Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "strong mayor initiative"

Charter reform goes to November ballot – but not as 'strong mayor'

2012-02-08T07:03:40Z

Charter reform will be an item on the November ballot, but not in the form of a strong mayor initiative. Instead, voters will be asked if they want to elect a 15-member commission to review the city charter.

After more than 20 people spoke on the topic during public comment, the City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday to reject putting the Checks and Balances Act of 2012 – the strong mayor initiative – to a public vote in November.

Council members Sandy Sheedy, Rob Fong, Kevin McCarty, Darrell Fong and Bonnie Pannell were the majority votes.

Council members Angelique Ashby, Steve Cohn, Jay Schenirer and Mayor Kevin Johnson each voted in favor of the measure no .

Two governance-related considerations were on the agenda Tuesday night: a charter reform commission and the Checks and Balances Act, which had been revised from the last council discussion.

After the motion to put the strong mayor initiative on the ballot failed, the council voted in favor of a ballot measure to elect a 15-member charter commission.

McCarty suggested the charter reform commission as an option to the strong mayor initiative at the Jan. 17. council meeting.

The measure would be twofold: first asking voters if they want an elected charter commission, and second, asking voters to select whom they want to serve on that commission.

“I don’t like a charter commission because I don’t like how much it will cost,” Ashby said. “Between staffing and meetings and the elections – It’s too expensive.”

According to the City Clerk’s office, the county is currently unable to give a cost estimate for the “candidate” portion of the issue – the cost would depend largely on how many candidates were on the ballot.

The “question” portion of the issue, however, is estimated at $127,100 according to the City Clerk’s office.

Supporters of an elected charter commission told council members that it would be worth the time and expense.

“Democracy is messy, and a commission can be time-consuming,” Sacramento resident and former City Council candidate Henry Harry said, “but it will allow us to get it right.”

Many who opposed an elected commission, however, expressed concern that opening the city charter for review is akin to opening Pandora’s Box.

“(A charter commission) opens up doors to other issues that we’d rather not see open up,” said Mark Tyndale, president of the Sacramento Police Officers Association.

Roger Niello, current CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber and former State Assemblyman, said he believes an elected charter commission would pit competing city interests against each if the city charter is reviewed in its entirety.

“You would be creating the political equivalent of a food fight,” Niello said.

After the final vote, Johnson voiced his disappointment, saying simply, “I think a charter commission is a bad idea.”

Ashby said of the charter commission, “This seems like déjà vu. It looks like redistricting, and we all know how that turned out. I promise you that a year from now we will get hammered on this.”

If a charter commission is elected in November, the members will have two years to submit any proposal for charter reform to voters.

The City Council also considered creating a ballot measure Tuesday asking voters to weigh in on a potential lease of the city's parking assets to help finance a new sports and entertainment complex. The Sacramento Press will have the update on that story Wednesday.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Editorial Note: A correction was made to this article after it was published. The incorrect information was struck out and the correction information added.

Johnson: People are ready to talk about strong mayor initiative

2011-11-23T03:22:06Z

The 2012 election cycle is ramping up in Sacramento, and one topic that is sure to be on the table is a strong mayor initiative.

Mayor Kevin Johnson brought the topic to the fore ~~during his 2008 campaign for mayor~~ shortly after his 2008 election win in his race against then-mayor Heather Fargo, but the idea didn’t fly with members of the City Council, and the initiative never got off the ground.

With another mayoral race coming up in 2012, Johnson said he believes the idea of a strong mayor initiative is ripe for ballot consideration once again.

“This is a topic that people are ready to take on,” Johnson said at a press conference Tuesday. “There are many people involved and interested in changing the way things are happening here in Sacramento.”

Johnson announced in September that he will run for a second term as mayor, and one other opponent – Edgar Hilbert – has already stepped up to run against him.

A strong mayor form of city governance is one where the mayor acts as chief executive and the City Council is the legislative body. In this system, which is modeled after the U.S. Constitution’s structure of government, the city manager’s role is eliminated in favor of a chief administration officer appointed by the mayor.

Currently, the city of Sacramento is governed under a council-manager form of governance: The elected body establishes policy that is carried out by an appointed city manager.

The city manager is accountable to the entire council for implementing council policy and for the day-to-day operations of the city, such as preparing the city budget, hiring and firing employees and acting as a technical advisor on government operations.

According to the California City Management Foundation, council-manager government is the fastest-growing form of government in the United States. In California, 31 of the state’s 50 largest cities have a council-manager system in place.

Johnson said he believes people are “convinced” that a strong mayor initiative is necessary after watching the City Council work for the past three years of his term as mayor.

“I’ve been the mayor for three years, and we’ve had four city managers in that short period of time, which is very strange,” Johnson said. “It’s something that is very dysfunctional.”

Sacramento city managers and interim city managers since 2005 have included Ray Kerridge, Gus Vina, Bill Edgar and current city manager, John Shirey.

The strong mayor initiative was controversial from the outset and, despite more than one draft of the proposal, Johnson could not garner enough support on the council to move the initiative forward.

In June 2010, the City Council voted 7-2 against putting a strong mayor initiative on the ballot for the following November. The two votes in favor came from then-City Councilman Robbie Waters and Johnson.

After the proposal was voted down, Johnson said he wouldn’t continue campaigning for the initiative, but would not stop fighting for it – essentially putting the initiative on the back burner.

With the 2012 election forthcoming, however, the issue will likely come up for discussion again, Johnson said.

“I’ve made no secret that I believe we should modernize and improve our form of government,” Johnson said Tuesday.

Johnson said that citizens want accountability and transparency, and that the checks and balances people want are possible within a strong mayor government.

“I think the best goal would be for council to put it on the ballot and allow the people of Sacramento to vote on it,” Johnson said.

Shirey said Tuesday that he’s uncertain a strong mayor proposal will be on the table for the City Council – but if it is, he wouldn’t be interested in playing a role in it.

“The mayor has had that goal for a long time,” Shirey said, “but I don’t know that anyone (on the council) is willing to talk about it.”

Shirey said he believes the council-manager form of government is the best form, but the key to success for a city manager is a City Council that works well together.

“That doesn’t mean they can’t have disagreements,” Shirey said. “It means that, at the end of the day, they work together for the betterment of the city. They don’t make the manager the issue – they make the issues the issue.”

According to Stephanie Mizuno, assistant city clerk, a charter amendment such as a strong mayor initiative could appear on the June ballot in one of two ways: by certified petition from voters, or as a measure initiated by the City Council.

In either case, all initiatives headed for the June 2012 ballot must be filed with the City Clerk’s office by the end of February.

Mizuno said that a citywide mayoral race will incur the initial cost on the June ballot – an estimated $120,000, paid from the city’s election budget.

If a strong mayor initiative – another citywide issue – is added to that ballot, it would cost an additional $21,000. Further initiatives would also cost $21,000 each.

Mizuno said the current balance of the city’s election budget is sufficient to cover the estimated $400,000 cost of the June election, including any potential strong mayor initiative.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

Mayor Johnson introduces Chief Service Officer position

2010-07-07T03:18:59Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson introduced a new member to his staff, Chief Service Officer Keith Hart. Hart is in charge of "working closely with the mayor's office to increase volunteer opportunities, encourage services and tailor volunteer efforts around city in most pressing challenging areas," Johnson said.

The position is funded by a two-year grant that has only been issued to 10 cities in the nation. The Rockefeller Foundation grant is intended to assist the city with the upstart of the chief service officer position and volunteer efforts. Johnson's hope is that two years is enough time to prove the benefits of creating such a position and that the city will be able to sustain it without further funding.

Hart said he moved to the Sacramento area from his previous Baltimore location as a consultant, specifically for Johnson, explaining Sacramento's mayor is known nationally for his work in civic engagement and volunteerism.

"Mayor Johnson was there as a founding member of a new coalition called Cities of Service," Hart said. "As a founding member he has helped to bring together leaders in the public and private sector that have never worked before with the city of Sacramento."

Both the mayor and Hart said the newest coalition is one of the most innovative movements of national service. What started as a 17-mayor coalition has now grown to nearly 100, and Sacramento is becoming known on a national stage for community and volunteer service according to Hart.

"We're taking another step in making history," Johnson said. "One of our goals is to be the leader in service and volunteer hours."

Johnson pointed out that last year's goal of 500,000 volunteer service hours was exceeded by over 1 million hours. The mayor's office hopes to reach 3 million service hours in 2010.

Hart identified four target areas he will be working on: public safety, education, environment and homelessness. He said the goal is to leverage more grants and funding and focus on faster action.

AT&T, Kaiser, Sierra Health and Walmart representatives were present, and recognized as sponsors of one of Sacramento's largest service organizations, Volunteer Sacramento. Each presented Volunteer Sacramento with donations between $40,000 and $65,000 $75,000.

