Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2005-10-24 #R • 7; ti d 41 1 5 39 • _ • AGENDA REPORT DATE: October 24, 2005 646) TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council ® 0q.0 THRU: John B. Bahorski, City Manager d FROM: Linda Devine, City j„t, t oite„ SUBJECT: PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2006 r) �+ 4 SUMMARY OF REQUEST Approve proposed Resolutions and Ordinances relating the City of Seal Beach 2006 Primary Municipal Election: 1) Ordinance amending the Seal Beach Municipal Code by adding Section 2.05.020 relating to the Conduct of Mailed Ballot Elections. The Ordinance will take effect upon adoption. 2) Ordinance calling and giving notice of the holding of a Primary Municipal Election to be held in the City on Tuesday March 28th, 2006 for the election of three members of the City Council of the City as authorized and required by the provisions of the Charter of the City of Seal Beach. The Ordinance will take effect upon adoption. 3) Resolution requesting that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to render specified services to the City relating to.the conduct of the Primary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, and if necessary, at a General (Run -off) Election on May 9th, 2006. 4) Resolution adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to Candidate Statements submitted to the voters at the Primary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, and if necessary, at a General (Run -off) Election on May 9th, 2006. The nomination period for the March 28th, 2006 Primary Municipal Election for Council Districts One, Three, and Five opens on Monday, December 5th, 2005 and will close on Friday, December 30th, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. In the event an eligible incumbent does not file nomination papers by the December 30th deadline the nomination period for candidates in that Council District, other than the incumbent, shall be extended until 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4th, 2006. Agenda Item �' BACKGROUND Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Seal Beach the last Tuesday in March of even - numbered years is designated as the day for the holding of the City Primary Municipal Election. By action taken the City Council, at the September 12, 2005 Council meeting authorized the City Clerk to hold a citywide mail ballot election on March 28th, 2006. Pursuant to provisions of § 10002 of the Elections Code the City Council requests the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to permit the County Election Department to prepare and furnish to the City for use in conducting the election the computer record of the names and address of all eligible registered voters in the City in order that the City may print labels to be attached to self - mailer sample ballot pamphlets, to verify voters signatures, and any other assistance according to state law. The Candidate's Statement is included in the Voter Information Pamphlet, which is provided to each registered voter. The Election Code makes provision for a 200 word Candidate Statement, however allows the legislative body to increase the Statement to 400 words. Staff recommends that the Statement be limited to 200 words, as it has in the past. It is further recommended that each candidate filing a Candidate Statement be required to pay in advance his or her prorated share of the cost of printing and handling the Statement. The estimated the cost for a candidate at $200.00. Should a candidate wish to have a foreign language translation of his or her Statement printed, that additional cost would likewise be passed on to the candidate. FINANCIAL IMPACT There is no unanticipated budget impact. RECOMMENDATION Approve the following proposed documents related to the March 28, 2006 election: 1) Ordinance Number 1539 amending the Seal Beach Municipal Code by adding Section 2.05.020 relating to the Conduct of Mailed Ballot Elections. The Ordinance will take effect upon adoption. 2) Ordinance Number 1540 calling and giving notice of the holding of a Primary Municipal Election to be held in the City on Tuesday March 28th, 2006 for the election of three members of the City Council of the City as authorized and required by the provisions of the Charter of the City of Seal Beach. The Ordinance will take effect upon adoption. 3) Resolution Number requesting that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of the Primary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, and if necessary, at a General (Run -off) Election on May 9th, 2006. 4) Resolution Number adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to Candidate Statements submitted to the voters at the Primary Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, and if necessary, at a General (Run -off) Election on May 9th, 2006. • in• a Devine, City Clerk NOT % ND A ' PROV D • 4 4'd / I J o . Bahorski, City Manager Attachments: R City of Seal Beach Primary Nominating Election March 28, 2006 Laws in effect in 2005 (Calendar laws updated 10/11/2004) Tentative until after the 2005 Legislative session ends Date(s) LE minus Action October 7 E -172 Suggested Last Day to File Petitions Regarding Measure November 21 E -127 Suggested Last Day for Council to Adopt Resolutions November 21 to December 5 E - 127 to 113 Election Official to Publish Notice of Election - Candidates & Measures November 28 E -120 Last Day to Adopt Regulations for Candidates Statements December 5 to December 30 E -113 to 88 Filing Period for Nomination Papers and Candidate's Statements (January 2 if closed on Friday, December 30, and January 3 if closed on Monday, January 2) December 6 E -112 Suggested Last Day to Call Election For Ballot Measures December 7 E -111 Suggested Last Day to Post Notice of Deadline for Filing Arguments December 20 E -98 Suggested Last Day to File Arguments /Must Be 14 days after Council calls Election December 30 E -88 Suggested Last Day to File Rebuttal Arguments / 10 Days after Arguments December 30 E -88 Last Day to Call Election For Ballot Measures December 30 or E -88 Last Day to File Nomination Papers (January 2 if closed on Friday, December 30, and January 3 if closed on Monday, January 2) January 4 E -83 Last Day to File Nomination Papers — Extension January 4 E -83 Last Day to Withdraw Measure(s) from Ballot January 5 E -82 Secretary of State to Determine Order of Names on Ballot January 12 E -75 Time to Cancel Election — Insufficient Candidates January 26 E -61 Last Day to Submit Precinct Consolidations to County January 26 E -61 Suggested Last Day to Designate Polling Places