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Council approves single 200-signature standard, orders one-year staff report
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Summary
The council voted to adopt a single 200-signature threshold and a one-year review of the ordinance modifications; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with one abstention. Public commenters urged enforcement against paid signature-gathering tactics and raised budget concerns about the planning department.
The council approved a motion to adopt a single 200-signature standard for the item under consideration and requested that staff report back in one year on administration of the new regulations. The motion incorporated supplemental language offered during debate and carried following a roll-call vote.
The chair opened discussion and yielded to Councilmember Bartlett, who asked whether property-owner consent should be treated differently when the owner is a business entity versus an individual. Bartlett said owner status mattered in practice and argued that an ordinary homeowner could reasonably collect “100 to 150” signatures, while 200 would be difficult but possible with unlimited time.
Several councilmembers expressed support for a five-year timeframe or a one-time approval to avoid projects timing out during economic downturns. Councilmember Chaplin said the five-year option was “more forgiving” given shifting economic conditions, and Councilmember O’Keefe said a one-time approval would address the problem without imposing repeated deadlines.
Councilmember Humbert asked that the motion include a staff-report requirement; the motion’s sponsor accepted a friendly amendment to require a report from staff in one year on how the changes are being administered.
The clerk summarized the motion on the floor as the staff recommendation with supplemental changes from council members and the change to set a single 200-signature standard plus the one-year report request. The clerk then took roll call: Kesselwani — Yes; Taplan — Yes; Bartlett — Yes; Gragam — Abstain; O’Keefe — Yes; Blackabee — Yes; Luna Parra — Yes; Humbert — Yes; Mayor Ishii — Yes. The clerk declared the motion carried.
During public comment that followed, Carol said she had observed a paid signature gatherer outside a Chase Bank who was offering energy drinks to people and believed the conduct may violate penal-code rules against providing compensation in exchange for signatures; she said the city clerk referred her to the district attorney and that the police indicated they would not investigate absent cash payments.
Kelly Hammergren urged the council to reassess the planning department’s budget, saying Planning Director Jordan Klein told the planning commission that 74% of planning’s budget comes from permit fees that flow directly to the department. Hammergren said that arrangement shields the department from general-fund constraints and could be disadvantaging emergency services.
The council adjourned after the public-comment period. Staff will prepare the requested one-year report on the ordinance modifications and implementation for council review.
