions of subsection 1. .All actions taken
by the Inglewood City Council shall be in the manner authorized by
California Government Code Section 56848.3.
Section 3s The transfer of fire fighting and EMS services from
the Inglewood Fire Department to the Los Angeles County Fire
Department shall take place on the effective date of annexation as
determined by the Board of Supervisors in coordination with the Los
Angeles County Fire Department and the City of Inglewood.
Section 4: At the conclusion of a
the transfer of fire fighting and EMS
Fire Department to the Los Angeles
Inglewood City Council shall undertake
performance of fire fighting and EMS
review shall examine kha cost savings t
have occurred.
twelve-month period following
services from the Inglewood
County Fire Department the
a review with respect to the
services. In addition, the
a the City of Inglewood which
Section 5: The savings realized as a result of the transfer of
fire fighter and EitiIS service from the Inglewood Fire Department to
the Los Angles County Fire Department shall be allocated 'for the
hiring of additional police officers,
Amended by election November 3, 2998
38
same postponed and adjourned to a stated day and hour, and must
thereupon give the mayor and each of the councilmen written notice of
the date and time to which the meeting has been adjourned, which
notice--may be deliv"ered personally to such mayor or councilman, or
may be left at his known residence or place of business at least six
hours before the time to which the meeting has been postponed.
Section 2: The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the
council. and in case of his absence the council may appoint a mayor
pro tempore and in. case of the absence of the city clerk, any deputy
or assistant city clerk may act as clerk, and in the absence of the
said clerk or any of his deputies or assistants, the. mayor or mayor
pro tempore shall appoint one of the members of the council clerk pro
tempore.
Section 3: The council shall be judge of the election and
qualification of its members and of all election returns, and of the
election and qualification of all elective officers, and shall hear
and determine all contested elections of elective officers.
Section 4a The council may establish rules and regulations for
the conduct of its proceedings and punish any member or other person
for disorderly behavior or offensive conduct at any meeting, and may
exclude any such other person from the meeting.
section 5: The council shall cause the clerk to keep a correct
record or journal of all their proceedings and on request of the
mayor or any councilman, the ayes and noes shall be taken on any
question and entered on such record or journal. .
section 6: Said council shall hold regular meetings at least
once in each week, at such times as shall be fixed by it by
ordinance, and may adjourn any such regular meeting to a time
certain, which shall be specified in the order of adjourned,. and when
so adjourned, such adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting for
all purposes.
sectiea 7: Special meetings. of the council may be called at any
time by the mayor or by three councilmen by written notice delivered
to the mayor and each member of the wuncil at least three hours
before the time specified for the proposed meeting, which notice may
be delivered personally to the mayor or councilman, or may be left at
his known residence or place of business.
section 8: A11 meetings of the council shall be public, and
shall be held within the corporate limits of said city, at such place
as may he designated by ordinance.
26
Section 9: Said council shall have power to compel the
attendance before it witnesses and .the production of papers,
documents, books and records in any matter under investigation. by it.
Section 10z The council, sub3ect to the express limitations of
this charter, shall be the governing body of said city, and all
legislative powers of said city, and all powers in this charter
granted to and vested in said city of Inglewood, shall be vested in
and exercised by the council; provided, that there is hereby reserved
to the people of said city the right of initiative, referendum and
recall as hereinafter grovided for this charter.
Section iiz The council may take official action only by the
passage or adogtion of ordinances, resolutions or motions, as may be
prescribed by the constitution or laws of the state of California,
and the provisions of this charter; provided that any action of said
council fixing or prescribing a fine, punishment or penalty, or
granting any franchise, shall be taken by ordinance. In the absence
of any express provisions to the contrary in said constitution, laws
or charter, said council may choose any of the foregoing three
methods for taking such action.
Section 12s To enforce all ordinances, rules and regulations
made by it in .respect to the municipal affairs of the city of
Inglewood, and to do and perform any and all other acts and things
which maybe necessary and proper or convenient and proper to carry
out the powers and purposes of the city of Inglewood.
Section 13z To acquire, provide and maintain at the cast and
expense of said city and all materials, supplies, apparatus,
furnishings, furniture and equipment necessary, convenient, proper,
or desirable in order to establish, equip, furnish, provide for and
maintain any and all municipal offices and departments.
Section 14: In addition to any other duties which the Mayor and
City Council are or may be required to perform .they shall also be
responsible far following: supervising contract employees,
attending meetings, necessary travel, oversight on policy
development, groviding constituent services and serving as the City's
Parking Authority, Housing Authority, Public Financing Authority and
Redevelopment Agency.
