HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 04/16/2019 - CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO ELECT A MAYOR PRO TEMAgenda Item 27
Item #27 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY April 16, 2019
City Council
THIS ITEM WAS ADDED TO THE AGENDA ON APRIL 15, 2019
STAFF
Delynn Coldiron, City Clerk
Carrie Daggett, Legal
SUBJECT
Consideration of a Motion to Elect a Mayor Pro Tem.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is for Council to consider a motion to elect a Mayor Pro Tem.
The proposed process for electing the Mayor Pro Tem is as follows:
1. Mayor describes the responsibilities of the Mayor Pro Tem:
a. Under the Charter, serves in absence of Mayor.
b. Under the Code, Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem confer with City Manager on preparation of the agenda for
each Council meeting.
c. Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem give direction to the City Manager and the City Attorney with regard to
initiating and developing ordinances and resolutions.
2. Mayor recommends process for electing Mayor Pro Tem:
a. Citizen input.
b. Individual Councilmembers announce interest in the position.
c. Mayor requests a motion to elect a candidate.
d. If motion is seconded, discussion and vote.
e. Process continues until a candidate gets four votes.
3. If there is an objection to the proposed process, other Councilmembers can suggest an alternative. If
objection is seconded, a motion and vote on the alternative occurs. If alternative passes, that becomes the
process that will be used to select the Mayor Pro Tem. If no alternative is approved by majority vote, the
Mayor’s proposed process is used.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council proceed with this item.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
There is a conflict in the City Charter between when the terms for new Councilmembers begins and when a
Mayor Pro Tem shall be elected.
Under Article II, Section 1(d), the Charter states that the terms of the Mayor and other members of the Council
shall begin when they take the oath of office, which shall occur as the first order of business at the first regular
or special Council meeting following the final certification of election results and after expiration of the recount
period, or their appointment.
Agenda Item 27
Item #27 Page 2
The recent election was certified on April 12. An individual has five days after this date to file a request for a
recount; until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 in this case. The next regular or special meeting following this
date is April 23, 2019, which is the date set aside to swear-in the new Council.
Under Article II, Section 4, the Charter states that at the first regular or special meeting after final certification of
a City election, the Council shall elect a Mayor Pro Tem for a two (2) year term from among the members of the
Council to act as Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor.
The suggested form of motion to accomplish this action is as follows:
“I move that the Council elect _________________ to serve as Mayor Pro Tem.”
Staff plans to suggest a change to this section to fix the discrepancy during the next round of Charter changes
that are sent to voters.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
There are no expected financial impacts to the City organization.