CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 18, 2017
PREPARED BY: Michelle Wilson, Deputy City Clerk/Administrative Services
APPROVED BY: City Manager
Title
INTERVIEWS TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE CITY COUNCIL
END
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATION(S):
1. Interview Mariana Solomon;
2. Determine final list of second round interview candidates;
3. Determine second round interview process;
4. Conduct second round interviews;
5. Appoint candidate to fill the City Council vacancy for the remainder of the term, December 2018; and
6. Schedule swearing in of new Council Member for 5pm January 25, 2017.
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. At the December 14th Council meeting, the Council voted to fill the vacancy through an interview/appointment process.
The City Council interviewed 24 applicants at its meeting on January 11, 2017 and invited the following four candidates back for a second round of interviews:
• Caitlin Jachimowicz
• Carol Fredrickson
• Danielle Davenport
• John McKay
Additionally, one applicant, Mariana Solomon, was not interviewed at the January 11, 2017 meeting and has been invited to interview with the City Council on January 18, 2017.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Inform
This staff report serves to inform and engage the community 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. The City Council interviewed 24 applicants at its meeting on January 11, 2017.
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:
Candidate applications
Letters of Support