Johnson also took advantage of the conference to introduce eight new students participating in the 2010 summer fellows program. Each fellow will work on projects such as governance, economic development, civic engagement and education.

Afterward, the mayor took questions from reporters about the strong mayor initiative. Johnson said he is still encouraged and sees "a window of opportunity that three council members can change their perspectives" and allow the people to vote on the initiative.

"Over 35,000 people want to modernize our charter here in the city," Johnson said. The mayor said 90 percent of citizens who attended the June 22 council meeting voiced wanting to vote on the initiative and that he was disappointed council was not willing to allow a vote.

The draft of the initiative will be made public shortly online at the city of Sacramento's website and in hard copy at City Hall.

"There has not been one critisicm or challenge that has not been addressed over 18 months," Johnson said. "The finish line keeps getting moved and it does our community a disservice in my opinion."

The mayor said he has not determined whether he will ask council to revisit the initiative at the July 13 meeting. The decision will depend on whether or not public support grows.

Editorial: Mayor Johnson's star-spangled double standard reaches fever pitch in his latest blog

2010-07-03T23:28:44Z

I'm not a political analyst by trade [shocker, I know], but given the orotund "we shall overcome" flavor of Mayor Johnson's latest blog on his collaboratively-named TEAMKJ.ORG web site, his opposition will be glad to know he has officially abandoned his fiery "Pot Roast of Public Anger" and retreated to the less flammable (and more familiar) "Passive Aggressive Soup." Only now, papa Johnson got a brand new bag : defender of voter rights.

Hypocritically titled "your voice still matters," Mayor J's latest blog (which has attracted a whopping 66 views to date) attempts to paint the city council as a change-resistant band of oppressors, the voters as victims of some great miscarriage of justice, and Johnson as their fearless liberator leading the oppressed in "Oh Freedom." It makes for fodder worthy of the Comedy Channel, but doesn't offer much in the way of leadership integrity.

From Johnson's blog: "All of you, from all walks of life, have asked the same question: 'Why won’t they let us vote?' I understand and share your disappointment. Last week’s council meeting could have made history. Instead, politics won the day.'

Dear Mayor,

Your sudden opposition to voter disenfranchisement, let alone "politics-as-usual" obstructionism, is laughable considering your shameless disrespect of the people's "voice" when YOU voted to level ECONOMIC SANCTIONS against the diverse people and businesses of the state of Arizona--despite the boisterous and plentiful number of "voices" that begged you not to.

Sorry Mayor Johnson, but I can't bring myself to download your new protest song "They Don't Want You To Be Heard" when your actions have proven you don't respect the process any more than the political hacks you claim are "obstructing" it.

Granted, there was a time when I thought you represented a true threat to "status quo" thinking at city hall. When you were stumping you talked a really good game about how your lack of political experience was an asset because yours represented a "fresh" new perspective, and you had no political loyalties to appease. But it turns you were all hot air. With your AZ Boycott vote you proved you are cut from the same cloth as council deadwood Rob "I-support-any-cause-that-gets-me-applause" Fong and Kevin "I-brake-for-special-interest" McCarty.

Sorry Mayor, but your AZ vote proved--at least to me--that you're just another lemming who doesn't have the spine to stand up to political pressure. So despite your incessant special pleading to the contrary, your actions have proven you would not bring any badly needed leadership skills to city council chambers if you were promoted to CEO. You have been interviewing for the job for almost two years now and you have proven (with your actions and statements) that making you strong mayor would not signal an end to status quo; it would only signal its formal ratification.

DON'T GET ME WRONG. I disagree with AZ's law. In fact I abhor any legislation that give "authorities" more power than they already have (including all Bush's privacy-bashing legislation). But there were other ways to go about protesting the AZ law. Enacting boycott legislation was the least creative, and least honorable of all the options, yet you offered ZERO alternatives and just caved to political pressure. Where was all that great leadership you have been promising? Where were all those creative solutions? Where was all that "public discussion" you have been waxing about ad nauseam? Where was your spine? I'm not attacking you here. Far from it. I'm just saying maybe you should get a spine before you accuse others of not having one? Just a thought.

From Johnson's blog: "Yes, the issues are challenging, particularly for those who see our fight for reform in simplistic terms. A “power grab” by an “ego-driven” Mayor. A “classic battle” between business and labor. But while those catch phrases make good headlines, they ignore the truth.."

I'll give you this: you're efficient. That's a very convenient way to spin the story to achieve your desired outcome. Reminds me of a movie my family and I watched last night called "Dear John." A beleaguered soldier comes back from Afghanistan to find the love of his life has married someone else. Much to his surprise though, she is still in love with him (the soldier). This presents a hefty challenge for the writer... how to deal with that quandary so the soldier can still get the girl and the audience can still have their happy ending.

Hmmm.......... oh I know---give the new husband cancer! With the new husband out of the way, the soldier gets the girl and they live happily ever after. Problem solved. That's an efficient solution, but it cheapens the story and makes it a little less believable.. just like you have done by summarily dismissing all your critics (and all of their many legit beefs with your SMI) as mere gadfly labelmaking.

I won't mince my words mayor; your careless dismissal of legit criticism doesn't inspire confidence that you can be an objective, well-rounded executive who LISTENS more than he talks. You used to say you don't take anything personally. I think you do. Your blogs and public tantrum certainly tend to indicate you do. Again, actions speak louder than words. Were you ever taught that? Do you think all that old wisdom is mythical? Doesn't apply to you? What? Do tell.

OK listen [I know it's hard, but try, ok?], forget about all the politicial posturing, inappropriate profane attacks on you, and grandstanding for a moment. What about the big, neon, Vegas-like sign in the room blinking: "Johnson is not qualified to be the executive mayor of Sacramento" ? Myself and many others have stated we don't approve of you in an executive mayor capacity because we simply don't think you are qualified for that job. No labels. No vendettas. No union influence. No politics. What is your response to that criticism? I'd love to know because you have never addressed this criticism to my knowledge.

[On a side note Mayor, I have to say again: It's actually quite remarkable that you continue to shoot yourself in the foot with every errant statement you make. Do you not have PR advisers? Perhaps you do but you simply don't listen to them--which would be yet another reason to vote against promoting you to CEO].

Despite all your dismisiveness, I do agree with you on a few points, Mayor.

1. I agree it should NOT be about politics.

2. I also agree that the city council should not be obstructing the people's right to vote---albeit for a COMPLETELY different reason than you maintain (and let's not forget you are on shaky ground with that one, considering you went above your pay grade and supported economic sanctions against Arizona, thus doing the same exact thing you accuse the council of doing: Supressing the people's "voice").

Thanks for listening Mayor Johnson.

Regardless of the court's position that SMI need pass muster with the council first, I believe the council should do the right thing and pass SMI on to their constituents to decide. But not because I want to see Johnson promoted to CEO of Sacramento. I happen to agree with those who also believe in the democratic process and think the people should be allowed to decide this issue for themselves.

Some Johnson detractors opine voters are "too stupid" or "uninformed" to vote on SMI so therefore it should not go to the ballot (which begs the question: do the city council members--save for Waters--feel the same way??). They say people don't read. Don't understand. Gosh. Shall we disqualify the gubernatorial vote for the same reason? How about the presidency? Yikes. How is that way of thinking any different than the old south Jim Crow culture that disenfranchised voters simply because of their skin color?

One could apply that same logic to ANY lousy politician whom ever charmed or manipulated his or her way into office only to be despised (or recalled) by the masses later. God knows we have a long and storied history of electing terrible politicians in this country.. yet the vote goes on... thankfully. Protecting status quo by denying the democratic process in the name of "patriotism" is so nonsensical it's hard to process.

Anyway, even if it is true that people are not informed enough about SMI, that's hardly good enough reason to skirt the voting process, matter of fact it's an even better reason to put it up for vote! If people need to be informed, then SMI opponents can use the process to inform them (and how about doing it with a little more class this time? It's safe to say the character assasination approach has been a dismal failure twice now. Don't make it a 3-PEAT!).

As we celebrate another Independence Day, let's not forget what being independent is all about. Isn't it about thinking for yourself? Forming your own opinions? Taking a stand for what you believe in? Punching a ballot to be a part of the decision making process? Politicial loyalties are great, and I love the debate as much as anyone, but I don't think we should ever get so passionate and obssesed with them that we feel compelled to deny each other the very right that has made our country so great.. and independent.

Happy INDEPENDENCE day, everyone.

Stay INDEPENDENT! :)

Mark Johnston
Www.JoeSacramento.Com

Editorial: The end of the strong mayor

2010-06-25T00:39:24Z

Sometimes you can want something so much, and push for it so hard, that you end up creating the opposite of what you wanted.

