CC 2020-08-18_06a Supplemental No 1
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WHITNEY MCDONALD, ACTING DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
JESSICA MATSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
AGENDA ITEM 6.a. – AUGUST 18, 2020 CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL
MEETING
CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND
CANCELLATION OF THE NOVEMBER 3, 2020 CONSOLIDATED
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
DATE: AUGUST 17, 2020
Attached is correspondence received for the above referenced item.
cc: Acting City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
City Website (or public review binder)
From: Lori Brown <
Date: August 10, 2020 at 10:33:25 PM PDT
To: Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>
Please do not vote to block a write in vote for November 3rd. Residents should still have a
choice to write in someone if they want change.
Thank you,
Laura Brown
From: Hilary Norcross [
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 2:17 PM
Cc: Caren Ray Russom; Kristen Barneich; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Lan George; Kelly Wetmore
Subject:
Dear Arroyo Grande Mayor and Council Members,
As a resident of Arroyo Grande, I respectfully ask you to cancel the
General Municipal Election on Nov. 3rd, 2020.
I have learned that there is someone who is petitioning the council to
change election rules so that they can attempt a write-in campaign for
Mayor. The deadline to file papers has passed and the deadlines are
there for a reason. If this individual believes that the process for
getting on the ballot is in some way flawed, then they should move to
change the rules and requirements not circumvent them for their own
political purposes. As a member of this community, I would much rather
see the funds used to support our community in this crisis.
As our current local leaders, please follow the rules of the deadline
and do not waste taxpayer's dollars on a write-in campaign.
Sincerely,
Hilary Norcross
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
From: Marc and Susan <
Date: August 11, 2020 at 9:16:34 AM PDT
To: Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: Regarding Election
Dear Arroyo Grande Mayor and Council Members,
As a resident of Arroyo Grande, I respectfully ask you do not appoint to cancel
the General Municipal Election on Nov. 3rd, 2020. There are many concerned
residents who are wanting change. The deadline to file papers may have
passed but the residents still want the opportunity to write-in candidates.
Members of the community who are residents of Arroyo Grande have the
desire to run for the city council as write-in candidates.
As our current local leaders, it’s my hope you make a decision allowing our
voices to be heard!
Sincerely,
Marc and Susan Carnohan
From: Julie London <
Date: August 15, 2020 at 5:18:02 PM PDT
To: Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: Special meeting on Tuesday
Reply-To: Julie London <
Hi Keith,
I know I already wrote to all of the council with my input of
requesting that an election for AG be put on the Nov 3rd ballot, but
as the week went on, I felt like I needed to say more. I am writing to
you as I know you take the comments into consideration.
What Caren did was wrong. She intimidated a potential candidate into
not running. I even wonder if it is legal! In her need to stay in
control, she took away the option for voters to make a choice. What
bothered me the most is the accusation that if the potential opponent
pulled papers, it would cost the city $28,000 to hold an election! Call
it intimidation, threat, bullying...it was wrong.
Because of this, 2 more people have stepped forward and said they
would like the opportunity to be a write-in candidate. Yes, they should
have said something prior to Aug 7th, but my guess is the behavior of
our Mayor motivated them to step up. One has mentioned that she
wanted to run because she has strong ethics, and felt our Mayor
showed very poor ethics.
Also, to ask the council of 5 to vote on the question if we should be
put on the November ballot is kind of a conflict of interest. Three of
them have reason to NOT want an election, and could effect financial
gains to them (stipend, health insurance, etc). My guess is that they
will vote no for that reason, but possibly give other reasons. They all
three obviously want to stay in their positions, and having write-in's
could effect that outcome.
I am not sure if the vote could be put to just you and Jimmy, and have
the other 3 step aside of voting? I know you will make the right
decision, as you always give these things a lot of consideration! Just
wanted to go more into detail with you.
I hope you and your family are doing well and staying safe. What a
ride we've all been on!Julie
Julie London
Arroyo Grande
From: Janice Reid <
Date: August 15, 2020 at 8:37:11 PM PDT
To: Caren Ray Russom <crayrussom@arroyogrande.org>, Jimmy Paulding
<jpaulding@arroyogrande.org>, Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>,
Lan George <lgeorge@arroyogrande.org>, Kristen Barneich
<kbarneich@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: election of local officials
Reply-To: Janice Reid <
I just read that if no one steps forward to run against incumbents, we will
not get to vote.
