CCMIN121807 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Cook-Kallio confirmed that if it was a countywide PAC, viewers would need to go to the County's website, which is only voluntary for candidates to use. FPPC committee identification numbers could also be tracked. She asked staff to choose the software that will enable users to enter information, print the forms, and then the candidate could sign it manually. Mayor Hosterman opened the item to public comment. Joe Ely supported the $1 spending limit, expenditure within 5 days or less, limits on timeframes for expenditures, contribution timeframes of one month after the start of an election and stop at 7 days prior to an election, recommended all contributions be reported and made available on the website, asked that reporting periods be as late as possible before the election, said spending should be recorded during the service it is contracted and not during the time the expenditure is paid for, supported the $250 limit, asked changes be effective by the 2008 election, and asked to retain the $25 reporting threshold. He cited state law constraints of independent expenditures, wealthy candidates, asked the Council endorse A6583 and the Clean Money System which would allow voters to choose candidates who they know will be accountable to voters and not to wealthy contributors. Mary Roberts thanked staff for their research into electronic filing, supported option 1, transparency, and expenditure limits. Jack Hovingh suggested candidates also be required to file their income tax return for transparency. Marjorie Muentz asked for transparency of contributions before the election, said Councilmember Thorne was supported by the Chamber of Commerce and was unaware of the amount contributed to his campaign until after the election. She felt the information should be made upfront. John Harvey said a solution will not solve all problems, but will create more transparency and supported a voluntary expenditure pledge. John Carroll supported as much transparency as legally possible, supported the City providing links to other County and State websites and supported a 7 day blackout period so all contributions must be made in advance of the election. Judy Symcox supported electronic filing, transparency, felt the voluntary pledge was wrong unless other candidates were also taking pledges not to receive money from public employee unions and asked for consistency among candidates. Mayor Hosterman closed the public comment period. Councilmember Thorne supported added transparency, more frequent reporting, an ability to respond to last minute "hit" pieces or other campaign materials, and a mechanism that allows for fundraising and paying for expenses incurred in the last 7 days of an election in order to respond to a hit piece. Councilmember McGovern agreed there was, and would be, future negative campaigning in the community, agreed with setting a 7 day limit, said there were many people who still go to the polls and supported a limit on the amount of money raised or spent except where a candidate had to respond to a hit piece. City Council Minutes 6 December 18, 2007