CC - Item 7C - Continued Discussion of Forming a Subcomittee to Evaluate the Potential as a Charter Law CityROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BEN KIM, CITY MANAGER Ar
DATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2023
SUBJECT: CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF FORMING A SUBCOMMITTEE TO
EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL AS A CHARTER LAW CITY
SUMMARY
Mayor Pro Tem Ly requested the City Council discuss forming a subcommittee to evaluate the
potential of becoming a Charter law city. At the January 24, 2023 meeting, the City Council
directed City staff and City Attorney to return with additional information on charter cities,
including when a charter measure could be taken before the voters for consideration and the cost
of holding a standalone election.
The City Council began discussion on forming a subcommittee to evaluate the potential of
transitioning from a general law city to a charter law city. During the discussion, the
City Council directed city staff to bring back additional information on how many
San Gabriel Valley Cities are charter law cities, when a charter measure could be placed on a
ballot for voters' consideration, and the cost of holding a standalone election. City staff
conducted a survey and found that seven (7) cities are Charter cities out of thirty (30) cities in the
San Gabriel Valley.
Charter Cities in the San Gabriel Valley
City
Estimated
Population
Charter
Established
Alhambra
81,211
1915
Arcadia
57,500
1951
Industry
440
1976
Irwindale
1,466
1976
Pasadena
139,255
1901
Pomona
151,000
1911
Temple Ci
36,494
1971
7 cities are Charter, out of 30 cities in San Gabriel Valley.
AGENDA ITEM 7.0
City Council Meeting
February 14, 2023
Page 2 of 3
Charter Measure Election Timing
California Election Code §§ 9255, 1200 and 1415, provides when the City Council can place a
charter proposal measure before the voters. The statutes provide it must be held during a
statewide general election. City staff checked with the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County
Clerk's office and confirmed that an initial charter proposal under Election Code §1415 states:
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a city or city and county charter proposal proposed
by the governing body of a city or city and county on its own motion that qualifies pursuant to
Section 9255, shall be submitted to the voters at the next established statewide general election
pursuant to Elections Code § 1200, occurring not less than 88 days after the date of the order of
election.
If the initial charter proposal measure is recommended to be placed on a ballot, the next
statewide general election is November 2024. Furthermore, the City Council will have to call for
a special election on the charter measure to be held in November, since the City's next general
municipal election is scheduled for March 2024.
Standalone Elections
In addition, the City Council directed City staff to provide cost information on holding a
standalone election. To conduct a standalone election, City staff found that no vendor offers all
the necessary election services like our previous vendor, Martin and Chapman, who went out of
business after the passage of Assembly Bill 415. City staff reached out to three cities that
conduct standalone elections to better understand how the election landscape has changed. City
staff found the City would have to contract with various vendors to provide the necessary
services to conduct a standalone election. Services that would require entering into separate
agreements with multiple vendors include ballot tabulation services and equipment, ballot
printing and Vote by Mail services, purchasing software for vote by mail processing and
tracking, consulting services, and hiring temporary staff. In general, a standalone election could
cost the City over $200,000 or more, depending on the city's choices to conduct a standalone
election. For comparison, Temple City indicated that it spent $222,100 on its March 2022
stand-alone election. Staff was also informed that Temple City intends to consolidate with the
County for its next election cycle.
Additionally, in speaking to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, it was
mentioned that if the County is holding a statewide election on a date the City is holding a
standalone election, there will be separate ballots for voters and separate vote centers or polling
locations.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council discuss and provide further direction to City staff.
City Council Meeting
February 14, 2023
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
This agenda item does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA"), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. As
such, this matter is exempt under CEQA.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Submitted by:
-5w=
Ericka Hernandez
City Clerk
Attachment A: General Law City v. Charter City
Attachment B: Information from the nonpartisan California League if Cities
Attachment A
General Law City v. Charter City
General Law City v. Charter City
Characteristic'
General Law City
Charter City
Ability to Govern
Bound by the state's general law,
Has supreme authority over "municipal
Municipal Affairs
regardless of whether the subject concerns
affairs." Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
a municipal affair.
Form of Government
State law describes the city's form of
Charter can provide for any form of
government. For example, Government
government including the "strong mayor,"
Code section 36501 authorizes general law
and "city manager' forms. See Cal. Const.
cities be governed by a city council of five
art. XI, § 5(b); Cal. Gov't Code § 34450 et
members, a city clerk, a city treasurer, a
seq.
police chief, a fire chief and any
subordinate officers or employees as
required by law. City electors may adopt
ordinance which provides for a different
number of council members. Cal. Gov't
section 34871. The Government Code also
authorizes the "city manager' form of
government. Cal. Gov't Code § 34851.
Elections Generally
Municipal elections conducted in
Not bound by the California Elections Code.
accordance with the California Elections
May establish own election dates, rules, and
Code. Cal. Elec. Code §§ 10101 et seq.
procedures. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b);
Cal. Elec. Code §§ 10101 et seq.
Methods of Elections
Generally holds at -large elections whereby
May establish procedures for selecting
voters vote for any candidate on the ballot.
officers. May hold at -large or district
Cities may also choose to elect the city
elections. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
council "by" or "from" districts, so long as
the election system has been established
by ordinance and approved by the voters.
Cal. Gov't Code § 34871. Mayor may be
elected by the city council or by vote of the
people. Cal. Gov't Code §§ 34902. In cities
of 100,000 or less, a vote of the people is
not required to switch to electing council by
districts. Cal. Gov't Code § 34886.
City Council Member
Minimum qualifications are:
Can establish own criteria for city office
Qualifications
provided it does not violate the U.S.
1. United States citizen
Constitution. Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b),
2. At least 18 years old
82 Cal. Op. Att'y Gen. 6, 8 (1999).
3. Registered voter
4. Resident of the city at least 15 days
prior to the election and throughout
his or her term
5. If elected by or from a district, be a
resident of the geographical area
comprising the district from which he
or she is elected.
