Business Item 6a
STAFF REPORT
City Council Business Item
DATE: March 17, 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 March 18, 2025; b. Filing deadline for City Council applications April 18, 2025; and c. Special Public Meeting to conduct City Council interviews & selection April 28, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On March 12
th, Jerry King submitted his resignation from the Fortuna City Council effective immediately. His term would have expired at the end of 2028. The General Election in November 2028 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 (approximately 3 years remaining) by one of the following methods:
A. Make an Immediate Appointment (not recommended)
B. Make an appointment by May 11, 2025 (recommended)
a. Announce vacancy & solicit applications
b. Filing Deadline
c. Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection
d. Develop schedule to meet May 11 deadline
Or,
2. Call a Special Election by May 11, 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 $35,000 to $55,000.
Business Item 6a
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 March 18, 2025; b. Filing Deadline April 18, 2025; and
c. Special Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection April 28, 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 May 11, 2025 through the following schedule: announce vacancy & solicit applications beginning March 18, 2025; filing deadline for applications April 18, 2025; and notice and hold a Special Public Meeting to conduct interviews & selection on April 28, 2025.
5. Roll call vote.
ATTACHMENT:
City Council Application