Report to Mayor and City Council
Thursday, March 04, 2021
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF CITY GOVERNANCE POLICIES RELATED TO DISTRICT-ELECTION CITIES
Body
I. SUMMARY
The City of Carson retained Jerome Horton as a consultant to identify governance policy areas impacted by the City’s transition from an at-large election to district election city. In part, Mr. Horton will advise the City Council on best district governance practices utilized by different government bodies, including Federal, State, and local government entities. His scope is to identify core values for governing within the district form of government, core values for working with community-based organizations, outreach and education policies and activities, a process for identifying concerns of interested parties and developing resolutions, protocols for handling constituent services, conflict resolution and problem solving, community engagement processes, definitions of District Events versus City Events, and budget and capital improvement policies.
In connection with the above, a Governance Operations Model (“Model”) for the City will be presented for consideration by the Mayor and City Council for ultimate adoption. The Model will include principles, protocols, core values and policies, designed to guide both individual district and citywide governance in the City. Initially, and for purposes of this staff report, a draft Model is being proposed so that the City Council may consider it and provide feedback and further direction and suggestions for modifications.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
PROVIDE guidance and direction regarding the various governance policies related to district-election cities.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
None
IV. BACKGROUND
A Governance Operations Model (“Model”) for the City will be presented for consideration by the Mayor and City Council for ultimate adoption. The Model will include principles, protocols, core values and policies, designed to guide both individual district and citywide governance in the City. Initially, and for purposes of this staff report, a draft Model is being proposed so that the City Council may consider it and provide feedback and further direction and suggestions for modifications.
Very brief descriptions of the proposed policies that are to comprise the Model are provided below:
Governance Policy:
This concerns suggestions to address issues associated with transitioning from citywide governance to district governance as they relate to the creation of two groups of constituents, "Citywide Constituents" and "District Constituents." Now, there is more of a need to tailor the City’s attention to its individualized districts in addition to continuing to consider citywide issues.
Community Boards, Commissions and Committees:
As the City transitions to a district form of government, there will be greater demand for community representation at the district level to ensure that each district's voice is represented in the City's governance.
Standing and Ad Hoc Subcommittees
For both citywide and district governance, Subcommittees help the Mayor and City Council establish leadership, continuity, oversight, accountability, and transparency. Participation on Subcommittees also provides an opportunity for City Council members in a district form of government to participate in developing, analyzing and implementing citywide public policy.
City Council Initiatives:
As the City transitions to a district form of government, the City Council may want to consider modifying its current agenda setting ordinance to make it more relevant for a district form of government.
Citywide and District Events:
As the City transitions to a district form of government, the Mayor and City Council may want to consider what is best suited for district events versus citywide events. Mr. Horton believes that most all City events will end up being citywide events.
General Core Values:
The purpose of these General City Council District Core Values is to facilitate discussions with the Mayor and Carson City Council on how they will govern themselves as District/Citywide representatives, keeping in mind the desired result that no district should go unrepresented and every resident of the City should have representation on the City Council at all times.
City Council’s guidance, thoughts, direction, and suggestions for modifications to the policies discussed above are requested for incorporation into and further development of the Model. Finally, it should be underscored that the foregoing described policies are still subject to review and analysis of any legal issues that may be presented by them.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this item. Staff will present items for future City Council review and approval that may arise from this discussion as appropriate.
VI. EXHIBITS
None
Prepared by: Sharon Landers, City Manager; Robert Lee, Assistant City Attorney; and Michael George, Assistant to the City Manager