(a) The city council is authorized to conduct elections wholly by mail ballot as described in subsection (b) of this section. The city council shall determine whether an election will be conducted by mail at the time the election is called. Actions of the city council pursuant to this section shall be set forth in a resolution approved at a regular or special meeting of the city council.
(b) The following items may be the subject of a mail ballot election:
(1) Any election to approve a special tax as required or authorized by Article XIII C of the California Constitution.
(2) Any election to approve a property-related fee or charge as required or authorized by Article XIII D of the California Constitution.
(3) Any assessment ballot proceeding required or authorized by Article XIII D of the California Constitution; provided, however, that such a proceeding shall be denominated an "assessment ballot proceeding" rather than an election.
(c) Elections authorized by this section shall not occur on the same date as a statewide direct primary election or statewide general election.
(d) Elections authorized by this section shall be deemed to be special elections within the meaning of Section 3 of Article III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto and shall be conducted in accordance with special provisions as may be adopted by resolution of the city council with respect to assessment ballot proceedings and elections for property-related fees and charges, and, with respect to elections on taxes, in accordance with the provisions for mail ballot elections set forth in Elections Code Sections 4100 and following, as now exist or may hereafter be amended, and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 4647 § 2, 2000)