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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2025-150 N.C.S. 10/20/2025 Resolution No. 2025-150 N.C.S. Page 1 Resolution No. 2025-150 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California RESOLUTION ADVISING THE PUBLIC ON THE COUNCIL’S VIEW OF A PROPOSED RECALL WHEREAS, the system of governance of the City of Petaluma calls for election of City Council seats on four-year cycles; and WHEREAS, provision is made in state law for recall of Council members; and WHEREAS, the recall process is a form of direct democracy, where voters can hold their representatives accountable; and WHEREAS, the recall process is disruptive to the officials performing their public duties, can interfere with the proper functioning of the local government as a whole, and holding special elections is costly; and WHEREAS, effective exercise of the recall process has always involved striking a balance between accountability and proper functioning of government; and WHEREAS, exercise of the voters’ recall right calls on them to know when a recall is truly necessary and the circumstances justify the disruption caused by a recall; and WHEREAS, when circumstances do not rise to the level of justifying a recall, the power of the people to choose their representatives is best exercised at regularly scheduled elections; and WHEREAS, Council is aware of a recall effort in the City; and WHEREAS, Council is also aware that the recall proponents have suggested the future recall of multiple members of Council, apparently indicating a broad dissatisfaction rather than a specific dissatisfaction with a single member of Council, and such comments may have the effect of intimidating Council members and the will of the people; and WHEREAS, the next regular election for City Council seats in Districts 1, 2 and 3, and the Mayoral seat, is less than a year from any potential Recall election; and WHEREAS, the Council has a responsibility to provide the public with information on important Petaluma electoral matters; and WHEREAS, the Council has the prerogative to advise the public on its view of proposed ballot initiatives, including recalls, to ensure transparency. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows: The above recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are incorporated into this resolution as findings of the City Council. 1. This Council is an effective, high functioning team and has accomplished many significant milestones for our community together. Docusign Envelope ID: D7B64B4B-D680-41CF-8862-6F67E09FF958 Resolution No. 2025-150 N.C.S. Page 2 2. This Council will continue to work together as a team, supporting one another and showing respect, even and especially during times of disagreement, to accomplish what is best for this City and the voters the Council serves. 3. For the legislative process to function best, Council members must be able to air opinions and discuss all sides of an issue to reach the best decision for the community. 4. The Council fully considers and engages in public transparency on Council agenda business, including on topics that are controversial, trusting that the public right of recall is not used to chill Council speech or engagement in City business, discourage Council advocacy for Council priorities, or to dissuade Council members from thoughtfully and candidly weighing and communicating their decisions. 5. While the City Council acknowledges and respects the Petaluma voters’ right to determine whether any Council member action is worthy of disrupting government’s normal functions to recall an official, the Council is not aware of any misconduct by any Council member that would warrant engaging in the Recall process and disrupting the City’s work, especially so close to a regular election. Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 20th day of October 2025, by the following vote: Approved as to form: __________________________ City Attorney AYES: McDonnell, Barnacle, DeCarli, Nau, Quint, Shribbs NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Cader Thompson ATTEST: ______________________________________________ City Clerk ______________________________________________ Mayor Docusign Envelope ID: D7B64B4B-D680-41CF-8862-6F67E09FF958