Added by election November 5, 1996
27
~cJOe,~oo~ C.i~ C-i~c,~r
same postponed and adjourned to a stated day and hour, and must
thereupon give the mayor and each of the councilmen written notice of
the date and time to which the meeting has been adjourned,-which
notice may be deliv"ered personally to such mayor or councilman, or
may be left at his known residence or place of business at least six
hours before the time to which the meeting has been postponed.
Section 2: The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the
council and in case of his absence the council may appoint a mayor
pro tempore and in case of the absence of the city clerk, any deputy
or assistant city clerk may act as clerk, and in the absence of the
said clerk or any of his deputies or assistants, the mayor or mayor
pro tempore shall appoint one of the members of .the council clerk pro
tempore.
Section 3: The council shall be judge of the election and
qualification of its members and of all election returns, and of the
election and qualification of all elective officers, and shall hear
and determine all contested elections of elective officers.
Section 4: The council may establish rules and regulations for
the conduct of its proceedings and punish any member or other person
for disorderly behavior or offensive conduct at any meeting, and may
exclude any such other person from the meeting.
Section 5: The council shall cause the clerk to keep a correct
record or journal of all their proceedings and on request of the
mayor or any councilman, the ayes and noes shall be taken on any
question and entered on such record or journal.
Section 6: Said council shall hold regular meetings at least
once in each week, at such times as shall be fixed by it by
ordinance, and may adjourn any such regular meeting to a time
certain, which shall be specified in the order of adjourned, and when
so adjourned, such adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting far
all purposes.
Section 7: Special meetings of the council may be called at any
time by the mayor or by three councilmen by written notice delivered
to the mayor and each member of the council at least three hours
before the time specified for the proposed meeting, which notice may
be delivered personally to the mayor or councilman, or may be left at
his known residence or place of business.
Section S: All meetings of the council shall be public, and
shall be held within the corporate limits of said city, at such place
as may be designated by ordinance.
26
CITY OF PASADENA
2.05.010 -Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the "City Council's organization ordinance."
2.05.020 -Powers.
All powers of the city shall be vested in the city council subject to the
provisions of the Charter and to the Constitution of the state. The city council is
empowered to carry into effect the provisions of the Charter, to execute the powers
vested in the city, and to perform all duties and obligations imposed upon the city
by state law.
2.05.030 -Officers elected.
There shall be a mayor and vice mayor of the city council elected as provided
in Section 406 of the Charter.
2.05.040 -Mayor.
The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the city council and shall act as
chief executive of the city in performing all acts required to be performed by the
chief executive of the city under the terms of general laws of the state. The mayor
shall be recognized as the official head of the city for all ceremonial purposes, by
the courts for the purpose of serving civil process, and by the Governor of the state
for military purposes.
2.05.050 -Vice mayor.
The vice mayor, in the absence of the mayor or his inability to act, shall.
exercise the powers and perform the duties of the mayor.
Section 401. -NUMBER AND TERM.
There shall be a City Council consisting of a Mayor and seven
Councilmembers. The seven Councilmembers shall be nominated and elected by
district as provided in this Charter. The term of office of the Mayor or
Councilmembers shall be four years, beginning at 12 o'clock noon on the first
Monday in May next following their election and until their respective successors
are elected and qualify.
Section 406. -THE MAYOR.
The Mayor shall be nominated and elected by the voters of the City at large
for a term of four years beginning with the municipal elections to be conducted in
1999. The Mayor shall be a voting member of the City Council and shall preside at
meetings of the City Council. The Mayor shall act as chief executive of the City in
performing all acts required to be performed under the laws of the State of
California and this Charter. The Mayor shall be recognized as the official head of
the City for all ceremonial purposes, by the Courts for the purpose of serving civil
process and by the Governor of the State for military purposes. The Mayor shall
have a voice and vote in all proceedings of the City Council and shall perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or as may be imposed by the
City Council consistent with his or her office.
Section 407. -THE VICE MAYOR.
At its organizational meeting, the City Council shall elect from among the
Councilmembers a Vice Mayor who shall exercise the powers and perform the
duties of the Mayor during the tatter's absence or disability.
Section 408. -POWERS VESTED IN THE CITY COUNCIL.
All powers of the City shall be vested in the City Council subject to the
provisions of this Charter and to the Constitution of the State of California. The City
Council is empowered to carry into effect the provisions of this Charter, to execute
the powers vested in the City, and to perform all duties and obligations imposed
upon the City by State law.
CITY OF TORRANCE
SECTION 600. -ELECTIVE OFFICERS.
