January 21, 2025, Item #5DATE: TO: FROM: CONTACT: SUBJECT: Summary: AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway January 21, 2025 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Alan Fenstermacher, City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher, City Attorney [email protected] Appointment of Deputy Mayor for 2025 CITY COUNCIL In September 1990, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 90-179 which provided guidelines for the selection of Deputy Mayor. In accordance with the Resolution, the Deputy Mayor: 1. Will serve a maximum term of one year; 2. Will be appointed at the first regular meeting in December in odd-numbered years; and 3. Will be appointed at the first regular meeting held thirty days following the general municipal election in even-numbered years. The December 17, 2024 City Council meeting agenda included the appointment of the Deputy Mayor for 2025. At the meeting, the City Council failed to appoint a Deputy Mayor for 2025. Mayor Vaus and Councilmember De Hoff voted to appoint Councilmember De Hoff as Deputy Mayor, Councilmember Blain and Councilmember Maeda abstained from voting on the item, and Councilmember Pepin was absent from the City Council meeting. As City Attorney Fenstermacher explained, Councilmember Blain and Councilmember Maeda's abstentions counted as no votes. In order to be approved, the item required support from a majority of the City Council. Therefore, item was continued to the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting. Discussion: Per Resolution No. 90-179 the City Council annually appoints a member of the City Council to serve as Deputy Mayor. In addition to Poway's local resolution, California Government Code also includes a requirement the City Council selects a member of the City Council to serve as mayor pro tempore (referred to as Deputy Mayor in Poway). Following the seating of Councilmembers Blain and Maeda at the December 17, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council considered the appointment of a Deputy Mayor for 2025. The City Council failed to appoint a Deputy Mayor at the meeting. Mayor Vaus and Councilmember De Hoff voted for 1 of4
January 21, 2025, Item #5Council member De Hoff to be appointed Deputy Mayor. Councilmember Blain and Councilmember Maeda abstained from voting on the appointment and Councilmember Pepin was absent from the meeting. In order to be approved, the appointment required an affirmative vote by the majority of the City Council. The appointment of the Deputy Mayor was continued to the January 21, 2025 City Council meeting, as a Deputy Mayor still needs to be appointed for 2025. The Deputy Mayor is responsible for leading City Council meetings in the Mayor's absence, as well as representing the Mayor at various meetings and events if he is unable to attend. Finally, Council member De Hoff has requested that certain emails regarding the appointment of the Deputy Mayor from Councilmember Blain be included as part of the record for this item, and those are attached hereto as Attachment A. Recommended Action: It is recommended the Mayor appoint a Council member to serve as Deputy Mayor for the one-year term commencing January 21, 2025. Environmental Review: This action is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Fiscal Impact: None. Public Notification: None. Attachments: A. Correspondence Between Councilmembers De Hoff and Blain Requested to be Included in the Record Reviewed/Approved By: Wendy Kaserman Assistant City Manager 2 of4 Reviewed By: Alan Fenstermacher City Attorney Ap~ Chris Ha:c e City Manager
January 21, 2025, Item #5From: To: Subject: Peter De Hoff Chris Hazeltine Fw: Recall Date: Monday, January 6, 2025 4:32:53 PM Hi Chris, In the interests of honesty, integrity, and transparency, I think it important to include the two emails from Councilman Blain, found in this email chain, in the January 21st agenda packet. The one sent at 3:58AM for the item regarding the Deputy Mayor appointment and the one sent at 3:32AM for the item about the D1 appointment vs special election. Thank you, Peter De Hoff I Councilmember City of Poway I Legislative Services Department (858) 668-4523 [email protected] From: Tony Blain Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2024 3:58 AM To: Peter De Hoff Subject: Re: Recall I might be persuaded to vote Yes on you for Deputy Mayor also if you vote Yes on Special Election, since that would show you are willing to work with new Councilmembers. Tony Blain Council member City of Poway 858-248-1509 From: Tony Blain Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2024 3:32 AM To: Peter De Hoff Subject: Recall Peter, I'm trying to mend fences a little. I might be inclined to drop my Recall effort on you if you vote to support a D1 Special Election on Jan. 21 (to be held Nov. 2025) instead of a 2-year appointment. 3 of4 ATTACHMENT A
January 21, 2025, Item #5I will hold off filing my Notice to Recall on you until I see how you vote on the Special Election. Tony Blain Council member City of Poway 858-248-1509 4of4