January 27 E -60 Suggested Last Day To Request Postage Check for Mailing of Sample Ballot Pamphlets January 30 to March 14 E -57 to 14 Filing Period for Write —in Candidate January 31 Last Day to File Campaign Expenditure Statements - Semi - Annual Statement February 16 E-40 Last Day to File Campaign Expenditure Statements - 1st Pre - election Statement February 27 E -29 Last Day to Appoint Election Officers & Polling Places February 27 E -29 First Day to Mail out Permanent Absent Voter Ballots February 27 to March 21 E -29 to 7 Voters May Request Absentee/ Vote by Mail Ballots Regular Applications March 7 E -21 Last Day to Mail Sample Ballots and Polling Place Notices March 13 E -15 Last Day to Register to Vote March 14 E -14 Last Day to File for Write —in Candidate March 16 E -12 Last Day to File Campaign Expenditure Statements - 2nd Pre- election Statement March 17 E -11 Suggested Last Day to Post Notice — Absentee Canvass March 18 E -10 Publish Notice of Central Counting Place March 18 E -10 Last day to publish Ordinances regarding election March 21 E -7 Last Day for Election Official to Publish Notice of Nominees March 21 E -7 Last Day to Publish Notice of Election Officers & Polling Places March 21 E -7 First Day to Process ReturnedNoted Absent Voter Ballots March 22 to March 28 E -6 to E Emergency /Late Absent Voting Period March 28 E ELECTION DAY March 28 E Last Day to Receive Absent Voter Ballots March 28 E Election Official to Canvass Absent Voter Ballots April 1 Last Day to Submit Report on Measures to Secretary of State April 4 E +7 Election Official to Canvass the Returns and to Declare the Results May 3 (30 days after Last Day to File Statement of Economic Interests Assuming Office) May 9 2nd Tuesday General Municipal Election day July 31 Last Day to File Campaign Expenditure Statements - Semi - Annual Statement Martin N Chapman Co. • 1951 Wright Circle • Anaheim CA 92806 • 7141939 -9866 • 714/939 -9870 (R1/31/2005) www.martinchapman.com 1 scott@martinchapman.com 4 ORDINANCE NUMBER 1539 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH AMENDING THE SEAL BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING SECTION 2.05.020 RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF MAILED BALLOT ELECTIONS WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 507 of the Seal Beach Official Charter, the City Council may adopt ordinances governing municipal elections; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires that municipal elections be conducted as mailed ballot elections, in order to reduce election costs and to increase voter participation; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to provide a procedure for conducting City elections by all- mailed ballot in the future. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Title 2 (Elections) of the Seal Beach Municipal Code is amended by adding Section 2.05.020 to read as follows: § 2.05.020 Mail Ballot Primary Nominating Elections, General Municipal Elections and Special Elections. A. Pursuant to Section 507 of the Seal Beach Official Charter, the City Council hereby authorizes, provides for and mandates the conduct of all- mailed ballot elections for primary nominating elections, general municipal elections and special elections, including any election to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds. Such mail ballot elections shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 2 of Division 4 (commencing with Section 4100) of the California Elections Code, except as otherwise provided in this Section 2.05.020. B. Election Code Sections 3001 through 3008, 3013, 3015 through 3017, and 3020 through 3022 shall not be applicable to City elections conducted pursuant to this Section 2.05.020. Chapter 1 of Division 4 of the Elections Code (commencing with Section 4000) and Election Code Sections 4104 through 4108 shall not be applicable to the City elections conducted pursuant to this Section 2.05.020. C. Elections Code Section 4103 shall apply with the added provision that, at the time of calling an all- mailed ballot election, the City Council may change the deadline for the receipt of ballots by the City Clerk for that election. In the event the Council makes such a change, the change shall also apply to the "8:00 p.m." deadline specified in paragraphs F, K and N below. D. Any voter may personally return his or her ballot to the City Clerk's office, to any designated drop -off site, or the voter may designate and authorize, in the voter's own handwriting at the appropriate place on the outside of the ballot envelope, any adult person other than any candidate for any office in such election, to deliver the voter's ballot to the City Clerk's office or to any designated drop -off site. The City Clerk shall provide the appropriate form on the ballot envelope for the voter's handwritten and signed designation and authorization. The person who delivers any other voter's ballot to the City Clerk's office or to any designated drop -off site shall, at the time of such delivery, present sufficient photographic identification to prove that he or she is the person who has been expressly designated and authorized by the voter, and shall personally sign, in the presence of the City Clerk or the City Clerk's representatives, a declaration under penalty of perjury relating to such designation, authorization, and delivery on a form furnished by the City Clerk's office. E. Elections Code Section 3019 shall apply with the added provision that the City Clerk may compare a copy of a voter's signature produced from the original ballot envelope to the voter's signature on the original affidavit, or may arrange with the County Registrar of Voters to compare such signature copies on the City's behalf, and if a ballot shall be rejected on the basis of such comparison an appropriate notation shall be marked on the original ballot envelope as required by Section 3019. F. The City Clerk's Office shall be open 29 days before election day on weekdays (excluding holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on election day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and at that time, shall be closed. G. Each ballot mailed by the City Clerk shall be accompanied by instructions for return of the ballot, including the location of the City Clerk's Office for in- person drop -offs of ballots, and the date and time by which such ballots must be received at the City Clerk's Office or to any designated drop -off site to be counted for the election. H. Each ballot mailed by the City Clerk shall be accompanied by an official return envelope bearing sufficient