CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 14, 2016
PREPARED BY: Michelle Wilson, Council Services & Records Manager/Admin Services
APPROVED BY: City Manager
TITLE
OPTIONS TO FILL THE CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
END
RECOMMENDATION(S)
RECOMMENDATION
1. Discuss the options for filling the City Council vacancy; and
2. Provide direction to staff on how to proceed.
BODY
COUNCIL PRIORITIES, GOALS & STRATEGIES:
Ongoing Priorities
Enhancing public safety
Protecting the environment
Maintaining fiscal responsibility
Supporting youth
Fostering a positive organizational culture
Preserving and cultivating public trust
2016 Focus Areas
Planning Our Community
Developing Our Community
Enhancing Our Services
Improving Our Communication
Participate in Regional Issues
REPORT 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.
Should the Council choose to move forward with an appointment to fill the vacancy, it has the discretion to choose how they will select an appointee. The Council could for example, nominate a qualified candidate and vote to appoint that individual; Council could solicit applicants and interview to fill the vacancy; or it has the discretion to create another process to fill the vacancy.
If the an appointment is not made within 60 days or the Council decides it does not wish to appoint, it 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 electio...
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