REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR IRA RUSKIN
VICE MAYOR RICHARD S. CLAIRE
COUNCILMEMBER JIM
HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
AUGUST 23, 2001
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Ruskin called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Howard, Jordan, Pierce, Vice-Mayor Claire, Mayor Ruskin
Council Members Absent: Hartnett, Ira
Staff Present: Senior Deputy Clerk Ponte, City Attorney Yamamoto, City Manager Everett, Public Works Director Ingram, Parks & Recreation Superintendent Hover, Administrative Secretary Dale;
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Colleen Jordan, Council Member
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
John Murphy requested that the City Council amend section IX of the City Charter pertaining to Council compensation. He further stated that voter approval should be required when considering Council compensation changes.
Council Member Diane Howard excused herself at 5:05 p.m. to avoid conflict of interest in addressing the subsequent item on the agenda (item 5).5. STAFF REPORTS -
- General Municipal Election - November 6, 2001;
City Attorney Yamamoto provided the report on behalf of City Clerk Howe. He clarified that the Council was to make a decision on what course of action to take since only three candidates qualified to run for the three seats.
The Council options were:
- Appoint to the office the persons who have been nominated
or- Hold the election on November 6, 2001
Council Member Jordan requested that staff share with the public the research done on the issue of other Peninsula cities that faced a similar election circumstance and what the outcome was for each individual city. Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte summarized the cities that faced the same situation in the last 10 years and what their decision was.
Public Comment:
Daniela Gasparini stated that the Council should choose to appoint because the three incumbents are very good and the cost does not justify the election. Similarly, since most of the cities in the Peninsula had chosen to appoint in the last 10 years (with one exception) Redwood City should also appoint.
Pat Dixon stated that possible "write ins" should be considered, and the people of Redwood City should be given the opportunity to vote. It was mentioned that holding an election would be the right thing to do.
Mayor Ruskin requested that Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte read into the record a letter from Rudy Luca who was out of state and therefore could not attend the special meeting.
Robert O'Brien requested that the Council appoint the three unopposed incumbents, because the abstention of valid candidates has already made this a 99% win for the incumbents. He stated that the people would be best served if the Council focuses on the current city business.
Bonnie Miller supports the representatives in the Council and does not see holding an election as a justifiable expenditure. A suggestion was made to have a public forum with the three candidates to better understand the community and their needs.
William Conkin believes an election would be a useless act. In his opinion an election is an expense not only to the City but also to the people who support campaigns. Mr. Conkin believes in the concept of holding a public forum with the three candidates if they are appointed.
Warren Dale stated that everybody had the right to file for the open seats, and if people did not take that opportunity then the City should save the estimated $35,000 that an election would cost. The money could be used in many ways.
Peter Bermer advocated for an appointment not only because he believes in saving the money but also time and energy. The Council should focus on current important decisions, and continue doing a good job for the City.
John Anagnostou believes that a "mock" election is not the answer. Instead the City Council should focus on the business at hand, and not in a useless election. The decision of appointing will save the City time and money.
Ian Bain believes that the City should make the wisest decision, which is to save the money and declare the election over.
Georgie La Berge encouraged the Council to appoint the incumbents because there is no need for an election and spending money and time on this issue would be a waste. Advised the City Council to cancel the election and appoint.
M/S Claire/Pierce to reappoint to the office of City Council the three qualified candidates Jim Hartnett, Diane Howard, and Jeff Ira. The motion passed by a 3/1 vote with Claire, Pierce and Ruskin voting in favor and Jordan opposing. Council members Hartnett, Howard and Ira were absent.
City Attorney Yamamoto stated that the motion includes adoption of a resolution that was included in the packet and reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 14316 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICES OF CITY COUNCIL OF THIS CITY THAT WERE TO BE ELECTED ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER, 6 2001;
Council engaged in some discussion and some Council members stated that holding an election in these circumstances could be very divisive and useless for the citizens. Other comments included a suggestion to hold a public forum with the three candidates to promote a better dialogue about City needs. It was also expressed that it was unfortunate that Mr. Luca would not have a chance to be a write in.
6. ADJOURNMENT
M/S Pierce, Jordan to adjourn until the next regular meeting of August 27, 2001.
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Silvia M. Ponte
Senior Deputy City Clerk
Copyright © 2001. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.