MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY OF BUENA PARK
HELD AUGUST 19, 2026
Vol. 55 Pg. 259
1. GENERAL
The City Council met in a special meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber of the Civic Center, 6650 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California, Mayor Traut presiding.
1 A. CALL TO ORDER
1 B. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Ahn, Franco, Sonne, Traut
Hoque (excused)
Also present were: Aaron France, City Manager; Chris Cardinale, City Attorney; Adria M. Vicuria, MMC, Director of Government and Community Relations/City Clerk; and, Anna Almquist, CMC, Assistant City Clerk.
1 C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Aaron France, City Manager.
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
2A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Traut announced the public may at this time address the members of the City Council on any matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council. There being no requests to speak, Mayor Traut closed oral communications.
3. NEW BUSINESS (3A)
Elections 74
3A. CONSIDER APPOINTING JOYCE AHN TO CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT N0. 1 AND
ADOPTING A RESOLUTION CANCELING THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT NO. 1
Presented by Adria M. Vicuria, MMC, Director of Government and Community Relations/City Clerk
Recommended Action: Consider appointing Joyce Ahn as the Council Member for District No. 1 for a term of four years in lieu of holding an election and adopt a resolution canceling the Genera! Municipal Election for District No. 1, pursuant to CA Elections Code Section 10229.
Director of Government and Community Relations/City Clerk Vicuria provided a report regarding the consideration of the appointment of Joyce Ahn as the Buena Park City Council Member for District No. I for a four-year term in lieu of holding an election, and to adopt a resolution canceling the General Municipal Election for District No. 1 pursuant to California Elections Code Section 40229. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 15132 calling for a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, For City Council Districts 1, 2, and 5. The nomination period opened on July 13 and closed on August 6. As of the close of the nomination period, incumbent Joyce Ahn was the only candidate to file nomination papers for the District No. 1 seat.
Minutes August 19, 2026 Vol. 55 Pg. 260
Director Vicuria explained California Elections Code Section 10229 which provides that when the number of nominated candidates does not exceed the number of offices to be elected, the City Council may either appoint the nominated candidate and cancel the election for that district; or continue to hold the District No. I election. However, there would be a limited opportunity for qualified write-in candidates to participate. Write-in candidates would be required to complete the necessary filing process between September 7 and October 20, 2026. If no qualified write-in candidates file, Joyce Ahn would need only a single vote to be declared the winner of the election.
Moreover, it was noted that the City is estimated to save approximately $20,000 to $25,000 by eliminating the need for election services from the Orange County Registrar of Voters, as well as associated translation and publication costs. If appointed by the City Council, Joyce Ahn would assume office for a new four-year term beginning in December 2026 and would serve in the same manner as if she had been elected. Nevertheless, elections for District Nos. 2 and 5 will proceed as scheduled. It was recommended that the City Council appoint Joyce Ahn to represent District No. 1 for a four-year term in lieu of holding an election, and adopt the resolution canceling the General Municipal Election for District No. 1.
The City Council expressed their gratitude for Council Member Ahn's leadership and dedication to the Buena Park community; and, spoke in support of appointing Council Member Ahn to represent District No. 1 and canceling the General Municipal Election for District No. 4.
Council Member Ahn thanked the City Council for their support and continued collaboration; and, expressed her enthusiasm for continuing to serve on and with the City Council for another four-year term.
MOTION:
SECOND:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Sonne
Traut
Sonne, Traut, Ahn, Franco
None
Hoque
MOTION CARRIED to approve the recommended action and ADOPTED the following titled resolution:
RESOLUTION N0. 15156
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA, APPOINTING JOYCE AHN TO REPRESENT BUENA PARK CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 1
FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS IN LIEU OF AN ELECTION, AND CANCELING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT N0. 1 BUENA PARK, PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10229
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Traut adjourned the meeting at 5:12 p.m.
ATTEST:
i;It;;erk
Mayor