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Agenda Item
5 24-0543 Subject: Proposed Ballot Measure To Modernize And Strengthen Ethics Oversight In
The City Of Oakland
From: President Pro Tempore Kalb
Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution On The City Council's Own Motion Submitting To The Voters For The November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election A Measure That Would Amend City Charter Sections 603, 401 And 403, And Oakland Municipal Code Chapters 2.24 And 3.20 To, Among Other Things: (1) Revise The Qualifications And Restrictions On Eligibility To Serve As A Commissioner On The Public Ethics Commission (Commission); (2) Establish That Members Of The Commission May Serve In Holdover Status For A Period Of One Year; (3) Specify The Vote Threshold For Action By The Commission; (4) Revise The Removal Procedures For Members Of The Commission; (5) Add Additional Minimum Staffing Requirements For The Commission And Limit The Ability Of The City To Reduce Staffing Based On Fiscal Necessity; (6) Provide The Executive Director The Ability, At Their Discretion, To Choose Conflict Counsel If The City Attorney Determines A Conflict Of Interest Exists In The City Attorney's Representation Of The Commission; 2 (7) Require The City Council Or A Council Committee To Consider All Proposals From The Commission Regarding Amendments To Any Law The Commission Enforces Or Administers; (8) Amend The City Attorney And City Auditor Salary Review Schedule To Allow The Commission To Set The Salary Every Two Years; (9) Amend The Lobbyist Registration Act To Restrict Local Governmental Lobbyists From Making Any Payment Or Incurring Any Expense That Directly Benefits An Elected City Officeholder, Candidate Or Member Of Their Immediate Family In Which The Cumulative Value Exceeds Fifty Dollars ($50) In A Calendar Year; And Directing The City Clerk To Fix The Date For Submission Of Arguments And Provide For Notice And Publication, And To Take Any And All Other Actions Necessary Under Law To Prepare For And Conduct The November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election
While this measure does not generate any money for the City budget, it is still an important measure to further public trust in government. The Public Ethics Commission has a two part purpose. The first is to investigate and prosecute violations of Oakland ethics rules. The second is to promote engagement in Oakland government, in general through the Fair Elections Act, and directly through the Democracy Dollars program.
The proposal before you will upgrade procedures regarding appointment and retention of commissioners to prevailing professional standards. This will ensure that we can continue to recruit and retain qualified and engaged commissioners. The proposal will also ensure that we can continue to engage the wider Oakland community in city government by implementing the Democracy Dollars program. Both goals are important in the process of building public engagement and trust.
Please support this measure, and help us build a stronger Oakland City.
While this measure does not generate any money for the City budget, it is still an important measure to further public trust in government. The Public Ethics Commission has a two part purpose. The first is to investigate and prosecute violations of Oakland ethics rules. The second is to promote engagement in Oakland government, in general through the Fair Elections Act, and directly through the Democracy Dollars program.
The proposal before you will upgrade procedures regarding appointment and retention of commissioners to prevailing professional standards. This will ensure that we can continue to recruit and retain qualified and engaged commissioners. The proposal will also ensure that we can continue to engage the wider Oakland community in city government by implementing the Democracy Dollars program. Both goals are important in the process of building public engagement and trust.
Please support this measure, and help us build a stronger Oakland City.