CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
January 21, 2025 {{section.number}}{{item.number}}
CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANTS FOR COUNCIL VACANCY AND SWEARING IN TO
OFFICE OF NEWLY APPOINTED COUNCILMEMBER
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider and appoint one new councilmember from the submitted applications to serve the remainder of the vacant seat’s term to expire December 2026, and swear in newly appointed councilmember as allowed by law.
BACKGROUND:
At its regularly scheduled meeting on December 17, 2024, the City Council certified the results of the November 2024 election. Councilmember John Duncan’s election to the office of Mayor of Coronado resulted in a vacancy of his City Council seat.
At the same meeting, the City Council debated and decided to fill the vacant seat through a competitive appointment process. Applicants were required to submit a letter of interest no greater than a page in length and had the option to submit a resume of up to two pages.
Applications were accepted through 5:00 p.m. on January 13, 2025. The City Clerk’s Office received the following applications (listed in alphabetical order):
• Whitney Benzian
• Andrew Gade
• David Hock
• Keith James
• Richard Negrete
• John Peterson
• Steven Phillips
• Kelly Purvis
• Mark Warner
• Laura Wilkinson Sinton
The individual appointed to fill the vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of the former incumbent, through December 2026.
City Council may decide to have the appointed individual sworn in immediately upon appointment or at the February 4, 2025, City Council meeting, as may be required by law.
ANALYSIS:
The City Clerk shall conduct a random drawing of the names of the applicants at the meeting to determine the order of interviews. Applicants will be sequestered until the time of their interview.
Interviews will be conducted in open session. Public comment will be received once all the interviews have concluded.
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct voting rounds to narrow the applicant pool, following a process similar to the voting procedure used for board, commission, and committee appointments.
Upon a majority vote affirming the appointment, the newly-appointed Councilmember may be sworn in and commence the duties and responsibilities of the role immediately, or at the February 4, 2025 Council meeting, as allowed by law.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the appointment process to fill the vacancy.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council may decline to make the appointment at this meeting and provide further direction to staff. Pursuant to Government Code section 36512(b), the City Council must, within 60 days of the vacancy, either fill the seat by appointment or call a special election. The deadline for the Council to appoint an individual or call a special election is February 15, 2025.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Applications
Submitted By: City Clerk's Office / Kelsea Holian