HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-03 - AGENDA REPORTS - DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Man
Item to be presented by:
George Caravalho
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: September 3, 1996
SUBJECT: DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYOR
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
The City Council has requested that staff research the issue of a directly elected mayor and
present it for their discussion and consideration.
The powers of a directly elected mayor are identified in Government Code sections 34903,
36802, 40602, and 40605. These powers include: the mayor is a member of the city council
and has all the powers and duties of the city council; the mayor shall preside at the meetings
of the council, may make or second any motion and present and discuss any matter as a
member of the council; the mayor shall sign all warrants drawn on the city treasurer, all
written contracts and conveyances made or entered into by the city, and all instruments
requiring the city seal; the mayor, with the approval of the council, shall make all
appointments to boards, commissions, and committees unless otherwise specifically provided
by statute. A directly elected mayor does not however posses additional powers, unless these
additional powers are created through the charter city process, which could adopt powers not
granted under general law.
The majority of cities do not provide additional compensation for the mayor above that of the
Councils' salary. However, Government Code Section 36516.1 permits flexibility to determine
compensation for an elected mayor..
Advantages of having a directly elected mayor are:
• Citizens feel that they have a direct voice in the selection of mayor.
• Elected mayors feel increased accountability to the electorate and tend
to devote even more time to city and community issues.
• Potential to increase voter turnout.
Disadvantages of an elected mayor are:.
• Elected mayors sometimes feel that they have more powers than other
council members, potentially leading to conflicts between the mayor,
council members, and city manager.
• A mayoral candidate can be elected without any prior council,
commission or group leadership experience.
If the City Council would like to proceed action could be taken to place a measure on the
ballot. The measure must ask the voters, shall the City of Santa Clarita have a directly
elected mayor, shall the term of office for the Mayor be for two years, shall the office of Mayor
be for four years. If the measure passes, one of the council seats on the next ballot is
designated the mayor's seat and the post is filled by election.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council receive report and discuss.