Cal. Elec. Code § 321, Cal. Gov't Code §§
34882, 36502; 87 Cal. Op. Att'y Gen. 30
(2004).
RIV 44814-2902-0717 v I
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Public Funds for Candidate
No public officer shall expend and no
Public financing of election campaigns is
in Municipal Elections
candidate shall accept public money for the
lawful. Johnson v. Bradley, 4 Cal. 4th
purpose of seeking elected office. Cal. Gov't
389 (1992).
Code § 85300.
Term Limits
May provide for term limits. Cal. Gov't
May provide for term limits. Cal. Const. art.
Code § 36502(b).
XI, § 5(b); Cal Gov't Code Section 36502(b).
Vacancies and Termination
An office becomes vacant in several
May establish criteria for vacating and
of Office
instances including death, resignation,
terminating city offices so long as it does
removal for failure to perform official duties,
not violate the state and federal
electorate irregularities, absence from
constitutions. Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
meetings without permission, and upon
non -residency. Cal. Gov't Code §§ 1770,
36502, 36513.
Council Member
Salary -ceiling is set by city population and
May establish council members' salaries.
Compensation and
salary increases set by state law except for
See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b). If a city
Expense Reimbursement
compensation established by city electors.
provides any type of compensation or
See Cal. Gov't Code § 36516. If a city
payment of expenses to council members,
provides any type of compensation or
then all council members are required to
payment of expenses to council members,
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
then all council members are required to
Gov't Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
Gov't Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
Legislative Authority
Ordinances may not be passed within five
May establish procedures for enacting local
days of introduction unless they are urgency
ordinances. Brougher v. So. of Public
ordinances. Cal. Gov't Code § 36934.
Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Ordinances may only be passed at a regular
meeting, and must be read in full at time of
introduction and passage except when, after
reading the title, further reading is waived.
Cal. Gov't Code § 36934.
Resolutions
May establish rules regarding the
May establish procedures for adopting,
procedures for adopting, amending or
amending or repealing resolutions. Brougher
repealing resolutions.
v. Bd. of Public Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Quorum and Voting
A majority of the city council constitutes a
May establish own procedures and quorum
Requirements
quorum for transaction of business. Cal.
requirements. However, certain legislation
Gov't Code § 36810.
requiring supermajority votes is applicable
to charter cities. For example, see California
All ordinances, resolutions, and orders for
Code of Civil Procedure section 1245.240
the payment of money require a recorded
requiring a vote of two-thirds of all the
majority vote of the total membership of the
members of the governing body unless a
city council. Cal. Gov't Code § 36936.
greater vote is required by charter.
Specific legislation requires supermajority
votes for certain actions.
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RIV #4814-2902-0717 v
Rules Governing
Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal.
Ralph Brown Act is applicable.
Procedure and Decorum
Gov't Code §§ 54951, 54953(a).
49 3( jt Code §§ 54951,
Conflict of interest laws are applicable.
See Cal. Gov't Code § 87300 et seq.
Conflict of interest laws are
applicable. See Cal. Gov't Code §
87300 at seq.
May provide provisions related to
ethics, conflicts, campaign
financing and incompatibility of
office.
Personnel Matters
May establish standards,
May establish standards,
requirements and procedures for
requirements, and procedures,
hiring personnel consistent with
including compensation, terms and
Government Code requirements.
conditions of employment for
personnel. See Cal. Const. art. XI, §
May have "civil service" system,
5(b).
which includes comprehensive
procedures for recruitment, hiring,
Procedures set forth in Meyers -
testing and promotion. See Cal.
Milias-Brown Act (Cal. Gov't Code §
Gov't Code § 45000 at seq.
3500) apply, but note, '[fjhere is a
clear distinction between the
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act applies.
substance of a public employee labor
Cal. Gov't Code § 3500.
issue and the procedure by which it is
resolved. Thus there is no question
Cannot require employees be
that'salaries of local employees of a
residents of the city, but can require
charter city constitute municipal
them to reside within a reasonable
affairs and are not subject to general
and specific distance of their place
laws."' Voters for Responsible
of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI, §
Retirement v. Board of Supervisors, 8
10(b).
CalAth 765, 781 (1994).
Cannot require employees be
residents of the city, but can require
them to reside within a reasonable
and specific distance of their place of
employment. Cal. Const. art. XI,
section 10(b).
Contracting Services
Authority to enter into contracts for
Full authority to contract
services as expressly authorized by
consistent with charter.
statute. See Costa Mesa City
Employees Assn v. City of Costa Mesa,
May transfer some of its
209 Cal. App. 4th 298 (2012).
functions to the county including
tax collection, assessment
collection and sale of property
for nonpayment of taxes and
assessments. Cal. Gov't Code
§§ 51330, 51334, 51335.
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Public Contracts
Payment of Prevailing Wages
RIV #4814-2902-0717 v
Competitive bidding required for public
works contracts over $5,000. Cal. Pub.
Cont. Code § 20162. Such contracts
must be awarded to the lowest
responsible bidder. Pub. Cont. Code §
20162. If city elects subject itself to
uniform construction accounting
procedures, less formal procedures may
be available for contracts less than
$175,000. See Cal. Pub. Cont. Code §§
22000,22032.
Contracts for professional services such
as private architectural, landscape
architectural, engineering, environmental,
land surveying, or construction
management firms need not be
competitively bid, but must be awarded
on basis of demonstrated competence
and professional qualifications necessary
for the satisfactory performance of
services. Cal. Gov't Code § 4526.
In general, prevailing wages must be paid
on public works projects over $1,000.
Cal. Lab. Code § 1771. Higher thresholds
apply ($15,000 or $25,000) if the public
entity has adopted a special labor
compliance program. See Cal. Labor
Code § 1771.5(a) -(c).
