City Council

10.c. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION (I) CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE SUBMISSION TO SOUTH EL MONTE VOTERS OF A BALLOT MEASURE TO REVERT THE ELECTIVE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO AN APPOINTIVE POSITION SELECTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS; (II) ACKNOWLEDGING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE EFFECTUATING THE FOREGOING AMENDMENTS; (III) ORDERING THAT THE BALLOT MEASURE BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE CITY’S NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION; (IV) REQUESTING THAT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INCLUDE THE BALLOT MEASURE AS PART OF CITY’S PRIOR ELECTION CONSOLIDATION REQUEST; (V) REQUESTING THAT THE REGISTRAR-RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK PROVIDE SPECIFIC ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES, INCLUSIVE OF THE BALLOT MEASURE; AND (VI) SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING WRITTEN ARGUMENTS AND REBUTTALS REGARDING THE BALLOT MEASURE AND DIRECTING PREPARATION OF AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS In accordance with City Council’s direction at its July 7, 2026 meeting, this item returns to the City Council for consideration and approval of the attached Resolution, which includes a proposed Ordinance submitting to the City electors the question of whether to return to a selected Mayor. If approved by a majority of South El Monte voters during the November 3, 2026 election, the proposed Ordinance would eliminate the elected office of Mayor, return the seat to a City Council seat, and reestablish the selection of the Mayor by the City Council from among its own members. The current incumbent would be allowed to serve the remainder of their term as Mayor through November 2028. The attached Resolution calls an election for this purpose, to be consolidated with the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election, and the attached Ordinance effectuates the change to the South El Monte Municipal Code subject to voter approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends City Council: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-058, (I) Calling and giving notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026 to submit to the City of South El Monte voters a measure to revert the elective office of Mayor to an appointive position selected by the City Council from among its members; (II) Acknowledging City Council approval of an Ordinance effectuating the foregoing amendments; (III) Ordering that the ballot measure be submitted as part of the City’s November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; (IV) Requesting the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors include the ballot measure as part of the City’s prior election consolidation request; (V) Requesting that the Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk provide specific election administration services, inclusive of the ballot measure; and (VI) Setting priorities for filing written arguments and rebuttals regarding the ballot measure and directing preparation of an impartial analysis; 2. Move to approve the first reading of an ordinance effectuating the same subject to voter approval; 3. Decide who will author the ballot arguments; and 4. Take such additional, related, actions that may be desirable.