2026-06-02 CC Agenda Packet - Public Communications related to Item C13 - Charter2026-06-02 CC AGENDA PACKET
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO ITEM C13 - CHARTER
Outlook
Proposed City of El Segundo Charter
From Anya Goldstein <anyagoldstein@gmail.com>
Date Mon 6/1/2026 9:24 AM
To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Dear Mayor Pimentel, Mayor Pro Tern Baldino, and City Councilmembers Keldorf, Giroux, and Boyles,
As you already know, I have significant concerns about the rushed and opaque process that the
Council majority has taken so far regarding the charter city proposal, as well as regarding the
unintended bureaucratic and other consequences of becoming a charter city in general. But I write
now with substantive concerns about the revised proposed charter itself (May 26, 2026 version, made
public May 29, 2026), which I have now had the chance to review. While the revision is significantly
scaled back from the outlandish power grabs in the earlier version, it still does not "take the general
law and put it in the charter" as the city attorney claimed at the last public hearing, nor does it codify
what the city is doing now as councilmembers in favor of the proposal said,
Sections 103, 300, 600, and 601 (and potentially section 301, though it is ambiguous as drafted) adopt
some provisions of the Government Code, Public Contracts Code, and Elections Code, but leave large
portions of these codes unincorporated, meaning the city council could draft ordinances that differ
from what is provided under general law without going back to the voters for a charter amendment.
This charter would, for example, allow the city council to adopt (on day one, not with a charter
amendment) different recall procedures for itself than it currently can.
If these provisions were intended to codify existing law, they would be drafted (for example) as, "The
provisions of the California Elections Code and any other California statute regulating the same, as
now existing and as may be amended, are accepted, reaffirmed and made applicable to the City."
Instead, the provisions are drafted as "With regard to the holding of City of Ell Segundo elections,
the filling of vacant offices, and for voting by mail, the provisions of the California Elections.Code
and any other California statute regulating the same, as now existing and as may be amended, are
accepted, reaffirmed and made applicable to the City." (Proposed Charter, May 26, 2026 revision, §
600 (emphasis added).) That means that only the provisions of the Elections Code regarding the
holding of elections, the filling of vacant offices, and for voting by mail -- three discrete topics found
within the Election Code -- are incorporated as part of the city's charter; all other provisions of the
Elections Code are not. True, city council would have to pass ordinances to change the current default
rules. But the point is that, under this charter, the council could draft and pass such ordinances, which
it cannot do now, and it could do sc without going back to voters, because this charter would already
permit it to do so.
Sections 302, 303, 305, 306, 500, and 700, for their part, explicitly disclaim the relevant provisions of
general law, reserving for the city council vast new powers to adopt ordinances and engage in risky
behavior in the fields of public financing, utilities and utility franchises, city -owned enterprises, land
use, and fines and penalties -- areas where the council (and city more broadly) is currently constrained
by state law, which contains important guardrails at least in the areas of public financing, utility
franchises, land use, and fines.
(Section 400 does not make sense, since El Segundo cannot control any other level of government.)
Section 800 gives a 4/5 supermajority of council the ability to call a costly (and likely low -participation)
special election to amend the charter at any time.
None of these provisions are codifying being a general law city, or just serving as an "insurance policy"
for state law changes down the road. These are significant new grants of power to the city council
that I have not heard considered or discussed in any way.
It is deeply troubling that what was represented to the public at the March city council meeting and
April public hearing are so far from the truth, especially in a matter of such great public importance. If
I am wrong about any of the above, please let me know as soon as possible given
your accelerated timeline for considering this proposal. And please let me know if any of those of you
in favor of this proposal are available to discuss before tomorrow's public hearing.
Thank you,
Anya
Outlook
Charter City Discussion
From Sally <sally@studioantiques.com>
Date Mon 6/1/2026 8:08 AM
To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
I am writing today to ask that more discussion about the meaning and repercussions of this act take
place prior to placing this line item on our upcoming ballot.
I have been out of the country for the past 30 days and have absolutely no clue about this proposed
action. In the past this city's leadership has included residents in a variety of sessions for feedback and
discussion when significant acts that affect us all are being considered. This does not appear to have
happened yet.
Please consider more thorough and inclusive discussion with residents and other impacted stakeholders
before moving to take action.
With kindest regards
Sally Martin
213 Loma Vista St
* Outlook
Charter City - June 2nd Agenda Item C 13
From Melissa McCaverty <melissamccaverty@yahoo.com>
Date Sun 5/31/2026 12:14 PM
To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
Dear Mayor Pimentel and City Council Members -
I am a 24-year resident of El Segundo and live on West Maple Ave.
I am writing to you to encourage you to stop and pause on putting the Charter City on the November 2026 ballot.
I do not have enough information to determine whether or not this is ultimately the right decision for our city.
believe that you- the City Council- have an obligation to inform our community why you believe this belongs on the
ballot.
And this education should be done through resident involvement. Whether that takes shape in the form of Town Halls,
a resident advisory committee, or some other education tool, it is a worthy use of your time.
There is no need to rush this, and I strongly encourage you to stop, pause, and seek the community's involvement
before proceeding with putting this on a future ballot.
One thing is certain, this November is too soon for our community.
Thank you,
—Melissa McCaverty
* Outlook
Public comment re: charter city
From Laura Sorensen <poetry180@yahoo.com>
Date Sun 5/31/2026 12:02 PM
To ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS <ALLELECTEDOFFICIALS@elsegundo.org>
To whom it may concern: My family has resided in El Segundo for 21 years. It's interesting to me, therefore, that I
have just heard from a third party (not a government entity of any kind) that El Segundo plans on switching its
governance to a charter city model. I know the city has my email. I have received many city-wide emails. So why
haven't I heard anything about this from the very people that plan on making this change? Why haven't there been
any meaningful surveys or meetings about this (I refer you to a good example, from the city of Fountain Valley,
below)? What's the big hurry? Please stop these undercover shenanigans, and inform residents of the city what you
are doing BEFORE you do it, so we have a chance to understand and discuss these potential changes. Thank you.
Laura Sorensen
Fountain valley charter city public information:
https://www.fountainvalleygov/1627/Charter-City#docaccess-
3fc0ef9fb871a8e4a9331194329206e740b867cb6f5c2721124b6e96522lb629
https://www.fountainvalleygov/1627/Charter-City