Which is perhaps how we've ended up with such a weak mayor.

That was never more clear than on Tuesday night, when Mayor Kevin Johnson's dogged pursuit of a "strong mayor" remake of the city charter went down - spectacularly - at the hands of a city council united against him.

Smart, driven, confident and somewhat charismatic, Johnson came into office on a tide of support that gave him what pundits like to call political capital. But he also came in at a difficult time, with a city government at its most stressed and dysfunctional, and with questions about his character hovering in the background. He had his work cut out for him.

But which issue to address first? Crippling budget deficits? All-powerful fire and police unions? A controversial city manager? A corrupted building department? The crushing local effects of a failing state government? Homelessness?

Johnson gave all of these issues his attention, with initiatives launched to great fanfare. And he has made progress in some areas. But his famous focus has been most consistently brought to bear on something he seems to care about more than anything else: the so-called "strong mayor" initiative. In his administration's collective mind, this issue became the cure-all for all the other problems he and this city face. Corruption in the development department? A strong mayor would have accountability for that. Police chief leaving town? A strong mayor could talk him into staying. Problems with the former city manager? Make the mayor accountable.

Over the last year, nearly everything became an opportunity to push the strong mayor agenda. But in the process, Johnson and his smart, well-credentialed but perhaps slightly tone-deaf advisers seem to have misunderstood what real strength is.

Tuesday night, the Sacramento City Council gave Johnson a lesson in language. In a 7-2 vote against instructing the city attorney to draw up language to put the initiative on the ballot in November - one of the two "for" votes being Johnson's own - the council showed the would-be strong mayor who really had the strength: the people's elected representatives. All nine of them.

When all but one of the people you're working with on a daily basis tell you they don't want to give you even a CHANCE of getting what you want - and the one person who voted with you is a lame duck whose own constituents recently rebuked him at the ballot box in nearly the same proportion - you aren't even in the game.

So what did the mayor do? First he spent time at the council meeting criticizing every member of the council who didn't do what he wanted in a rambling, often-personal diatribe that must have felt good to him but again undermined the statesman-like image he has wanted to create. Then he told The Sacramento Press: "The agents of status quo — a small group of people — are still dictating what happens in our community."

Then he went to a fundraiser...for the strong mayor initiative.

This is not strength. This is obsession, or plain old bull-headedness. This is repeating what you've been doing and expecting a different result. And it has most likely set his fellow council members against him even more adamantly.

The council should have let the process go forward so we could actually see what the mayor is proposing, and the people could vote on it. On the other hand, the mayor's office has resisted releasing any explicit proposal. And they have rebuffed requests by Sacramento Press reporter Kathleen Haley to see a copy of an earlier draft of the proposal. So much for transparency.

Perhaps the city charter does need to be rewritten. Sacramento may well need a stronger executive, a modernized city government structure that reflects our growing community. Certainly, what we're doing now isn't working, as Johnson has long pointed out. And a city council that spends time voting for boycotts of other states when they can't even get their own city in order needs to get a grip and get to work. Johnson's adversaries on the council aren't using their power very well, either.

But Kevin Johnson has not proved himself worthy of increased power. He is, in fact, showing that he doesn't know how to use the power he already has, which is considerable. Had he come into office armed with the power of persuasion, if he had shown that he knew how to work with the people who preceded him onto the council, some by many years and with much greater political and civil experience, if he had shown them the respect he himself is seeking through the strong mayor initiative, if he had shown a little humility along with his drive and focus, well...who knows what he might have accomplished?

We still would not have a strong mayor system (yet), but we would have a much stronger mayor. We might have a mayor who recognizes that he is one of nine people who need to put aside their differences and work together for the sake of this city.

The great shame of this is that Johnson has in some respects proven himself a first-among-equals with his initiatives in the arts, in homelessness and, above all, in using his basketball fame to promote Sacramento outside of town and even amongst its own citizenry. He has pushed long-dormant projects such as the Riverfront Promenade and the Railyards to move ahead. His heart seems to be in the right place, and he has a sharp group of advisers that has taken a can-do approach that is widely-admired among city staff and other people in city government who want to get things done. He aims high.

But he has overshot on the strong mayor initiative. His apparent inability to use persuasion to get what he wants has brought his administration to a crushing defeat. I say this with disappointment. I have been a defender of the mayor on more occasions than I expected. I find the constant, mean-spirited references to old controversies and salacious rumors distasteful and not in the best interests of getting things done. He has faced a lot of haters, and done so with a smile. I admire his can-do attitude and focus on the positive. He has chosen to take on a difficult job in his hometown when he could be a commentator on ESPN, working in New York and relaxing in Vegas. And Johnson is up against some entrenched, intransigent interests -- both on and off the council -- which must be frustrating.

But our mayor now needs to stop obsessing about getting more strength and start using the strength he already has. Had he done that from the start, we might now see a council that was prepared to give him more leeway to pursue even more successful initiatives. He might have seven allies on the council, not seven adversaries.

As it is, we are now looking at a council that is even more broken than it was when he was elected, and a city government that is shrinking by the week, and along with it, the services that are more desperately needed than ever by a rightly-cynical citizenry.

Indeed, our mayor has succeeded in achieving one thing this dysfunctional city council has not seen in many years: He has united it. Unfortunately for him, and for all of us, he has united it against himself.

Tretheway, Ashby support public input in charter change

2010-05-21T05:28:09Z

Much has been made over the recent quid pro quo allegations made by Sacramento City Councilmember Ray Tretheway.

At a recent press conference, Tretheway said he was told he could garner the endorsement of Mayor Kevin Johnson if he voted in favor of placing a “strong mayor” proposal on the November ballot. On Tuesday, Johnson announced his endorsement of Tretheway’s opponent, Angelique Ashby, leading Tretheway to hold a news conference on Wednesday alleging six influential businesspeople unsuccessfully pressured him to participate in the quid pro situation.

Tretheway later said only one of those people, Steve Ayers, is to blame.

The underlying aspect of this controversy is the Strong Mayor Initiative. Neither Tretheway nor Ashby discuss it on their campaign’s websites; however, both expressed their opinions at a candidate’s forum on March 31, 2010 at the South Natomas Community Center.

At that forum, both Ashby and Tretheway (and Efren Guttierrez) were asked whether they support a city-council initiative plan to increase the authority of the mayor, and if so what are the components of that plan.

Here are the responses given by Ashby and Tretheway.

Ashby

Okay, well the strong mayor proposal was a lightning bolt of controversy from the first day it came out of the lips of the first person who uttered it, so it’s a tough topic to talk about.

I'll tell you what I like about it. It started a conversation. And the difficult conversations are always the best conversations because it’s where we get the most work done.

There’s one thing for sure: our charter is antiquated. And I mean really bad. So we must redo that charter. We must have a discussion about what the structure of governance of the city of Sacramento is going to be.

I was not in support of Kevin Johnson’s Strong Mayor proposal because there were some things in it that I think were really bad for District 1, including how the ninth seat would be appropriated, which would directly affect this district because of the size of the population here.

However, I do like the direction he is headed. I do like the direction that the charter review committee took us, and I think it’s a conversation that needs to happen.

Here’s the difference, though. It can’t be one person somewhere that comes up with an idea, and then goes out and tries to sell it to the council, and then the council comes and tries to sell it to you. It has to start the other way around. It has to start in the community with suggestions from you, and then go back to a discussion of putting those ideas into a proposal, and then being voted on by the city council and moved forward.

Whatever this community decides they want is what that charter should be.

There are positives and negatives to a stronger mayor versus the council-manager position, and it really needs to be a conversation that happens because so much of what was discussed is not quite right, and so of much of what was discussed was specific proposal but doesn’t need to be part of the second proposal.

The good news is the conversation has started. I want to encourage you to stay engaged, and know this is something, again, that I would love to be a part of on my first day in office.

Tretheway

The Strong Mayor Initiative, after reading it, I was the first public official to come out against it, clearly. It was just an overreach, and it was written in a back room, and it probably would’ve caused more problems than our current one does. And that’s where I would start.

I would also start with a participatory program. I can share with you that just last week I just sat down with some of the Mayor’s staffers, and they want to put another initiative on this November. And I said you don’t have my vote, and I’m sure I was the fifth vote; you need five out of the nine. I said I will not participate in that.

We have to have a participatory program to do two things. One, I think we have to have community consensus on what the problems are, and then have a community dialogue on what are the different solutions, what are the options, to resolve those. We do have charter commission’s three strong reports, and I think those are the starting points of this community dialogue.

I hope this community dialogue begins as early as this summer, and I think it’s going to take about a year and a half. So, by either the Primary or the General Election in 2012, the city will have had an extensive dialogue, tremendous amount of participation and on the ballot we will have a choice to amend our charter or not.

