POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VIII A
MEETING DATE: 1/28/2025
TITLE
City Council Election of Mayor and Vice-Mayor
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive Report and Provide Direction Regarding the Selection Process of Mayor and Vice-Mayor
ANALYSIS
The City of Point Arena needs to establish clear, well-defined protocols for electing the Mayor and Vice-Mayor. Written policies and procedures for all city matters will help reduce misunderstandings both among the City Council and within the Point Arena community.
The Point Arena Municipal Code addresses the election of Mayor and Vice-Mayor in Section 2.35.020 Council member – Term of office – New members.
Those elected city officers whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, expired on the first regular city council meeting occurring after the receipt of the certificate of county clerk as to the result of the canvass and statement of vote cast after an election in June of an even numbered year shall, instead, continue in their office until no later than the first regular meeting of the city council to occur after receipt of the certificate of county clerk as to the result of the canvass and statement of the vote cast after the date of the general municipal election established by this chapter. The city council shall at this same meeting seat its new members and select the mayor and vice mayor.
(Ord. 158 § 3, 1995.)
This Code Section, written in 1995, is not accurate by today’s election process. It indicates that Council elections occur in June, rather than in November. It also indicates that Mayor and Vice-Mayor will be selected during election years only. In other words, the Mayor and Vice-Mayor serve two-year terms.
Should the City Council choose to update and clarify this Municipal Code Section, staff would like direction as to what changes could be made. For example:
1. Should the Mayor and Vice-Mayor be selected by a majority vote of the City Council?
2. Would the City Council prefer to appoint Mayor and Vice-Mayor through a rotational system, with the Councilmembers in rotation by seniority?
3. Should the term of office for Mayor and Vice-Mayor be one year or two years?
4. Should there be a limit on the number of terms the Mayor and Vice-Mayor serve? Once City Council provides direction, staff will prepare draft changes to the Municipal Code for further Council discussion and action.
FISCAL IMPACT
None
ATTACHMENTS
None
CITY MANAGER SIGNATURE
_________________________________
Peggy Ducey, Interim City Manager