MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Monday, December 12, 2022
6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST., AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber*, Haffa, Smith, Williamson
Absent: None
* Attended remotely by teleconference
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, City Clerk
This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(C) and Resolution No. 22-151 C.S.
CALL TO ORDER / LLAMADA AL ORDEN
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
City Clerk Klein explained to the public how to participate in the meeting virtually and the safety rules for in-person attendance. She called the roll with the full Council present as highlighted above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / JURAMENTO A LA BANDERA
Mayor Williamson led the Pledge.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE / COMPARECENCIA PUBLICA
1. Interview Qualified Council Vacancy Applicants, Discuss and Deliberate, Appoint to fill the Short-Term At-Large Council Vacant Seat, and Install the Appointed Councilmember (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) / Entrevistar a candidatos calificados para la vacante del ayuntamiento, discutir y deliberar, nombrar para cubrir la vacante a corto plazo en el ayuntamiento, e incluir al concejal nombrado (no es un proyecto bajo la Ley de Calidad Ambiental de California, (CEQA, por sus siglas en inglés) según el artículo 20, sección 15378 y el artículo 5, sección 15061 del reglamento general)
Action: Appointed and installed Gene "Gino" Garcia to the short-term at-large City Council seat
City Clerk Klein gave a brief staff presentation outlining the interview process to be conducted as directed by the Council at the December 6, 2022 meeting. She stated that the City Council's appointment of a qualified candidate to a vacant seat would be made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military status, veteran status, or age.
City Council Minutes December 12, 2022
2 City Clerk Klein showed the public and Council that each of the 101 qualified applicants' names appeared on an identically sized yellow slip of paper. Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira folded each slip of paper in the same manner and dropped all 10 folded slips in the clear vase.
City Clerk Klein randomly selected from the vase the name of each applicant to present and be interviewed.
The applicants approached the Council in the following randomly selected order: Connie Haugh, Beth Fabinsky, Anne ("Annie") Michaels Seavey, Kevin Dayton, Jean Rasch, Laura O.
Nagel, Jennifer Haydu, Daniel Presser, and Gene “Gino” Garcia. Each gave a verbal presentation not exceeding three minutes outlining his or her qualifications for and interest in being appointed to the Council vacancy, then each was asked one question by each Councilmember and given one minute per question to answer. Between Kevin Dayton and Jean Rasch, Jack E. Fields was randomly called upon to approach the Council but was not present at the meeting in person or on Zoom teleconference.
The Council recessed at 7:38 p.m. and reconvened at 7:44 p.m.
Jack E. Fields arrived at the Council Chamber during the recess and when the Council reconvened they discussed whether to interview him out of order. On consensus, the Council determined that they would interview Mr. Fields in the interest of inclusivity, and said that they would take his late arrival into consideration. Mr. Fields gave his presentation and answered the Councilmembers’ interview questions.
Public comment was received from: Marta Kraftzeck, Luis Osorio, Jeana Jett, Pat Venza, Susan Nine, John Sovereign, Ray Meyers, and Libby Downey in favor of the appointment of Jean Rasch; Shane Strong in favor of the appointment of Daniel Presser; Leila Falmson in favor of the appointment of Beth Fabinsky; Veronica Miramontes, Esther Malkin, and Kala Fossum in favor of the appointment of Gino Garcia; Tom Rowley in favor of the appointment of Jean Rasch or Kevin Dayton; Mitchell Sawhney in favor of the appointment of Kevin Dayton; Gabe, urging the Council to appoint someone who demonstrates critical and innovative thinking; and Kent Glenzer, urging diversity as a focus in the Council's appointment considerations.
The Council deliberated on the applicants and their merits. It was stated that residents of Districts 1 and 2 could have run for Council seats in the recent election, and it was stated that the fact weighed heavily on the Council that District 4 is not known to have ever had Council representation. It was urged to focus on Districts 3 and 4 for the appointment, because those districts would be up for election in 2024 when the vacant term ends. The Council stated that in the applicant interviews they paid attention to the applicants' passion and the diversity, conciseness, insightfulness, and depth of their answers, and looked for individuals who were well balanced and truly qualified, and who understand the issues.
Each member of the Council stated his/her top three applicants, and Gene "Gino" Garcia was the only applicant in the top three for all four members of the Council. The Council discussed Mr. Garcia's qualifications and remarked positively on his performance during the interview. It was stated that his experience would result in a short, successful learning curve upon joining the Council.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Haffa, and seconded by Councilmember Smith, to appoint Gene "Garcia" Garcia to fill the at-large short-term Council vacancy. 1 Qualified applicant Nicholas Cina emailed the City Clerk on Friday, December 9, 2022 to withdraw from consideration for the vacancy.
City Council Minutes December 12, 2022
3 The Council made positive remarks about Mr. Garcia and his imminent appointment. The other applicants were encouraged to stay involved in the City, attend meetings, apply for board and commission vacancies, and run for elective office.
The motion carried by the following roll-call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Haffa, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
City Clerk Klein gave the oath to swear Gene "Gino" Garcia into appointive office, and he was seated at the Council dais.
ADJOURNMENT / SE LEVANTA LA SESIÓN
The Council adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor