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ORDINANCE NO. 3340 OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHULA VISTA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.52 TO ADJUST THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT FOR ANY ELECTION HELD ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2016 (SECOND READING AND ADOPTION)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the ordinance.
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SUMMARY
As required by Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.52.040 (D), the City Clerk has adjusted the campaign contribution limits for individuals and political party committees for any election occurring on or after January 1, 2016. Adoption of the ordinance amends various sections of the Municipal Code to reflect the adjusted limits.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines because the project consists only of amendments to the City of Chula Vista Municipal Code to adjust campaign contribution limits and does not involve physical changes to the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA and no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.52.040 (D) requires the City Clerk to adjust the campaign contribution limit every odd-numbered year to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index for the San Diego area for the two-year period ending on December 31st of the previous year, and requires these adjustments to be rounded to the nearest $10.
The Consumer Price Index for the San Diego area for the periods ending December 2012 and December 2014 were 256.961 and 265.145, respectively, demonstrating an increase of 3.18 percent.
The contribution limits were previously set at $310 for individuals and $1,050 for political party committees by Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.52.040 (A) and (B), respectively. Applying the percentage of change of the Consumer Price Index and rounding to the nearest $10, the City Clerk adjusted the contribution limits to $320 for individuals and $1,080 for political party committees.
The City Clerk will publish the Notice of Campaign Contribution Limit Adjustment in the Star News as required by Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.52.040 (D). Additionally, the federal Voting Rights Act, together with an agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, requires translation of all election-related materials and notices into covered languages predominantly spoken by 10,000 voters or more in the County. Therefore, the City Clerk will cause the notice to be translated into Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, and Vietnamese and published in language-specific newspapers.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18705.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the proposed ordinance has no impact on the general fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1: Proposed Amendment to Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 2.52
Staff Contact: Kerry Bigelow