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The home rule provision in the California Con‐
stitution allows cities to adopt a charter that
replaces state laws in areas related to munici‐
pal affairs.
Home rule is based on the principle that the
residents of a city, rather than the state legis‐
lature, knows the needs of the City and its
residents and how to satisfy those needs. Be‐
coming a charter city lets voters determine
how their city government is organized and,
with respect to municipal affairs, pass laws
different than those passed by the state.
At the September 7, 2010 City Council Meet‐
ing, after considering and incorporating sug‐
gestions from City residents, the Council ap‐
proved the language for the proposed Char‐ General Law
ter. The ballot measure regarding the Charter
has been placed on the ballot for the March 8,
2011 election. Questions?
vs.
For more information regarding general law
Contact:
City Manager’s Office Charter City
vs. charter city forms of government visit 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
www.palosverdes.com/rpv
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Phone: (310)544‐5204
Fax: (310)544‐5291
Email: citymanager@rpv.com VOTE
MARCH 8, 2011
Adopting a Charter What is a Charter ? Advantages of a City Charter
The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council adopted A city charter is a unique document that, in • Eliminates requirements to award public
a 2010 Tactical Goal to Consider adopting a many ways, acts like a constitution for the city. works contracts to the lowest bidder. Con‐
City Charter. On June 29, 2010, a presentation It can only be adopted, amended or repealed by tracts can be awarded to the most qualified
was made to the Council describing the bene‐ a majority vote of a city’s voters. bidder.
fits and detriments of becoming a Charter • May use City employees to construct public
City. On July 6, 2010, the City Council unani‐ A charter transfers the power to adopt legisla‐ improvements.
mously decided to move forward with the tion affecting municipal affairs from the state • Eliminates prevailing wage requirement for
process of drafting a charter. On September legislature to the city. A city operating under a projects that do not receive federal or state
7, 2010, the City Council approved the City charter can acquire full control over its munici‐ funding.
Charter language to propose to the City’s vot‐ pal affairs. • Ordinances and city codes may be adopted
ers for adoption at the March 8, 2011 election. in a shorter time frame.
Areas of statewide concern, which cannot be • May establish its own election procedures
The City Council also appointed a Charter City superseded by a city charter, include traffic such as the option of voting by mail on cer‐
Committee to facilitate a public outreach pro‐ laws, affordable housing obligations, the Califor‐ tain matters.
gram to educate and create a clear under‐ nia Environmental Quality Act, and the Ralph M.
standing of the issues surrounding General Brown Act, which is the State open meeting law.
Law Cities vs. Charter Cities. The Committee is Disadvantages of a City Charter
comprised of the following residents:
Municipal Affairs • Costs of conducting Charter election.
Thomas D. Long, Mayor • The transition period of moving from a
Stefan Wolowicz, Council Member A city charter gives residents more control over General Law City to a Charter City.
Jon Cartwright, Committee Member their local government and the municipal affairs • There is some uncertainty regarding which
Dave Emenhiser, Committee Member of the city. Examples of municipal affairs are: municipal affairs will continue to be gov‐
Bill James, Committee Member erned by a city’s charter. Municipal affairs
Anthony Self, Committee Member • Methods and procedures for awarding and may erode over time due to state legisla‐
Paul Tetreault, Committee Member constructing public projects. tion and subsequent judicial decisions.
John Cruikshank, Committee Member • Procedures for enacting local ordinances. • Because amendments to a charter require
Bill Gerstner, Committee Member • Municipal election matters. a majority vote of the City’s voters at an
Jeffrey Lewis, Committee Member • Land use and zoning decisions. election, changes to the Charter will take
Ann Shaw, Committee Member • In most cases, how the city spends its tax longer than amendments to the City’s Mu‐
Willie Wang, Committee Member dollars. nicipal Code, and they will be more costly.
To contact the Charter City Committee, email
chartercity@rpv.com.