Charter Gita
Not required to comply with bidding
statutes provided the city charter or a
city ordinance exempts the city from
such statutes, and the subject matter
of the bid constitutes a municipal
affair. Pub. Cont. Code § 1100.7; see
R & A Vending Services, Inc. v. City
of Los Angeles, 172 Cal. App. 3d
1188 (1985); Howard Contracting,
Inc. v. G.A. MacDonald Constr. Co.,
71 Cal. App. 4th 38 (1998).
Historically, charter cities were
exempt from prevailing wage
requirements. Effective January 1,
2015, state law requires charter
cities to pay prevailing wages on any
public works project or else the city
will not be eligible to receive state
financial assistance for public works
projects. Cal. Gov't Code § 1782.
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Finance and Taxing Power
May impose the same kinds of taxes and
Have the power to tax.
assessment as charter cities. See Cal.
Gov't Code § 37100.5.
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
to Propositions 218 and 26, Cal. Const. art.
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
XIIIC, § 2, and own charter limitations
to Propositions 218 and 26. Cal. Const.
art.XIIIC.
Have broader assessment powers than a
general law city, as well as taxation power as
Examples of common forms used in
determined on a case -by case basis.
assessment district financing include:
May proceed under a general assessment
• Improvement Act of 1911. Cal. Sts.
law, or enact local assessment laws and
& High. Code § 22500 et seq.
then elect to proceed under the local law.
See J. W. Jones Companies v. City of San
• Municipal Improvement Act of 1913.
Diego, 157 Cal. App. 3d 745 (1984).
See Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
10000 at seq.
May impose business license taxes for any
purpose unless limited by state or federal
• Improvement Bond Act of 1915. Cal.
constitutions, or city charter. See Cal. Const.
Sts. & High. Code §§ 8500 at seq.
art. XI, § 5.
• Landscaping and Lighting Act of
May impose real property transfer tax; does
1972. Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
not violate either Cal. Const art. XIIIA or
22500 et seq.
California Government Code section
53725. See Cohn v. City of Oakland, 223
• Benefit Assessment Act of 1982.
Cal. App. 3d 261 (1990); Fielder v. City of
Cal. Gov't Code §§ 54703 at seq.
Los Angeles, 14 Cal. App. 4th 137 (1993).
May impose business license taxes for
regulatory purposes, revenue purposes, or
both. See Cal. Gov't Code § 37101.
May not impose real property transfer tax.
See Cal. Const. art. XIIIA, § 4; Cal. Gov't
Code § 53725, but see authority to impose
documentary transfer taxes under certain
circumstances. Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §
11911(a), (c).
Streets & Sidewalks
State has preempted entire field of
State has preempted entire field of
traffic control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
traffic control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
Penalties & Cost Recovery
May impose fines, penalties and
May enact ordinances providing for various
forfeitures, with a fine not exceeding
penalties so long as such penalties do not
$1,000. Cal. Gov't Code § 36901.
exceed any maximum limits set by the
charter. County of Los Angeles v. City of Los
Angeles, 219 Cal. App. 2d 838, 844 (1963).
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r
Public Utilities/Franchises
May establish, purchase, and operate
May establish, purchase, and
public works to furnish its inhabitants
operate public works to furnish its
with electric power. See Cal. Const. art.
inhabitants with electric power. See
XI, § 9(a); Cal. Gov't Code § 39732; Cal.
Cal. Const. art. XI, § 9(a); Cal.
Pub. Util. Code § 10002.
Apartment Assn v. City of Stockton,
80 Cal. App. 4th 699 (2000).
May grant franchises to persons or
corporations seeking to furnish light,
May establish conditions and
water, power, heat, transportation or
regulations on the granting of
communication services in the city to
franchises to use city streets to
allow use of city streets for such
persons or corporations seeking to
purposes. The grant of franchises can be
furnish light, water, power, heat,
done through a bidding process, under
transportation or communication
the Broughton Act, Cal. Pub. Util. Code
services in the city.
§§ 6001-6092, or without a bidding
process under the Franchise Act of
Franchise Act of 1937 is not
1937, Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 6201-
applicable if charter provides. Cal.
6302.
Pub. Util. Code § 6205.
Zoning
Zoning ordinances must be consistent
Zoning ordinances are not required
with general plan. Cal. Gov't Code §
to be consistent with general plan
65860.
unless the city has adopted a
consistency requirement by charter
or ordinance. Cal. Gov't. Code §
65803.
Rtv #48 14-2902-0717 v I
Attachment B
Information from the nonpartisan
California League of Cities
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
Introduction
Charter Cities
Did you know that, under certain home rule provisions in California's state constitution, voters can
exercise a greater degree of local control than that provided by the California Legislature? Becoming a
charter city allows voters to determine how their city government is organized and, with respect to
municipal affairs, enact legislation different than that adopted by the state.
In 2001, the Institute for Local Government, the League's research arm, teamed up with the Hastings
Public Law Research Institute to create an informational resource for those interested in understanding
more about this special form of local control. The League is grateful to everyone who helped with this
project including Phillip Hall of UC Hastings and the Hastings Public Law Research Institute; Karl Berger
of Jenkins & Hogin LLP; Betsy Strauss (Attorney at Law); John Cook (Former City Attorney, Indian Wells);
and Harvey Levine (City Attorney, Fremont). In 2007, the League updated these resources and the new
documents can be found below. The League would like to thank Hilda Cantu Montoy (Attorney at Law) for
her help with the update.
Charter Cities: A Quick Summary for the Press and Researchers
The following summary was drafted by the League of California Cities' legal staff,
in an attempt to give the press and research communities a primer on some
frequently asked questions regarding charter cities.
Charter Cities vs. General Law Cities - The Basics
The California Constitution gives cities the power to become charter cities.1 The benefit of becoming a
charter city is that charter cities have supreme authority over "municipal affairs."2 In other words, a
charter city's law concerning a municipal affair will trump a state law governing the same topica
Cities that have not adopted a charter are general law cities. General law cities are bound by the state's
general law, even with respect to municipal affairs. Of California's 478 cities, 108 of them are charter
cities.
