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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 22 CAMPAIGN CONT'S 11-07-94Ae ENDA___ NO. 22 Inter-Corn ..,ATE: NOVEMBER 7, 1994 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS Attached is a memorandum from the City Attorney Tem Potts' request that an ordinance placing contributions be considered by the city Council. related to Mayor Pro limits on campaign Also included for Council review are the current ordinance (Chapter 4) and a proposed ordinance from the City of Irvine. A task force has been formed to work on the proposed ordinance and is tentatively ~cheduled to present their first draft to the Irvine City Council sometime in December. Valerie Crabill Chief Deputy City Clerk LSENDA____ Inter-Com October 20, 1994 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER LOIS E. JEFFREY, CITY ATTORNEY ORDINANCE PLACING LIMITATIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS Recomme__ndation Pleasure of the City Council. Further direction is requested if the City Council wishes to consider such an ordinance. Backrog_~gD_D_~d Mayor Pro Tem Ports has requested that an ordinance placing limits on campaign contributions in municipal elections be consid- ered by the City Council. This could include a limitation on contributions to candidates, to candidate controlled committees, and/or to independent committees. The amount of the limitation on contributions could vary, depending on City Council direction. In addition, the City Council could prefer different penalties for violation, i.e., (1) disqualify self from participation (like "Tin Cup" or Levine Act), or (2) misdemeanor infraction. Local ordinances vary in their approach, so there is not a model, per se to bring forward for consideration. If the Council desires that such an ordinance be prepared for their consideration, it would be helpful to have additional direction as to whether the ordinance should cover all three types of contributions described above, and if there is any preference at this time on the limitation amounts or the penalties. Finally, it is my understanding that within the last two years an interested group of citizens drafted such an ordinance for City Council consideration. I have no problem working with this group on a draft o__r reviewing an ordinance that the group prepares. Direction from the City Council on preparation of a draft would also be appreciated. LEJ: cas :D: 10/20/94: (T130) cc: Valerie Crabill, Chief Deputy City Clerk CITY COUNCIL CHAPTER 4. CAMPAIGN REFORM Sec. i.B-401. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure an en- vironment in the City of Irwine wherein all can- didates for elective office are placed on an equal plane relative to the amount of campaign contri- butions received by them, and further to ensure that the amount contributed by any person does not materially influence the outcome of any elec- tion. To achieve this purpose, this chapter im- poses a mmdmum limitation on the amount of campaign contributions which may be received from a single source for an election campaign. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13-77) Sec. I.B-402. Relation to Political Reform Act of 1974. This chapter is intended to be a supplement to and in no way in conflict with the Political Re- form Act of 1974. Unless otherwise defined in this chapter, words and phrases shall have the same meaning here as that given to them by title 9 of the California Government Code. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13.77) Sec. I.B-403. Campaign contributions-I,imi- tations. (a) No person other than the candidate shall make, and no campaign treasurer shall solicit or accept, any contribution which will cause the total amount contributed by such person in any elec- tion cycle in support of or in opposition to a can- didate in a city election, to exceed one hundred eighty dollars ($180.00). (b) For the purposes of this chapter, contribu- tions to political groups or committees controlled by a candidate shall be deemed to be a contribu- tion in support of the candidate. (c) The word "person" as used in subsection (a) of this section shall include corporations, non- profit corporations, associations and partnerships, political action