The elective officers of the City shall be the Mayor, six members of the City
Council, five members of the Board of Education, the City Clerk and the City
Treasurer. No person shall be a candidate for more than one of said offices at any
municipal election.
SECTION 602. -TERMS.
a) The elective officers of the City shall be elected from the City at large
and, except members of the Board of Education, shall hold office for a term of four
(4) years from and after the Tuesday next succeeding the date of such election
and until their successors are elected and qualified.
b) No person shall be elected as Mayor for more than two (2) consecutive
full terms; provided, however, that such person may be successively elected to
additional terms as Mayor in full compliance with this subsection where the first of
such two (2) full terms succeeds the term of another person.
c) Any person elected as a member of the City Council for two (2)
consecutive full terms shall not be eligible to hold office as a member. of the City
Council. until a period of four (4) years has elapsed from the expiration of the
second consecutive term. Appointment or election to an unexpired term shall not
count in determining a .person's eligibility under this section. Terms completed prior
to this provision taking effect, shall not be counted in determining a person's
eligibility under this section. Terms which are in progress at the time this provisions
goes into effect, shall count as the first term of the two (2) term limit.
SECTION 610. -THE MAYOR.
The Mayor shall preside at the meetings of the City Council, and in case of
his absence or inability to act, the City Council shall appoint a Mayor Pro Tempore,
who shall serve only until such time as the Mayor returns and is able to act, and for
such period shall have all the powers and duties of the Mayor. The Mayor shall be
a member of the City Council for all purposes and shall have all the rights, powers
and duties of a member of the City Council in addition to those powers and duties
conferred upon him by virtue of his office as Mayor. Unless otherwise expressly
provided to the contrary, any provision in this Charter which relates to the City
Council or to members of the City Council shall be interpreted to include the Mayor
as a member of the City Council. The Mayor shall sign all warrants drawn on the
City Treasury, and shall sign all written contracts required by ordinance to be
approved by the City Council and all conveyances made up or entered into by said
City. The Mayor shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, to take
affidavits and to testify the same under his hand. The Mayor is authorized to
acknowledge the execution of all instruments executed by said City that are
required to be acknowledged.
Mayor appointed by Council Mayor Elected by Voters
No formal process (i.e.
seniority, highest vote
getter, etc) Has appt process Mayor is member of
Council -
Ceremonial/Chairs
mtgs/appts B&Cs Mayor is member of
Council & has
Additional Duties Not one of regular
Council members
Diamond Bart
Emeryville1
Hanford3
Hollister3
Montebello)
Reedley1
San Juan Capistrano)
Solano Beach)
Thousand Oaks3
Ukiah2
Westlake Village1
Town of Woodside)
Wildomar1
Agoura Hills3
Carpenteria3
Rancho Cordovab
.,. ~.. ~s
1 Historically by rotation, but not required
z Historically by seniority and coordination with election schedule, but not required
a Historically Vice Mayor moves into Mayor's seat, but not required
° Follows a sequence based on election date and order of finish within each election
s Mayor serves 1-year term with .rotation so that everyone serves as Mayor every 5 years
e Based on seniority or rotation
'Based on highest number of votes, Mayor serves 9.5 months so guaranteed to become Mayor once during the 4 year term.
a 2 year term
e Has additional duties (vetoes, etc.)
Santa Monica City Clerk's Office -February 13, 2011
Mayor appointed by Council Mayor Elected by Voters
No formal process (i.e.
seniority, highest vote
getter, etc) Has appt process Mayor is member of
Council -
Ceremonial/Chairs
mtgs/appts B&Cs Mayor is member of
Council & has
Additional Duties Not one of regular
Council members
Arcata Beverly Hills4 American Canyon Redondo Beach Fresno9
Cupertino Brawley Antioch San Leandro Berkeley
Placerville Burlingame Benicia
Belmont Calexico° Cathedral City
Ventura Chino Hillss Dublin
Big Bear Lake Del Mar Grover
Burbank Downey Lancaster
Clovis Huntington Beachb Lathrop
Costa Mesa Los Altos6 Lawndale
Fort Bragg Manhattan Beach' Milpitas
Lake Forest Oakley6 Monrovia
Lakeport Palm Desert6 Monterey$
Lemoore Palos Verdes Estates6 National City
Loma Linda Culver City6 Oceanside
Lynwood San Bruno
Mt Shasta San Dimas
Murrieta Santa Maria
Town of Paradise San Ramon
Red Bluff Solvang$
Signal Hill Torrance
Sunnyvale Vacaville
Anderson Vista
Calipatria Westminster
Colmar Irvine
Dana Point1
Santa Monica City Clerk's Office -February 13, 2011