pages: CityCouncil/2010-06-01.pdf, 5
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CityCouncil | 2010-06-01 | 5 | election. Councilmember Gilmore stated disclosure statements would still need to be filed. Mayor Johnson stated the person would already have been elected. Councilmember Gilmore stated paying off debts would be a hardship if the election is in November and contributions can only be received until December. Mayor Johnson stated the purpose is to let voters know who is financing campaigns before the election. The City Attorney stated that Fremont has a provision for a debt retirement committee for the sole purpose of receiving contributions to pay off debt. Councilmember Tam stated other campaign finance ordinances seem to go through an exhaustive, open process; inquired how much time other cities took in an open, community process before adoption and whether ordinance were adopted for existing or future Councilmembers, to which the City Attorney responded that she does not know. Vice Mayor deHaan stated the issue was discussed with the League of Women Voters two years ago; a public meeting was held; about 50% of cities have some type of campaign finance reform in place; the issue has been discussed for quite a while. Councilmember Tam stated that the process should be done right; the ordinance needs to go through an open, public process; knowing what the community wants is important so that the ordinance does not become a solution in search of a problem; campaign finance reform was discussed within the confines of the Sunshine Task Force and should be referred to the Sunshine Task Force for a more comprehensive review; community members are very well versed on good government issues; Alameda has a number of good government groups, such as the League of Women Voters, that can help organize the public forum; that she also has a problem understanding the election period timing; the timing creates some inherent conflicts because some Councilmembers have well established campaigns and have made commitments to vendors and contractors; the ordinance would place campaigns at a disadvantage; creating an ordinance with two months before the filing period is unfair; the ordinance should be vetted and implemented next year at the earliest; jamming the ordinance forward would have an inherent conflict of interest for existing Councilmembers; the discussion should be broadened; the ordinance should be referred to the Sunshine Task Force. Mayor Johnson stated the proposed ordinance would be for the benefit of the public; Alameda is behind the ball on the issue; something should have been done a number of years ago; the issue is not rocket science; referring the matter to the Sunshine Task Force is not necessary; the public is surprised that an ordinance is not in place already; that she does not think people expect a long, drawn out process. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 5 June 1, 2010 | CityCouncil/2010-06-01.pdf |