groups, clubs and committees. (d) The term "election cycle" as used in subsec- tion (a) of this section and in section I.B-404 shall mean as follows: (1) For purposes of a candidate for the office of mayor of the city, the term "election cycle" shall mean any two-year period com- mencing on January I, following a city elec- tion for the office of mayor, and concluding on December 31 the next succeeding city election for the office of mayor. (2) For purposes of a candidate for the office of member of the city council of the city, the term "election cycle" shall mean any four- year period commencing on January 1, fol- lowing a city election for the office ora coun- cilmember and concluding on December 31, of the next succeeding city election for such office. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13-77; Ord. No. 237, §§ 1, 2, 3-13-79; Initiative Ord. No. 81-1, § 1, 11-3-81; Ini- tiative Ord. No. 87-1, § 1, 11-3-87; Ord. No. 92-11, § 1, 7-14.92) Editor's note-Initiative Ord. No. 81-1 wu adopted at an election held Nov. 3, 1981, a~ certified by the board of ~uper. visors Nov. 17, 1981, effective Nov. 27, 1981. Initiative Ord. No. 87-1 was adopted at an election held Nov. 3, 1987, as certified by the board of ~upervisors Nov. 9, 1987, effective Jan. 1, 1988. Sec. I.B-404. Same-Annual adjustment. The campaign contribution limitation set forth in section I.B-403(a) shall be adjusted at the be- ginning of each election cycle as follows: The base for computing the adjustment is the consumer price index (all items) for the Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside area, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bu- reau of Labor Statistics ("index"), which is pub- lished for the month of November, 1992 ("be- ginning index"). If the index published for November at the beginning of each election cycle ("adjustment index") is greater or less than the beginning index, the maximum campaign con- tribution limitation for any election occurring subsequent thereto shall be set by multiplying the maximum campaign contribution set forth in this chapter by a fraction, the numerator of which is the adjustment index and the dehorn- inator of which is the beginning index and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest ten dollars ($10.00). If the index is changed so that the base year differs from that used in the beginning index, the index shall be converted in accordance with the conversion factor published by the United Sup~ No. 42 171 § I.P.404 IRVINE CODE S~ates Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the index is discontinued or re- vised during the term, such other government index or computation with Which it is replaced shall be used in order to obtain substantially the same results as wo~ld be obtained if the index had not been discontinued or revised. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13-77; Ord. No. 237, § 3, 3-13-79; Initiative Ord. No. 81-1, § 2, 11-3-81; Ini- tiative Ord. No. 87-1, § 2, 11-3-87; Ord. No. 92-11, § 2, 7-14-92) Editor~! note--Initiative Ord. No. 81-1 was adopted at an election held Nov. 3, 1981, as certified by the board of super- visors Nov. 17, 1981, effective Nov. 27, 1981. Initiative Ord. Hov. 87-1 was adopted at an election held Nov. 3, 1987, as certified by the board of supervisors Nov. 9, 1987, effective Jan. 1, 1988. Sec. LB-405. Campaign disclosure. In addition to and as a supplement to the r~ quirements of Government Code section 84200 re- garding the time for Frling campaign statements, each candidate for the office of city council shall tile one (1) original and one copy of the campaign statements in the manner required by the Pclit- ical Reform Act of 1974 with the city clerk on 12:00 noon the Friday before the Tuesday of the municipal election, detailing all contributions re- ceived and expenditures made towards his/her election through and including midnight of the Wednesday immediately preceding the election. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13-77) Sec. LB-406. Severability. If any provision of this chapter, or the appl.ica- tion to any person or ciro~m~tances is held in- valid, the validity of the remnlnder of the division and the applicability of such provisions to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. No. 202, § 1, 12-13-77) {The next page is 271] Supp. No. 42 172 - ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF Ta~: CITY COUNCIL 'OF ':'~E CITY OF iRVII{E AMENDING C~A~TER 4 OF DIVISION B OF TITLE I OF THE IRVINE CITY CODE, R~LATING TO CAHPAIGN REFORM The City Council of the City of irvine DOES HEREBY CRDAIN as follows: ~J~--~. Chapter 4 Division B of Title-I of repealed. (Sections 401 through 406, inclusive) of the Irvine Code of Ordinances is her~b~ ~--~- Chapter 4 of Division B of Title Code of Ordinances i~ hereby added, as follows: Sec. I.B-401. ~ame. · ~nis chapter shall be known and .may be cited as the City of ii-vine Campaign Reform Law. Sec. I.B~402. Purpose. !a) The purpose of this chapter is to ensure an envirorm~_~t in the Sity of irvine wherein all c~ndidaces for elective office are placed on an e~al plane relative to the amount of campaign contrihutlons received by them, and further to ensure ~ha6 the ~moun~ contributed by any person does ' - ~ - . ~ not ma~ermal~y Ln~luence the ~utccme ~f any election. To achieve this ~urpose, this chapter imposes ~ mm~xmmum limiuauion on the -3Jaoun~ Df campaign io~trlh~io~s which m~v be received from a sin=ie Scurse for an eiect~un campaign. ' - s; The purpose of this chapter is further to ensure :hat the financlai strengt~ of certain ind~viduais or organizations does not permit them to exercise a disproportionate or cOntroiiinc influence on the election of candidates %or Ci~ ~- ~-= ~ _ ~ . , puruose. ~his cn .... ~ ~- . . -. ~ ~rf ..... o =cn~eve ~hls ~ ~=- ~ oeslqne~ to reGuce ~e influence cf iar~e ~ontr~hutlons, co orovide chat muitiDle conurLbut±ons Ln excess ~f zhe con~r!bution ~imlts do hOC ori=~nate from the same source of funds, 5u allow individuals and interest croups to conutnue zo have a fair and e.~uai opportunzcy co parulc!pate in eiec~nq City candidates, and co maintain punlic ~rust in ~overr~ental institutlcns and the electoral process. Sec. I.B-403. Relation to Political Reform Act. This chapter is intended to be a supplement to and in no way be in conflict with the Poiiuicai ~efo---m, Act. Unless otherwise defined in ~his chapter, words and phrases shall have the same meaning here as ~hat~given to them by the Poliuical Reform Act. £ec. ~.B-404. Definitions. :~ 'City Atscrney" shall mean h _ _~m..~_ -' t e uerson cr fi_.. desianaued such. tuner legal.counsel as may be appointed by the Cit-! Council, ~n any ~ns=ance in which such matter is referred ts, and accepted Sy, such Disur!cz Attorney cr other legal counsel. ~) "City candidate" shall mean any person who is a candidate for the office of mayor or member of the city council of the city. c) "Election cycle" shall mean as follows: (1) For purposes of a candidate for the office of mayor of the city, the ~erm "election cycle" shall mean any ~wo-year period coa~encing on January 1 following a city election for the office of mayor, and concluding on December 31 following the next succeeding city election for the office of mayor. (2) For purposes of a candidaue for ~he office of member of the city council of the city, the term "election cycle" shall mean any four-year period commencing on January i following a city election for the office of a councilmember and concluding on December 31 following the next succeeding city election for such office. ~3) For purposes of a special election for the office of .mayor or a memDer of the ciny council of the city, the term "election cycle" shall mean any period commencing on the da~e on which ~he city council calls a special e!ec~ion and concluding on the uennh day f~ilowing the date of 5hat special election. 4) For purposes of a recall eiecti~n. :he 5erm 'e!ec=ion cycle" shall mean any perLod c~mmenc~ng UDOn zhe earlier of ~a) ~he date on which a commistee has b~en formed pursuant ~o State law in support sf a recall e!ecuion, or ~b) the daze cn which the city clerk formally approves a recall petition for circulation and gathering of signatures, and concluding upon the earliest ~f ix) the date cn which the recall prcpcnents are required by State law to return signed recall petitions to the city clerk, if ~he signed recall petiu/cns are not returned to the city clerk, or (y) the date un which the !as~ con~ittee formed in supporz of the recall is iermina~ed pursuant ........ ~o State !aw, cr ~, -~ ~enth day foliowzng nhe date of that recall eiecnlon. d) "Elective City officer" shall mean any person who is elected cr appointed to 5he cffice of m~yor cr meraner sf 5he city councll of the city. e~ "Non-elected /i~y cfficiai- means any person who is appolnzed or designated hy the city, ur the mayor or a member of 5he ci:-F counc~!, 5o seize as a member ufa clt~ board, ccmmittee, ~r cc..-~-.,lss'1on, and who is not elected 25 ~hau poslti0n. f) "Poiiuical Reform Act" shall mean zhe Political Reform Ac~ cf 1974, as amended, 3overnmenu Code Secuion 81000, e_~_q~, as it may ~e amended from uime ~o uime. Sec. I.B-405. Contribution Limitations. ~ ~ =ion surer sna%l solicit or accept fr~ a~y in opposition =o a City candidate to exceed one hundred u/~e~ dollars ($190.00), as adjusted in accor~a-ce with Sec=ion i.B~406. (b) For the purposes of this chapter, a contribution to a political group or cO~m=ttee con=roile~ by a candidate shall be deemed zo be a contribution in support of that candidate. (c) The contribution limitations set forth in this section shall apply to any co~m~ittee which collects any contribution for the purpose of making any expenditure in su~oor= of or opposition to the recall of an elective City officer during the election cycle for t~ha~ recall election. (d) Any person, including any cou~nittee, ~ha= makes any independent expenditure during an election cycle in support of or ~ppos~uion ~o ~ny City candidate, or in suppor= of or opposition to any r~c~ll effort, shall no~ accep~ any concribu ' person ~hich, individually or ~ .... ~ - t~on .rom any ~on~rlhutions f- .~=~ ~_ ~.._~ .... . ~.~e~ Wl~h previous -- -~u~ ~ .n~S sectlon =or that eieczion cycle. e; The provisions of this section shall not apply uo a City candidaue,s contribution of his or her personal funds or cor~manity proper:y funds zo his cr her own canTgaign committee, but shall apply ~o contributions from the separate proDer~y of a City :andidaze,s spouse. ' i.B-406. A-~ual Adjustment of Cam~ai~m Contribution Lim/ts The campaign contribution limitation set forth in seculon I.B- 405(ai shall be adjusted au ~he beginning of each election cycle as follows: a; The base for computing the adjustment shall be the consumer price index (all items) for ~he Los Angeles-An~heim- ~ivers~de area, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics ("index,,), which is published for the month ~f November, 1994 ("beginning index.). If the index Published for November immediately prior to each election cycle "adjustment index") Ls greater or less unan the hegznnlng index, the r~-xzmu~n campaign conur!buuion limiuauion for any election occ%rr~n~ subsequent .thereto shall be set by imululplyzng the r~xzr, um campazqn ~onur~bu~Lon set forth hn ~nlS nhapuer by a fractlon, The numerator cf which is the adjustment Lndex and the denominator of which is she beqinning ndex and rounding the resultant figure uo the nearest ten dollais ($10.00). (b) If the index is changed so that uhe base year differs from that used in the beginning index, the index shall be conver~ed in accordance with the conversion factor published by the United Staues Deparrnnent of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. If the index is discontinued or revised, such other government index or compusa=ion with which it is replaced shall be used in orde~ to obtain substantially the same results as would be obtained if the index had no= been discontinued or revised. Sec. I.S-407. Ag'~rega~on oZ Con~ibu:iona. (a) All contributions made during an election cycle by a sponsored coa~ttee to a City candidate or to an elective City officer (or to that candidate's or officer's controlled shall be combined with those contributions mde by the sponsor of the committee during that election cycle, and the combined amount shall not exceed the contribution limits specified in section I.B- 405(a) within that election cycle. (b) purposes following Two or more entities shall be treated as one person for of aggregating campaign contributions when any of the circumstances apply: (1) The persons comprising a majority of the members of the board of directors of one entity also comprise a majority of the members of the boards of