One organization aims to represent all Democrats in Sacramento. Who are they?

2010-04-05T22:31:49Z

Democrats will carry some momentum into the 2010 elections, thanks in part to the party’s central committee, the Democratic Party of Sacramento County.

The number of registered Democrats in Sacramento County has increased by 23,000 since 2008, while Republican registration has dropped by 3,000.

“It was going up before 2008, too,” said Devin Lavelle, communications chair for the Democratic Party of Sacramento County. “It’s been pretty clear over the past decade that the Democratic Party lines up with most Californians’ values.”

Lavelle’s group serves as a central committee for the party as well as an umbrella organization for other affiliated clubs in the area, including the Young Democrats and the Green Democratic Club.

The organization registers voters, endorses candidates – which will be done April 8 for the next election – and regularly weighs in on policy issues, sometimes to the dismay of Democrats in office.

Members of the group have been harsh critics of Mayor Kevin Johnson’s strong mayor initiative. They wrote in a February press release that the government should be focusing on improving the city, “not jockeying for power.”

Lavelle called the initiative “a badly written law with a ton of holes. Even if everybody loved it, it would still end up in court.”

Johnson’s campaign manager, Shawn Callahan, conceded Lavelle’s point. He said the Mayor should have consulted the City Council before trying to get the initiative on the June ballot, a hasty move that angered many.

“We heard the concerns, so that’s what we’re doing now,” Callahan said. “That’s what we’ll bring forward for the November elections.”

The Democratic Party of Sacramento County’s political stances and endorsements are aimed at meeting the needs of both moderates and progressives within the party.

“It’s fair to say (Johnson) is a moderate Democrat,” Lavelle said, adding that disagreement with the Mayor on some issues is inevitable, because the group aims to represent the "heart of the Democratic party." This means striking a balance between moderate and progressive values.

There are about 297,000 registered Democrats in the county, according to Brad Buyse, campaign services manager for the Sacramento County. There were about 274,000 in 2008. That’s about a 9 percent increase, an intriguing figure considering Republican enrollment declined at the same time.

One resource the Democratic Party has tapped to round up new voters is the Memorial Auditorium’s new citizen swearing-in events. Party members have registered hundreds of newly eligible voters through that outreach.

The Democratic Party of Sacramento communicates with the community through press releases on its website and mass mailings. Members have also contributed several articles to The Sacramento Press.

As for the group’s relationship with Johnson, Lavelle said the mayor is at a pivotal point in his tenure.

“He has learned a lot in the last year,” Lavelle said. “He came in as a celebrity saying, ‘Damn it, I’m going to change things.’ But being in office requires experience.

“Hopefully he will learn the lessons the governor didn’t. There’s a lot he can do for the city with the stature he brings.”

District 7 Candidates discuss SMI, council cooperation, and the arena

2010-03-19T18:39:20Z

They walked out onto the stage at the gym at Genevieve Didion Elementary, each wearing suits and ties. They weren’t clammed up, having talked to various people in the crowd prior to taking the stage. Each of them was familiar with the neighborhood, and had a desire to represent it.

Current City Councilmember Robbie Watters, retired Sacramento Police Captain Darrell Fong, and Sacramento State professor Ryan Chin all participated in Thursday night’s Sacramento City Council 7th District Candidate Forum, organized by the Didion-Lewis Park Recreation Center Committee. And once they took their seats, none of them could escape responding to questions about the Strong Mayor Initiative, acrimony amongst city leaders, and the arena project.

“I did not endorse or support a strong mayor in the city” said Waters, who voted in favor of placing the Strong Mayor Initiative on the June 2010 ballot. “I did vote to put it on 2010, but I did not endorse it.”

Chin opposed the initiative, saying a strong mayor doesn’t need a “strong mayor’s initiative”, but an ability to bring people together to get issues done. Fong also opposed the initiative, calling it Chicago style politics.

Responding to how he could foster cooperation as potentially one of eight members on the city council, Chin emphasized his experience in business and community service.

“You don’t focus on the person, you focus on the problem,” said Chin. “It’s about the issue and solving it.

Fong answered by saying he understands the dynamics of City Hall, and has developed relationships at the city, county, and state levels.

Waters elaborated on the loss of Ray Kerridge, but then discussed his feelings regarding relationships on the City Council.

“This is the worst City Council I’ve ever worked with,” said Waters, pointing out that he and former Mayor Heather Fargo, who was in attendance, may not have always agreed but would usually talk and settle their issues.

“Now when the Mayor says something, two or three people disagree with him no matter what it is,” said Waters, “I’ve learned over 15 years how to get along with other councilmembers.”

When asked if he felt it was the right time to build an arena given the current economic times of the City, Waters felt this plan is the closest we’ve been and that it would create needed jobs.

Chin felt this is not the time to spend public funds, but did feel it was likely that city land would be used.

Fong said the arena should be an entertainment center and more than just an arena, but was concerned about the involvement of public subsidies.

“Public subsidy is the land,” said Fong, “We have land that’s swapped between Natomas or Downtown that’s worth money. So I think the people should have a choice whether they want to use that land for the arena or entertainment center.”

At the end of the arena discussion, Waters took a moment to emphasize that the City’s loan to the Sacramento Kings is set in stone and must be paid back. He estimated the loan currently stands at $69 million.

Johnson aims to put strong mayor plan on November ballot

2010-02-16T22:02:52Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson has abandoned his effort to put his latest “strong mayor” proposal on the June ballot, saying there is not enough support from council members. Johnson said he now plans to start campaigning to place the proposal on the November ballot.

He also cited the city’s budget deficit as a reason to delay the initiative to November.

“There’s not a lot of appetite from council members to put it on the ballot in June,” Johnson said. “Secondly, we had a budget workshop last week on Thursday and we have some significant challenges that we need to deal with going forward.”

He said he will ask the City Council at tonight’s meeting to consider placing the proposal on the November ballot.

The city’s estimated budget deficit for the 2010/2011 fiscal year is $35-40 million, according to a Feb. 11 budget report.

Johnson presented his new strong mayor proposal last week after his old proposal was shut down by Sacramento Superior Court Loren McMaster in January. McMaster ruled that Johnson’s initiative broke California law.

Johnson had planned to ask the City Council to approve the new measure for the June ballot in time to meet a Feb. 23 administrative deadline. He had proposed the new measure on a two-week timeline.

The new proposal’s section on the mayor’s powers would retain three key parts of the original plan, Johnson said last week. Sacramento’s mayor would propose the city’s budget; hire and fire “key personnel”; and be able to veto specific items, he said. Council members could overturn the mayor’s veto, Johnson noted.

The new plan differs from the older version on hiring powers. Sacramento’s city attorney and certain city officials would not be appointed by the mayor, Johnson said.

Both the new and old strong mayor plans would give the mayor the power to appoint the city manager.

In the new plan, the mayor’s hiring authority would not apply to all city employees who are not represented by unions, Johnson said.

New items in the proposal include term limits, an independent budget analyst under the City Council’s supervision and an ethics committee, according to Johnson.

The proposal would also include an expiration date for the new system of city government, Johnson said. A vote from the citizens would decide whether the new government system should be halted or maintained.

Photo by Anthony Bento.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Opinion: Council Should Focus on the Communities Priorities: Public Safety, Housing, and Jobs, not Strong Mayor

2010-02-10T01:06:27Z

Today the Mayor pushed the City Council to put a new Strong Mayor Initiative on the ballot within the next two weeks. Rushing a proposal to the ballot without time for vetting or community involvement is bad government and bad politics. If we change the way our government operates, it should be focused on more community involvement and more open, transparent government. The process through which we pursue change should reflect those values.

Changing our City’s Constitution is not something we should take lightly. The process matters. An open, transparent, process that involves the community and all stake holders will lead to a sound, responsible policy that reflects our community and our values. It will also bring about consensus and a strong coalition that is needed to make such a huge change.

The Mayor is proposing a huge change and there are a number of steps that he should undertake:

Identify the problem: Through this entire process, the Mayor has repeatedly asserted that the system is broken, hoping that if he said it enough times, people would believe him. This has led some folks to believe that the real problem is that the Mayor just does not like having to attend City Council meetings.
Identify the severity of the problem: Our city leaders and city staff only have so much time and resources. Should we really be diverting our focus from job creation, public safety, affordable housing, the homeless, public transportation, downtown development, waterfront development, parks, the budget, etc, etc?
Engage the community: Leadership is not telling the community what it needs. Leadership is asking the community what it needs and wants, what its values are and then helping the community achieve it. The Mayor cannot lead by going it alone.
Enlist diverse stake holders: Any proposal to overhaul our city’s government should be written by representatives of our entire city – from every neighborhood in our city, from every group in our city, the people we agree with and the people we disagree with. This is the only way to create a city charter that will work for the whole city.
Proofread: Before finalizing a new proposal, make sure the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted and that there is not a new Council District without a provision to ever fill it.

