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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2005/12/16 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA December 16,2005 4:00 P.M. A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City ofChula Vista was called to order at 4:14 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda, McCann, Rindone and Mayor Padilla ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, and City Clerk Bigelow I A. INTERVIEWS TO FILL THE VACANCY OF COUNCIL SEAT I Mayor Padilla explained the process to be used for the interviews and asked those to be interviewed to leave the Chambers until they were called. Councilmember Rindone explained that applicants may be asked similar questions, and the Council did not want to give an advantage to anyone candidate. He also suggested that each Councilmember ask three questions initially and then follow up with additional questions, if desired. The Council then interviewed the following applicants: Russ Hall Patricia Chavez Dan Horn B. APPOINTMENT TO COUNCIL SEAT ONE I Councilmember Castaneda asked that the Charter Review Commission provide a recommendation to the Council regarding a possible Charter amendment delineating the process by which individuals apply and the Council makes appointments to fill vacancies on the Council. If legally feasible, he asked that the proposed amendment be placed on the June ballot. Councilmember Rindone concurred with the referral and added the need for the Charter Review Commission to consider the length of time remaining on the term, as well. ACTION: Mayor Padilla then moved to appoint Patricia E. Chavez to fill the vacancy in Council Seat I. Deputy Mayor McCann seconded the motion. Rudy Ramirez stated that he wished the Council had handled the appointment differently and disagreed with the process used to fill the vacancy. Gus Chavez, representing South Bay Forum and Crossroads II, stated that a three-day application period was too short, and too few applicants had been interviewed. He suggested that the Council had possibly violated the Brown Act. Sherri Vasquez strongly objected to the process. Peter Watry stated that Eleanor Anderson was the last appointed Councilmember who ran for election and lost, and he believed that Ms. Chavez would automatically win in the next election and hold the seat for the next nine years. He also believed that the Council had acted against the wishes of the public. Sharon Floyd said she was sorry that several people in the Chambers were disappointed in the selection process, but was sure they would be appreciative of the Council's action in the future. Jesse Navarro congratulated Ms. Chavez but expressed disappointment in the process and manner in which he believed the Council had circumvented the will of the people. Gerald Scott objected to the appointment of someone who will run as an incumbent and stated that he believed the selection process was not fully public and transparent. Jim Peterson expressed disappointment in the process. ACTION: The Mayor then called for the vote on the motion, which carried 4-0. City Clerk Bigelow administered the oath of office to newly appointed Councilmember Chavez. David Krogh, one of the applicants for the appointment, expressed support of the Council's action and applauded them for their integrity and knowledge of the law. Councilmember Chavez thanked the Council for her appointment, stating that she was honored. She promised to work hard on behalf of the community. Deputy Mayor McCann congratulated Councilmember Chavez, stating that he had confidence in her abilities and looked forward to working with her. He reiterated the need to make sure that the City has a public policy in place to address religious participation in City events. He suggested inviting the group that was not allowed to participate in the recent holiday festival to perhaps perform at another event. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Mayor Padilla reported that he had conducted several interviews with media on behalf of the Council and made it clear that the situation had been an unfortunate mistake and did not reflect the Council's attitudes. He stated that Chula Vista's proud tradition of diversity demands that everyone be included and afforded the opportunity to express their own beliefs. He said that he had apologized to the troop and Calvary Chapel, and had extended an invitation to the group to perform at the Council meeting next Tuesday. Page 2 - Council Minutes http://www.chulavistaca.gov December 16, 2005 --'T_'__.' .- OTHER BUSINESS 2. CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS There were none. 3. MAYOR'S REPORTS There were none. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS There were none. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting at II: II p.m. to the Regular Meeting of December 20, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ~~~~ Susan Bigelow, M~ City Clerk Page 3 - Council Minutes http://www .chulavistaca. gOY December 16, 2005