The charter city provision of the State Constitution, commonly referred to as the "home -rule" provision, is
based on the principle that a city, rather than the state, is in the best position to know what it needs and
how to satisfy those needs.a The home -rule provision allows charter cities to conduct their own business
and control their own affairs.s A charter maximizes local control.
A city charter, in effect a city's constitution, need not set out every municipal affair the city would like to
govern. So long as the charter contains a declaration that the city intends to avail itself of the full power
provided by the California Constitution, any city ordinance that regulates a municipal affair will govern over
a general law of the state.e
Defining 'Municipal Affairs'
Determining what is and is not a "municipal affair' is not always straightforward. The California
Constitution does not define "municipal affair." It does, however, set out a nonexclusive list of four "core"
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. orp/chartercities
categories that are, by definition, municipal affairs.r
These categories are 1) regulation of the "city police force"; 2) "subgovernment in all or part of a city"; 3)
"conduct of city elections"; and 4) "the manner in which ... municipal officers [are] elected."3 Beyond this
list, it is up to the courts to determine what is and is not a municipal affair.
To determine if a matter is a municipal affair, a court will ask whether there are good reasons, grounded
on statewide interests, for the state law to preempt a local law.e In other words, courts will ask whether
there is a need for "paramount state control" in the particular area of law.to The Legislature's intent when
enacting a specific law is not determinative. +t
The concept of "municipal affairs" is Fluid and may change over time.12 Issues that are municipal affairs
today could become areas of statewide concern in the future.13 Nonetheless, there are some areas that
courts have consistently classified as municipal affairs. These include:
• Municipal election matters14
• Land use and zoning decisions (with some exceptions)15
• How a city spends its tax dollarsie
• Municipal contracts, provided the charter or a city ordinance exempts the city from the Public
Contract Code, and the subject matter of the bid constitutes a municipal affair.l7 Thus, a charter
may exempt a city from the State's competitive bidding statutes.
Likewise, there are some areas that courts have consistently classified as areas of statewide concern,
including:
• Traffic and vehicle regulatiome
• Tort daims against a governmental entityia
• Regulation of school systems2o
How to Become a Charter City
To become a charter city, a city must adopt a charter. There are two ways to adopt a charter:
• The city's voters elect a charter commission.21 The commission has the responsibility of drafting and
debating the charter.
• The governing board of the city, on its own motion, drafts the charter.22
In either case, the charter is not adopted by the city until it is ratified by a majority vote of the city's
voters.23
For more information about charter cities, please visit the "Charter Cities" section of the League's Web
site at hffo://www. cacities.om/chartercities.
1
Cal. Const. art. XI, § 3(a).
2
Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(a).
s Johnson v. Emaley, 4 Cal. 4th 389, 399 (1992).
Fragley v. Phelan, 126 Cal, 383, 387 (1899).
Id.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
htt,o.1 www. cacities. org/chartercities
e There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, a charter city is bound by the Public Contract Code unless the city's
charter expressly exempts the city from the Code's provisions or a city ordinance conflicts with a provision in the Code. See Cal.
Pub. Cont. Code § 1100.7.
7 Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b); Johnson, 4 Cal. 4th at 398.
e
Cal. Const, art. XI, § 5(b).
9
Johnson, 4 Cal. 4th at 405.
a
Id. at 400.
n
to. at 405.
12 Cal. Fed, Savings 8 Loan Assn v. City of Los Angeles, 54 Cal. 3d 1, 16 (1991); Isaac v. City of Los Angeles, 66 Cal. App. 4th
586, 599 (1998).
13 Isaac, 66 Cal. App. 4th at 599.
+� Mackey V. Thiel, 262 Cal. App. 2d 362, 365 (1968).
1s See Brougher v. Bd. of Pub. Works, 205 Cal. 426, 440 (1928).
e
Johnson,4 Cal. 4th at 407.
n
Pub. Cont. Code § 1100.7; R &A Vending Services, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, 172 Cal. App. 3d 1188, 1191 (1985); Howard
Contracting, Inc. v. G.A. MacDonald Constr. Co., 71 Cal. App. 4th 38, 51 (1998).
18
Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
+e Halbach v. City of Long Beach, 50 Cal. App. 2d 242, 247 (1942).
zo Whisman v. San Francisco Undred Sch. Dist., 86 Cal. App. 3d 782, 789 (1978).
2+
Cal. Govt Code § 34451.
n
Cal. Gov't Code § 34458.
23
Cal. Gov't Code % 34457, 34462.
General Law City v. Charter City
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Ability to Govern
Bound by the state's general law, regardless
Has supreme authority over "municipal
Municipal Affairs
of whether the subject concerns a municipal
affairs." Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
affair.
Form of Government
State law describes the city's form of
Charter can provide for any form of
government For example, Government
government including the "strong mayor,"
Code section 36501 authorizes general law
and "city manager" forms. See Cal. Const.
cities be governed by a city council of five
art. XI, § 5(b); Cal. Gov't Code § 34450 et
members, a city clerk, a city treasurer, a
seq.
police chief, a fire chief and any subordinate
officers or employees as required by law.
City electors may adopt ordinance which
provides for a different number of council
members. Cal. Gov't section 34871. The
Government Code also authorizes the "city
manager" form of government. Cal. Gov't
Code § 34851.
Elections Generally
Municipal elections conducted in accordance
Not bound by the California Elections Code.
with the California Elections Code. Cal. Elec.
May establish own election dates, rules, and
Code §§ 10101 at seq..
procedures. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b);
Cal. Elec. Code §§ 10101 et seq..
Methods of Elections
Generally holds at -large elections whereby
May establish procedures for selecting
voters vote for any candidate on the ballot.
officers. May hold at -large or district
Cities may also choose to elect the city
elections. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
council "by" or "from" districts, so long as the
election system has been established by
ordinance and approved by the voters. Cal.
Gov't Code § 34871. Mayor may be elected
by the city council or by vote of the people.
Cal. Gov't Code §§ 34902.
City Council Member
Minimum qualifications are:
Can establish own criteria for city office
Qualifications
provided it does not violate the U.S.