The Mayor should take his time. The community has more important things to focus on than the Charter. We need to get Sacramento back to work, get downtown humming, ensure that everyone has a safe place to live and no streets need avoiding after dark. The City Charter does not define a mayor’s strength. The mayor defines it, through leadership, through coalition building, through the work he or she does. Joe Serna was a strong mayor. Kevin Johnson could be that kind of mayor – but only if he focuses on the community’s priorities and works with the community, rather than telling the community what it needs and expecting the community to follow.

Note: The opinions expressed herein are the author's own and not necessarily those of any organization he works with.

Court ruling: Strong mayor initiative won't be on June ballot

2010-02-05T04:05:42Z

In a day of twists and turns for the strong mayor initiative, the biggest event was summed up in five words:

“Petition summarily denied by order."

The 3rd District Court of Appeal earlier today published a ruling that prevents the measure from being placed on the June ballot.

This means the Court of Appeal chose not to temporarily halt the Sacramento Superior Court decision that struck down the initiative.

“I’m very disappointed by the decision, and that’s putting it mildly," Mayor Kevin Johnson said in a press statement. "At the same time, I’m inspired like never before to fight for the people of Sacramento. Today, citizens have been denied their right to vote and accountability has been told to wait in line.”

Thomas Hiltachk, the attorney who wrote the strong mayor initiative, had asked the appeals court to speed up his appeal. Hiltachk, who was sued by plaintiff Bill Camp in Sacramento Superior Court, said the 3rd District Court of Appeal chose not to move quickly.

“The court’s finding that our appeal does not qualify to be expedited means that we would have to endure the regular appeal process, which can take years in our overloaded court system," Hiltachk said in a press statement. "Sacramento cannot afford to wait years for the courts to act."

Hiltachk indicated that the campaign for the initiative would not end, but he did not explain how it would move forward.

“We will continue to fight for charter reform to bring accountability, responsibility and oversight to city hall," he said.

Before the 3rd District Court of Appeal decision came out in the late afternoon, the campaign for the initiative was in full swing.

Sacramentans for Accountable Government, the group that leads the campaign for the initiative together with Johnson, hosted fundraisers this afternoon.

The admission price to the SAG-sponsored luncheon held at the Cosmo Café was $1,000 per person and $5,000 for each event sponsor.

SAG also held an event at the Crest Theatre featuring Frank Luntz, a Republican consultant and pollster, and Willie Brown, who formerly served as California Assembly Speaker and mayor of San Francisco. The admission price for that event was $100 per person.

Shawn Callahan, campaign manager for Sacramentans for Accountable Government, said Brown and Luntz were not paid to attend the fundraisers. He said about 130 people attended the event at the Crest Theatre.

Callahan also commented on whether the new court decision will affect the fundraising dollars that SAG garnered from today's events. "I don't know that it changes anything," he said. "We're still going to push forward."

At the fundraiser, both Luntz and Brown made comments supporting the strong mayor initiative.

“I served as a mayor of a fairly significant American city,” Brown said. “And I think every person who gets that honor needs the tools to implement programs, projects to do the job of being the mayor.”

A mayor does not have those tools unless he or she can be a strong mayor, he said.

The controversial debate over the initiative emerged at the Crest Theatre event when Brown and Luntz answered questions from audience members.

Oak Park resident Michael Boyd challenged Brown and Luntz on their familiarity with the initiative.

“You’ve convinced me that we should be well-informed voters," he said. "So, I assume you’ve both read this particular initiative in detail. And you’ve both read the charter commission’s report on the initiative. Would I be correct in that?”

Brown directly acknowledged he had not read the initiative. “Not with me you wouldn’t be,” he said, responding to Boyd’s comment.

Luntz indirectly acknowledged he had not read the initiative. He laughed, saying that he was “confirming that the mayor (Brown) has not read it.”

Boyd said Luntz and Brown were encouraging people to support the initiative without having read it.

Brown noted that he does not vote in Sacramento.

“And I don’t even live in your state,” Luntz said. “But I believe that you should have the right to vote on it. And no one should be denied that right to vote.”

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY OPPOSES STRONG MAYOR INITIATIVE

2010-02-04T00:53:28Z

After months of exhaustive review, the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County has announced its opposition to the so-called “Strong Mayor Initiative” that Mayor Kevin Johnson is pushing for the June 2010 ballot.

“SAVE Sacramento is proud to have the League of Women Voters join us in opposition to the Strong Mayor Initiative. This independent, non-partisan organization is extremely well-respected by most voters for its thoughtful, reasonable review process and the resulting positions it takes on the issues. We are pleased that the League came to the same conclusion that we did – that the Strong Mayor Initiative would grant the mayor an unprecedented level of power, opens the door to corruption and cronyism and runs counter to the desire of most Sacramentans for a fair and open process for making such significant changes to the City charter,” said SAVE Sacramento Chair Matt Kelly.

For more information regarding the League of Women Voters, visit their website at: www.lwvsacramento.org

For more information regarding SAVE Sacramento, go to: www.savesac.com

-Matt Kelly is the Chair of SAVE Sacramento.

Read judge's initial ruling against strong mayor initiative

2010-01-14T23:23:38Z

The judge considering a lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court over the “strong mayor” initiative has released an initial ruling saying that the initiative should not be placed on the June 2010 ballot. This is not the judge’s final decision on the case.

The strong mayor initiative would give Mayor Kevin Johnson many new powers.

Judge Loren McMaster noted that he analyzed the argument that the public has a right to participate in initiatives.

“The Court recognizes the right of the people to vote on initiative measures,” the judge wrote. “The Court does not lightly dismiss such, and has taken this very important right in consideration in ruling on the matter.”

But the judge wrote that many state Supreme Court rulings have found that revisions to the California Constitution should not be made through an initiative.

“The same legal principle should be applied to revisions to City charters,” the tentative ruling said.

Read the judge’s tentative ruling on the case here.

The case is titled Bill Camp vs. the city of Sacramento, and the text of the ruling is on Item 11 of the document.

Photo of City Manager Ray Kerridge and Mayor Kevin Johnson by Anthony Bento.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Stonewall Democrats Kickoff Election Season with Strong Mayor Forum

2010-01-12T07:37:18Z

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento’s voter forum on the Strong Mayor Initiative served as the unofficial kickoff to the 2010 June Election season. Monday, over one hundred Sacramentans listened as the pros and cons of the Strong Mayor Initiative were debated and the majority and minority perspectives on the Charter Review Commission’s report were discussed.

“I’m ecstatic about the turnout. It once again shows Sacramentans are committed to civic engagement," Stonewall President Chris Moore said. "Far too often very substantial changes to public policy are made via the ballot box without appropriate vetting. Tonight we’re trying to give more opportunity for folks to consider the merits of the initiative that we will be voting on.”

The evening was moderated by Sacramento State Professor of Communications, Jacqueline Irwin who welcomed the group with thoughts of Aristotle and the importance of civic engagement in our city.

Jeffrey Dorso, representing Sacramentans for Accountable Government, was the first speaker of the evening. He argued that Sacramento has changed dramatically since the current charter was implemented in 1921. During his speech, he largely ignored the fact that the charter has been amended a number of times, including professionalizing the city council, moving to district elections and creating a full-time mayor.

He noted that issues like the K Street corridor and the railyard are citywide issues, in need of citywide perspective, rather than community-based representation. Dorso consistently argued for “courage and opposing the status quo” rather than the details of the initiative.

Anna Molander spoke on behalf of Support Accountable and Voice and Ethics in Sacramento and the Democratic Party of Sacramento County.

“Unlike the quote in today’s paper, I think Sacramento is a world class city now,” she said.

Dorso readily agreed. “Sacramento is a great city. I live here, I choose to raise my family here.” Dorso lives in West Sacramento.

Molander noted that the initiative system does not allow for refinement. “If we enact this initiative and find that it is flawed, we’re stuck with it, until someone raises enough money to put a new initiative on the ballot.”

She went on to argue that the initiative is fatally flawed in a number of ways, including the issue of creating a ninth district, without a provision to fill out, that it would open the door to corruption and cronyism and that it would eliminate independent review.

Alan LoFaso, who is the Vice President of the Stonewall Democrats, represented the majority on the Charter Review Commission.

He offered background on Sacramento’s current form of government. “The council manager form of government was formed in the 1920s as a guarantor against corruption.”

