CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 11, 2017
PREPARED BY: Michelle Wilson, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
INTERVIEWS TO FILL VACANCY ON THE CITY COUNCIL
END
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION(S):
1. Approve interview process;
2. Conduct interviews; and
3. Appoint candidate to fill City Council vacancy for the remainder of the term, December 2018.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES SUPPORTED:
Ongoing Priorities 2016 Focus Areas
Enhancing public safety Planning Our Community
Protecting the environment Developing Our Community
Maintaining fiscal responsibility Enhancing Our Services
Supporting youth Improving Our Communication
Fostering a positive organizational culture Participating in Regional Initiatives
Preserving and cultivating public trust
NARRATIVE:
On December 1, 2016, City Council Member Gordon Siebert tendered his resignation from the City Council effective Thursday, December 8th creating a vacancy with a term ending in December 2018. In order to fill the vacancy, the City Council must either make an appointment within 60 days of the notice of vacancy or call a special election. Staff has determined that the 60 day window expires after January 30, 2017 based on the December 1st notice of vacancy. At the December 14th Council meeting, the Council voted to fill the vacancy through an interview/appointment process.
To facilitate an open, fair, and transparent process, staff is recommending the following:
• Public Comment
o Items not on the agenda
o Council vacancy
• City Council remarks on being a Council Member
• Random draw of candidate names for interview order
• Invite candidates to wait in West Conference Room during individual interviews
• Interview individual Candidates
o 5 minutes for opening remarks
o Council Q&A
• Invite all candidates into Council Chamber
• City Council discussion/deliberation
• Identify top 3 candidates (unranked)
• City Council discussion/deliberation
• Nominate/vote
• Swearing in January 18th
A total of 30 individuals have submitted applications. The following 27 individuals have met the eligibility requirements to interview with the City Council:
• Angela Young
• Caitlin Jachimowicz
• Cappy Myers
• Carla Ernest
• Carol Fredrickson
• Chris Harrington
• Daniel Kenney
• Danielle Davenport
• David Jefferson
• Erik Hansen
• Gavin Daprile
• John McKay
• Joseph Carrillo
• Kirk Bertolet
• Maria Guadalupe de Anda Antunes
• Marilyn Librers
• Mario Banuelos
• Mike Brusa
• Mitan Gandhi
• Natalie Prcevski
• Norm Alexander
• Paul Pascoal
• Prithpal Khajuria
• Ryan Maggio
• Sanjar Chakamian
• Theresa Pittman
• Thomas Spitters
The voter registration needs to be confirmed for the following 3 individuals:
• Monica Pette
• Troy Knapp
• Yvonne Martinez
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
This staff report serves to inform the community to engage in the process of filling the City Council vacancy.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS:
The City Council vacancy must be filled. If an appointment is not made by January 30, 2017, the City Council must call a special election that would take place not less than 114 days after the election is called. The City of Morgan Hill would contract with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters (ROV) for the consolidation of a special election. The ROV has provided an estimated cost of $351,000 to hold a special election.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL AND COMMISSION ACTIONS:
The Council accepted Council Member Siebert’s resignation on December 7th. At the December 14th meeting, the Council voted to fill the vacancy through an interview/appointment process.
FISCAL AND RESOURCE IMPACT:
Significant staffing resources have been invested to fill the vacancy although no budget adjustments are needed Should the Council not make an appointment and a special election is called, the cost is estimated to be $351,000.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act):
Not a Project
LINKS/ATTACHMENTS:
• Recommended Interview Process
• Qualified candidate applications