Measure D - City of Pinole
The Question:Shall the electors elect a mayor and four city council members?Yes Votes Needed to Pass: 50% +1 (majority) of the total votes cast on the measure by eligible votersCity Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measures D, E, FThere are five City Council Members in the City of Pinole. Currently, one of the five Council Members serves as Mayor, who is selected by a majority vote of the Council. The appointed Mayor position rotates annually. This procedure is authorized by Government Code Section 36801.However, upon a majority vote of the citizens of a city on a ballot measure, there can be a direct election of the mayor by voters pursuant to Government Code Sections 34900 – 34906. A mayor elected by the voters is a member of the city council and has all the powers and duties of a member of the City Council. A mayor elected by the voters has the same powers as a mayor selected by a vote of the City Council. Government Code § 34903.There are three questions on the ballot relating to the election of Mayor in the City of Pinole: (1) Shall the electors elect a Mayor and four Council Members? Yes or No. (2) Shall the term of office of mayor be two years? Yes or No. (3) Shall the term of office of mayor be four years? Yes or No. Voters may vote on one, two or all three of these questions. The first question asks whether the voters shall elect the Mayor and four Council Members. Since the Council Members in Pinole are currently elected by the voters, the only change if the first question is passed would be to provide for the Mayor to be elected by the voters rather than selected by the City Council. If the first question receives a majority of yes votes at the election, then the term of the Mayor, two years or four years, shall be that preferred by a majority of those voting on the questions.s/ Eric Casher, City Attorney, City of PinoleFull Text of Measures D, E, F:https://www.contracostavote.gov/m9006-en/Supporters Say:No Argument In Favor was filed.Opponents Say:Pinole does not need a mayor with executive authority, especially at greater financial cost.Pinole’s current mayoral process involves rotating an elected Council member in their third or fourth year of the term into the mayor position for one year. Four out of five Council members will serve as the mayor during their term. This fair and efficient process is used by more than 300 of the 482 cities in California.Voters elect, at large, Pinole’s five Council members for a four-year term. They work together to serve our community. Why consolidate that power into one person? The Council majority commented that the salary discussion would occur “later” and Council has the power to raise that salary at any time.Is this actually a move by a Pinole Council member to grab power and more money?Pinole voters approved Measure I, to help cover the cost of public safety and road improvements, not to add a mayor’s salary to our City budget that is already stretched.What will be defunded to pay for the mayor’s salary – our police department, road repairs, or park maintenance? Money for mayor compensation will not magically appear.Pinole residents are already burdened with the cost of living: rents, mortgages, higher health insurance premiums, home insurance, gas prices, food costs. Are we to now pay one-time costs for a Ballot Measure costing up to $57,000 plus on-going costs of a mayor’s salary if voters approve?This is an example of misplaced priorities for our City and should be defeated. This proposal is a solution to a problem that does not exist.Stop more excessive spending. Stop the power grab. No on Measure D.Opponents Include: Ann Moriarty, retired middle school science teacher, 36 year Pinole resident; John Castro, Pinole resident, school administrator; Janet Wilks, Pinole resident, Pinole homeowner, non-profit consultant; Jodie Ingalls, Pinole resident
