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Home My WebLink About65B - PROCEDURES VACANCY CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: DECEMBER 4, 2006 TITLE: PROCEDURES FOR FILLING VACANT OFFICE OF COUNCILMEMBER, WARD 1 APPROVED o As Recommended o As Amended o Ordinance on 15t Reading o Ordinance on 2nd Reading o Implementing Resolution o Set Public Hearing For CONTINUED TO ~ ,..," , ,~";, " .. 1V-- : "ITv MANAG~ RECOMMENDED ACTION FILE NUMBER Consider the adoption of procedures for filling a vacancy in the Office of Councilmember, Ward 1. DISCUSSION At the State's General Election held on November 7, 2006, Councilmember Jose Solorio was elected as a Member of the California State Assembly, representing the 69th District. The results of this election were certified by the Orange County Registrar of Voters on November 29, 2006. Ward 1 will become vacant the earlier of (1) the time Councilmember Solorio officially resigns or (2) on the date he takes office in the State Assembly. With respect to vacancies on the City Council, Section 403 of the Santa Ana City Charter provides as follows: "In the event of a vacancy in the city council, for whatever cause, the city council shall declare the office vacant and fill the same by appointment. In each case the person so appointed shall hold office until the next general municipal election and until his successor is elected and qualified for the remainder of an unexpired term. Such appointee must, at the time of his appointment and continuously for one (1) year prior thereto, have been and be a resident of the ward from which his predecessor was elected. If the city council shall fail to fill a vacancy by appointment within thirty (30) days after such an office shall have become vacant, it shall forthwith cause an election to be held to fill such vacancy..." The last time there was an unscheduled vacancy on the City Council was in 1993 when then Councilmember Rick Norton resigned at a Council meeting in October. The Council accepted his resignation and, then instructed the City Manager to notify community organizations in Ward 6 of the vacancy and to report the results of this communication to the 658-1 December 4, 2006 Page 2 of 2 Council. The Mayor scheduled the November 15, 1993 Council meeting as the time and place to review all applications for the council position. At the scheduled Council meeting, the eight individuals who submitted applications for appointment to the vacancy made presentations to the City Council, in open session, outlining individual qualifications and interest in the position. appointment was made at this meeting. had brief their The In the event the City Council elects to proceed with an appointment process, attached is a sample application, prepared by the Personnel Agency, which could be made available to potential candidates. The Council may schedule interviews or presentations by the candidates at ei ther a special or regular open session Council meeting. An Ad Hoc Application Review Committee consisting of no more than three council members could be created by the Council to review the qualifications of potential candidates, or the Council may elect to interview all potential candidates. In the event the Council fails to make an appointment wi thin thirty days of the vacancy, a special election must be called "forthwith". In conversations with the County Registrar of Voters, it is apparent that the City does not have sufficient time to request a consolidated special election for councilmember with the upcoming Special Election to fill the Board of Supervisors seat vacated by Supervisor Lou Correa because State law requires a minimum of 88 days to consolidate a local election with a county or state election meaning the earliest time a special consolidated election could be called is late March, if called at the time the vacancy occurs, or late April if the 30 day "clock" for appointment expires. Unfortunately, the special law governing the replacement of Supervisor Correa requires a shorter time period for that election to take place. Therefore, Santa Ana will be required to conduct a stand-alone special election. Since Santa Ana is a charter city, the Council could adopt an ordinance setting a shorter time schedule for a stand-alone election. The Registrar of Voters' office estimates that the cost of a special election regardless of the date would be $340,000. This estimate is consistent with the actual cost of the April, 2005 Special Election for Measure A. FISCAL IMPACT would be $340,000. 658-2 ~ ;\'~~"" ',:'-" '., . " . .,.. CITY OF SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER VACANCY APPLICATION & INTEREST STATEMENT Name First Middle Last Home Address Zip Code Phone Fax City Zip Code Phone Length of time residing in Ward 1 Occupation Employer Birth Date Spouse's Name Y ears Lived/Worked in Santa Ana Organizations (Professional, Community, Service or other) Educational Background REASON FOR INTEREST IN THIS POSITION: 1. I am interested in serving on the City Council for the following reasons: (Please use additional paper if necessary.) 2. From your point of view, what are the three greatest needs and challenges of/for the city at this time? (Please use additional paper if necessary.) 3. What are the greatest opportunities for the City from your perspective? (Please use additional paper if necessary.) I have completed this application with the knowledge and understanding that any or all items may be verified. I consent to the release of information contained in this application to interested parties. YES NO (Please Circle) SIGNA TURE Date PLEASE ATTACH A RESUME DETAILING YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 658-3