4,362 / 73.2% Yes votes ...... 1,593 / 26.8% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

In accordance with the California Constitution voters may enact a City Charter to govern their city government. Redwood City voters first enacted a City Charter in 1929. There have been eleven amendments to various sections of the Charter. The last amendment took place in 1987.

In California a city is either a general law or a charter city. A charter city is regulated by State law in matters of statewide significance and acts under its Charter authority with respect to matters of local significance. The vast majority of cities in California are general law cities.

The Charter amendments before the voters at this November 4, 2003 election modernize and update the current Charter. The proposed amendments conforms the Redwood City Charter to current law, changes improper references and makes some substantive modifications.

The amendments do not change the structure of the Redwood City government. It remains a council-manager form of government with seven elected council members, a city manager, city clerk and city attorney appointed by the city council, department employees appointed by the city manager and department heads, and citizen boards advising the city council.

The proposed amendments include the following:

• Section 17 would be amended to replace reference to the Director of Public Works with the Planning Director serving as a non-voting advisory member of the Planning Commission.

• Section 67 would be amended to raise the dollar amounts that cause formal and informal public bidding requirements for public works construction contracts to correspond with modern construction costs.

• Section 88 would be repealed and similar to other public entities, the city would comply with State law (the California Tort Claims Act) in the processing of claims for money or damages brought against the City.

• Section 90, requiring annual award of contracts for publishing official city advertising by competitive bid to newspapers of general circulation in the city would be repealed.

• Section 27 would be amended to prohibit city board and commission members from unduly influencing or intervening in the duties and responsibilities of city officers, department directors and the city manager.

• Section 65 would be amended to extend the payment period for city bonds from twenty (20) years to thirty-five (35) years.

If you desire a copy of the measure, please call the city clerk's office at (650) 780-7220 and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

Compiled by the City of Redwood

Vote YES on Measure "G" to make necessary updates to Redwood City's Charter.

Redwood City's Charter was enacted in 1929 and was last amended 16 years ago. A number of sections in the Charter are in serious need of being brought up to date. Measure "G" will make these necessary updates, to bring the Charter into the 21st century.

Section 17 should be corrected to identify the appropriate department director who staffs the Planning Commission, and who is prohibited from voting during Planning Commission meetings.

Section 27 should be revised to make certain that City department directors are held accountable for the management of City departments.

The change will apply the same rules governing City Councilmembers to all City board and commission members. It will prohibit appointed City board and commission members from intervening in the day-to-day administrative business of City departments.

Section 65 should be changed to provide for a 35-year payment period for City bonds, in order for the City to effectively issue and sell its bonds in today's marketplace. The current law, enacted in 1929, provides a 20 year pay back period, which is out of step with today's bond market.

Section 67 should be revised to provide for a more efficient process for construction project bidding. By reducing bidders' costs and increasing their interest in City projects, the City will benefit by receiving more competitively priced bids.

Section 88, enacted in 1929 and unchanged since then, describes a process for filing money claims against the City and should be repealed as it is now contrary to newer California law which effectively addresses this issue.

Section 90, requiring the City Clerk to seek bids each year for the City's official advertising, is overly cumbersome and out of step with all other cities in San Mateo County and should be repealed.

Please join with the City Council and VOTE YES on Measure "G".

/s/ Richard S. Claire August 14, 2003 Mayor

/s/ Jeff Ira August 15, 2003 Vice-Mayor