LoFaso noted, “Council-manager form of government allows all of the policy making decisions to be made in one place. It allows the citizens to come to one place and express their views. The strong mayor initiative concentrates power and that inhibits inclusiveness.”

Chris Tapio represented the minority on the Charter Review Commission. He continued Dorso’s argument, focusing on a general desire for change.

“As cities grow, they see the collaborative form of government they have relied on break down,” he said.

Tapio asked, “Are we better off with the city being able to hire and fire its chief executive officer in an election every four years?” Under the current system of government, the chief executive officer (the City Manager) can be replaced whenever necessary by vote of the City Council.

Strongest Mayor in the State?
LoFaso noted that no other city in the state gives the mayor the authority to hire and fire as many as 800 employees. Every other city allows the mayor to hire the city manager, who is essentially the chief of staff. Beyond that, every city in California with a strong mayor also employs term limits and all but one have an ethics commission.

Neither was included in the Strong Mayor Initiative. Dorso argued that this proposal includes a number of checks that other cities do not have. He did not, however, offer any examples.

Dorso noted that the Initiative creates a new check, allowing the City Council to confirm employees, protecting the city from corruption in hiring. LoFaso corrected him, however, pointing out that council confirmation of employees only applies to a very small number of the 800 under mayor’s control. The overwhelming majority are entirely subject to the mayor’s whims.

Endorsement
After rigorous debate, the Stonewall Democratic Club affirmatively opposed the Strong Mayor Initiative. The lone dissenting vote was cast by panelist Chris Tapio.

Moore said, “After hearing from the opponents and proponents of the initiative, I’m glad to see the Club has taken an opposition position. I believe substantial changes to our City Charter need to be done in a more transparent inclusive manner.”

Candidate Forum Series
Over the next three months, the Stonewall Democrats will be having candidate forums on the second Monday of each month, at 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson (500 Leisure Lane).

February 8: Council District 7 and County Supervisor District 1
March 8: Assembly Districts 5 and 9
April 12: Council Districts 1 and 5

Police union supports strong mayor campaign

2010-01-12T04:12:34Z

The union that represents Sacramento police officers is supporting Mayor Kevin Johnson’s “strong mayor” initiative, saying it would give the mayor the power to guarantee sufficient public safety funding.

Meanwhile, Bill Camp, the plaintiff who challenged the initiative in a Dec. 1 lawsuit, said a strong mayor form of government could lead to job insecurity for police department employees who are not represented by unions. Camp is the executive secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council. He filed the lawsuit as a private citizen.

Sacramento residents will vote on the initiative on June 10. The initiative would give the mayor many new powers and would change the city’s existing council/manager form of government.

The Sacramento Police Officers Association said in a Jan. 10 press release that more than 1,100 police officers, dispatchers and department staff are union members.

“A mayor in Sacramento under this structure of government will have the authority to ensure appropriate levels of funding for public safety, which translates into safer streets for our police officers and citizens,” SPOA President Brent Meyer said in the news release.

Meyer could not be reached by phone Monday afternoon.

A strong mayor in Sacramento would have the ability to hire and fire as many as 800 city employees that are not represented by unions, according to the city’s Charter Review Committee, which studied the strong mayor system of government.

Camp noted that the mayor's hiring and firing powers would extend to unrepresented members of the police department. He argued that a future mayor — not Johnson — could abuse his or her firing authority.

The strong mayor initiative “does not build clean politics,” Camp said.

By contrast, Meyer said in the press release that the strong mayor system would “hold all elected officials more accountable to their constituency.”

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Veteran politicos debate strong mayor initiative

2009-12-23T03:37:42Z

When a group of opponents to the “strong mayor” initiative talked to reporters earlier this month, a spontaneous debate over the initiative took place between two local veteran politicos.

Steve Maviglio, public affairs consultant and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s unpaid spokesman, sparred with Phil Giarrizzo, a political consultant who is working for the camp that opposes the strong mayor initiative.

Johnson, who leads the campaign for the initiative, would attain new powers if it passes. He would assume the duties of the city manager and create the city’s budget, among other responsibilities. Johnson's campaign says that more than 50,000 people signed petitions to put the initiative on the ballot.

The Sacramento County Registrar of Voters has confirmed that the initiative received the required 32,433 signatures.

The initiative goes to the polls June 8.

The group that Giarrizzo represents is Support Accountability, Voice & Ethics in Sacramento (SAVE Sacramento), which opposes the initiative and backs a lawsuit that was filed against it on Dec. 1 in Sacramento County Superior Court.

Bill Camp, executive secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, is the plaintiff who is suing the city government, the City Council and Thomas Hiltachk, the attorney who wrote the strong mayor initiative. Camp does not represent the labor council in the lawsuit; he filed it as a private individual.

Camp argues in his lawsuit that the initiative breaks state law because it would cause changes to the city’s charter, which is the city’s version of a constitution. While an initiative can be used to amend a city charter, it can’t be used to make major changes, Camp contends.

The city’s current system includes a powerful city manager. Hiring department directors and drafting recommendations for the city’s budget are two of City Manager Ray Kerridge’s many responsibilities.

Maviglio and Giarrizzo hashed it out after SAVE Sacramento's Dec. 1 press conference, which aimed to draw attention to Camp's lawsuit.

Steve Maviglio (reacting to criticism from opponents that the initiative was written by a “lawyer in a room”): An initiative by its nature is written by a lawyer in a room. We had more than 50,000 people sign it. I can’t imagine more public participation. The charter committee that [opponents of the strong mayor initiative] defend had about 250 people in about 10 rooms over the series of a few months. That’s not my idea of public participation. When people want something on the ballot, then they deserve the right to do it. And special interests shouldn’t charge taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars because they don’t want to see it on the ballot. It deserves to be on the ballot and the people have the right to be heard.

Phil Giarrizzo: And any reaction to the tens of thousands of dollars you’re spending on running a campaign [and] paying lawyers to draft initiatives? Yet, you criticize other people who disagree with your position ... The lawsuit is only one part of the campaign. Whether or not the courts find it technically appropriate to take the measure off the ballot is one part. The other part is: If it does go to the ballot, the people of Sacramento are going to vote this measure down because it’s not necessary, it does give more power to any mayor and there [are] no checks and balances. It’s an unnecessary measure at a time when the city should be focusing on jobs, helping to revitalize schools and focused on the task at hand. This is not a way that you run government.

Maviglio: I find it particularly amusing that [democrats] like Phil Giarrizzo, who’ve worked for good democratic mayors like Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown, Antonio Villaraigosa — all of who’ve worked in a strong mayor system — have an objection to this [strong mayor proposal] by our democratic mayor here.

Giarrizzo: There is no comparison. There is no comparison in those cities. And when you ... bandy about those names, you have to look at the structures of government in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and there’s no comparison to how the cities are run.

Maviglio: I think that’s the difference here. They don’t want to have [a] debate; the mayor wants to have that debate over the charter. He wants the people involved — not a few hand-selected politicos and inside hacks that had a meeting.

Giarrizzo: Oh, he must be talking about the people who wrote his measure.

Maviglio: Well, I guess you’re never going to vote for an initiative again, Phil? Is that true? Are you never going to vote for an initiative again?

Giarrizzo: You know what, there could be a time, yes...

Maviglio: You can’t really use that argument if you’re getting paid for people to work for initiatives ...

Giarrizzo: We believe differently that ...

Maviglio: We believe there should be things on the ballot — you apparently don’t. And you’re willing to charge the taxpayers of Sacramento to prevent [from] doing that.

Giarrizzo: No, we’re not charging the taxpayers.

Maviglio: You are — you filed the suit.

Giarrizzo: You’ve just moved the debate.

Maviglio: You filed the suit.

Giarrizzo: The issue here is: Should there be a debate by the way you and your advisers constructed this measure with no public opinion, misstating the intent of the [California] Constitution. That’s what the court will decide.

Maviglio: Well, the 50,000 people ... who signed the petitions ...

Giarrizzo: ... I know that when you go to the ballot box, you’ll have had a change of heart and seen the light. And you’ll be saving Sacramento with the rest of us over here.

Maviglio: I look forward to that day (laughs).

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Metro Chamber endorses strong mayor initiative

2009-12-11T03:30:33Z

The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed the strong mayor initiative going before primary election voters next summer.

Following study by a task force, the business association voiced support for an executive mayor with more power than the current city charter allows.

The initiative's passage would change the form of city government that was established in 1921, according to the chamber.

"The city of Sacramento deserves a government structure that is effective and accountable," said Matt Mahood, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, in a press conference at chamber headquarters.

The press conference was held about a week after several local union leaders threw their support behind a lawsuit against the strong mayor initiative.

The initiative was put on the June 8 primary election ballot by Mayor Kevin Johnson and a group called Sacramentans for Accountable Government. The initiative calls for city charter changes allowing the mayor to assume city manager duties such as creating the budget and hiring hundreds of city employees, including department directors.

