Pass: 18,676 / 71.63% Yes votes ...... 7,396 / 28.37% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Under current law, most City employees, including departmental directors, are part of the classified civil service. Certain procedural requirements apply to disciplining or dismissing employees with this status. A much smaller number of City employees are "at will." The proposed measure would remove all City departmental directors from the classified civil service. This would change their status to "at will" employees, serving at the pleasure of the City Manager who appoints them and to whom they report.

Current law also specifies that, although the City Manager appoints all departmental directors, the appointment of the directors of Community and Cultural Services, Human Resources, and the Library requires approval by those directors' respective boards or commissions. The proposed measure would replace the requirement of board or commission approval for these particular positions with language providing that the City Manager shall consult with boards and commissions as appropriate concerning the appointment of all departmental directors.

The measure would clarify the City Council's power to create and reorganize City departments. It would also clarify that certain positions mentioned in the City Charter, such as City Controller and City Treasurer, are not departmental directors unless the positions are designated as such by the City Manager and described as such in the organization structure approved by the City Council. Additionally, the measure would clarify that, in the Manager's discretion, a person may simultaneously hold more than one position within the City government. For instance, the same person could simultaneously serve as City Treasurer and Finance Director. Finally, the measure would clarify that the City Council has the authority to set the compensation, benefits and terms of employment of the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk by resolution.

Under the measure, employees in the City Clerk's office, other than the City Clerk, would be removed from the City's classified civil service, unless the City Council establishes otherwise by resolution. However, the City Clerk's position would remain within the classified civil service. This would maintain insulation against political influence for this position.

The measure would amend the Charter provision governing the designation of eligible candidates for vacant positions in the classified service. Currently, the Director of Human Resources may certify to the appointing authority only the highest three names on the City's list of eligible candidates. The proposed revision would allow for certification of all names of candidates in the top three "bands" of an "open (non-promotional) eligible list" and would thereby allow appointing authorities to consider both more candidates and candidates not currently employed by the City. For promotional recruitments the certification would continue to be limited to the top three names.

Finally, the proposed amendment would also make certain nonsubstantive changes, such as revising certain job titles to reflect currently utilized titles and eliminating antiquated terminology.

City of Santa Monica

• November 2006 Municipal Election Information
• Informacion en espanol sobre las elecciones del 7 de Noviembre, 2006

Ballot Measure Forum

• Tuesday September 19, 4:30-8:30pm - Santa Monica Main Library; 601 Santa Monica Bl; live "taping for broadcast on Santa Monica City TV

Santa Monica Daily Press

• Ballot bursting at the seams - 8/12/06

A "Yes" vote on this measure will make it easier for the City Manager to run the city more efficiently. Under our current City Charter, under-performing department heads cannot be removed from their positions by the City Manager + the Chief Executive of our government.

Proposition U will allow the City Manager to replace poor senior administrators with individuals who are more qualified to do the job. This will help ensure excellent service and public confidence by maximizing accountability.

Similarly, another change would modernize the City's personnel structure, ensuring that employees are chosen from a wider pool of applicants. This will enhance productivity, and ensure that the City hires the best employees possible.

Proposition U has been reviewed by many City boards and commissions, resident and business groups. This ballot Proposition is the result of that process. Hearing virtually no opposition, and understanding the common sense of these changes, our City Council unanimously supports Proposition U.

Santa Monica has long had a great reputation for being a well-managed city. We've earned that reputation by creating and adopting Best Management Practices. Proposition U gives residents the opportunity to take our standards higher still.

Make Santa Monica a better city. We urge a "yes" vote yes on Proposition U.

Nathaniel Trives, ­­­­­Former Mayor
Herb Katz, Santa Monica City Councilmember
Judy Abdo, Former Mayor
John Bohn, ­­­­Chair, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Ken Genser, ­­­­­Councilmember

(No arguments against Measure U were submitted)