postage for return by regular first class United States mail. I. The failure of any registered voter to receive an official ballot shall not invalidate any election conducted pursuant to this Chapter. J. Ballots may be returned by regular, certified or registered United States mail, overnight commercial carrier, or in person. Ballots returned in person may be returned to the City Clerk's Office or to any designated drop -off site. The City Clerk may include a notice to voters to the effect that they are permitted to return the voted ballot by certified or registered United States mail or overnight commercial carrier. Any voter electing to use such means of delivery shall pay any additional postage required as a result. K. Any ballot received by the City Clerk by mail at the City Clerk's Office or to any designated Drop -off site after 8:00 p.m. on election day shall not be accepted or counted; however, if at 8:00 p.m. on election day there are any voters inside City Hall who have not been able to deposit their official ballot envelope with the election officials there, the election officials shall continue to accept envelopes from such voters until all have had the opportunity to deliver their ballots. L. Any registered voter who will be absent from the City prior to the mailed - ballot election to and including the date of the election may file a written application with the City Clerk to receive an "absentee" mailed ballot at an address other than the voter's residence. The application shall be filed following the adoption of the ordinance or resolution calling the mailed ballot election and on or before the 7th day prior to the election. The application shall show the voter's place of residence and the address to which the ballot should be mailed, and state that the voter will be unable to receive and return the mailed ballot by the election date, and shall be signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury. No voter who requests an absentee mailed ballot shall be required to return or surrender a duplicate mailed ballot sent to the voter's residence. M. Any registered voter who has not already cast his or her vote may obtain a ballot at the City Clerk's office or at designated drop -off sites. Such places should provide the necessary materials to enable voters to cast their votes in person -- in accordance with the provisional ballot provisions of the Elections Code. N. Notwithstanding any provision in the California Elections Code, the City Clerk may commence processing the ballots no earlier than the 7th working . f day prior to the election. However, the City Clerk shall not release any results until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Section 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance by the City Council, and is hereby directed, upon the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, to cause the same to be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the City and to be published either (a) once a day for at least seven (7) days in a newspaper published at least six (6) days a week in the City, or (b) once a week for two (2) weeks in a newspaper published less than six (6) days a week in the City, and to publish a synopsis of the proposition set forth in Section 1 hereof one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. No other notice of the election hereby called need be given. Section 3. This Ordinance, being an ordinance calling, or otherwise relating to an election, shall take effect immediately from and after its adoption pursuant to Section 416 of the Seal Beach Charter. Section 4. If any section, subsection, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, or otherwise invalid such decision should not affect the validity of the remaining sections of this ordinance. The Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, clause, and phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October , 2005. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS CITY OF SEAL BEACH ) I, Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October , 2005, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members NOES: Council Members ABSENT: Council Members ABSTAIN: Council Members and do hereby certify that Ordinance Number 1539 has been published as required by law. City Clerk ORDINANCE NUMBER 154fl AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28th, 2006, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE CITY AS AUTHORIZED AND REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Pursuant to the requirements of the Seal Beach Charter, the City Council hereby calls and orders a Primary Municipal Election to be held in the City of Seal Beach, County of Orange, State of California, on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, for the purpose of electing one member of the City Council from Councilmanic District One for the full term of four years, one member of the City Council from Councilmanic District Three for the full term of four years, and one member of the City Council from Councilmanic District Five for the full term of four years. Section 2. The ballots to be used at the election shall be in form and content as required by law. Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment, and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election. Section 4. Pursuant to Section 507 of the Seal Beach Official Charter and Ordinance Number 1539 the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding all- mailed ballot municipal elections. Section 5. The notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form, and manner as required by law. Section 6. Pursuant to Section 416 of the Charter of the City of Seal Beach, this ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately upon its adoption. Section 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this ordinance, shall cause same to be published as required by law, and entered into the book of original ordinances. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach, California, at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October, 2005. