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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3 Let Dublin Decide Revision Ballot Questionor 19 82 /ii � 111 DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL August 5, 2014 Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Christopher L. Foss, City Manager " Revision to "Let Dublin Decide" Ballot Question Prepared by Caroline P. Soto, City Clerk/Records Manager EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: CITY CLERK File #630 -30 On July 29, 2014, the City Council adopted a resolution revising the ballot question language for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" to more accurately describe the impact of the measure on existing law. The approved ballot question exceeded the 75 -word limit set forth in the Elections Code. The City Council will be asked to approve an alternative version of the question that satisfies the requirements of the Elections Code. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a Resolution Revising the Ballot Question for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative." "Reviewed By Assistant City Manager DESCRIPTION: On July 29, 2014, the City Council adopted a resolution revising the ballot question language for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" to more accurately describe the impact of the measure on existing law. The adopted language read as follows: "Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) directs the City to pursue annexation of an area, commonly known as Doolan Canyon, located beyond the City's adopted urban limit line and immediately east of the current city limits and consisting of approximately 1,650 acres of primarily agricultural and open space lands; and (b) would allow the City Council to approve future development in that area without further voter approval, but only after it approves a comprehensive plan incorporating specified development restrictions ?" Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. 3. The ballot question exceeded the 75 -word limit set forth in the Elections Code. The City Council is being asked to approve an alternative version of the question that satisfies the requirements of the Elections Code. The editorial changes do not change the meaning of the question. The proposed language reads as follows: "Shall an ordinance be adopted that directs the City to pursue annexation of an area, called Doolan Canyon, beyond the City's adopted urban limit line and immediately east of the current city limits and consisting of approximately 1,650 acres of primarily agricultural and open space lands; and would allow the City Council to approve future development in that area without further voter approval, but only after it approves a comprehensive plan incorporating specified development restrictions ?" NOTICING REQUIREMENTS /PUBLIC OUTREACH: 1101 ATTACHMENTS: 1. Proposed Resolution of the City Council of the City of Dublin Revising the Ballot Question for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" Page 2 of 2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN * * * * * * * * * ** REVISING THE BALLOT QUESTION FOR THE "LET DUBLIN DECIDE INITIATIVE" WHEREAS, on June 3, 2014, the City Council considered two competing citizen initiatives that would amend the City's General Plan, the "Dublin Open Space Initiative of 2014" and the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative," and WHEREAS, as it is authorized to do under the Elections Code, the City Council adopted the "Dublin Open Space Initiative of 2014" at that meeting, and WHEREAS, the City Council placed the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" on the ballot by adopting Resolution No. 88 -14, which included the following proposed ballot question: "Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) specifies that Dublin should decide what happens to approximately 1,650 acres east of the city limits; (b) that establishes an urban limit line at the boundary of such area; (c) that limits development in the area unless the City Council approves a comprehensive plan incorporating significant development restrictions; and (d) extends existing restrictions on development to the west of the city limits beyond their November 7, 2030 expiration ?," and WHEREAS, based on the adoption of the "Dublin Open Space Initiative," which amended the City's General Plan to restrict development in the area referenced in the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative," Mayor Sbranti and Councilmember Gupta believed that the previously adopted ballot question describing the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" should be amended to reflect the current state of the General Plan, and WHEREAS, at the City Council's July 15, 2014 meeting the City Council considered a proposed revised ballot question and expressed concern that additional revisions to the ballot question were necessary to accurately describe the impact of the measure on existing law and directed staff to provide alternative language for consideration; and WHEREAS, at the City Council's July 29, 2014 meeting the City Council considered a proposed revised ballot question and adopted Resolution No. 132 -14 which amended the ballot question to read as follows: "Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) directs the City to pursue annexation of an area, commonly known as Doolan Canyon, located beyond the City's adopted urban limit line and immediately east of the current city limits and consisting of approximately 1,650 acres of primarily agricultural and open space lands; and (b) would allow the City Council to approve future development in that area without further voter approval, but only after it approves a comprehensive plan incorporating specified development restrictions ? ", and WHEREAS, the approved ballot question exceeded the 75 -word limit set forth in the Elections Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to revise the ballot question to comply with the Elections Code without changing the meaning of the question. Reso No. XX -14, Adopted 8/5/14, Item No. 3 Page 1 of 2 NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The ballot question describing the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" is amended to read in its entirety as follows: "Shall an ordinance be adopted that directs the City to pursue annexation of an area, called Doolan Canyon, beyond the City's adopted urban limit line and immediately east of the current city limits and consisting of approximately 1,650 acres of primarily agricultural and open space lands; and would allow the City Council to approve future development in that area without further voter approval, but only after it approves a comprehensive plan incorporating specified development restrictions ?" SECTION 2. The City Clerk is directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution with the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County and the Alameda County Elections Department on or before August 8, 2014 at 5 :00 p.m. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of August 2014, by the following vote: AYES- NOES- ABSENT- ABSTAIN- ATTEST- City Clerk Reso No. XX -14, Adopted 8/5/14, Item No. 3 Page 2 of 2 Mayor