City Clerk

Overview

City Clerk
Jeanne Donaldson

Elected November 8, 2016 (first elected term)
Current Term 2020 – 2024

Address: 35 Cajon Street, Suite 4, Redlands, CA 92373
Office Open 7:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm Alternate Fridays
Phone: 909-798-7531
Fax: 909-798-7535
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PUBLIC PORTAL TO SEARCH FOR CAMPAIGN STATMENTS

SEARCH FORM 700 PUBLIC PORTAL https://public.netfile.com/pub/?AID=RDL

2024 CANDIDATES WHO FILED CANDIDATE INTENTION STATEMENT

ELECTION CALENDAR NOVEMBER 5, 2024

RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL 2024

RUNNING FOR CITY CLERK 2024

RUNNING FOR CITY TREASURER 2024

CANDIDATE FILING PERIOD July 15, 2024 to August 9, 2024

For voter registration information visit the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters

https://elections.sbcounty.gov/

General Statement

In Redlands, the City Clerk is an elected official and is responsible directly to the voters. The department keeps an accurate record of the proceedings of the City Council and the Board of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency and acts as the local election official for regular and special municipal elections. The Clerk’s Office is also responsible for: 

  • Ensures the legislative process is open and public, adhering to the publishing requirements for public notices for meetings and public hearings, including City elections, City Council and Commission meetings
  • Records, preserves, researches, and provides for public access to the City’s historical records
  • Maintains an accurate record of all City ordinances, resolutions, contracts, agreements, and deeds and publishes the Municipal Code
  • Provides support to the Mayor and City and service to the community and City departments
  • Keeps an accurate record of the proceedings of the City Council and the Board of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency
  • Acts as filing officer for Conflict of Interest Statements filed by City elected and appointed officials and candidate and officeholder campaign filings

The City Clerk is the custodian of the Official Seal; serves as Secretary to the Redevelopment Agency; certifies copies of official records; and administers oaths and affirmations, including the Oath of Office for the Mayor and City Council.

Mission Statement

The City Clerk’s Office seeks to provide the best possible service to our customers. We strive to provide information and hearing notices to City staff, other public agencies, and the public; offer legislative support to the Mayor and City Council; election support to officeholders and candidates; and records management services to City staff accurately, promptly, efficiently, and in a friendly and helpful manner. We seek to make every contact with our customers a positive and rewarding one and to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.

Other Responsibilities Include:

  • Strive constantly to improve the administration of the affairs of the office consistent with applicable laws and through sound management practices to produce continued progress and fulfill the responsibility to the community and others.
  • Coordinate legal publications and notices of ordinances, resolutions, and public hearings.
  • Provide administrative support to the City Council
  • Disseminate information relative to City Council actions to appropriate parties
  • Custodian of the City’s vital records from 1888-1964
  • Responsible for conducting general municipal and special elections in accordance with the California Elections Code - coordinate ballot measures, arguments and impartial analysis
  • Act as Financial Disclosure Officer for Conflict of Interest filings for Members of the City Council, City Manager, Planning Commissioners, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and designated City employees
  • Assist the County Registrar of Voters during primary and general elections
  • Prepare ordinances and resolutions and maintain the Redlands Municipal Code
  • Research and disseminate City records as necessary
  • Advertise, receive and open bids for public works projects
  • Process annexation, improvement district proceedings, and street vacations
  • Acts as City archivist and historian relating to official acts
  • Maintain an open, diplomatic and neutral relationship with news media which includes the press, radio, and television
  • Answer citizens inquiries by telephone and in person
  • Act as Secretary for the Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors
  • Follow legal procedures for noticing regular, adjourned and special meetings of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency
  • Prepare and administer Clerk’s Office budget
  • Interpret laws of City and State
  • Manage “boutique” of City memorabilia

Historical Context

The City Clerk is one of the oldest professions in government. The early keepers of the archives were often called remembrances and before writing came into use, their memory was the public record. The office of clerk can be traced back to the year 1272 AD in the History of the Corporation of Old London.

When early colonists came to America, they set up forms of local government to which they had been accustomed, and the office of clerk was one of the first established. The colony at Plymouth appointed a person to act as a recorder.

Over the years, municipal clerks have become the hub of government – the direct link between the inhabitants of their towns and their government. The clerk is the historian of the community; the entire recorded history of the town and its people is in the clerk’s care.

Jeanne’s Background

Education

University of California at Riverside – Bachelor’s degree Sociology

Employment

Deputy City Clerk / Administrative Assistant, City of Redlands
Marketing Manager / Executive Assistant, Medical Real Estate Development
Administrative Assistant, University of California, Riverside
Sales Representative, L’Oreal

Personal

  • Single
  • One daughter and one son​
  • Resident of Redlands since 1968