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS • CITY OF SEAL BEACH ) I, Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October , 2005, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members NOES: Council Members ABSENT: Council Members ABSTAIN: Council Members and do hereby certify that Ordinance Number 1540 has been published as required by law. City Clerk RESOLUTION NUMBER 6 3 / A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF ORANGE TO RENDER SPECIFIED SERVICES TO THE CITY RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF A PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28th, 2006, AND IF NECESSARY, AT A GENERAL (RUN -OFF) ELECTION ON MAY 9th, 2006. WHEREAS, a Primary Municipal Election is to be held in the City of Seal Beach, California, on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, and if necessary, a general (run -off) election is to be held on May 9, 2006; and WHEREAS, in the course of conduct of the election it is necessary for the City to request services of the County; and WHEREAS, all necessary expenses in performing these services shall be paid by the City of Seal Beach; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That pursuant to the provisions of §10002 of the Elections Code of the State of California, the City Council requests the Board of Supervisors of the County to permit the County Election Department to prepare and furnish to the City for use in conducting the election the computer record of the names and addresses of all eligible registered voters in the City in order that the City may print labels to be attached to self - mailer sample ballot pamphlets; assistance in verifying voter signatures; and to make available, if necessary, to the City additional election equipment and assistance according to state law. Section 2. That the City shall reimburse the County for services performed when the work is completed and upon presentation to the City of a properly approved bill. Section 3. That the City Clerk is directed to forward without delay to the Board of Supervisors and to the County Election Department, each a certified copy of this resolution. Section 4. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original Resolutions. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October,. 2005, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members NOES: Council Members ABSENT: Council Members ABSTAIN: Council Members Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk ,• STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS CITY OF SEAL BEACH } I, Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution is the original copy of Resolution Number on file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of Ontoher , 2005. City Clerk RESOLUTION NUMBER Ra" A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATE STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT THE PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 28th, 2006, AND IF NECESSARY, AT A GENERAL (RUN -OFF) ELECTION ON MAY 9th, 2006. WHEREAS, Section 13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California provides that the governing body of any local agency adopt regulations pertaining to materials prepared by any candidate for a municipal election, including costs of the candidate's statement. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Each candidate for elective office to be voted for at the Primary Municipal Election to be held in the City of Seal Beach on Tuesday, March 28th, 2006, may prepare a Candidate's Statement on an appropriate form provided by the City Clerk. The Statement may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than two hundred (200) words of the candidate's education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself. The Statement shall not include party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The Statement shall be filed (in typewritten form) in the office of the City Clerk at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. The Statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until 5:00 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. Candidate statements shall remain confidential until the expiration of the filing deadline. Section 2. FOREIGN LANGUAGE POLICY. The candidate's statement shall be translated and printed in any required language at the candidates' request. Section 3. PAYMENT. The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidates statement in English in the voters pamphlet; the candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the candidates statement into any required foreign language as specified above pursuant to State and /or Federal law; and the candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidates statement in a foreign language in the voters pamphlet. The City Clerk shall estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating, and mailing the candidate's statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred as a result of complying with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, and require each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the local agency his or her estimated pro rata share as a condition of having his or her statement included in the voter's pamphlet. The estimate is only an approximation of the actual cost that varies from one election to another election and may be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements. Accordingly, the Clerk is not bound by the estimate and may, on a pro rata basis, bill the candidate for additional actual expenses or refund any excess paid depending on the final actual cost. In the event of underpayment, the Clerk may require the candidate to pay the balance of the cost incurred. In the event of overpayment, the clerk shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess amount paid within thirty (30) days of the election. ''r y '•4' Section 4. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. No candidate will be permitted to include additional materials in the sample ballot package. Section 5. The City Clerk shall provide each candidate or the candidate's representative a copy of this Resolution at the time nominating petitions is issued. Section 6. All previous resolutions establishing Council policy on payment for candidates' statements are repealed. Section 7. That this Resolution shall apply only to the elections to be held on March 28th, 2006 and if a runoff is necessary, May 9th, 2006. Section 8. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and shall enter it in the book of original Resolutions of the City. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of Octoher, 2005, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members NOES: Council Members ABSENT: Council Members ABSTAIN: Council Members Mayor ATTEST: • City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS CITY OF SEAL BEACH ) I, Linda Devine, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution is the original copy of Resolution Number on file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Seal Beach at a meeting thereof held on the 24th day of October , 2005. City Clerk