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B. Impartial Analysis. Elections Code §9280 provides that when a measure qualifies for the ballot, the Council may refer the measure to the City Attorney to "prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure." The impartial analysis is different than the ballot title and summary that simply state the "purpose of the proposed measure" and is prepared by the City Attorney for petition circulation. (See Elections Code §9203.) Staff recommends that Council authorize the City Attorney to prepare the impartial analysis for the ballot measure, per past practice. Based on the current calendar for the November 8th election, staff recommends that the City Attorneys impartial analysis (not to exceed 500 words) be completed by July 28, 2016. C. Ballot Argument Due Dates. Arguments for and against a ballot measure are allowed by Elections Code § §9281 et seq. It has been the City's practice to allow both direct and rebuttal arguments, and it is recommended that this practice continue for the current initiative. The timing for submitting arguments is set by the Elections Code and by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to meet printing deadlines. Staff proposes that direct arguments (limited to 300 words) be due on August 18, 2016, and rebuttal arguments (limited to 250 words) be due on August 25, 2016. D. Council Argument Opposing Initiative. Elections Code §9282 provides that when a measure is placed on the ballot by petition, "the persons filing an initiative petition pursuant to this article may file a written argument in favor of the ordinance, and the legislative body may submit an argument against the ordinance." Therefore, the Council, as the "legislative body"', must decide whether to write a direct argument opposed to the initiative.2 If Council writes such an argument, these are options to consider: 1. Write argument at public meeting. Council would need to schedule a special meeting for Tuesday August 9`h to write the argument; which must be signed and submitted by August 18th. 2. Subcommittee writes argument. Select two members to write the argument. a. The subcommittee is delegated the authority to select other persons to sign the argument for a total of five persons. b. Other councilmembers can sign the argument so long as there is no editing of the argument. If the Council decides to write an argument, it can select different Councilmembers to write the rebuttal. If different writers are wanted, it is recommended that the Council As the Elections Code allows the Council to write the argument as the "legislative body ", it would be listed as "By the Pleasanton City Council" followed by names and titles of those who sign the argument. Councilmembers who do not support an argument against the initiative may still be asked by the initiative proponents to be one of the five signatories of the proponents' argument in favor of the initiative. 5