City Council Special Meeting Page 1 of 5 July 15, 2025
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City of Lafayette
City Council Special Minutes
Lafayette City Offices - 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Conference Room 240 July 15, 2025 Lafayette, California 6:00 p.m.
As a courtesy, and technology permitting, members of the public may participate virtually. However, the City cannot guarantee that the public’s access to teleconferencing technology will be uninterrupted, and technical difficulties may occur from time to time. Unless required by the Brown Act, City Council/Board meetings will continue despite technical difficulties for participants using the teleconferencing (Zoom) option. To participate virtually in the City of Lafayette’s public meetings and provide public comment, please follow these steps:
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Webinar ID: 890 0880 5648 Passcode: 426199
City Council Special Meeting Page 2 of 5 July 15, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER – 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Candell called the Special City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Candell; Vice Mayor Anduri; Councilmembers Cervantes, and McCormick Staff Present: Niroop Srivatsa, City Manager; Suzanne Iarla, Communications Analyst; Joanne Robbins, City Clerk
3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to adopt the agenda. Roll Call Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Mayor Candell and Vice Mayor Anduri
Interview Questions
Recommendation: Discuss and finalize interview questions.
Mayor Candell stated she and Vice Mayor Anduri created interview questions, and she displayed them on the screen.
Councilmembers confirmed that the Council will ask the same questions for all candidates in this order and there are currently 14 questions. There was a suggestion to provide the list of questions to the applicant and tell them they have 30 minutes to answer each question.
Mayor Candell recommended considering this suggestion at the end of their Council discussion and she then went through each question, took Council comments, identified which Councilmembers would ask questions, and revisions were made based upon Council comments.
BREAK
Mayor Candell called for a break at 6:26 p.m. and thereafter reconvened the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
B. Council Appointment Process Procedures (This Agenda Item will Remain Open for the Duration of the Meeting to Allow for Revisions to the Procedures as Needed) Recommendation: As needed discuss and revise.
Mayor Candell said the Council adopted procedures for the interviews so everybody could be clear on the process followed. However, while not expected, if there is an item the Council may vote to change procedures during the interview process, they can.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period, and there were no speakers.
C. Interviews 7:00 p.m.
City Council Special Meeting Page 3 of 5 July 15, 2025
Interviewed candidates to fill the vacancy on the Lafayette City Council created by the resignation of Councilmember Gina Dawson.
The Council is to interview candidates to fill the vacancy on the Lafayette City Council created by the resignation of Councilmember Gina Dawson. Mayor Candell began the interview session with providing the list of questions to candidates and the following individuals were interviewed:
Time Candidate
7:00 Mario DiPrisco
7:30 Bill Fraser
8:00 Stella Wotherspoon
8:30 Will Newhart
9:00 Janet Shahan
1. [Susan] Why do you want to be a councilmember? What have you done that has prepared you to be a councilmember?
2. [Carl] What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Lafayette over the next two years? What should be done to meet those challenges?
3. [John] What do you think are the two best decisions and the two worst decisions made by the Council in the past five years?
4. [Jim] A City Council priority is protecting against and mitigating the risks of wildfire. What do you think the City should do to protect our residents while also respecting property rights and land use priorities?
5. [Susan] A City Council priority is preparing a comprehensive plan for the entire Mt. Diablo corridor from west to east. What top three things would you change over the next ten years for the Mt. Diablo corridor?
6. [Carl] Another City Council priority is fiscal sustainability. What are your thoughts on the City’s current financial status?
7. [John] Does Lafayette need to become a more equitable, diverse, inclusive and welcoming community, and what role do you think the City Council should play?
8. [Jim] Should the Lafayette City Council take any actions in light of climate change?
9. [Susan] Do you think Lafayette has the appropriate level of public safety, including police services and traffic safety? If so, explain why. If not, what should be changed.
10. [Carl] Is the City doing too much or too little to increase the amount of new housing available in the City?
11. [John] Is the City doing too much or too little to increase the vitality of our downtown and to support our business community?
12. [Jim] If it were within your power, what would you do, or what would you change, to make Lafayette an even better place to live and visit?
City Council Special Meeting Page 4 of 5 July 15, 2025
[Susan] Final statement, or cover new topic, if necessary.
Mayor Candell opened the public comment period following the interviews.
DON STANNERS expressed gratitude to the Council for their service, highlighted Bill Fraser’s background as an analyst known for thoroughness and honesty, and emphasized his commitment to truth and community. He mentioned his involvement in youth sports at Acalanes, his awareness of local and state issues affecting Lafayette, and believes Mr. Fraser would be an outstanding candidate due to his knowledge, observational approach, and willingness to listen.
CHRIS NICHOLS thanked the Council for their service, voiced support for Bill Fraser, said Bill knows the issues, is passionate, and has the ability to engage friends and his community. He naturally endeavors to create passion among people which is a great attribute for the City Council. Bill has shown the ability to assimilate information, talk with people, form an opinion, change his mind which is valuable as a Councilmember, and he thinks he would be best fit to serve on the Council.
STEVE SOILER thanked the Council and expressed strong support for Bill Fraser, citing their long-standing relationship and shared experience coaching over the years. He praised Bill as someone who takes action, listens to input, and demonstrates compassion balanced with conviction. Mr. Soiler emphasized Fraser’s willingness to adapt his views across political, personal, and social issues and described him as a “doer,” sharing an example of Fraser helping a student at Acalanes and organizing community events.
JENIFER PAUL thanked the Council for taking the time with this process, hearing her feedback, and thought tonight was transparent, stating residents and the applicants knew what to expect. There were some small inconsistencies she saw, noting that one thing that could be changed was allowing the second candidate onward to look over the questions but the first applicant did not have this chance, reminding candidates what question they were on was hit or miss, and that the Council told all applicants in the beginning they had 24 minutes and that they could use the time as they want, though there was an applicant or two that finished ahead of time. So, other applicants might have been allowed to use that extra time.
D. Resolution 2025- 41 Appointing a new Councilmember and Recital of the Oath of Office Recommendation: Discuss adopt Resolution 2025-41.
Mayor Candell thanked everybody for pushing the Council to nail down the process ahead of time and thinks the candidates were great. It is heartening to have such a great town and so many applicants where they want to give back and commit in such a profound manner.
Council discussion ensued, Councilmembers provided comments on the top candidates they favored, agreed the group of candidates were impressive and after deliberation, the City Council voiced support for Stella Wotherspoon as the Council’s appointed Councilmember.
ACTION: It was M/S/C (Anduri/McCormick) to adopt Resolution 2025-41 appointing Stella Wotherspoon to the City Council. Roll Call Vote: 4-0 (Ayes: Candell, Anduri, Cervantes, and McCormick; Noes: None).
City Clerk Robbins stated she will arrange to administer the Oath of Office to Councilmember Stella Wotherspoon.
City Council Special Meeting Page 5 of 5 July 15, 2025
ADJOURNMENT – 9:50 p.m.
APPROVED:
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Susan Candell, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Joanne Robbins, City Clerk