HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1995 1018 CC SPC ITEM 03AM E M O R A N D U M
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Lillian Hare, City Clerk
DATE: October 16, 1995
SUBJECT: Filling a vacancy on the City Council
On June 23, 1986, the City Council passed as an Urgency
Ordinance, Ordinance No. 77 regarding the filling of vacancies on
the Council. I have confirmed with the City Attorney that this
Ordinance is currently in effect. Ordinance No. 77, codified as
Section 204.050 of the Moorpark Municipal Code, reads as follows:
If a vacancy occurs on the City Council, within 30 days from
the commencement of the vacancy, the City Council shall fill
the vacancy by appointment. A person appointed to fill a
vacancy on the City Council shall hold office only until the
date of a Special Election to fill the remainder of the
term. The Special Election shall be called and held within
the time periods as provided in Section 36512.2 of the
Government Code.
Please note that Section 36512.2 of the Government Code has been
repealed. With the repeal of Section 36512.2, Section 36512
becomes operative. This statute sets the time period for a
Special Election as "the next regularly established election date
not less than 114 days from the call of the Special Election."
The next regularly established election date is March 26, 1994.
Should the Council desire, the City Attorney has indicated that
by urgency ordinance, the Council has the option to repeal
Ordinance No. 77. There is not sufficient time to effectuate a
repeal by adopting a regular ordinance.
If Ordinance No. 77 were repealed, then Government Code Section
36512 would become operative in its entirety not just the
election timing portion of the section. The Council would then
have the option to appoint within 30 days of the commencement of
the vacancy (by November 11, 1995) an appointee to fill the
vacancy for the unexpired term of the former incumbent
(November 5, 1996), or to call a Special Election.
Vacancy
October 17, 1995
Page two
With the deadline to fill the vacancy by appointment November 11,
there is little time to advertise for interested persons. The
procedure outlined in MOP 7 for advertising to fill a vacancy
refers only to boards, commissions and committees and does not
apply to a Council vacancy. Direction to staff is needed
relative to advertising the vacancy.
To recap, following is a comparison of Ordinance 77 and
Government Code Section 36512,
ORDINANCE 77
SECTION 36512
Appoint within 30 days of
Appoint within 30 days of
vacancy -- BY NOVEMBER 11 --
vacancy -- BY NOVEMBER 11 --
and call a special election.
OR call a special election.
Appointee to serve until
If appointment made, appointee
special election.
would serve until November
1996.
Special election would be held
If special election called,
March 26, 1996.
election would be held March
26, 1996.
Cost of special election -
Cost of special election, if
$5,500.
held - $5,500
Nomination Period 12/4 - 12/29
Nomination Period 12/4 -
cc: Steven Kueny, City Manager
GOVERNMENT
sons official is requested to conduct U
applicable to that election.
is held on the same day as a statewi(
prior to the adoption of the ordinanc
f an even - numbered year, shall, instea
after the day of the general municip
311ant to subdivision (a), the city
ed voters informing the voters of:tl
rs that as a result in the change in th
olders will be changed.-
the municipal election following t
hall be conducted on the date specifies
ordinance in question is later repealev
nt to this section, at least one election
of supervisors, may be subsequently
os
for filing as candidate
t to Section 36503.5, or by charter,
file as a candidate for the general
le as a candidate for the' election, in
esday in April of 1990, was added by'-
3.B.1311i); § 3, eff. Feb. 6,1990,and.was
vn terns.
1
city. 77 Op.Atty.Gen. 170, July 20,
by asterisks
t
ikhFNT CODE
i 86G09. Appointment of elective officers; ballot
Cross References
elections, generally, see Elections Code
i p(!Q st seq.
§ 36512
I $6610." Appointment of elective officers; vote; appointment; term; residence
Cross References
Elections Co
y l mapal` elections, see de Referendum, municipal elections, see Elections Code
§9235 et seq. ,
vs �..
' "acsncies; fill by appointment or special election; term; ordinances governing appoint-
meets or elections; restrictions
(a) If a vacancy occurs in an appointive office provided for in this chapter, the council shall fill the
vacancy by appointment. A person appointed to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired term of the
former incumbent.
,IhYtT#wvahanev occurs. in an elective office provided for in this chapter, the council shall, within n 20
The special election s all be on np npyr "'m
om the call. of the special election A person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds
� term of the former incumbent.
