Business Item 5a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: February 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Council Vacancy
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The Fortuna City Council approve the below schedule to fill the vacancy on the Fortuna City Council:
a. Announce City Council vacancy & solicit applications beginning Feb. 4, 2024; b. Filing deadline for City Council applications March 4, 2025; and c. Special Public Meeting to conduct City Council interviews & selection March 10, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On January 28th Kris Mobley submitted her resignation from the Fortuna City Council effective immediately. Her term would have expired at the end of 2026. The General Election in November 2026 will determine the seat.
Per California Government Code Section 36512 et seq the existing City Council shall, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, fill the vacancy through the below options.
1. Appointment of Resident to Fill Vacancy for the Remainder of the Term (less than 2 years remaining) by one of the following methods:
A. Make an Immediate Appointment (not recommended)
B. Make an appointment by March 28, 2025 (recommended)
a. Announce vacancy & solicit applications
b. Filing Deadline
c. Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection
d. Develop schedule to meet March 28 deadline
Or,
2. Call a Special Election by March 28, 2025 (not recommended) Option 1.A. does not provide sufficient notice or public engagement and is therefore not recommended.
Option 2 delays the appointment process due to the time involved to establish a special election and is estimated to cost the City approximately $15,000 to $20,000.
Business Item 5a
Option 1.B. provides transparency through the selection process as well as an opportunity for more members of the Fortuna community to engage and/or consider possibly applying for the vacancy. Staff recommends pursuing Option 1.B.
Therefore, staff proposes the following schedule to fill the City Council vacancy. a. Announce vacancy & solicit applications beginning Feb. 4, 2025; b. Filing Deadline March 4, 2025; and
c. Special Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection March 10, 2025 FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The financial impact is not direct, however, there has been and will be considerable staff time in responding to and preparing for the City Council vacancy to be filled.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Receive staff presentation and review questions with staff.
2. Open public comment.
3. Close public comment.
4. Motion to make an appointment to the Fortuna City Council by March 28, 2025 through the following schedule: announce vacancy & solicit applications beginning Feb. 4, 2025; filing deadline for applications March 4, 2025; and notice and hold a Special Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection on March 10, 2025.
5. Roll call vote.
ATTACHMENT:
• City Council Application