Measure Q was placed on the ballot by the City Council. This Measure, if approved by the Torrance voters, would amend the City Charter to transition from an elected City Clerk to an appointed City Clerk.
California law allows the City Clerk to be elected or appointed. A number of cities in California, however, have voted to transform the post into an appointive position to ensure that the persons discharging the duties of the office have the professional skills and experience necessary to competently and responsibly discharge the duties of the position. There were 382 appointed City Clerks and 101 elected City Clerks as of March 2019 according to the City Clerks Association of California. Torrance has historically had an elected City Clerk who serves a four-year term. The current City Clerk was elected in June 2018 and the term will in end in March 2022 or as soon thereafter as the election can be certified. The current City Charter requires that the City Clerk must be: (1) a resident of the City, (2) registered to vote in the City, and (3) at least 18 years old. There are no minimum educational requirements, professional qualifications, or minimum City Clerk experience.
The City Clerk manages the City's official records, prepares City Council agendas, prepares meeting minutes, publishes and posts official notices, accepts service of claims, lawsuits, subpoenas, and official documents on behalf of the City, processes initiatives and referenda, attends City Council meetings, responds to Public Records Act requests, manages compliance with the State conflict of interest filings, and manages City elections.
If this Measure is approved, the City Clerk will become an appointive position at the end of the current term. The Measure provides that the City Clerk will be appointed by the City Manager. The City Council may establish minimum educational requirements, professional qualifications, or minimum City Clerk experience for the City Clerk. An appointed City Clerk need not be a City resident.
A YES vote on Measure Q is to make the City Clerk an appointive office upon expiration of the term of the current elected City Clerk. A NO vote on Measure Q is to retain an elected City Clerk. A majority vote is required for the Measure to pass.
