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Item 6d <br />Review of cam_v_a_itm disclosure ordinance regarding time limit on contn'butions and <br />~lisclosure limit. (SR 96:31) <br /> <br /> Michael Roush presented the staff report. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr inquired whether under the proposal a candidate who loaned money to his/her <br />committee could have a fund raiser after the election to get reimbursed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Roush said no. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver stated that is one of the reasons he recommended this action. Winners are <br />more likely to get contributions than losers. The issue is, do we want full disclosure or not and <br />do we want a level playing field? Prior to the most recent ordinance, there were cases when <br />significant amounts of money were contributed to candidates prior to the election. <br /> <br /> Mr. Roush indicated prior to the addition of the extra reporting date, approximately <br />$39,000 was received between October and December and was not disclosed until January 31st. <br />By changing the ordinance, the contributions which were not reported were reduced to <br />approximately $5,000 from November 1st to the end of December. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti believed tightening of disclosure to seven days before the election has <br />made the disclosure issue moot. All but 3 % was disclosed prior to the election in 1994. Prior <br />to that all but .2% was disclosed. It seems we are trying to fix something that isn't broken. <br />She has been on both sides, successful and unsuccessful candidate, and both times she faced the <br />same situation: campaign debts that did not get reimbursed. The person who does not have the <br />advantage of being an incumbent and puts up personal funds for a campaign is at a real <br />disadvantage after the election if you limit when funds can be received. She felt the disclosure <br />was fine as it is. Even Committee Treasurers have said, however, that the $25.00 disclosure <br />is a nightmare. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taxvex disagreed. <br /> <br /> Frank Brandes, 6889 Corte Sonada, said that the subject of campaign contributions has <br />been discussed frequently by Council over the years. The intent to have full disclosure is good. <br />He has talked to other communities regarding campaign regulations and most have gone back <br />to the state requirements. He felt the Pleasanton City Council should do the same. The $25.00 <br />contribution disclosure is almost impossible to do accurately, especially near the end of the <br />campaign period when things get very hectic. He felt the $25.00 disclosure may intimidate some <br />people from contributing, because they prefer to maintain their privacy. Mr. Brandes felt the <br />proposed regulation would be more helpful to incumbents. He also asked for clarification on <br />when a contribution is received: the date of the check, the date the check is received, or the <br /> <br />02/06/96 9 <br /> <br /> <br />