CCMIN 04202021 - Laserfiche WebLink

desire for transparency and tying the dollar amount to the number of registered voters as opposed to being arbitrary. Councilmember Arkin agreed there will be no change in PAC money or individual expenditures and noted there may be legislative action soon about campaign donations and dark money. She noted this is not what they are addressing here but rather the message sent when filing election papers and you see $55,000 even if it is voluntary. She remarked she considered not signing it because she did not agree with it but thought the fallout from not signing it would be taken the wrong way. She remarked that some people have an annual salary of $55,000 and termed the sum ridiculous. She noted it was one of the first things she wanted to change if elected. She acknowledged it is voluntary and people do not have to sign it and can exceed it but cautioned the public would talk about it. Councilmember Arkin advised she is not interested in either adding an inflationary factor or tying it specifically to voters even though the latter forms the basis of her motion. She explained a future City Council could revisit the limit depending on population changes and voter totals at the time. She noted there is a lot of transparency between the Election Code, FPPC, and Form 460s. Councilmember Arkin expressed hesitancy in going as high as $24,000 but made the number that high trying to build some consensus and believes an additional amount for the Mayor is not unreasonable. She remarked that City Council seems to support the contribution limit and expressed her support for bifurcating the motion. Councilmember Arkin retracted her motion. City Attorney Dan Sodergren clarified two options for Councilmember Arkin. He advised the first option is to have a preliminary vote on the two issues followed by a single vote on the ordinance itself. He advised the second option is to direct staff to bring back two separate ordinances at the next meeting. He explained that in the preliminary vote option votes would be recorded for the record but not included in the final ordinance vote. In response to Mayor Brown's inquiry, City Attorney Sodergren clarified the positions of the Councilmembers would be reflected in the minutes. He advised if they wanted something more formal, they would have to bring back two separate ordinances. In response to Mayor Brown's inquiry, Councilmember Arkin chose the preliminary motion option. She made a preliminary motion to approve the $1,000 voluntary contribution limit. Councilmember Testa seconded the preliminary motion. MOTION: It was m/s by Arkin/Testa to set a voluntary campaign contribution limit of $1,000. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Balch, Narum, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: None Absent: None MOTION: It was m/s by Arkin/Testa to set voluntary campaign expenditure limits at $24,000 for a City Council election and $30,000 for a mayoral election. Motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Arkin, Testa, Mayor Brown Noes: Councilmembers Balch, Narum Absent: None City Attorney Sodergren advised it would now be appropriate to have a motion to introduce the ordinance as amended by the modified expenditure limits. City Council Minutes Page 9 of 15 April 20, 2021