M E M O R A N D U M 05-15(A)

TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

DATE: JANUARY 18, 2005

SUBJ: COUNCIL APPOINTMENT SELECTION PROCESS.

Homer City Code 1.24.050 Filling a vacancy.

a. If a vacancy occurs in the City Council the remaining members shall, within thirty days, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. If less than thirty days remain in a term, a vacancy may not be filled.

b. Notwithstanding (a) of this section, if the membership is reduced to fewer than the number required to constitute a quorum, the remaining members shall, within seven days appoint a number of qualified persons to constitute a quorum.

c. A person appointed under this section serves until the next regular election, when a successor shall be elected to serve the balance of the term.

The appointee must meet the requirements to be a Councilmember: Homer City Code 1.24.020 Eligibility for office. A person is eligible for the office of City Council or the office of Mayor if the person is a voter of the City as prescribed by 4.05.010 and has been a resident within the City for a period of one year immediately preceding the election day on which the person is a candidate.

b. Residency within an area that becomes part of the City as a result of a local boundary change shall be deemed residency within the City for purposes of satisfying the one year residency requirement of this section.

This is Council's appointment and Council may determine the method used for this appointment. Methods used in the past:

1. Advertise for two consecutive weeks or however length of time Council deems necessary. Request applications. Review applications. Make a short list if appropriate and then decide either by secret ballot or not.

2. Each Councilmember submits a name as a nomination with an application and Council reviews between meetings and makes a selection.

3. Nominations made on the floor, secret ballot and motion on the resulting winner. Similar to Mayor Pro Tempore selection.

About three Councilmembers have inquired about the process and seemed to be leaning toward Item 2. Therefore, the following recommendation to get Council started making a decision.

RECOMMENDATION:

Each Councilmember submit a name as a nomination, by February 14, 2005 to fill the vacancy created by Rose Beck's resignation, which is effective after the March 29, 2005 Regular Council Meeting and final selection scheduled for February 28, 2005.

Side Note: A comment by a Councilmember was that making the selection early would allow the appointee to gain some familiarity with the Council processes, procedures and issues prior to taking Oath of Office at the first meeting in April.

Fiscal Note: Any advertising costs.