HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2751 N.C.S. 12/07/2020Ordinance No. 2751 N.C.S. Page 1
EFFECTIVE DATE
OF ORDINANCE
January 6, 2021
ORDINANCE NO. 2751 N.C.S.
Introduced by: D’Lynda Fischer Seconded by: Gabe Kearney
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL ADDING SECTION 1.30.041
TO CHAPTER 1.30 (CAMPAIGN FINANCE) OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE
REQUIRING ELECTRONIC FILING OF FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION
(FPPC) CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS AND STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS
WHEREAS, Government Code §84615 provides that a legislative body of a local government
agency may adopt an ordinance that requires an elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person
required to file statements, reports, or other documents required by Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act
to file such statements, reports, or other documents online or electronically with the City Clerk; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk's web-based system contains multiple safeguards to protect the
integrity and security of the data, it will operate securely and effectively, and it will not unduly burden
filers; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk will operate the electronic filing system in compliance with the
requirements of Government Code §84615 and any other applicable laws.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Purpose and Authority. The purpose of this Ordinance is to require the filing of
Campaign Disclosure Statements and Statements of Economic Interest by elected officials, candidates,
staff, consultants or committees to be completed electronically. The City Council enacts this Ordinance
in accordance with the authority granted to cities by state law. This ordinance is intended to supplement,
and not conflict with, the Political Reform Act.
Section 2. Findings. The online or electronic filing system will operate securely and effectively
and will not unduly burden filers.
Section 3. Chapter 1.30 (Campaign Finance) of the Petaluma Municipal Code is hereby amended
to add section 1.30.041 “Electronic Filing” which shall read as follows:
1.30.040 Electronic Filing
A. Any elected officer, candidate, committee, or other person required to file statements, reports, or other
documents ("Statements") as required by Chapter 4 of the Political Reform Act (Government Code
§84100 et seq.) shall file such Statements using the City Clerk's online system according to procedures
established by the City Clerk. These procedures shall ensure that the online system complies with the
requirements set forth in Government Code §84615. Elected officers, candidates, or committees
required to file statements must file such Statements using the City Clerk's online system, unless
exempt from the requirement to file online pursuant to Government Code §84615(a) because the
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officer, candidate, or committee receives less than $2,000 in contributions and makes less than $2,000
in expenditures in a calendar year.
B. All other individuals required to file Statements of Economic Interest pursuant to Chapter 7 of the
Political Reform Act (Government Code § 87200 et seq.), or the City’s adopted Conflict of Interest
Code shall file electronically using the City Clerk’s online system.
C. Any elected officer, candidate, or committee who has electronically filed a Statement using the City
Clerk's online system is not required to file a copy of that document in paper format with the City
Clerk.
D. The City Clerk or shall issue an electronic confirmation that notifies the filer that the Statement was
received, the notification shall include the date and the time that the Statement was received and the
method by which the filer may view and print the data received by the City Clerk. The date of filing
for a Statement filed online shall be the day that it is received by the City Clerk.
E. The online filing system shall ensure the integrity of the data transmitted and shall include safeguards
against efforts to tamper with, manipulate, alter, or subvert the data.
F. The online filing system shall enable electronic filers to complete and submit filings free of charge.
G. The online filing system shall only accept a filing in the standardized record format that is developed
by the California Secretary of State pursuant to Government Code §84602(a)(2) and that is compatible
with the Secretary of State's system for receiving an online or electronic filing.
H. The online filing system shall include a procedure for filers to comply with the requirement that they
sign Statements under penalty of perjury pursuant to Government Code §81004.
I. If the City Clerk's system is not capable of accepting a Statement due to technical difficulties, an
elected officer, candidate, or committee shall file that Statement in paper format with the City Clerk.
J. The City Clerk's system shall make all the data filed available on the City's webpage in an easily
understood format that provides the greatest public access. The data shall be made available free of
charge and as soon as possible after receipt. The data made available on the City's webpage shall not
contain the street name and building number of the persons or entity representatives listed on the
electronically filed forms or any bank account number required to be disclosed by the filer. The City
Clerk's office shall make a complete, unredacted copy of the statement, including any street names,
building numbers, and bank account numbers disclosed by the filer, available to any person upon
request.
K. The City Clerk's office shall maintain, for a period of at least 10 years commencing from the date filed,
a secured, official version of each online or electronic Statement which shall serve as the official
version of that record for purpose of audits and any other legal purpose.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, unlawful or otherwise invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction or preempted by state legislation, such decision or legislation shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The City Council of the City of Petaluma hereby
declares that it would have passed and adopted this ordinance and each and all provisions thereof
irrespective of the fact that any one or more of said provisions be declared unconstitutional, unlawful, or
otherwise invalid.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after the date of
its adoption by the Petaluma City Council.
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Section 6. Posting/Publishing of Notice. The City Clerk is hereby directed to publish or post this
ordinance or a synopsis for the period and in a manner provided by the City Charter and other applicable
law.
INTRODUCED and ordered published and posted this 16
th
day of November 2020.
ADOPTED this 7
th
day of December 2020 by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Barrett, Vice Mayor Fischer, Healy, Kearney, King, McDonnell, Miller
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Teresa Barrett, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Kendall Rose, CMC, City Clerk Eric Danly, City Attorney
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