Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-24-13 MinutesCITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ELECTION CAMPAIGN REGULATIONS COMMITTEE MINUTES Thursday, October 24, 2013 Finance and IT Conference Room, 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, California CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Election Campaign Regulation Committee was called to order on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 4:35 p.m. in the Finance and IT Conference Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Griffin. ROLL CALL Committee Members Present: Andrea Devitt, Wilda Rosene, Allen Settle, Bob Shanbrom, Vice Chair Allen Settle *, Chair Ty Griffin * Vice Chair Settle arrived at 4:36 p.m. Committee Member Absent: Jeri Carrol Staff Present: Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk, and Heather Goodwin, Deputy City Clerk 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES By unanimous consent, the committee approved of the minutes of the Election Campaign Regulation Committee Meeting of October 3, 2013. 2. PUBLIC COMMENT No members of the public were present. Minutes - Election Campaign Regulation Committee 3. DISCUSSION - PLAN OF ACTION FOR REVIEW 702 -05 Page 2 City Attorney Review of Supreme Court Case _(McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission) City Attorney Dietrick reviewed the contents of her memo regarding the Supreme Court Case McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission and responded to Committee inquiries. A hard copy of Ms. Dietrick's memo, dated October 23, 2013, is on file with the City Clerk. Inde1nendent Expenditure Committees /Political Action Committee City Attorney Dietrick explained that the City is precluded from establishing campaign limits against independent expenditure committees and political action committees; advised that the City's campaign regulations only apply to candidates and /or controlled committees; responded to Committee inquiries. During the course of discussion, the Committee reviewed the City's existing contribution limits, reporting requirements for independent expenditure committees and political action committees, and the distinctions between independent versus candidate controlled committees and campaign limits versus expenditure limits. It was agreed that the City is precluded from regulating independent expenditure committees and political action committees and no further discussion is necessary. Mandatory Closure of Campaign Accounts versus Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Requirements Chair Griffin noted that the committee received correspondence from Kevin Rice concerning items for the Committee's consideration; pointed out that Mr. Rice recommends rescinding the mandate to close bank accounts. A hard copy of Mr. Rice's letter, dated October 3, 2013, is on file with the City Clerk. Committee discussion ensued relative to the rationale for requiring the closure of campaign accounts, current Fair Political Practices Commission regulations related to campaign accounts, and impacts on treasurers, candidates, and City staff. By unanimous consent, the committee recommended the deletion of Municipal Code Section 2.40.050(C) and (D) relating to the closure of campaign accounts. City Supplemental Statement Requirement Chair Griffin advised that Kevin Rice's correspondence further recommends rescinding the supplemental city campaign statement requirement. Minutes - Election Campaign Regulation Committee 702 -05 Page 3 During the course of discussion, the Committee discussed the purpose of the supplemental statement and questioned whether it furthers purpose and intent of the campaign regulations. Individual members of the committee agreed that the supplemental statement requirement should be eliminated, with the exception of Committee Member Shanbrom. Committee Member Shanbrom requested, and it was agreed, that the committee will table the matter to the next meeting for further discussion. Contribution Limits Chair Griffin reviewed the memo from Interim City Clerk Schroeder regarding the City's history of contribution limits. A hard copy of Ms. Schroeder's memo, dated October 1, 2013, is on file with the City Clerk. The Committee discussed the impacts of independent expenditure committees on local elections; whether the regulations hinder a candidate's ability to launch an effective campaign; whether the contribution limit should be eliminated, increased or remain at $200. Following discussion, the Committee tentatively agreed that the contribution limit should be increased to $300, with the exception of Committee Member Shanbrom who preferred that the limit remain at $200. The Committee determined to table the matter to the next meeting for further discussion. Requirement for Publishing Candidate Information on the Website and Local Newspaper City Clerk Mejia advised that Ms. Schroeder's memo points out a discrepancy between the previous committee's recommendation and the adopted ordinance relating to the publication of candidate information in the local newspaper. By unanimous consent, the Committee recommended modifying Municipal Code Section 2.40.060(D) to require that the City Clerk cause one publication of a notice in a newspaper of general circulation advising citizens how to obtain information related to campaign disclosures. Use of Public Funds to Finance Campaigns Committee Member Shanbrom discussed whether consideration should be given to the use of public funds for campaign financing. Minutes - Election Campaign Regulation Committee Page 4 City Clerk Mejia advised that the City of Los Angeles does provide public funding for candidate campaigns, noting that the process is highly regulated and has dedicated staff to oversee the program. City Attorney Dietrick pointed out that the use of public funds for campaigns financing would impact the City's limited financial and human resources. The Committee determined to not move forward with utilizing public funds to finance campaigns. Review Lan ua e of Existin Ordinance Re ardin Sections Not Removed from the 2009 Amendment The Committee noted that the matters identified in the memo from Interim City Clerk Schroeder were addressed earlier in the meeting and that no further discussion is necessary. Items for Future Consideration City Attorney Dietrick requested the Committee review the role of the City Attorney in the enforcement of the existing ordinance. Chair Griffin noted that contribution limits, the City Attorney's role of enforcing the ordinance, and the City's supplemental statement requirement will be agendized for the next meeting. 4. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m. The next Election Campaign Regulation Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California. Heather Goodwin Deputy City Clerk Approved: XX/XX/XX 702 -05