HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinances 2066 ORDINANCE NO. cbb(n
AN ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY AMENDING SECTION 2.20.060 OF
THE CENTRAL POINT MUNICIPAL CODE TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE
REQUIREMENT TO FILE BY PETITION FOR THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Recitals:
A. Words lined through are to be deleted and words in bold are added.
B. Central Point Municipal Code 2.20.060 states that nomination for city
elective positions shall be by a petition signed by not less than twenty
electors of the city who reside within with in the ward for which the
candidate is running. In the case of the Mayor and two At-Large positions
they would reside within the city limits.
C. In 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic
caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus. Coronaviruses can cause
respiratory disease, with the potential to cause serious illness or loss of
life for individuals with underlying health conditions. In March, Governor
Kate Brown declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak
in Oregon (Executive Order No. 20-03), finding that COVID-19 has
created a threat to public health and safety constituting a statewide
emergency. Executive Order 20-12 enacted a public health law called
"Stay Home, Save Lives" including restrictions of limitations on individual
travel, social distancing requirements and enforcement measures for non-
compliance. Said order is in place indefinitely.
D. Electronic signatures for elections purposes are only permitted by state
law at the present time for initiative, referendum, or recall purposes but not
petitions for candidacy.
E. The City desires to abide by the Governor's order and do what it can to
protect the health and safety of its residents.
F. The City finds that requirements to collect original signatures during the
COVID pandemic may unnecessarily increase health risks to its residents
through increased personal contact.
G. In order to ensure that this temporary modification is adopted prior to
the opening of elections on July 6, 2020, and that potential candidates
have adequate information as to the process for candidacy prior to that
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date, the City finds that a Declaration of Emergency is necessary.
THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF CENTRAL POINT DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 2.20.060 of the Central Point Municipal Code is amended to
read:
Chapter 2.20
Elections, Wards
Sections:
2.20.060 Nomination by petition
2.20.060 Nomination by petition.
A. Nomination for a city elective position shall be by a petition that specifies the
office sought and shall be in a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and the
city of Central Point.
B. Electors may sign one petition for each position to be placed on the ballot. The
circulator must certify on each signature sheet that the circulator witnessed the
signing of the signature sheet by each individual whose signature appears on the
signature sheet and attest that each individual is believed to be qualified to sign
as provided in ORS 249.061(4). Failure to comply with the legal requirements
and guidelines as contained in OAR 165-014-0270 will result in the rejection of
those signature sheets.
C. Signature sheets may not be circulated until the city recorder has approved
the prospective petition and provided a letter authorizing the gathering of
signatures.
1. All petitions for nomination for the office of city councilor from a particular
ward shall be signed by not less than twenty electors of the city who reside
within that ward.
2. All petitions for nomination for the office of mayor or a city councilor-at-
large shall be signed by not less than twenty electors of the city.
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D. Candidates must allow sufficient time to have the signatures verified by the
Jackson County elections division before the city's filing deadline. Failure to do
so will result in the rejection of those signature sheets.
E. When the city recorder receives notification that a minimum of twenty
signatures have been approved by the Jackson County elections division, a letter
of completion will be provided to the candidate.
F. Alternative Method for Social Distancing. Until January 1, 2021, in lieu
of the above-described signature requirements of Sections A — E above, an
individual may instead choose to pay a fee of$25 to the City of Central
Point to be paid along with the Candidate forms prescribed in 2.20.080,
filed with the City Recorder.
Section 2. This change to Section 2.20.060 of the Central Point Municipal
Code shall be repealed without further Council action effective January 1, 2021.
Section 3. Codification. Provisions of this Ordinance shall be incorporated in the
City Code and the word Ordinance may be changed to "code", "article", "section",
"chapter", or other word, and the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered,
or re-lettered, provided however that any Whereas clauses and boilerplate
provisions need not be codified and the City Recorder is authorized to correct
any cross references and any typographical errors.
Section 4. EMERGENCY. This ordinance is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the health, and safety of our citizens and potential candidates due
to the limited time frame and limited meeting schedule during this pandemic. This
ordinance shall be in full force and effective on the date of its passage.
Pissed by t .e.Council and signed by me in authentication of its passage
this /1 day of hg, ,
Mayor Hank Williams
ATTE •
City Recorder
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