1. United States citizen
Constitution. Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b), 82
2. At least 18 years old
Cal. Op. Att'y Gen. 6, 8 (1999).
3. Registered voter
4. Resident of the city at least 15 days
prior to the election and throughout
his or her term
5. If elected by or from a district, be a
resident of the geographical area
comprising the district from which he
or she is elected.
Cal. Elec. Code § 321; Cal. Gov't Code §§
34882, 36502; 87 Cal. Op. Att'y Gen. 30
(2004).
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Public Funds for Candidate
No public officer shall expend and no
Public financing of election campaigns is
in Municipal Elections
candidate shall accept public money for the
lawful. Johnson v. Bradley, 4 Cal. 4th 389
purpose of seeking elected office. Cal. Gov't
(1992).
Code § 85300.
Term Limits
May provide for term limits. Cal. Gov't Code
May provide for term limits. Cal. Const. art.
§ 36502(b).
XI, § 5(b); Cal Gov't Code Section 36502 (b).
Vacancies and Termination
An office becomes vacant in several
May establish criteria for vacating and
of Office
instances including death, resignation,
terminating city offices so long as it does not
removal for failure to perform official duties,
violate the state and federal constitutions.
electorate irregularities, absence from
Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
meetings without permission, and upon non-
residency. Cal. Gov't Code §§ 1770, 36502,
36513.
Council Member
Salary -ceiling is set by city population and
May establish council members' salaries.
Compensation and
salary increases set by state law except for
See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b). If a city
Expense Reimbursement
compensation established by city electors.
provides any type of compensation or
See Cal, Gov't Code § 36516. If a city
payment of expenses to council members,
provides any type of compensation or
then all council members are required to
payment of expenses to council members,
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
then all council members are required to
Gov't Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
have two hours of ethics training. See Cal.
Gov't Code §§ 53234 - 53235.
Legislative Authority
Ordinances may not be passed within five
May establish procedures for enacting local
days of introduction unless they are urgency
ordinances. Brougher v. Bd. of Public Works,
ordinances. Cal. Gov't Code § 36934.
205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Ordinances may only be passed at a regular
meeting, and must be read in full at time of
introduction and passage except when, after
reading the title, further reading is waived.
Cal. Gov't Code § 36934.
Resolutions
May establish rules regarding the
May establish procedures for adopting,
procedures for adopting, amending or
amending or repealing resolutions. Brougher
repealing resolutions.
v. Bd. of Public Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928).
Quorum and Voting
A majority of the city council constitutes a
May establish own procedures and quorum
Requirements
quorum for transaction of business. Cal.
requirements. However, certain legislation
Gov't Code § 36810.
requiring supermajority votes is applicable to
charter cities. For example, see California
All ordinances, resolutions, and orders for
Code of Civil Procedure section 1245.240
the payment of money require a recorded
requiring a vote of two-thirds of all the
majority vote of the total membership of the
members of the governing body unless a
city council. Cal. Govt Code § 36936.
greater vote is required by charter.
Specific legislation requires supermajority
votes for certain actions.
Characteristic I General Law City I Charter City
Rules Governing
Procedure and Decorum
Personnel Matters
Contracting Services
Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov't
Code §§ 54951, 54953(a).
Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See
Cal. Gov't Code § 87300 et seq..
May establish standards, requirements and
procedures for hiring personnel consistent
with Government Code requirements.
May have "civil service" system, which
includes comprehensive procedures for
recruitment, hiring, testing and promotion
See Cal. Gov't Code § 45000 et seq.
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act applies. Cal. Gov't
Code § 3500.
Cannot require employees be residents of
the city, but can require them to reside within
a reasonable and specific distance of their
place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI, §
10(b).
Authority to enter into contracts to carry out
necessary functions, including those
expressly granted and those implied by
necessity. See Cal. Gov't Code § 37103;
Carruth v. City of Madera, 233 Cal. App. 2d
688 (1965).
Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov't
Code §§ 54951, 54953(a).
Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See
Cal. Gov't Code § 87300 et seq..
May provide provisions related to ethics,
conflicts, campaign financing and
incompatibility of office.
May establish standards, requirements, and
procedures, including compensation, terms
and conditions of employment for personnel.
See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
Procedures set forth in Meyers-Milias-Brown
Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 3500) apply, but note,
"[Tjhere is a clear distinction between the
substance of a public employee labor issue
and the procedure by which it is resolved.
Thus there is no question that 'salaries of
local employees of a charter city constitute
municipal affairs and are not subject to
general laws."' Voters for Responsible
Retirement v. Board of Supervisors, 8
Cal.4th 765, 781 (1994).
Cannot require employees be residents of
the city, but can require them to reside within
a reasonable and specific distance of their
place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI,
section 10(b).
Full authority to contract consistent with
charter.
May transfer some of its functions to the
county including tax collection, assessment
collection and sale of property for non-
payment of taxes and assessments. Cal.
Gov't Code §§ 51330, 51334, 51335.
Characteristic I General Law City I Charter City
Public Contracts
Payment of Prevailing
Wages
Competitive bidding required for public works
contracts over $5,000. Cal. Pub. Cont. Code
§ 20162. Such contracts must be awarded to
the lowest responsible bidder. Pub. Cont.
Code § 20162. If city elects subject itself to
uniform construction accounting procedures,
less formal procedures may be available for
contracts less than $100,000. See Cal. Pub.
Cont. Code §§ 22000, 22032.
Contracts for professional services such as
private architectural, landscape architectural,
engineering, environmental, land surveying,
or construction management firms need not
be competitively bid, but must be awarded
on basis of demonstrated competence and
professional qualifications necessary for the
satisfactory performance of services. Cal.
Gov't Code § 4526.
In general, prevailing wages must be paid on
public works projects over $1,000. Cal. Lab.
Code § 1771. Higher thresholds apply
($15,000 or $25,000) if the public entity has
adopted a special labor compliance program.