The alternative is write-in ballots. I would like to have that option open.
Thank you.
Janice Reid
From:Krista Bandy
To:Caren Ray Russom; Lan George; Kristen Barneich; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Kelly Wetmore; public
comment
Subject:Election
Date:Saturday, August 15, 2020 10:38:39 AM
Hi Mayor & Council,
I understand we are in weird times right now, and your job is very difficult and sometimes probably not that fun.
I’ve read emails about a candidate wanting to change rules to be a write in... I’m pretty sure there are rules to
ALLOW write ins and she is doing nothing wrong.
Everyone says VOTE VOTE VOTE, but now there are talks of cancelling the election? Why? People want their
voices heard, and cancelling the election is doing the complete opposite of that.
As a resident and business owner in Arroyo Grande, I ask that you DO NOT cancel the election.
Thank you for your time,
Krista Bandy
Sent from my iPhone
From:Meegan Casabar
To:public comment
Cc:Caren Ray Russom; Kristen Barneich; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Lan George; Kelly Wetmore
Subject:Cancel General Municipal Election
Date:Sunday, August 16, 2020 12:24:21 PM
Dear Arroyo Grande Mayor and Council Members,
As a resident of Arroyo Grande, I respectfully ask you to cancel the General Municipal Election on Nov. 3rd, 2020.
The deadline to file papers has passed and the deadlines are there for a reason. Members of the community would
like to see the 28 thousand dollars spent on Parks and Rec, streets, sidewalks or save it for a rainy day.
As our current local leaders, please follow the rules of the deadline and do not waste tax payers dollars on a write-in
campaign.
Sincerely,
Meegan Casabar
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
From:brandon montgomery
To:public comment
Subject:Write In
Date:Sunday, August 16, 2020 8:58:58 PM
As a resident of Arroyo Grande I agree with having a “write-in” for Mayor in the Nov election or allow any
potential candidates the opportunity to fill out needed forms to become eligible
Thank you,
Brandon S Montgomery
Central Cal Windows
Visalia, Ca-Arroyo Grande, Ca
From:Brent Nolan
To:public comment
Cc:Janet Leonard
Subject:Cancel General Municipal Election
Date:Sunday, August 16, 2020 3:52:13 PM
Dear Arroyo Grande Mayor and City Council,
We respectfully ask you to cancel the General Municipal Election on 11/3/2020. The deadline
to file papers has passed and the deadlines are there for a reason.
We would like to see the $28K spent on Pandemic related issues, Parks and Rec., streets,
Brisco underpass or saved for future emergencies.
Please follow the rules of the deadline and do not waste taxpayers dollars on a write-in
campaign.
Thank you for your service.
Sincerely,
Brent Nolan and Janet Leonard
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
From: Linda Busek <
Date: August 16, 2020 at 8:40:04 PM PDT
To: Caren Ray Russom <crayrussom@arroyogrande.org>, Kristen Barneich
<kbarneich@arroyogrande.org>, Lan George <lgeorge@arroyogrande.org>,
Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>, Jimmy Paulding
<jpaulding@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: Variance for 2020 AG Election?
Hello Mayor Russom and Councillors,
I would like to weigh in on the subject of your August 18, 2020 special Council meeting to
discuss cancellation of the 2020 Consolidated General Municipal Election.
The open filing window was adequately published and I do not see the need for (or setting a
precedent of) making special arrangements to put AG on the ballot to accommodate
someone who neglected to file in time.
If the Council has an extra $28,000 to spend, I suggest supporting our local businesses with
enlarged or enhanced parklets.
Thanks for all you do!
Linda Busek
From: Linda Drummy <
Date: August 16, 2020 at 4:10:26 PM PDT
To: Caren Ray Russom <crayrussom@arroyogrande.org>, Jimmy Paulding
<jpaulding@arroyogrande.org>, Keith Storton <kstorton@arroyogrande.org>,
Kristen Barneich <kbarneich@arroyogrande.org>, Lan George
<lgeorge@arroyogrande.org>
Subject: Upcoming Council Election
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
It is absolutely imperative that we hold an election for this upcoming election.
