TITLE
Recommendation to request Mayor to convene the Charter Amendment Committee of the City Council within 30 days to discuss placing a charter amendment before the voters to establish a City Ethics Commission, and to establish a Citizen Redistricting Commission, in order to promote good governance and ensure public confidence in Long Beach city government, and request City Clerk and City Attorney to develop framework options for the Committee to consider.
DISCUSSION
This is an important time in the public discourse to ensure that there is confidence in our government institutions. From the national to local governments, there has been an erosion of trust and confidence.
Nearly every major city in California has previously taken steps to provide additional accountability for their elected officials. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley and Oakland all have established Ethics Commissions to review matters ranging from conflict of interest to campaign finance. These commissions enhance the public trust in the ethics enforcement process by assigning these responsibilities to a quasi-independent entity.
Furthermore, many local governments are following the lead established by the State of California in 2008 to establish an independent commission to determine the district boundaries for legislators. This further helps restore confidence in governance, and that the representatives are being chosen by the voters, rather than the representatives choosing their voters.
The City Council, as the Charter Amendment Committee, can review the different frameworks and models for these good government practices, and provide an opportunity for the voters of Long Beach to have a say in establishing these additional tools for public trust.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is not a significant fiscal impact with this recommendation, and the costs for proceeding with charter amendment measures will be determined.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Re...
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