See Cal. Labor Code § 1771.5(a) -(c).
Not required to comply with bidding statutes
provided the city charter or a city ordinance
exempts the city from such statutes, and the
subject matter of the bid constitutes a
municipal affair. Pub. Cont. Code § 1100.7;
see R & A Vending Services, Inc. v. City of
Los Angeles, 172 Cal. App. 3d 1188 (1985);
Howard Contracting, Inc. v. G.A. MacDonald
Constr. Co., 71 Cal. App. 4th 38 (1998).
Historically, charter cities have not been
bound by state law prevailing -wage
requirements so long as the project is a
municipal affair, and not one funded by state
or federal grants. Vial v. City of San Diego,
122 Cal. App. 3d 346, 348 (1981). However,
there is a growing trend on the part of the
courts and the Legislature to expand the
applicability of prevailing wages to charter
cities under an analysis that argues that the
payment of prevailing wages is a matter of
statewide concern. The California Supreme
Court currently has before them a case that
will provide the opportunity to decide
whether prevailing wage is a municipal affair
or whether it has become a matter of
statewide concern.
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Finance and Taxing Power
May impose the same kinds of taxes and
Have the power to tax.
assessment as charter cities. See Cal. Gov't
Code § 37100.5.
Have broader assessment powers than a
general law city, as well as taxation power as
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
determined on a case -by case basis.
to Proposition 218. Cal. Const. art.XIIIC.
Imposition of taxes and assessments subject
Examples of common forms used in
to Proposition 218, Cal. Const. art. XIIIC, §
assessment district financing include:
2, and own charter limitations
• Improvement Act of 1911. Cal. Sts.
May proceed under a general assessment
& High. Code § 22500 et seq..
law, or enact local assessment laws and
then elect to proceed under the local law.
• Municipal Improvement Act of 1913.
See J. W. Jones Companies v. City of San
See Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
Diego, 157 Cal. App. 3d 745 (1984).
10000 et seq..
May impose business license taxes for any
• Improvement Bond Act of 1915. Cal.
purpose unless limited by state or federal
Sts. & High. Code §§ 8500 et seq..
constitutions, or city charter. See Cal. Const.
art. XI, § 5.
• Landscaping and Lighting Act of
1972. Cal. Sts. & High. Code §§
May impose real property transfer tax; does
22500 et seq..
not violate either Cal. Const art. XIIIA or
California Government Code section 53725.
• Benefit Assessment Act of 1982.
See Cohn v. City of Oakland, 223 Cal. App.
Cal. Gov't Code §§ 54703 et seq..
3d 261 (1990); Fielder v. City of Los
Angeles, 14 Cal. App. 4th 137 (1993).
May impose business license taxes for
regulatory purposes, revenue purposes, or
both. See Cal. Gov't Code § 37101.
May not impose real property transfer tax.
See Cal. Const. art. XIIIA, § 4; Cal. Gov't
Code § 53725; but see authority to impose
documentary transfer taxes under certain
circumstances. Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §
11911(a), (c).
Streets & Sidewalks
State has preempted entire field of traffic
State has preempted entire field of traffic
control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
control. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
Penalties & Cost Recovery
May impose fines, penalties and forfeitures,
May enact ordinances providing for various
with a fine not exceeding $1,000. Cal. Gov't
penalties so long as such penalties do not
Code § 36901.
exceed any maximum limits set by the
charter. County of Los Angeles v. City of Los
Angeles, 219 Cal. App. 2d 838, 844 (1963).
Characteristic
General Law City
Charter City
Public Utilities/Franchises
May establish, purchase, and operate public
May establish, purchase, and operate public
works to furnish its inhabitants with electric
works to furnish its inhabitants with electric
power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 9(a); Cal.
power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 9(a); Cal.
Gov't Code § 39732; Cal. Pub. Util. Code §
Apartment Ass'n v. City of Stockton, 80 Cal.
10002.
App. 4th 699 (2000).
May grant franchises to persons or
May establish conditions and regulations on
corporations seeking to furnish light, water,
the granting of franchises to use city streets
power, heat, transportation or
to persons or corporations seeking to furnish
communication services in the city to allow
light, water, power, heat, transportation or
use of city streets for such purposes. The
communication services in the city.
grant of franchises can be done through a
bidding process, under the Broughton Act,
Franchise Act of 1937 is not applicable if
Cal. Pub. Util. Code §§ 6001-6092, or
charter provides. Cal. Pub. Util. Code §
without a bidding process under the
6205.
Franchise Act of 1937, Cal. Pub. Util. Code
§§ 6201-6302.
Zoning
Zoning ordinances must be consistent with
Zoning ordinances are not required to be
general plan. Cal. Gov't Code § 65860.
consistent with general plan unless the city
has adopted a consistency requirement by
charter or ordinance. Cal. Gov't. Code §
65803.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
Foundational aspects of charter cities
What is the Constitutional Framework for Charter Cities?
Article XI, section 3(a) of the California Constitution authorizes the adoption of a city
charter and provides such a charter has the force and effect of state law. Article XI,
section 5(a), the "home rule" provision, affirmatively grants to charter cities supremacy
over "municipal affairs." However, the California Constitution does not define the term
"municipal affair."
What are "Municipal Affairs?"
The home rule provision of the California Constitution authorizes a charter city to
exercise plenary authority over municipal affairs, free from any constraint imposed by the
general law and subject only to constitutional limitations. See Cal. Const. art. XI § 5(a);
Ex Parte Braun, 141 Cal. 204, 209 (1903); Bishop v. City of San Jose, 1 Cal. 3d 56, 61
(1969); Comm. of Seven Thousand v. Super. Ct. (City of Irvine), 45 Cal.3d 491 (1988).
How Do the Courts Distinguish Between Municipal and Statewide Concerns?
