TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Tom Westbrook, City Manager
SUBJECT:
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Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1101 Adding Article XIII to Chapter 2.102 through 2.111 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code Establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
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1. Conduct the second reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 1101; and
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 1101 adding Article XIII to Chapter 2.102 through 2.111 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
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SUMMARY:
On June 2, 2026, the voters of the City of Red Bluff approved Measure S, the Red Bluff Street Repair and Safety Citizen Initiative. Measure S establishes a local funding source dedicated to eligible street repair and public safety improvements and requires the establishment of a Citizens Oversight Committee to provide independent public oversight of Measure S revenues and expenditures.
Ordinance No. 1101 establishes the administrative and organizational framework for the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee consistent with the requirements of Measure S and the City's existing advisory committee framework.
At its August 18, 2026, meeting, the City Council conducted a public hearing, introduced Ordinance No. 1101, and waived its introduction and first reading by a 5-0 vote.
The ordinance is now presented to the City Council for its second reading and adoption.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
At its July 21, 2026, meeting, the City Council provided direction to staff to return with an ordinance codifying the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
At its August 18, 2026, meeting, the City Council conducted a public hearing and introduced and waived the first reading of Ordinance No. 1101, by a 5-0 vote, establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
DISCUSSION:
Ordinance No. 1101 adds Article XIII to Chapter 2 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code and establishes the structure, membership requirements, appointment procedures, terms of office, organization, duties, meeting requirements, staff support, training requirements, and annual reporting responsibilities of the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
The ordinance further confirms that the Committee serves solely in an advisory capacity and does not have authority to direct City employees, authorize expenditures, modify the Measure S Expenditure Plan, award or select contracts or contractors, determine project priorities, or otherwise exercise administrative authority vested in the City Council or City Manager.
Ordinance No. 1101 is intended to implement the requirements of Measure S through administrative procedures and does not amend, modify, or alter any substantive provision approved by the voters.
Following introduction and first reading on August 18, 2026, Ordinance No. 1101 is now before the City Council for second reading and adoption. Upon adoption, the ordinance will become effective thirty (30) days thereafter and will remain in effect for the duration of Measure S unless otherwise required by law or approved by the voters.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact associated with adoption of Ordinance No. 1101 is expected to be minimal and can be accommodated within existing administrative resources. Staff support for the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee will be provided by existing City personnel.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 1101
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE NO. 1101
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF ADDING ARTICLE XIII TO CHAPTER 2 OF THE RED BLUFF MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING THE MEASURE S CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2026, the voters of the City of Red Bluff approved Measure S, the Red Bluff Street Repair and Safety Citizen Initiative; and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2026, the City Council held the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 1101 establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee; and
WHEREAS, on August 18, the City Council conducted a public hearing and introduced and waived the first reading of Ordinance No. 1101, by a 5-0 vote, establishing the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
WHEREAS, Measure S establishes a Citizens Oversight Committee to review the independent fiscal audit, monitor implementation of the Expenditure Plan, issue annual reports, and make
recommendations regarding the proper expenditure of Measure S revenues; and
WHEREAS, Measure S further authorizes the City to adopt implementing ordinances, rules, and administrative procedures necessary to carry out the purposes of the initiative; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is necessary to implement Measure S in a manner that promotes transparency, accountability, consistency with existing City boards and commissions, and efficient administration of the initiative; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance does not amend or alter any substantive provision of Measure S but instead establishes administrative procedures consistent with the initiative.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RED BLUFF DOES ORDAIN ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Findings.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. Addition of Municipal Code.
Article XIII is added to Chapter 2 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code to read substantially as follows:
ARTICLE XIII. MEASURE S CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
§ 2.102 CREATION.
There is hereby created the Measure S Citizens Oversight Committee.
The Committee shall implement those duties prescribed by Measure S and shall serve solely in an advisory capacity to the City Council.
Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to amend, modify, or supersede any provision of Measure S.
§ 2.103 COMPOSITION; APPOINTMENT.
(A) The Committee shall consist of five members appointed by the City Council.
(B) Membership shall consist of residents, business owners, and property owners within the City in any combination, provided there is at all times:
1. At least one resident;
2. At least one business owner; and
3. At least one property owner.
(C) A member may satisfy more than one qualification.
(D) No member shall be:
1. A member of the Red Bluff City Council;
2. A member of the Tehama County Board of Supervisors;
3. An employee of the City of Red Bluff; or
4. An employee of the County of Tehama.
(E) Each applicant shall complete:
1. A City application;
2. A Measure S Eligibility Affidavit;
3. Any conflict-of-interest disclosures required by law.
§ 2.104 TERMS OF OFFICE; VACANCIES; REMOVAL; QUALIFICATIONS.
Members shall be appointed by the City Council subject to the following:
(A) Terms shall be three years.
(B) Initial appointments shall be staggered so that two members serve three-year terms, two members serve two-year terms and one member serves a one-year term.
(C) A vacancy shall occur upon expiration of term, death, resignation, loss of qualification, or removal.
(D) Vacancies shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term.
(E) A member may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council.
(F) A member is disqualified and automatically removed if absent from two consecutive regular meetings without prior consent of the Chair. The City Council may rescind the automatic removal and reappoint the member.
(G) Each member shall annually certify continued eligibility.
§ 2.105 ORGANIZATION.
(A) At the first regular meeting each calendar year the Committee shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair.
(B) The Committee shall adopt rules governing its procedures.
(C) The Committee shall comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
(D) Three members shall constitute a quorum.
§ 2.106 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Committee shall:
(A) Review the independent annual fiscal audit required by Measure S.
(B) Review annual reports concerning implementation of the Expenditure Plan.
(C) Monitor expenditures for consistency with Measure S.
(D) Monitor implementation of the projects identified in the Expenditure Plan.
(E) Receive staff reports regarding revenues, expenditures, project status, and audit findings.
(F) Make recommendations to the City Council.
(G) Prepare an annual report to the citizens and City Council concerning compliance with Measure S.
(H) Review any independent compliance audit prepared pursuant to Measure S.
§ 2.107 ADVISORY CAPACITY.
The Committee shall act solely in an advisory capacity.
The Committee shall have no authority to:
1. Direct City of Red Bluff employees;
2. Authorize expenditures;
3. Modify the Expenditure Plan;
4. Award contracts;
5. Select contractors;
6. Determine project priorities;
7. Exercise administrative authority vested in the City Council or City Manager.
§ 2.108 MEETINGS.
The Committee shall hold regular meetings at such times as established by its Bylaws and may hold special meetings as permitted by law.
§ 2.109 STAFF SUPPORT.
The City Manager shall designate a staff member to serve as Secretary to the Committee and provide administrative support, including agenda preparation, minutes, records management, financial reporting, and coordination of public notices.
§ 2.110 TRAINING.
Committee members shall complete ethics training required by Government Code section 53234 (AB 1234) and Brown Act training within six months of appointment.
§ 2.111 ANNUAL REPORT.
Following completion of the annual independent fiscal audit, the Committee shall present its annual report at a regular meeting of the City Council. The report shall be made available to the public on the City's website.
SECTION 3. CEQA.
The City Council finds this ordinance is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378 because it establishes administrative procedures for implementation of a voter-approved initiative. Alternatively, the ordinance is exempt under the common sense exemption in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3), as it can be seen with certainty that adoption of this ordinance will not have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of the ordinance.
SECTION 5. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption and shall remain in effect for the duration of Measure S unless otherwise required by law or approved by the voters.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT OR NOT VOTING:
ATTEST: ___________________________
Mayor’s Signature
___________________________
Deputy City Clerk