City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: August 6, 2024
From: Deborah Harrington, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Submitted by: Deborah Harrington, City Clerk
Subject
Annual City Council Reorganization
Recommendation
Discuss and provide direction regarding the proposed City Council Reorganization Charter Amendment.
Background
Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 of the Vernon City Charter provide direction for the installation of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore following a regular municipal election, and at any time there is a vacancy in the Office of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore. Prior to the rotation process, the positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore were determined by vote of the City Council. The rotation process was established to ensure each Council Member has an opportunity to serve as Mayor.
Currently the Charter states “the position of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member whose election immediately followed the election of the prior Mayor. Additionally, “at the time that a Mayor is appointed, the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the Council Member whose election immediately followed that of the newly appointed Mayor.” The Charter also establishes a similar process should a Council Member decline to serve in either capacity.
Other factors that may affect the anticipated rotation would be recalls, resignations and subsequent special elections.
At their May 21, 2024 meeting, the City Council provided direction regarding desired changes to the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore rotation process to allow the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore positions to be filled by the Council Members serving in the fifth and fourth year of their respective Council seat terms. The intent behind this proposed change in rotation is to recognize the service of Council Members serving the final year of their term by allowing them the opportunity to “term out” as Mayor. Accordingly, staff is proposing amendments to Chapters 3.5 and 3.6 of the Vernon City Charter.
Chapter 3.5. Mayor. Proposed language in the first paragraph would read as follows:
At the Council meeting at which any Council Member is installed following a regular municipal election, and at any time when there is a vacancy in the office of the Mayor, the position of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member entering the fifth (last) year of their Council seat’s term. In the event any Council Member scheduled to be Mayor is unable or desires not to be Mayor, the position of Mayor shall be filled by the Council Member entering the fourth year of their Council seat’s term, and so on in descending order if necessary.
Chapter 3.6. Mayor Pro Tempore. Proposed language in the first paragraph would read as follows:
At the time that a Mayor is appointed, the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the Council Member entering the fourth year of their Council seat’s term. In the event any Council Member scheduled to be Mayor Pro Tempore is unable or desires not to be Mayor Pro Tempore, the position of Mayor Pro Tempore shall be filled by the Council Member entering the third year of their Council seat’s term, and so on in descending order if necessary.
The proposed Charter amendment language is for Council to discuss, modify if necessary and approve to bring back as a ballot measure for the next election. The Charter dictates elections are to be held on the second Tuesday of each year; thus the 2025 General Municipal Election (GME) will be held on April 8, 2025. Staff plans to present the resolution calling the GME on November 5, 2024. The resolution would include a measure, if directed by Council, to be included on the April 8, 2025 ballot.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Redline version Vernon Charter Chapters 3.5 and 3.6