directcr~ of the other entity~ies;. (2) Two or more persons serving as officers of one entity also serve as officers of the other entity(les). (3) The entities are owned or controlled by the same majority shareholder or shareholders. (4) The entities are in a relationship. parent-subsidiary ~c) A person and any general or limited partnership in which the person has a 10% or greater share, or a person and any co~orauion in which The person owns a 50% or greater interest, shall be treated as one person. (d) No committee which supports or opposes a City candidate shall .have as a majority of its officers individuals who sem-ve as ~he mjority of officers on any other committee which supports or opposes the same City candidate. No such committee shall act in nc ~ wzu~, or soiici5 -- make -- %~n~-=uz_~ns cn ne~aif of, an cf a,~csmml~ee .f ~e Treasurer does not par~iulDaue in or control - ...e_ ~e randidaue uonErLbuuiuns, other Than ~' -- receive ...... ~= ex!pendizures. ~onurlbutlons and . . e; A contribution bv a person ' =~ - mln°r contributor,,3 shelf be' u .... ~uer --gn=een years of age (a minor conLribu~n~ ,,-~ ...... ~=tutu as the con~rlbu~io~ of he =ny person for the purpose of mak~ .... b uo~.~ece!ve~ funds from · - ~--~ ute contrl~union or otherwise clrcumventing the provisions of this cha ~he m~nor contributor receive~ ~---~- = pter. In the even~ ~ , ~ ~=.uu £rom an person for the pur~o~ of ~?ak~ng the contribution or o~herwise circumventing ~ provisions of .this, chapter, the contribution shall not be as ~e contribut=on o , __ _ . =rea=ed ~o =he minor contributor.~ h ~-~u~ -.u ~rovlded such f~ Sea. I.B-408. Prohibition on Multiple Ca~.a~9~ Cmmm4t~ A City candidate or an elective City officer shall have no more t-~anone campaign co~iU~ee for each elective City office, suc~.~°~==ee s~ll have only one ba~ ~al~:ie~ ca~i~ ~d office= ._ accost out of whi~ ~1 . .~ no~er eb~~ rela~ed co ~= c~a~ or C~ty elective office s~ll not d ~is section ~s prevent a City candidate or ~ elective City officer f~ esu~lishing another C~aign co~ittee solely for the pu~ose of ~ng for a s=a~e, federal, local or other City e!eculve office. ~is section also does not ureven~ an elective City officer from es~lishing another c~Dai~ co~iutee solely for zhe -u~ose of oppos~n~ his cr her c~ ~ec~il.- Sec. i-B-409. Transfers of C~ai~ F~ds. _ . A; The transfer of any c ~' ~ - ~f~L_=o a~?t~er City candidate or elec~i~rc~v F~fu-ye - - -unurolle~ co~zZZee, is prohibited. - ~z ~_cer or his b) No Co~lu~ee control!ed by m City candidaue cr elecuive C.ty .... cer s~ll ~ke any conuribuuion 'uo any ~ ~ suppcriing or ODpOSin= a - C-~v candidate, nor ~o a~y other co~ittee suppcrc!ng or opuosin~ a re'all of an elec-~v :~ ~-~_ . sec~z:n shall n~ n~oh~ ...... rre C_~y ~:~-~er. =__~_ _.5 .-- "~-"~ = contrlbucion from hi= ~- = ....... ---?--=ce, or ~o any co--lite2 ....... ~ .... ~=cy -i any ocher G ...... or uo any ~-~.--=- -- , - opposl..= a Cltv ...... ye C_~y o=fzcer. - ppos~_~ = recall of c; N°=wiuhstandin9 Section i.B-407(d) and suDseculons (c) and !~ of this section, a City candidate may transfer funds from his ar her con,roiled committee for an office heid in another -urzs~icnLon or for a different Ci~v elective~-~f~= into his cz ker cmnnrciled ccmmln~ee for a City e!ecni-/e office, ~rc'zlded nhaz each ~erson who contrlbutes ~o either or ~oth commm~5ees shall be suD~ec5 Ln ~he aggregate 5o the contribunlon limlns iurln~ ~he eiec~icn cycle in whick the contribution was made. ~ I.B-410. Loa~s to City Candidates and Elective City Officers and Their Controlled (a) A loan shall be considered a contribution from the maker and any ~uaran~or of the loan and shall be subject to the contrlbu~ion limitations of this chapter. (b) ~very loan to a City candidate or elective City officer or his or her controlled committee shall be by written agreem~.