There may be additional write-in candidates that wish to throw their hats in the
ring.
This is a Democratic process that should not be circumvented and it is the right
and will of the people to continue this practice.
I find it very selfish to prevent people from having a say in who sits on our
council.
This is not an Oligarchy!!! You do not speak for the people of Arroyo Grande
when it comes to our right to vote.
Thank You
Linda Drummy
From:moonlady1945@aol.com
To:public comment
Cc:Caren Ray Russom; Kristen Barneich; Jimmy Paulding; Keith Storton; Lan George; Kelly Wetmore
Date:Sunday, August 16, 2020 12:40:35 PM
Dear Arroyo Grande Mayor and Council Members,
As a resident of Arroyo Grande, I respectfully ask you to cancel the General Municipal
Election on Nov. 3rd, 2020. The deadline to file papers has passed and the deadlines are
there for a reason. Members of the community would like to see the 28 thousand dollars
spent on Parks and Rec, streets, sidewalks or save it for a rainy day.
As our current local leaders, please follow the rules of the deadline and do not waste tax
payers dollars on a write-in campaign.
Sincerely,
Sandy Cattaneo
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
From:MARCIA ALTER
To:public comment
Subject:RE: Business item #6.a.
Date:Monday, August 17, 2020 1:12:51 PM
I am in support of appointment to the offices of the City that were to be elected on Tuesday,
November 3, 2020 and cancel the Consolidated General Municipal Election.
Marcia Alter
From:Marla Johnson
To:public comment
Subject:8/18/2020 agenda
Date:Monday, August 17, 2020 11:44:49 AM
Dear City Council Members,
We were very much looking forward to physically attending the council meeting today. It would’ve been the first
attendance to a city meeting in our new hometown that we’ve grown to so appreciate and love.
Because we see the value of maintaining our lovely city, we strongly feel it is very important for all citizens to
engage in the policies that will impact our communities. Especially at a time with so much discord and uncertainty.
We also believe, It is also extremely important for our elected officials & public servants to make every effort to
hear the ideas and concerns of their constituents.
That being said, we would appreciate your attentiveness to the following concern we have.
We found it very troubling that a sitting official would inappropriately contact a potential candidate to discourage
them from running for office in opposition. While this may have been not as nefarious as some have framed it, you
must see how this reeks of the political grappling to maintain power that we see in our state’s and nation’s governing
bodies. Bluntly, it is not only disturbing, it is disgusting and should not be overlooked or excused.
The Mayoral position is one that provides leadership for our community’s policies and stewarding of all that
pertains to our city. He or she is also the “face” of Arroyo Grande to our area and beyond. While we do appreciate
the difficulties that come with these responsibilities & thank Ms Ray for choosing to serve in this capacity, she
should not be interfering, either by word or deed, with someone else who expresses a desire to run for office....any
office.
Therefore we request that the election go forth, to enable votes for write-in candidates to be submitted. This is the
only way to ensure the citizens voices are heard and votes counted after such an infraction by a sitting official in
meddling with the outcome of an election.
We believe this is the only manner for our city’s leaders to redeem a situation that will blight their reputation for
fairness in elections unless rectified.
We thank you for your time.
Chris & Marla Johnson
Sent from my iPhone
From:Brown, Tim@DIR
To:Caren Ray Russom; Kristen Barneich
Cc:Kelly Wetmore; Keith Storton; Lan George; Jimmy Paulding
Subject:aug 18 special meeting
Date:Monday, August 17, 2020 2:19:50 PM
Dear Mayor and council:
I am writing to express my concern over the special meeting.
To get directly to the point it is wrong for an elected office to put pressure on a possible opponent to
not run, more than out of bounds it lacks integrity.
The sad part is the mayor was going to win regardless.
On another note, the fact that the mayor or any other or any other council members phones delete
communication with staff members needs to corrected. This communications are subject to the
public records act.
It is clear that the mayor caused city the city manager to resign based on the record we do have. Her
actions outside of the full council review.
Please make this email part of the public record
Tim brown
Information & Assistannce Unit