Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Ch. 2.01 City Council and Elections

The regular meetings of the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council shall be held on the days and at the times established by resolution. If any such day is on a holiday, then the meeting scheduled on such day shall be held on the next regular business date that is not a holiday.

(Ord. No. 00-17, § 1(2.10.010), 5-18-2000)

Except as otherwise provided by law, the regular meetings of the City Council shall be held in the Council Chamber at a location designated by resolution.

(Ord. No. 00-17, § 1(2.10.020), 5-18-2000)

Each member of the City Council shall receive compensation in the amount of $463.50 per month. Such compensation shall be payable at the same time and in the same manner as salaries are paid to other officers and employees of the City.

(Ord. No. 00-17, § 1(2.10.050), 5-18-2000)

State Law reference— Salary of governing body, Government Code § 36516.

In accordance with Government Code Section 36514.5 and upon submission of an itemized amount, any council member may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.

(Ord. No. 00-17, § 1(2.10.060), 5-18-2000; Ord. No. 05-03, § 1, 3-23-2005)

Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Code or by state law, all City board and commission appointments shall be made by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 00-17, § 1(2.10.060), 5-18-2000)

The general municipal election shall be held on the same day as the statewide election in November of even-numbered years.

(Ord. No. 00-21, § 2(2.10.090), 8-3-2000)

State Law reference— Authority to so provide, Election Code § 1301(b).

Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council shall hold office until the date of a special election, which shall immediately be called to fill the remainder of the term. The special election shall be held on the date of the next general municipal election that is not less than 114 days from the call of the special election.

(Ord. No. 00-21, § 2(2.10.100), 8-3-2000)

State Law reference— Authority to so provide, Government Code § 36512(c).

(a) Mayor. Beginning with the November 2024 general municipal election, the person elected to serve in the office of Mayor shall be elected by the voters City-wide (at-large) for a term of four years. A person is not eligible to hold office as Mayor unless he or she is at the time of seeking nomination or appointment to office an elector of the City. If, during his or her term of office he or she moves his or her place of residence outside of the City limits or ceases to be an elector of the City, his or her office shall immediately become vacant.

(b) Council Member (other than Mayor). Beginning with the November 2024 general municipal election, a person elected as a member of the City Council, other than the Mayor, shall be a resident of his or her respective Council District created by Section 2.01.090 (as may be subsequently reapportioned as provided by applicable law) and shall be nominated and elected only by the voters of his or her respective Council District. A person is not eligible to hold office as Council Member unless he or she is at the time of seeking nomination or appointment to office an elector of the City, residing in the district from which he or she is elected or appointed. If, during his or her term of office he or she moves his or her place of residence outside of the district boundaries or ceases to be an elector of the City, his or her office shall immediately become vacant. However, no Council Member shall be deemed to have moved outside of his or her district as a result of district boundary changes which may occur during his or her term of office, and such Council Member shall continue to serve until his or her term is complete or the office otherwise becomes vacant.

(Ord. No. 23-02, § 1, 10-11-2023)

(a) Council District boundaries. Beginning with the November 2024 general municipal election, the City Council shall consist of five members, with the Mayor elected at-large for a term of four years, and four Council Members elected by-districts for terms of four years each. Descriptions of the boundaries for each of the four Council Districts and their numbering are as shown on Exhibit "A" attached to the ordinance codifying this section along with a map entitled "City of Rancho Santa Margarita Council District Map," a copy of which shall be on file in the City Clerk's office.

(b) Transition to Council Districts.

(1) Nothing herein shall affect the terms of office of the five members of the City Council in office at the time the ordinance codifying this section establishing district elections takes effect, who shall continue in office until their respective terms expire and until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancy and recall proceedings, if any, of such City Council members serving the remainder of an at-large elected term, and an appointment or election of a successor to such City Council Member to complete that term, shall be considered or conducted at-large in accordance with applicable law.

(2) The Mayor elected at-large and the Council Member of Council District 3 shall be elected at the general municipal election in November 2024 and at the general municipal election every four years thereafter.

(3) Council Members shall be elected in Council Districts 1, 2 and 4 at the general municipal election in November 2026 and at the general municipal election every four years thereafter.

(c) Future redistricting.

(1) Future adjustments to the boundaries of the districts established herein shall be made in accordance with federal and state law applicable to general law cities, including, but not limited to, the provision of California Elections Code § 21600 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, requiring the adjustments of the boundaries of any or all of the districts following each decennial federal census.

(2) Pursuant to Elections Code § 21606, the term of office of any Council Member who has been elected and whose term of office has not expired shall not be affected by any change in the boundaries of the district from which he or she was elected, whether or not that Council Member is a resident within the boundaries of the district as adjusted. At the first election for Council following adjustment of the boundaries of the district, a person meeting the requirements of Government Code § 34882 shall be elected to the City Council for each district under the readjusted district plan that has the same district number as a district whose incumbent's term on the Council is due to expire.

(d) Annexations. At the time of any annexation of territory to the City, the City Council shall designate, by resolution adopted by a vote of at least a majority of the City Council, the contiguous district or districts to which the annexed territory shall be a part and shall amend the district boundaries if necessary in accordance with Elections Code § 21603, as it may be amended.

(Ord. No. 23-02, § 2, 10-11-2023)