�,,.,
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) and Section 34902, a city may enact an ordinance which:
(1) Requires that a special election be called immediately to fill every city council vacancy and the
office of mayor designated pursuant to Section 34902. The ordinance shall provide that the special
election shall be held on the next regularly established election date not less than 114 days from the call
of the special election.
(2) Requires that a special election be held to fill a city council vacancy and the office of mayor
designated pursuant to Section 34902 when petitions bearing a specified number of verified signatures are
filed. The ordinance shall provide that the 96661aY,eleetion'shatll be held on the next regularly established
election date not less than 114 days from the filing of the petition. A governing body which has enacted
such art 'ordinance' may also call a special election pursuant to.subdivision (b) without waiting for the fihng
of S'petition.
(3) Provides that a person appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council holds office only until the date
of a - special election which shall immediately be called to- fill the remainder_ of ,the term.,; The special,
election may be held on the date of the next re gularly established election or regularly scheduled
municipal election to be held throughout the city: not less' than 114 days from the call of the special
election
(d)(1) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) and Section 34902, an appointment shall not be made to fill a
vacancy on a city council if the appointment would result in a majority of the members serving on the
council having been appointed,.;, The vacancy, shall be filled in the manner provided by this subdivision.
(2) The city council may call an election to fill the vacancy, to be held on the next regularly established
election date not less than 114 days after the call.
(3) If the city council does not call an election pursuant to paragraph (2), the vacancy shall be filled at
the next regularly established election date.
(Amended by Stats.1992, c. 136 (A.B.2295), § 1; Stats.1993, c. 229 (A.B.1282), § 12, eff. July 29, 1993.)
Cross References
Municipal elections, generally, see Elections Code
§ 10100 et seq.
Additions or changes indicated by underline; deletions by asterisks
67
§ 36512.1 to 36512.3 GOVERNMENT COD]
Repealed
6512.1 to 36512.3. R , c. 136 (AA-11.2295), §§ 2 to 4
§ 36512.5. Repealed by Stats.1991, c. 393 (S.3.1098), § 22, eff. Sept. 12, 1991, operative Jan. 1, 199
Historical and Statutory Notes
The repealed section, added by Stats.1991, c. 393 (S.B.
1098), § 22, related to a special election in the city of
Milpitas.
§ 36513. Council member, vacancy for absence
(a) If a city * * * councilmember is absent without permission from all regular, city, council meetings
for 60 days consecutively from the last regular meeting he or she attended, his or her office. become&
vacant and shall be filled as any other vacancy.
(Amended by Stats.1990, c. 1558 (S.B.1821), § 2.)
Notes of Decisions
In general 1 council member to be elector and
registered voter of city,
statute malting office vacant because of failure to attend,
meetings, and statute providing for forfeiture of office
1. In general upon conviction of felony and certain misdemeanors, even
Power of general law city to impose term limits on was phrased in the negative. Polio v C ty of La Palma.
council members was preempted by statute requiring (APP. 4 Dist 1992) 12 Ca1.Rptr.2d 322, 10 CalApp.4th 25.
Part 2
LEGISLATIVE BODY _.
Chapter 1
ORGANIZATION
Section
36820. Repealed.
§ 36801. Mayor, in pro tempore; selection
Cross References
Municipal elections, generally, see Elections Code
§ 10100 et seq.
§ 36808. Repealed by Stats.1993, c. 1138 (S.B.1140), 6 2, operative April 1;;1994
§ 36812. Council as judge of qualifications and election returns; election contests
Cross References
Election contests, generally, see Elections Code
§ 16000 et seq.
Notes of Decisions
2. Qualifications of members impose term limits on council members. Polis v. City of
Statute entitling city council to judge qualification of its La Palma (App. 4 Dist.1992) 12 Cal.Rptr.2d 322, 10 Cal.
members granted no power to change qualifications for App.4th 25.
elected office and did not entitle general law city to
Additions or changes indicated by underline; deletions by asterisks
68
GOVERNMENT CODE
§ 36812.1. Election contests;
If a written statement to cunt
16401 of the Elections do ft
to city council, P
proceedings shall be suspender
Elections Code for the filing of
Upon the expiration of the pez
proceedings have been institute(
Division 16 of the Elections Co
rendered by the court.
