HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-11; City Council; 21506; Resignation Council Member Farrah DouglasCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL
AB#
MTG.
DEPT.
21.506
2/11/14
CA
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RESIGNATION
OF COUNCIL MEMBER FARRAH
DOUGLAS
DEPT. HEAD
CITY ATTY. £7^
CITY MGR.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt Resolution No2014-027accepting the resignation of Council Member Farrah Douglas.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
On February 5, 2014, Council Member Farrah Douglas announced in a letter to Mayor Matt Hall
her intention to resign effective February 7, 2014, as a Member of the City Council (see
attached letter). Her resignation created a vacancy and the Council must decide within 60 days
after the commencement of the vacancy how to fill it. Under Carlsbad Municipal Code section
2.04.030, the Council may either appoint a successor who will serve the remainder of the term
of former Council Member Douglas or call a special election to fill it. If a special election is
called, the Council may appoint a successor to hold office until the special election which must
be held not less than 114 days from the Council's decision to call for one.
If the Council determines to fill the vacancy by an appointment, it must be done at a subsequent
meeting within 60 days of the vacancy, by April 8, 2014. The appointee will serve until a
successor is elected at the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2014.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City Clerk estimates the cost of a special election will be approximately between $400,000
and $500,000.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
This is not a project within the meaning of CEQA and falls within the general exception of
CEQA regulations 15060(c)(3).
EXHIBITS:
Resolution No. 2014-027
Letter of Resignation
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Celia A. Brewer 760-4342891 rnuschy@carlsbadca.gov
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED
DENIED
CONTINUED
WITHDRAWN
AMENDED
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•
•
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC •
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN •
RETURNED TO STAFF •
OTHER-SEE MINUTES •
1 RESOLUTION NO. 2014-027
2 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
3 CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF CITY COUNCIL
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MEMBER FARRAH DOUGLAS
5 WHEREAS, City Council Member Farrah Douglas has announced her intention to resign
^ " from her position on City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Council greatly appreciates all of her hard work and contributions to
the community of Carlsbad.
10 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad,
11 California, as follows:
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1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council of the City of Carlsbad accepts the resignation of Council
Member Douglas effective February 7, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
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1 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
2 of Carlsbad on the 11*^ day of February, 2014, by the following vote to wit:
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AYES: Council Members Hall, Wood and Blackburn.
NOES: Council Member Packard
ABSENT: None.
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16 BARBARA ENGLES
MATT HA<LL, Mayor
ATTEST:
(SEAL)
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760-809-3702 FARRAH DOUGLAS 2914 CARRILLO WAY
FARRAH.DOUGLAS@GMAIL.COM CARLSBAD, CA 92009
February 5, 2014
Mayor Matt Hall
City of Carlsbad
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Dear Mayor Hall,
It is with great sadness and a deep sense of commitment to the people of Carlsbad that I am writing to
inform you of my resignation from my position as City Council member for the City of Carlsbad, effective
Friday the 7"^ of February at 5 pm. Due to pressing personal and family commitments, I feel I cannot
continue to offer the level of time and attention this position - and our community - deserves and that I
have been able to provide in the past. I love this community too much to be satisfied w/ith less than
complete dedication.
It has been an unbelievable honor and an amazing privilege to serve the residents and families of
Carlsbad for the past three years as Council member, and prior to that for four years as a Planning
Commissioner. I have cherished every minute of it.
Thank you, Carlsbad, for trusting me with this crucial seat and vote of confidence. Thank you to all the
wonderful friends and residents—and those who barely knew me but lent me their support- who
walked for me, contributed to my campaign and held countless events for me. You cannot imagine how
you have forever changed me, and the value ofthe lessons you have taught me.
As I step down, I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished, the work we have done together
and the magnificent paths we have imagined for the future of our city. It is gratifying to look back at the
many significant accomplishments we have achieved in the past three years. Most of all, I am proud to
have had an opportunity to give back to the city and the country that has given so much to me and my
family.
During my campaign, I promised to Carlsbad that I would work hard to make Alga Norte Community
Park a reality. I am very proud that in the first few months of being a Council member I was able to
provide a crucial vote to initiate the long awaited construction ofthe park. Carlsbad celebrated the
grand opening just last month. Now hundreds of adults, children and dogs enjoy this park every single
day. As one citizen has said, this park is the "masterpiece" of Carlsbad.
Given recent headlines about our state's severe and ongoing water shortage and dry spell, 1 take great
satisfaction in watching the largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere take shape
right here in Carlsbad. It is a complicated project, and I worked very hard to gain consensus on the final
details with my colleagues on the San Diego County Water Authority board, following years of red tape
and delay. When I turn on my tap in 2016,1 will be toasting this historic project with water that comes,
in part, from this new drought-proof source.
760-809-3702 FARRAH DOUGLAS 2914 CARRILLO WAY
FARRAH.DOUGLAS@GMAIL.COM CARLSBAD, CA 92009
I want to assure everyone that Carlsbad remains one of the most financially stable and well-run cities in
the state, if not the nation, thanks to the Council and staff leadership in the areas of economic
development and financial management. We have been on the forefront of pension reform, and we
were the first to implement a pay for performance system for city employees. Last year alone, we
added $8 million to our general fund reserve, positioning the city for continued long term financial
health. On the economic development front, I was proud to preside over the city during a time we saw
tremendous new private investment, including major new commercial projects and hotels, innovative
new companies coming to Carlsbad, and the launch of the world's largest garage lab for life sciences
research.
My longtime dream of attracting an institute of higher education to Carlsbad has been officially
launched, and I look forward to watching that effort continue. I thank my colleagues and the staff for
sharing my vision and dream, and for letting their imaginations run wild.
Village revitalization, investments in the Barrio, improving traffic flow, the redevelopment of Westfield
Carlsbad, a new power plant agreement, more open space, energy efficient street lights - there are so
many things I am proud to have had a role in bringing to our community during my time on the Council.
I am most grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Carlsbad's vibrant future and to pay my debt to
this wonderful community.
Please accept my resignation knowing I will remain committed to our great city. I am forever humbled
by the support I have received from my colleagues on the Council, staff and Carlsbad residents.
Carlsbad, a part of my heart will forever belong to you.
My Warmest Regards,
Farrah Dougla^^^rr'
Cc: Mayor Pro Tem
Interim City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk