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DISCUSSION
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: January 17, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Charles A. Montoya, City Manager
Department: City Manager's Office
Subject: Election of Mayor Pro Tempore (All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, open nominations for a member of the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Executive Summary
The position of Mayor Pro Tempore is established by the City Charter and the City Council elects from among its members a new Mayor Pro Tempore every year. Per the San Bernardino Municipal Code (SBMC), the election of the Mayor Pro Tempore is to occur at the second regularly scheduled meeting in December; however, due to the cancellation of the regular meetings on December 6, 2023, December 20, 2023, and January 3, 2024, the election is to occur at the January 17, 2024, meeting.
Background
The position of the Mayor Pro Tempore is outlined in Section 302 of the City Charter, where the City Council shall select a Mayor Pro Tempore from one of its own members.
In the event that the Mayor is temporarily unable to perform the duties of his or her office due to a temporary absence from the City, illness, or any other cause, the Mayor Pro Tempore shall have all powers and authority that the Mayor would have possessed, with several exceptions. When presiding over a City Council Meeting due to the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tempore may not cast an additional vote in the event of a tie or exercise veto powers over Council action; the Mayor Pro Tempore may only continue to exercise his or her vote as a Council member.
On December 7, 2022, the City Council elected Council Member Fred Shorett to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore with an effective starting date of December 21, 2022. This was due to the cancellation of the December 21, 2022, regular meeting. Since there was no turnover in City Council members, and by setting the effective date of the newly 1 7
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elected Mayor Pro Tempore to be consistent with the SBMC and prior Council action, the City Council was able to hold the election for Mayor Pro Tempore at the first regular meeting in December 2022, with an effective date of the second regular meeting.
Discussion
In accordance with the requirements of Section 2.01.010 of the SBMC, the City Council is required to elect a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. The SBMC specifies for this to occur at the second regular meeting in December; however, due to the cancellation of the regular meetings on December 6, 2023, December 20, 2023, and January 3, 2024, the next regular meeting available to hold the election is January 17, 2024. The Council Member holding the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall continue to hold said position until his/her successor is elected by the City Council or until said Council Member is no longer a member of the City Council, whichever occurs first.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Electing a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore is in alignment with all of the Key Strategic Targets and Goals: (1) Improved Operational & Financial Capacity; (2) Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community; (3) Improved Quality of Life; and (4) Economic Growth and Development.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the nomination of a Mayor Pro Tempore.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, open nominations for a member of the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - City Charter Section 302
Attachment 2 - Municipal Code Section 2.01.010
Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
December 7, 2022 Mayor and City Council elected Fred Shorett as Mayor Pro Tempore.