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' ; STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK
CITY COUNCIL File # 630-30
DATE: July 29, 2014
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers ],
FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT: Revision to "Let Dublin Decide" Ballot Question
Prepared by Caroline P. Soto/City Clerk/Records Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On July 15, 2014, the City Council considered revised ballot question language for the "Let
Dublin Decide Initiative." Because the original ballot question was prepared before the "Open
Space Initiative" became law, Mayor Sbranti and Councilmember Gupta asked that the City
Council consider revising the previously adopted ballot question to reflect the current state of the
General Plan. After considering the amended language, the City Council directed staff to return
with additional revisions to the ballot question that better describe the impact of the measure on
existing law. Staff has provided new language for the City Council's consideration
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council either: (a) take no action, in which case the previously
approved ballot question will remain on the ballot, or (b) adopt the proposed Resolution
Revising the Ballot Question for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative."
61,d Y •'+.
Submitted By Reviewed By
City Clerk/Records Manager Assistant City Manager
DESCRIPTION:
On June 3, 2014, the City Council considered two competing citizens' initiatives that would
amend the City's General Plan, the "Dublin Open Space Initiative of 2014" and the "Let Dublin
Decide Initiative." 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 placed the "Let Dublin Decide
Initiative" on the ballot by adopting a resolution that included ballot question language.
Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. 7.1
Resolution No. 88-14, which placed the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" on the ballot, included the
following 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?"
Because the ballot question was prepared before the "Dublin Open Space Initiative" became
law, Mayor Sbranti and Councilmember Gupta asked that the City Council consider revising the
adopted ballot question for the "Let Dublin Decide Initiative" to reflect the current state of the
General Plan. On July 15, 2014, the City Council considered revised ballot question language
for the "Let Dublin Space Initiative." The language read as follows:
"Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) expands the Dublin eastern urban limit line
to encompass approximately 1,650 acres east of the city limits in an area commonly
known as Doolan Canyon; (b) directs the City to pursue annexation of the area; (c)
authorizes development in the area after the City Council approves a comprehensive
plan incorporating specified development restrictions; and (d) extends existing
restrictions on development to the west of the city limits beyond their November 7,
2030 expiration?"
City Council, however, felt that additional revisions to the ballot question were still necessary to
accurately describe the impact the measure would have on existing law and directed staff to
return with alternative language for the ballot question.
In an effort to more accurately describe the impact of the measure on existing law, Staff has
developed the following language for the City Council to consider:
"Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) directs the City to pursue annexation of an area
commonly known as Donlan Canyon located immediately east of the current city limits
that consists 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?"
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Resolution 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 17, 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.
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," as adopted by
Resolution No. 88-14, is amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"Shall an ordinance be adopted that (a) directs the City to pursue annexation of an area
commonly known as Doolan Canyon located immediately east of the current city limits
that consists 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?"
SECTION 2. The City Clerk is directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution,
amending and restating the ballot language set forth in Resolution 88-14, 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 29th day of July 2014, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk