ANALYSIS:
The City of Fort Bragg currently chooses the Mayor and Vice-Mayor through a nomination process, in which the City Council casts their votes for nominees during a public meeting.
I propose an alternative based on a number of California cities that have adopted an annual rotational system to appoint the Mayor and Vice-Mayor. This permits every Council member to serve at least one year as mayor or Vice-Mayor.
In general, the rotation is based on seniority, with the longest-serving Councilmember serving as Mayor for one or two years. The second longestserving Councilmember is appointed as Vice-Mayor.
California cities that already have a rotational system for Mayor and Vice-Mayor include, but is not limited to the following:
• Arcata
• Pt. Arena
• Millbrae
• Vernon
• Palmdale
• Watsonville
• Redlands
• Palm Springs
• Palm Desert
• Indio
• Rancho Mirage
• Culver City
• Cathedral City
• Rancho
Cordova
• Banning
• Lincoln
• Ventura
Some cities have adopted a rotational system both through a majority vote of the City Council, which is then codified via an ordinance.
Some cities appoint annually in December, some every 2 years.
CONCLUSION:
In Fort Bragg, and although Jason Godeke has the least tenure than the rest of the council (except Scott), he also has valuable experience based on his two years as vice mayor.
I would propose we either:
1. Start a new rotation policy, inserting Lindy Peters and myself as mayor and vice mayor; or
2. Continue with Jason and move him up to Mayor. Then go by seniority inserting Lindy Peters or myself as vice mayor, and continue that trend.
Respectfully submitted by
Councilwoman Tess Albin-Smith
Selection of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor