(A) Pursuant to a verified petition as described above, the City Manager will authorize the City Clerk to conduct an election. Election procedures and all other matters related to the conduct of the election will be determined by the City Manager.

(B) The Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization(s) will provide a publicity sheet to the City Clerk to mail directly to the list of Eligible Employees. The length and format of the sheet will be authorized by the City Manager.

(C) Early voting may be conducted up to two weeks prior to the election by the City Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.

(D) The City Manager or designee will schedule the election at an appropriate time and place such that Eligible Employees have an opportunity to vote. The City Manager through the City Clerk shall post a notice prior to the election informing Eligible Employees of the date and time of the election. The polls will only be open during normal business hours.

(E) Ballots will show the names of each Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization submitting a verified petition for an election to represent the Employee Group for purposes of Meet and Discuss. Eligible Employees who participate in the election may mark their ballot to choose a candidate Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization or choose "none of the above." Ballots that indicate more than one choice will not be counted. Ballots on which the voter’s intent is not clear will not be counted. The City Manager shall retain sole discretion in making the final determination on disqualifying ballots in which more than one choice is indicated and/or whether the voter’s intent is not clear.

(F) Employees may cast their ballots at any time the polls are open, but not during their working time.

(G) No more than one Certification election may be held within any Employee Group during any 12-month period. Notwithstanding the above, representation elections may be held at any time upon mutual agreement of the City Manager and the Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization.

(H) A Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization shall be certified by the City Manager if either: (1) a majority of Eligible Employees in the Employee Group cast ballots selecting the Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization as their representative for Meet and Discuss, or (2) at least 80% of Eligible Employees in the Employee Group cast valid ballots in the election and a majority of the ballots cast select the Public Safety Sworn Employee Organization. (Ord. 11-1249, passed 10-24-2011; Am. Ord. 22-1558, passed 9-26-2022)