Most city councilmembers have expressed opposition to the ballot measure.

On the other hand, a City Charter Review Committee recommended keeping the current city council/city manager form of government, with some changes.

Currently, only the council can hire or fire the city manager. The committee recommended the mayor have the power to appoint and fire the city manager, but only with the council's approval. The council would retain its power to fire the manager with a majority vote.

The committee also recommended empowering the mayor to make policy recommendations for the city budget, which would continue to be created by the city manager.

Business association members believe Sacramento has outgrown the current system. A majority of large U.S. cities — 31 of the largest 50 — have executive mayors, said Linda Cutler, chairwoman of the chamber board.

"The Metro Chamber's endorsement is based on the belief that the time is now for changing the way Sacramento is governed and managed," she said.

Chamber members fear the City Council is "unfriendly" to business, especially after a temporary stop-work order was placed on a water-bottling plant being built in Councilmember Kevin McCarty's South Sacramento district, chamber CEO Mahood said.

Work was halted while city officials and staff members investigated how the work began without a formal building permit. The city building division program involved in approval for the plant — known as the Facilities Permit Program — has been suspended pending city investigation.

The business association is concerned that issues "get caught up in the political process" and don't get resolved because the city manager must report to nine city councilmembers, including the mayor. Those members "have very divergent interests," Mahood said.

Johnson thanked the chamber for its support of the measure at the press conference.

"This was an opportunity for the Metro Chamber to do what you do best: Lead by example," he said.

The current city council/city manager form of government is the most widely used in this country, said Matt Kelly, co-founder of SAVE Sacramento — Sacramentans for Accountability, Voice and Ethics in Sacramento — which supports the lawsuit filed Dec. 1. Members of the group include workers, and union and business leaders.

"What we believe is the strong mayor initiative, as it is written, is nothing more than a power grab that puts all the power in the hands of the mayor, without any accountability or checks and balances," Kelly said in a telephone interview Thursday. "To change the structure of government in Sacramento, I think you would need to demonstrate that something is wrong with that government.

"We don't think there's anything wrong that some good leadership would not remedy," he said.

Photo provided by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Fargo: Will she run again?

2009-11-24T06:10:46Z

Former Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo said she has been considering running for re-election.

In news that would be welcome to many who still call her by her honorary title, Fargo said Friday she has thought about running for the seat she lost a year ago to former NBA star Kevin Johnson.

"I have," she said. "Mainly because I'm asked all the time.

"It was clearly a great honor to be elected mayor. It was very painful, very challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said during one of her first media interviews since leaving office.

It's far too soon to say whether she will run in the 2012 mayoral election, Fargo said. However, she may want more challenge than the behind-the-scenes consulting and volunteer work she's been doing for the last year. She's never been good at taking time off, she said with a smile.

"Yes, I'd rather be mayor than what I'm doing," Fargo said in an interview on current city issues. "And obviously, I still care about the city."

A year away from elected office has left her feeling more rested than she has since being elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1989, said Fargo, 56. Multiple sclerosis has made it difficult for her to walk. But during a two-hour conversation in Midtown, Fargo laughed easily and made light-hearted comments - including some about not being mayor.

For instance, some people still aren't sure how to address Fargo after she served as mayor for eight years.

"Most people still call me mayor. And I like that. But a lot of people call me Heather. I'm okay with that, too," Fargo said. "I used to say, 'You can call me anything as long as I'm sitting in the chair.' I can't say that anymore."

People have asked her to run for state and county offices. But Fargo has not been willing to re-enter politics.

"I just wanted to spend some time not being in elected office and see," she said. "I don't want to say never, but I don't have a plan right now."

Fargo has been working as a consultant for California Forward, a political and governmental reform group. She has been working on an initiative to improve the state budget process and another that would guard local government revenue from being taken by the state.

"There are some things we can do now that can make a difference," she said. "We think what we're offering is a modest but meaningful package that will make a difference as to how California is run."

Fargo also volunteers for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and helped start a National Women's Political Caucus chapter in Sacramento.

The impact of multiple sclerosis is noticeable when she walks. Fargo, who must use a cane, moves more slowly now. She also wears an electronic medical device under her right knee to help stimulate her foot to move. The device hasn't been approved for MS patients and Fargo's insurance company refuses to cover it.

She stretches and strengthens her core regularly and does physical therapy. Fargo called the disease "frustrating," but not completely debilitating.

"The body parts you need to be mayor are a brain, a heart and a backbone," she said. "Legs are optional."

But Fargo isn't ready to say definitively whether she'll make a bid to serve in city politics again.

"I don't want to discount it out of hand," she said. "But in two years, I may want to support someone else who comes forward."

On Saturday, Fargo spoke at a memorial gathering that celebrated the life of community activist Mary Brill. Fargo has kept a watchful eye on city government. Elected officials consult her on important matters.

"I weigh in when I think it's appropriate," she said.

Fargo said she believes Johnson, her successor, is getting far less media scrutiny than she did during her tenure as mayor. She said this is partly because of the loss of experience and institutional memory that has accompanied the layoffs and departure of so many journalists from The Sacramento Bee.

Much institutional memory also has disappeared from City Hall, she said.

Fargo wouldn't comment on a congressional report, released Friday, that includes detailed information about a federal investigation of the St. Hope organization's alleged misuse of $800,000 in federal AmeriCorps grants and claims of sexual misconduct that arose against Johnson, its executive director at that time. No charges were ever filed against Johnson. The organization agreed in a civil settlement to pay back half the money.

However, Fargo did weigh in on Johnson's strong-mayor initiative. Such a change would strip City Council members of much power and control, she said.

"I think it very much devalues the City Council," Fargo said. "I think it's a very dangerous proposal. It would change how we do business in Sacramento so drastically."

Fargo said she doesn't like the veto power the mayor would have over council decisions. The mayor could veto decisions without listening to the public, she said, adding that she worked for 10 years to make city government and the council process more open to residents.

"This just seems to go 180 degrees in the other direction," she said. "It doesn't sound like Sacramento to me."

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Top Johnson Advisor Resigns To Work For Nestle

2009-11-02T08:34:16Z

Michelle Smira, a Republican strategist and consultant to mayor Kevin Johnson, resigned from her position on October 22. Below is her letter of resignation:

Dear Mayor Johnson,
It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve as a volunteer in your office, the Office of the
Mayor. The opportunity to serve as your liaison to various organizations and to meet with constituents on your behalf has been very rewarding. Thank you for this opportunity.
I believe strongly that the people of Sacramento voted overwhelmingly for you to represent us as Mayor because we wanted change. What has become apparent is that we desperately need change. I will be stepping away as a volunteer in your official office to further help promote these goals in the community. I believe that the only way to ensure that Sacramento is truly “a City that Works for Everyone” is if you are in fact leading our City. We need to change our antiquated structure and I will be there to help educate our community on the issue.

It has been a wonderful experience working with you at City Hall and I look forward to again helping in this capacity at a later date.

Thank you,
Michelle Smira

In a recent interview to the Sacramento News & Review, Smira said that she was leaving her post as a volunteer advisor to focus her energy and attention to supporting Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative. However, Smira's political affairs firm, MMS Strategies, was hired by Nestle Waters to assist in obtaining city support for it's planned water bottling plant in Sacramento less than 2 days after submitting her letter of resignation.

Had Smira been a paid city employee, she likely would have been prevented to accept a position such as the one with Nestle due to conflict of interest and revolving door policies that attempt to create clear divisions between government, business, and personal gain.

When asked by the Sacramento News & Review about this situation, Jessica Levinson, from the Center for Governmental Studies, said, "“There are all kinds of red flags. When volunteers are used in high level positions, it’s important to make sure they pass conflict of interest provisions."

Although Smira refers to herself as a volunteer, according to a city ordnance, she would be classified as a consultant. In March 2009, Sacramento City Council approved legislation that states, "An individual may be a consultant whether he or she is compensated or is an unpaid volunteer." A consultant is defined as someone who "serves in a staff capacity" and "participates in making a governmental decision."

Attempts to reach Smira and Johnson, as well as representatives from groups opposing the Nestle Water Bottling plant, were unsuccessful. This article will be updated as new information is made available.

City Charter Review Committee Final Town Hall Reveals "Gordian Knot"

2009-10-17T21:58:11Z

Sierra II in Curtis Park was the location for the ninth and final Town Hall Meeting of the City of Sacramento Charter Review Committee.

The crowd of approximately 45 people was on the Baby Boom-plus end of the generational scale. It included members of the public, neighborhood representatives and former, current and candidate public officials, from the Central City, Curtis/Land Park, Oak Park and the South Area.

