Title
Discuss Committee Requirements and Goals
Summary
On October 10, 2018, the City of Fort Bragg entered into a settlement agreement with Jacob Patterson and the Coast Committee for Responsive Representation in response to their allegations that the City violated the California Voting Rights Act. One of the requirements under the agreement was for the City to establish an election process evaluation committee. The agreement states in pertinent part:
Establishment of Election Process Evaluation Committee. The City Council will establish a committee, supported by City staff, which will be comprised of no more than two (2) members of the City Council and at least three (3) members of the public appointed by the Mayor or City Council. The purpose of the committee is to research and evaluate electoral systems, including options available to general law cities and charter cities, that may better encourage, support, and facilitate the participation of all members of the community. The committee would also be tasked with evaluating other charter city opportunities and limitations. A goal of the committee shall be to make a recommendation to the full City Council on a preferred electoral system. A second goal of the committee shall be to make a recommendation to the full City Council on the benefits and limitations of a charter city and, if recommended, to suggest a draft charter city ordinance before the deadlines then applicable for the City to place a measure on the ballot for potential voter approval for the November 2020 City Council election.
On January 14, 2019, the City Council appointed an advisory committee to carry out the election system evaluation as outlined in the settlement agreement.