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Home My WebLink About2007-02-27; City Council; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING DATE OF MEETING: February 27, 2007 TIME OF MEETING: 6:00 p.m. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lewis called the Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: was taken by the City Clerk, as follows: Present: Lewis, Kulchin, Hall and Packard. Absent: Sigafoose. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORT: 1. AB #18.911 - ACCEPTANCE OF COUNCIL MEMBER RESIGNATION. City Attorney Ron Ball reported that there were two options to consider. Mr. Ball stated the first option was to formally accept the resignation of Council Member Sigafoose. He said the second option was to consider filling the vacancy through a special election or by appointing someone to fill the position. Mr. Ball added that the successor appointee would serve out the remainder of Council Member Sigafoose's term until the election of November 2008. Mr. Ball explained that because of the timing, a special election cannot be held until November 6, 2007. Mr. Ball advised Council to accept Ms. Sigafoose's resignation effective March 13, 2007. He explained that this would give Council time to consider how to fill the appointment and allow staff and Council Member Sigafoose time to complete the paperwork for her retirement. Mr. Ball added that if Council appoints a successor there will be no disruption in the process. City Clerk Lorraine Wood stated that the Registrar of Voters estimated that a special election would cost between $325,000 and $400,000. Ms. Wood explained that the estimates are made based on the number of registered voters in Carlsbad. She added that the numbers were based on the previous election. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM: Mayor Lewis announced that Council would hear comments on whether Council should hold a special election or whether it should appointment someone to fill the vacancy. He explained that if the Council decides to hold an election, staff will work out the process. He added that if Council decides to appoint someone, application forms will be available in the Council Chambers lobby at the end of the meeting for those individuals interested in serving on the Council. Mayor Lewis also stated that at the February 27, 2007 Special Council Meeting March 6, 2007 Council meeting, each applicant will be given eight minutes to give a presentation to Council. Hope Wrisley, 4847 Flying Cloud Way, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Ms. Wrisley urged Council to appoint someone to fill the Council vacancy that will result in a seamless transition. Michael Wischkaemper, 915 Hawthorne Street, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Referencing a letter he submitted to Council (on file in the Office of the City Clerk), he cited reasons why he felt the Council should hold a special election. Mr. Wischkaemper said Council should not appoint somebody just so that there is an easy, seamless transition. He added the people of Carlsbad should be permitted to speak. Keith Blackburn, 2560 Orion Way, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Mr. Blackburn stated that he understood that the Council looks at $325,000 to $400,000 as a lot of money. He added that he felt the dollar amount is a small percent of the City's $220 million budget which equals to about $4 per resident. Mr. Blackburn urged Council to allow the voting residents to select a new council person. Lew Pritten, 330 Chinquapin, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Mr. Pritten stated he would like the Council to appoint someone who is liberal to the Council, but is not opposed to holding a special election. Michele Levy, 3021 Highland Avenue, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Ms. Levy said she felt the citizens of Carlsbad have a right to choose a new Council Member through a special election. Ron Alvarez, 354 Oak Avenue, Carlsbad, stated the people should decide who will fill the remainder of the council term. Gary Duerst, 155 Juniper Avenue, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Mr. Duerst expressed his hope that Council would appoint someone who could take a fresh look at the issues or hold the special election. Ann Collins, 2478 Torrejon Place, Carlsbad, came forward to address Council. Ms. Collins stated she felt the Council should appoint someone to fill the vacancy to allow the City to continue its business. William Griffith, 2728 Waterbury Way, Carlsbad, came forward urging Council to hold a special election. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Lewis, City Attorney Ron Ball explained that if a special election was held, the person elected would have about a year in office. Mr. Ball said that because of local and state laws governing the call of an election, the soonest an election can be held is November 6, 2007. Mr. Ball also said that additional time is required to certify the election. February 27, 2007 Special Council Meeting Mayor Lewis stated he felt that the City would be better off appointing a person that has been in the community for a length of time, knows something about the operation of the City, and fill the gap left by Ms. Sigafoose. Mayor Lewis said he supports appointing someone to fill the vacancy. Mayor Pro Tem Kulchin stated she could not support a special election for someone to serve less than one year. She added she felt the City needs someone to come on board to have five members representing all of Carlsbad. Council Member Hall stated he agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Kulchin. He said it was difficult for him to justify the amount of expense and energy required for a person to serve less than a year in office. Mr. Hall added he thought it was best to appoint someone at this time and not to leave the position vacant for the better part of ten months. Council Member Packard stated he supports appointing someone to fill the vacancy. He said he feels Council needs all five members to carry on with the business of the City. Mayor Lewis asked City Attorney Ron Ball if Council needed to make a recommendation on its position. Mr. Ball responded that Council needed to adopt the Resolution if it agrees with the recommendation as amended so that the effective date of the acceptance of the resignation is the 13th of March, 2007. ACTION: On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Kulchin, Council adopted RESOLUTION 2007-040 as amended accepting the resignation of Council Member Norine Sigafoose effective March 13, 2007. AYES: Lewis, Kulchin and Hall and Packard. NOES: None. ABSENT: Sigafoose. Mayor Lewis asked City Manager Ray Patchett to ensure that applications were available for those individuals interested in being considered for the council position. Mayor Lewis reviewed the schedule for the selection process, stating that applications were due to the City on Monday, March 5, 2007. He said that Council hopes to select an individual to fill the Council seat on March 13, 2007, but if it cannot reach a consensus, the Council will have until April 13 to make a decision. February 27, 2007 Special Council Meeting ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Clerk Lorraine Wood announced that Council Members will be attending: The Carlsbad Chambers of Commerce Annual Installation Dinner Friday, March 2, 2007, 6:00 p.m. Four Seasons Resort Aviara 7100 Four Seasons Point Carlsbad, CA She also announced that following tonight's Council meeting, the regularly scheduled program, the City of Carlsbad Community Update Video Magazine will air. She added the program airs on Mondays at 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. on Cable Channel 3. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Special Meeting of February 27, 2007, was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. LpRRAINBM.WOOD, CM "City Clerk Sherry Freisinger Administrative Secretary