Whether a given activity is a municipal affair over which a city has sovereignty, or a
statewide concern, over which the legislature has authority, is a legal determination for
the courts to resolve. Thus, the determination of whether a given activity is a municipal
affair or statewide concern is done on a case-by-case basis. The court's determination
will depend on the particular facts and circumstances of each case. See In Re Hubbard,
62 Cal. 2d 119, 128 (1964). Keep in mind that the concept of "municipal affairs" is a fluid
one that changes over time as local issues become statewide concerns. See Issac v.
City of Los Angeles, 66 Cal. App. 4th 586 (1998).
What Activities Have the Courts Classified As Municipal Affairs?
There are some areas that the courts have consistently classified as municipal affairs.
Examples include the following:
• Municipal Election Matters. See Mackey v. Thiel, 262 Cal. App. 2d 362 (1968).
• Procedures for Initiative, Referendum and Recall. See Lawing v. Faul, 227 Cal.
App. 2d 23, 29 (1964).
• Procedures for Adopting Ordinances. See Brougher v. Board of Public Works,
205 Cal. 426 (1928).
• Compensation of City Officers and Employees. Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b); See
Sonoma County Organization of Public Employees v. County of Sonoma, 23 Cal.
3d 296 (1979); but see San Leandro Police Officers Association v. City of San
Leandro, 55 Cal. App. 3d 553 (1976) (labor relations is not a municipal affair;
Charter cities are subject to the Meyers-Milias Brown Act. Cal. Gov't Code §
3500.
• Processes Associated with City Contracts. See First Street Plaza Partners v. City
of Los Angeles, 65 Cal. App. 4th 650 (1998); but see Domar Electric, Inc. v. City
of Los Angeles, 41 Cal. App. 4th 810 (1995) (state law establishing employment
policy may preempt local regulation of bidding criteria).
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities.
http://www. cacities. orglchartercities
• Financing Public Improvements. See City of Santa Monica v. Grubb, 245 Cal.
App. 2d 718 (1996).
• Making Charitable Gifts of Public Funds for Public Purposes. See Cal. Const. art.
XVI, § 6; Tevis v. City and County of San Francisco, 43 Cal. 2d 190 (1954).
• Term Limits for Council Members. See Cawdrey v. City of Redondo Beach, 15
Cal. App. 4th 1212 (1993); but see Cal. Gov't Code § 36502(b) (regulating term
limits).
• Land Use and Zoning Decisions (with a few exceptions). See Brougher v. Bd. of
Pub. Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928).
What Activities Have the Courts Classified as Statewide Concerns?
The following have consistently been classified by the courts as matters of statewide
concern:
• School Systems. Whisman v. San Francisco Unified Sch. Dist., 86 Cal. App. 3d
782,789 (1978).
• Traffic and Vehicle Regulation. Cal. Veh. Code § 21.
• Licensing of Members of a Trade or Profession. City and County of San
Francisco v. Boss, 83 Cal. App. 2d 445 (1948).
• Tort Claims Against a Governmental Entity. Helbach v. City of Long Beach, 50
Cal. App. 2d 242, 247 (1942).
• Open and Public Meetings. Ralph M. Brown Act. Cal. Gov't Code §§ 54951,
54953(a).
• Exercise of the Power of Eminent Domain. Wilson v Beville, 47 Cal. 2d 852, 856
(1957).
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. ca cities. org/chartercities
What is a charter?
A city charter is a unique document that, in many ways, acts like a constitution for the
city adopting it. It can only be adopted, amended or repealed by a majority vote of a
city's voters. The primary advantage of a charter is that it allows greater authority for a
city's governance than that provided by state law. For example, a city may tailor its
organization and elective offices, taking into account the unique local conditions and
needs of the community.
A charter transfers the power to adopt legislation affecting municipal affairs from the
state legislature to the city adopting it. A city operating under a charter can acquire full
control over its municipal affairs. These affairs are unaffected by the general laws
passed by the state legislature on the same subject matters. This, in effect, gives the
local voters more control over their local government and the affairs of the city.
However, a city operating under a charter is still subject to the general laws, as passed
by the state legislature, on affairs that are not municipal in nature, and are of statewide
concern (e.g., California Vehicle Code).
It is the scope of the term "municipal affairs" that provides the opportunity for uncertainty.
No easy analytical test exists. The threshold issue is whether there is a conflict between
state law and a charter city enactment. The next issue is whether the state regulation
addressed an issue of "state wide concern." Courts analyze these conflicts on a case-
by-case basis.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities
http://www. cacities. orp/chartercities
What is in a charter?
While a city charter is not required to have any particular provisions in it, a city will often
reserve for itself the greatest amount of power it can when it adopts a charter. To
accomplish this goal, the charter must include a declaration that it is the intention of the
city to avail itself of the full power provided by the state constitution to charter cities.
However, the city is not required to extend the breadth of its charter any further than it
wishes.
Some of the common areas that are explicitly regulated in a charter are:
• The date and conduct of city elections;
• Regulations on the appointment of municipal officials;
• The terms and payment of municipal officials;
• The process for removal of municipal officials;
• Form of government;
• Budget adoption;
• The number, pay, qualifications, and appointment of deputies, clerks, and other
employees that each municipal officer will have;
• Sub -government in all or part of the city;
• The tenure of office for deputies, clerks, and other employees;
The process for removal of such deputies, clerks, and other employees; and
• The constitution, regulation, and government of the local police force.
A number of California cities' charters are available online. The National Civic League
also has a model charter oroiect.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
Process used to adopt a charter
There are two ways to draft and adopt a city charter. The first is to elect a charter
commission. The commission then has the responsibility of debating over the provisions
and the drafting of the charter. The other alternative allows the governing board of the
city, on its own motion, to draft the charter. In either case, the charter is not adopted by
the city until it is ratified by a majority vote of the city's voters.
When using the charter commission approach, the first step is to elect the commission.
The vote to elect a charter commission is called for by either a majority vote of the city's
governing body or by a petition signed by not less than fifteen percent of the registered
voters within the city. If the formation of a charter commission is requested by a petition,
the authority in charge of the city's registration records must verify the signatures on the
petition. The expense of this verification must be paid for by the city's governing board.
If the petition is verified, the city's governing board must call for an election in
accordance with sections 1000 and 10403 of the California Elections Code. See Cal.
Gov't Code section 34452.
Once it has been decided that a charter commission election will take place, candidates
for commissioners must be nominated. Candidates for the office of charter
commissioner are nominated either in the same manner as officers of the city or by
petition. A candidate for charter commissioner must be a registered voter of the city.
After the election of commissioners, any vacancy on the commission will be filled by a
mayoral appointment. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34452.
At an election for charter commission members, the voters will vote first on the following
question: "Shall a charter commission be elected to propose a new charter?" After
voting on this question, the voters will then vote for the charter commission candidates.
If a majority of the voters vote for the formation of a charter commission, then the top
fifteen candidates for the office of charter commissioner will be organized as the city's
charter commission. No commission will be formed if a majority of voters vote against
the election of a charter commission. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34453.
Once formed, the charter commission will have the responsibility of developing the city's
charter. After a simple majority of commissioners have decided that the proposed
charter is appropriate, they file the charter with the city's clerk in preparation for a vote by
the city's electorate. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34455. However, instead of sending
the whole charter at once, periodically the commission may send portions of the charter
to the city's electorate for a vote. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34462.
After the charter (or portions of it) has been filed, it must be copied in type greater than
10 point and either mailed to all the voters of the city or made available to those citizens
who wish to review it before the election. The city may show the difference between
existing provisions of law and the new charter through the use of distinguished type
styles, but this is not required. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34456.
After the charter has been filed with the city clerk, the city's governing board must decide
whether to call a special election or to wait until the next established municipal election
to submit the charter to the voters. If the city's governing board determines that a
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities
htta://www. cacities. ora/chartercities
special election should be held, then they must call for that special election within 14
days of the charter being filed. The special election must be set at least 95 days after
the date from which the special election was called. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34457.
In any case, the charter commission must send the charter to the voters within two years
of the vote that formed the commission. Upon the expiration of the two-year time period,
the commission is abolished. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34462.
The alternative to electing a charter commission is to have the city's governing board
develop and draft the charter. An election to decide on the adoption of a charter may be
called by initiative or the city council. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 3. On its own motion, the
city's governing board may propose a charter and submit it to the voters for adoption.
See Cal. Gov't Code section 34458. With this option, the governing board can call a
special election or allow the charter to be voted on at any established election date, as
long as that election date is at least 88 days after the proposed charter was filed with the
city clerk. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34458. As a practical matter, an election may
have to be called sooner than 88 days before the election in order to meet certain notice
and ballot printing deadlines.
In either case, the majority of voters must vote in favor of the proposed charter for it to
be ratified. The charter will not go into effect until it has been filed and accepted by the
Secretary of State. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34459. After a charter is approved by a
majority vote of the voters, the mayor and city clerk shall certify that the charter was
submitted to the voters of the city and that it was approved by a majority vote. See Cal.
Gov't Code section 34460. One copy of the approved charter shall be filed with the
County Recorder's office and one shall be kept in the City's archive. See Cal. Gov't Code
section 34460. A third copy of the charter must be submitted to the Secretary of State
with (1) copies of all publications and notices in connection with the calling of the
election; (2) certified copies of any arguments for or against the charter proposal which
were mailed to the voters; (3) a certified abstract of the vote at the election on the
charter. See Cal. Gov't Code section 34460.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
How to amend or repeal a charter
If a citizens group, or the city's governing body, wishes to amend or repeal a portion of
the city's charter, the steps remain largely the same as they are for drafting a charter.
There are, however, two notable exceptions. First, the petition calling for the repeal or
amendment needs only ten percent of the electorate's signatures, instead of the
previous fifteen percent. See Cal. Elec. Code sections 9215 and 9255. The other
notable difference has to do with the charter itself. A city charter may establish different
rules for the municipal elections process than those laid out by the state legislature in the
Elections Code. If this is the case, the city's charter will govern the elections process
used to appeal or amend the city's charter, instead of the general laws laid out in the
Elections Code.
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
Charter Cities
Adelanto
Lemoore
Alameda
Lindsay
Albany
Loma Linda
Alhambra
Long Beach
Anaheim
Los Alamitos
Arcadia
Los Angeles
Bakersfield
Marina
Bell
Marysville
Berkeley
Merced
Big Bear Lake
Modesto
Buena Park
Monterey
Burbank
Mountain View
Carlsbad
Napa
Cerritos
Needles
Chico
Newport Beach
Chula Vista
Norco
Compton
Oakland
Culver City
Oceanside
Cypress
Oroville
Del Mar
Pacific Grove
Desert Hot Springs
Palm Desert
Dinuba
Palm Springs
Downey
Palmdale
EI Centro
Palo Alto
Eureka
Pasadena
Exeter
Petaluma
Folsom
Piedmont
Fortuna
Placentia
Fresno
Pomona
Gilroy
Port Hueneme
Glendale
Porterville
Grass Valley
Rancho Mirage
Hayward
Redondo Beach
Huntington Beach
Redwood City
Indian Wells
Richmond
Industry
Riverside
Inglewood
Roseville
Irvine
Sacramento
Irwindale
Salinas
King City
San Bernardino
Kingsburg
San Diego
Lancaster
San Francisco
La Quinta
San Jose
Information from the nonpartisan California League of Cities:
http://www. cacities. org/chartercities
San Leandro
Signal Hill
San Luis Obispo
Solvang
San Marcos
Stockton
San Mateo
Sunnyvale
San Rafael
Temple City
San Ramon
Torrance
Sand City
Truckee
Santa Ana
Tulare
Santa Barbara
Vallejo
Santa Clara
Ventura
Santa Cruz
Vernon
Santa Maria
Victorville
Santa Monica
Visalia
Santa Rosa
Vista
Santee
Watsonville
Seal Beach
Whittier
Shafter
Woodlake
Total Cities: 120