California Attorney General Opinion 23-102

BACKGROUND

The City of Ventura is a charter city with a council-manager form of government. 2 The city council consists of seven members elected by district for staggered terms of four years. 3 After each election, the council appoints one of its members to serve as mayor for a term of two years. 4 The mayor acts as the official head of city government on public and ceremonial occasions. 5 The mayor also presides over sessions of the city council and

2 Ventura City Charter, §§ 800-803; Ventura Municipal Code, §§ 2.315.010-2.315.030. 3 Ventura City Charter, § 507; Ventura Municipal Code, §§ 2.210.010-2.210.030. 4 Ventura City Charter, § 703, subd. (a). 5 Ventura City Charter, § 703, subd. (c).

2 23-102 determines the order of business under council rules. 6 But the mayor has no veto power over the council.

On September 13, 2022, the city announced on social media that the mayor would deliver a “State of the City Address” on September 22 at an event “hosted by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.” 8 The Ventura Chamber of Commerce is a private, voluntary association that promotes commercial interests in and around the city. 9 The…