~= which shall be filed wi~h the candidate's or committee,s cam~g~ statement on which the loan is firs= reported. {c) The proceeds of a loan made to a City candidate or eieculve City officer by a cormnercial lending instituumon in-'the regular course of business on the same terms available ~o m-mhers of the public shall not be subject to the contribution limita~-lons of Chis chapter if the loan is made directly to the City canute or elective City officer, or his or her controlled con~nittee. The guarantors of such a loan shall read%in subject to the contribution i/mits of this chapter. (d) Extensions of credit, o~her nhan loans pursuant to section ~.B-410(c), for a period of more tbao 60 days are subject to the contribution limitations of this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of ~his chapter, a City candidate cr elective City 3fficer who has ouustanding debt and no campaign funds remamnlng upon the conclusion of the election cycle in~which he or she was extended credit shall not be subject ~ any of the penaitlas set forth in this chapter for exceedin= the campaign ccntrzku~ion !imins by reason of'his or her faiiu~e nD repa~ any extension of credit. 'e) This section shall apply only uo loans and extensions of credit used or intended for use for campaign purposes cr which are otherwise connected with the holding of public office. if) Notwithstanding any ouher provision, of this section, a City candidate shall not loan funds, or any other 5hinq of value, to his cr her campaign in excess of $10,000 in any election cycle. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict a candidate from contributing his or her ~wn funds or assets uo his or her campaign. I.B-411. Transmittal of Campaign Contributions Within the Ix-vine Civic Center Come, lex. (a; No person shall receive or personally deliver or attempt to deliver a contribution within ~he irVine Civic Center Complex, including its plaza, parking areas and exterior grounds. ---or _~ur~_~cses cf zhis ~-~rl~utl~n in person cr -ausl .... ~- -: of a ~ 5he u~l~e~ States m~; ,~ . ~ =~, other ~,,~-=~ cu~erclal del~v~ ( 2 ) "Receive . includes =he receipt of - contribution delivered in person. = Ca~ai~ an-NO campaign contribution shall be de osit ' ' ~ ~ ..account of a City cannida~= ~ ~----P.- _e.d ~nto a ne. ~sclosure information r~r~ ~.~.=.~_~ve~ .c.l~,y officer contributor o--~'---~=~' occupatzou ~d ' ~S on file in the records of =he reciDien~ o~ the con~r~ution. For each con~r~uuion re~ired to be reported.~ the Poii=ical Refo~ Act, ~he ~ove info'zion shall be incl~ on ~he ca~ai~ s~a~t re~ir~ to be filed by ~he Political ~o~ Act. I.B-413. Reportin~ of Cumulative Contribut~ons. CUmulative contributions from each contributor Zotailing $100 or more in an election cycle shall be i~emized and reDor=_=d on each campaign s~atement required to be filed by ~he Political Reform Act. i.B-414. Supplemental Campa±g~ Disclosure. ~-~'-iE ?ddlt~on ~o and as a supplement ~o the ~=crui~=me~zs o -u~ln_.a£ Reform Act -°~ardin~ 5h= -~--- - ---- i .... f ~he copv cf ~h= ~___ . ..... ~= o~=~ ~lle one crl~i~ai -olltlcal Reform-- ~-~ -= . -. .~= ~uner ~e~lred bv the one Frlday before =he ~esday of the municiDai election, de=ailing . ~u ,~=~ =ne cl~y clerk o~ or before 12:00 ~o~ on all contributions received and e~enditures-~de towards his or her elect!un ~hrouah and includin~ midniahu of the i~e~esday i~edia~ely preceding the election. - I.B-%15. Cr~inal Misd~e~or Actions. ~a) ~Y person who willfully violates any provision of ~his chapter is - ~l-,v of a misd~eanor. ~Y person who willfully causes or solic!6s any other person uo violate any provision of :his chapter, or who aids and abe~s any o~her person in the viola=ion of any urovision of ~his chapter, shall be li~le ~der this section. - - 'b) No person convicted of a misdemeanor under this chapter .may be a candidate for any eiec~ive City office, or may contrac~ 'wlc~ 5ne ~-.v. for prc'zldlnq any goods or se_;i-__~ _o=, cr may act as a ~ald lzbbvlst ~=~= a~v elective -~~ ~ ~ ' . .~_5v ~ffius_ ~ non-elected City 2uficlai cr City employee, for a perLcd C~ fsur'vears fr!icwln? the !ace cf the convlcTiTn, unless the court au the 5lme cf sentencing speclflcaily orders chat this provision shall not be applicable' A plea of noio contenders shell,s deemed a conviction f--- of ih~s section. ~r purp_oses i.B-416. Civil Actions. ~a) Any person who inten~ionaily or negligently vioiaces any provlslon of t~s chapter shall be liable in a civil action brought by the City Attorney or by a person residing within the city amoun~ no~mor~ tb~- three times the amount that the person to regort properly or that the person unlawfully contribu~:ed, expended, gave or received, or $5,000 per violation, whicheve~_is greater. I~ cwo or more persons are responsible for any intentional or negligent violation of any provision of c,hapter, they shall be jointly and severally liable. lb) Other than ~he City Attorney, any person before fil/~ a civil action pursuant to this subdivision shall first file wi~_~he City Attorney a written request for the City Attorney to common.ce the action. The request shall contain a statement of the groum~s for believing a cause of action exists. The City Attorney, 30 days of receipt of the request, shall conduct an initial into ~he merits of the complaint. If the City Attorney in good faith that additional time is needed to review the mat=er further, the complaining party shall be notified and the City Attorney shall au~omatmcail¥ receive an additional 60 days in order ~o dete-~uine the mermTs of the co~plainT. At or before 5he end of ~0 days uhe City Atto,--ney shall inform 5he complaining party whether ~he City Attorney intends to file a civil actmon or is conducting a criminal investigation, if ~he 21ty Attorney ~ndica~es in the affi---J, ative and files a civil action cr criminal charges within 30 days ~hereafter, no other action may be brought unless the action brought by the City Attorney is dismissed without prejudice. C) in determining the amount of liability, the court may cake into account the seriousness of the violation and ~ke degree of culpability of ~he defendant, if a jud?ment is entered against the defendant or defendants in an action, the plaintiff shall ~sc__/_ fifty percent 150%) of the amount reccvered. The remaining fifty percent {50%) snail be deposited into the city's qeneral fund. In any action brough~ by the City Attorney, the entire amoun~ shall be paid ~s ubs general fund. 'd) in any instance where such .matter is referred To and accepted by the Distrmct Attorney or other legal counsel serving as ~he ~ ~-.y Attorney, any civil recovery, pursuant zo 5his section shall be shared in such manner as agreed by the City and such counsel. - i.B-417. No Liability for Inadvertent Violations. No person shall suffer any criminai or civil !iabi!i5y for any inadverzsnt violation cf any provision of this chapcsr, if the person cures or corrects such inadverzenn violation within thirty (30) days of discovery or notice of the violau±on. I.B-418. Injunctive Relief. The City Attorney on behalf of the city, or any resident of the city, may sue for injunctive relief to enjoin any violati~xof or to cO=9e1 compliance with any provision of this chapter. I.B-419. Cost of Litigation. In any action authorized by this chapter, the court may ~. to a prevaili~g party his or her costs of litigation, reasonable attorneys, fees. I.B-420. Lim~ations Period. Any civil action or criminal prosecution for violation provision of this chapter shall be conxnenced within four after the date on which the violation occurred, or thereafte=~ be barred. I.B-421. A~plica~ility of O~her Laws. Nothing in this chapter shall exempt any person from the applicable provisions of any other laws of this State cr the city. I.B-%22. Severability. .if any provision of this chapter, or the application of any provision of this chapter to an erson ' Invalid, ~he ~]~ ~= ~=- Y p . - or clrcumstances, ~s held applicability o'~s~u~cT~-~,_~e r~ema~er of the chapuer and the shall not be affected thereby, d c-rcumstances I.B-423. Iater~retation of Chapter. This chapter shall be liberally construed to acccmplish its purposes. Section 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this crdinance and shall cause this ordinance zo be posted in at lease ~hree (3) public places in the city. Sec=±on 4. This ]rdinance snail n eccme eff 5--~L-ze un /anua_--.- i, i~95. .'-20 PTED this Mayor of the City of i?;ine ATTEST: City Clerk of the City of ir~zine STATE- OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF ORANGE CITY OF !RVINE _, JUDY VONADO, City Clerk of the City of irvine, California, do her~Dy certify that uhe foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting of zhe City Council of the City of i_-vine on the day of 1994, by uhe foiiowzng roll call vote: AYES: COUNCil :~-EMRERS: :[0ES: iOUNCiL /,~--~MBERS: .'-~3S ENT: ZOUNCiL MEMBERS: CLERK ZF -== ----v -= iRViNE