The City Charter legally and procedurally defines the City of Sacramento and its operations. Kevin Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative, which would dramatically change the City Charter, will be on the June 2010 ballot.

Sacramento was founded with a City Charter in 1858. In 1921, during the Progressive Era, in response to rampant corruption, Sacramento changed to the current strong manager/council system to achieve more accountability. Ironically, the current Strong Mayor Initiative proponents have campaigned that accountability is not possible under the current system.

In light of Johnson's own proposals for redefining the checks and balances of power, a public process of charter policy analysis is appropriate. The City Council appointed the Charter Review Committee to explore and recommend potential changes to the City Charter.

The Strong Mayor Initiative would change the City Charter in these areas: the Mayor's role, (add) veto power, appointment of the City Manager, appointment of Charter officers (City Clerk, City Treasurer, City Attorney), appointment of Department Directors and 800+ non union employees and budgetary powers.

The Charter Review Committee recommendations are for changes in two of those areas:

The City Manager -- currently appointed by the City Council -- would be appointed by the Mayor.

The city budget, currently submitted to Council by the City Manager, would be based on the Mayor's policy priorities, reviewed and modified by the Council and developed into a proposed budget by the City Manager. The City Council and Mayor would have until June 30th each fiscal year to approve the budget.

Under the Strong Mayor Initiative, the Mayor would propose the annual budget, a Council Majority would approve the budget and the Mayor would have veto power over Council's changes to the budget. The Mayor's budget would take effect in 30 days, if the Council had not voted to override his veto by that deadline.

Soon after the public input process has been completed, the Charter Review Committee will present final recommendations to the City Council. The Council will review the recommendations and receive additional input from the public. Then, the council will vote on whether -- or not -- to place the Charter Review Committee recommendations as a measure on the June 2010 ballot.

If the City Council decides to put the Charter Review Committee final recommendations on the June 2010 ballot and if they are approved by the voters, those changes would be effective in Nov. 2012, with the next mayoral election.

If Kevin Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative passes, those changes will take effect 45 days after the election is certified.

Even if the Council does vote to put these recommendations on the ballot, the public will still have the option to NOT vote for any changes to the City Charter.

The materials provided at the Town Hall Meeting (see links below) included a chart showing the various cities with Strong Mayors and how each is organized -- differently, with different sets of checks and balances. The Johnson proposed Strong Mayor Initiative affords Sacramento's mayor more power -- with fewer checks and balances -- than any other strong mayor city. The potential transition period is shorter than in any other Strong Mayor city, some of which have taken years -- and multiple elections -- to study and implement such fundamental changes.

The proposed Strong Mayor Initiative has been compared to legislative or corporate organizations. Yet this SMI eradicates the current council/manager system, which is similar to many corporate/board structures. It also eradicates the legislative level of public input and public accountability, which is available when the Mayor participates with -- and the City Manager is answerable to -- the elected representatives on the City Council.

The Charter Review Committee's tentative recommendations include retaining the Mayor as a member of the voting body of the City Council, with one vote and no veto power. Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative proposes that the Mayor will not have a vote and will have veto power, which leaves a ninth spot open in the Council voting body.

The new Strong Mayor would still have the power and the vote of the ninth Council Member ... until the 9th Council District is defined and the 9th District Council Member is elected. Redistricting ordinarily follows the 10 year census process. 2010 fast approaches. Redistricting is under state, not local, jurisdiction. The answer -- to how and when will the 9th Council Member be in place -- is that there is no answer.

Other cities that have adopted structural changes this dramatic have used a long term view and a deliberative process. Details regarding the 9th Council Member could be resolved, before the transfer of multiple elected officials' shared power into the hands of just one person.

The Strong Mayor Initiative bypasses that process, transfers unprecedented professional and managerial power to one politician and affords this aspiring Strong Mayor a bonus dip of power until the 9th Council Member is seated.

These crucial and unresolved aspects of the Strong Mayor Initiative were referred to in the town hall meeting as a "Gordian Knot." If ignored, those aspects will entangle the City and its Charter in all the "unforeseen consequences," litigation and unnecessary expenditures of a predictable mess.

The Charter Committee recommendations would retain the Mayor's role as a voting (9th) member of the City Council, participating in weekly meetings and without veto power.

The current City Charter provides for a professionally trained and professionally selected City Manager, supported by the authority of the full City Council, with the Mayor as a participant. Extreme empowerment of the Mayor disempowers the Council and weakens their accountability and availability to their community.

There is much more to consider and more time to make your voice heard to your City Council.

Information is available at: 

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/charter/ http://www.cityofsacramento.org/charter/Town-Hall-Meeting-Notes-Audio.html http://www.cityofsacramento.org/charter/documents/CRC-Town-Hall-Presentation-Revised-30-Sept-2009.pdf

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Committee supports current council/manager system

2009-09-17T23:09:41Z

The city’s Charter Review Committee has released its draft recommendations on the “strong mayor” issue. It suggests that the city maintain its current council/manager form of government.

Read the committee’s draft recommendations here.

The committee’s draft recommends that the mayor should continue to serve as a voting member of the City Council. The mayor would not have the ability to veto the City Council’s decisions, according to the draft report. “The separation of an executive mayor tends to diminish the authority that is very clear in the City Council and the unified accountability in a parliamentary system (unified executive and legislative branches) is highly desirable,” the committee’s report states.

However, the committee recommends changing the process for how the city manager is hired. The committee suggests that the mayor would appoint the city manager. A majority of the City Council would need to approve the mayor’s candidate for city manager.

Right now, the City Council appoints the city manager.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

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City Council studying proposal for independent budget analyst

2009-08-28T02:18:47Z

As the “strong mayor” issue rages on, the Sacramento City Council is also examining a significant proposal from voters to set up an independent budget analyst's office.

The council asked city staffers Tuesday to prepare a workshop to explain how an office for the independent budget analyst could possibly be consolidated with the city’s internal auditor office.

City Treasurer Russ Fehr wrote in an Aug. 25 report that the independent budget analyst would report to the City Council and offer suggestions for changes separate from the city’s budget office. The city is looking at an office of three full-time employees. About $500,000 would pay for the employees‘ salaries, equipment, supplies and services.

“On behalf of the City Council, the independent budget analyst could provide detailed research and analysis including the preparation of reports with specific recommendations that are in addition to, or an analysis of, the work completed by the budget office on behalf of the mayor or city manager,” Fehr wrote.

The independent budget analyst office proposal is simultaneously linked with and separate from the proposal for a strong mayor in Sacramento. It’s linked to the strong mayor proposal because the Sacramentans for Accountable Government group created both proposals and put them before voters in the form of petitions. Each proposal received enough signatures to meet the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters’ requirements.

Both proposals can now be placed on the ballot. The City Council decided Aug. 6 to place the strong mayor proposal on the June 8, 2010 ballot. While the City Council could decide to add the independent budget analyst office to the ballot, it could also pass an ordinance to set up the office.

The independent budget analyst is separate from the strong mayor proposal because the budget analyst office would be developed through an ordinance, Fehr explained in a phone interview. The strong mayor format cannot be set up through an ordinance because the city’s governance structure is established in the city charter, he noted. The city charter must be changed in order for Sacramento’s mayor to gain new powers.

Fehr wrote that the independent budget analyst office could be paid for in two pieces: $370,000 would come from the city’s general fund, while $130,000 would come from special funds. The position could also lead to future savings for the city, according to Fehr.

“In addition, the initial budget could be based on an assumption that alternative view of the budget and the fiscal impacts of agenda items would result in cost reductions at least equal to the cost,” Fehr’s report noted.

Fehr clarified that a strong mayor controversy that arose during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting would not affect the proposal for the independent budget analyst position.

A controversy had bubbled over an opinion in a confidential memo from City Attorney Eileen Teichert. The memo said that Mayor Kevin Johnson should not have weighed in on the strong mayor item on Tuesday’s City Council agenda. Teichert said at the meeting that Johnson has a conflict of interest on the issue because he loaned Sacramentans for Accountable Government $25,000 in June. Johnson backs the strong mayor initiative.

As a result, Teichert recommended that Johnson recuse himself from the discussion.

“I think the opinion was made in error,” Johnson said in response to Teichert’s recommendation. “I will not recuse myself from this item.”

Johnson sat through the discussion, which changed course and was centered on Johnson’s alleged conflict of interest and the legal concerns of the council members. The City Council asked Teichert to take her opinion to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission to see if Johnson is in conflict. The council hopes to hear back from the FPPC on the issue in two weeks.

But Tuesday’s strong mayor controversy and the independent budget analyst proposal are not tied together, according to Fehr.

“Again, they’re entirely separate issues on separate tracks,” Fehr said.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.