(Amended by Stats.1994, c. 923
1994 Legislation
Subordination of legislation by St
1646), see Historical and Statutory
Civil Procedure § 203.
§ 36812.5. Defense by city of
A city may defend any persor
any election contest instituted
16100 of the Elections Code.
(Amended by Stats.1994, c. W
1994 Legislation
Subordination of legislation by
1646), see Historical and Statutory
Civil Procedure § 203.
§ 36903. Imprisonment; pl:
Operation by private entity 3
3. Operation by private entity
City may contract with privatA
detention facility. 74 OpAtty.Ge
Additions or chat
Chapter 2.04
City Council
Sections:
2.04.010
Meetings —Time.
2.04.020
Meetings — Place.
2.04.030
Meetings — Conduct.
2.04.040
Meetings — Organization.
2.04.050
Filling of vacancies.
2.04.055
Compensation.
2.04.060
Reimbursement of expenses.
2.04.070
Appointments to boards and
commissions.
2.04.080
Appeals-- Generally.
2.04.090
Appeals— Notice.
2.04.100
Appeals — Scheduling.
2.04.110
Appeals— Hearing.
2.04.010 Meetings —Time.
The regular meetings of the city council shall be held
on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the
hour of seven (7:00) p.m. (Ord. 85 § 1, 1986: Ord. 2 §
1 (part), 1983)
2.04.020 Meetings — Place.
The regular meetings of the city council shall be held
at the Moorpark Community Center, 799 Moorpark Avenue,
Moorpark, California. (Ord. 2 § 1 (part), 1983)
2.04.030 Meetings— Conduct.
Any member or other person using profane, vulgar, loud
or boisterous language at any meeting or otherwise interrupt-
ing the proceedings, who refuses to be seated or kept quiet
when ordered to do so by the mayor or other presiding
officer of the council, is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Ord.
2 § 1 (part), 1983)
2.04.040 Meetings — Organization.
The city council may, by resolution, adopt rules of proce-
dure to govern the conduct of its meetings, any of its other
functions and activities, and regulations pertaining thereto.
(Ord. 2 § 1 (part), 1983)
2.04.050 Filling of vacancies.
a vacancy occurs on the city council, within thirty
(30) days from the commencement of the vacancy, the
city council shall fill the vacancy by appointment. A person
appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council shall hold
office only until the date of a special election to fill the
remainder of the term. The special election shall be called
2.04.010
and held within the time periods as provided in Section
36512.2 of the Government Code. (Ord. 77 § 1, 1986)
2.04.055 Compensation.
The compensation of each city councilmember shall
be three hundred dollars ($300.00) per month. (Ord. 129
§ 2, 1990)
2.04.060 Reimbursement of expenses.
When approved by the city council each member of
the council shall receive reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official
duties for the city, pursuant to the provisions of Section
36514.5 of the Government Code. (Ord. 2 § 1(part),1983)
2.04.070 Appointments to boards and
commissions.
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this code or
by state law, all city board and commission appointments,
except for ex officio members where applicable, shall be
made by the city council. (Ord. 2 § 1 (part), 1983)
15
2.04.080 Appeals — Generally.
A. Except when an appeals procedure is otherwise
specifically set forth in this code, any person excepting
to the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit applied
for or held by him pursuant to any of the provisions of
this code, or to any administrative decision made by any
official of the city, if the denial, suspension or revocation
of such permit or the determination of such administrative
decision involves the exercise of administrative discretion
or personal judgment exercised pursuant to any of the
provisions of this code, may appeal in writing to the council
by filing with the city clerk a written notice of such appeal.
B. No appeal may be taken to any such administrative
decision made by an official of the city pursuant to any
of the provisions of this chapter unless such decision to
appeal has been first taken up with the department head
concerned and with the city manager, and each such official
has not adjusted the matter to the appellant's satisfaction.
C. No right of appeal to the council from any adminis-
trative decision made by an official of the city pursuant
to any of the provisions of this code shall exist when such
decision is ministerial and thus does not involve the exercise
of administrative discretion or personal judgment exercised
pursuant to any of the provisions of this code, whether
the administrative decision involves the denial, suspension
or revocation of a permit or any other administrative
decision; also, there shall be no such right of appeal with
regard to law enforcement activities involving state law.
(Ord. 2 § 1 (part), 1983)