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Page 2 of 3 that preempt the city’s charter provisions. As a result, charter city status can immunize charter cities from some, but not all, state laws. Therefore, the transition to a charter city could possibly bring more local control and flexibility in governance for local issues specific to Pleasanton. For a general law city to become a charter city, the city’s voters must approve the change. The charter process has many detailed steps, including community engagement, before the charter is placed on the ballot for voter approval. The process begins with drafting a charter, which should reflect the City's vision, values and priorities. This work can be done by a charter commission elected by voters, a charter committee appointed by the city council, or the city council itself. The amount of time it takes to complete this process and the cost associated with the project depends on various factors, including the length of the document, its complexity, and the amount of public input considered during its creation. Additionally, depending on how the draft charter is constructed and eventually placed on the ballot, it may be subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. If the draft charter affects wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment for City employees, the City would be required to meet and confer in good faith with the affected bargaining groups before the charter is placed on the ballot. Prior to seeking voter approval of a charter, the city council must hold at least two public hearings. These hearings must be at least 30 days apart, with one held outside normal business hours. No vote by the city council can place the proposed charter on a ballot until at least 21 days after the second public hearing. Charter proposals must be placed before voters in an established statewide general election. There is more than one path for a proposed charter to arrive on the ballot, and the path selected will dictate the timing. For the current year, the City has until August 9, 2024, to submit election materials to the County for inclusion on the November 5, 2024, statewide general election ballot. Due to the time-bound procedural requirements, a charter satisfying the statutory requirements could not be completed in time this year to meet the submittal deadline. The next opportunity to include a charter on a consolidated general election ballot would be the November 2026 ballot. Staff will begin an initial assessment and feasibility study to ensure a thorough and community-driven process. This study will help the City evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of adopting a city charter, review best practices from other cities, and identify key stakeholders. The findings will provide a well-informed recommendation to the City Council on how to proceed. Staff anticipates bringing the findings of the initial assessment and feasibility study to the City Council in early 2025. If there is support to proceed at that time, staff will develop a detailed calendar outlining the key milestones and deadlines for the charter adoption process. Staff will also design a process that allows voters to decide this issue in the November 2026 election, ensuring transparency and community involvement. Page 27 of 782