CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Special Meeting
~Minutes~
Monday, August 19, 2024 5:00 PM City Council Chambers
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Smyth called to order the Special meeting of the City Council at 5:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Smyth led the flag salute.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR AGENDIZED ITEMS (ONE MINUTE LIMIT) No requests to speak were received.
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM 1
SANTA CLARITA DISTRICT 3 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 5, 2024
City Council consideration of course of action to be taken regarding the District 3 seat as a result of only one nominee at close of the nomination period.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
City Council receive presentation and determine whether to move forward with the election for District 3 with only one candidate listed on the ballot, or adopt a resolution canceling the election for District 3 and appointing Jason Gibbs, the sole nominee for District 3, to the four-year District 3 Council seat term which begins in December 2024 with an estimated cost savings of $120,000 for the City.
City Clerk Mary Cusick provided the presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Miranda commented on saving the City $120,000 by appointing Jason Gibbs.
Mayor Smyth inquired, and City Clerk Mary Cusick confirmed, no other person may be appointed to the City Council seat. Mayor Smyth observed whether this was the democracy the plaintiffs were looking for where there are no challengers in one district and only three in the
other as opposed to previous at-large elections where there were multiple candidates across all areas of the City and demographics wanting to run. Mayor Smyth offered his congratulations to Councilmember Gibbs and shared Council's support in moving forward with his appointment.
Councilwoman Mclean mentioned that Councilmember Gibbs had been a great Councilmember representing the City and their residents equally and knows he will continue to do so. She also remarked that there was no reason to spend $120,000 on an election, when the City has had to spend a whole bunch of money to fight the egregious districting that was put upon the City.
Councilwoman McLean asked a hypothetical question regarding a class action lawsuit to which City Attorney Montes responded that there was a lawsuit brought in San Diego County against a city that transitioned to districts; however, the lawsuit was thrown out under the CVRA.
Mr. Montes clarified that the motion was to adopt the resolution, cancel the District 3 election, and appoint Jason Gibbs.
Adopted Resolution No. 24-61
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember
SECONDER: Marsha McLean, Councilmember
AYES: Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste
ADJOURN
Mayor Smyth adjourned the Special Meeting at 5:12 p.m.
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MAYOR
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK