CC 2013-10-22_10.a. Questions for Council Applicant Forum
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL APPLICANT
FORUM
DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2013
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council provide staff direction on questions for the Council
applicant forum.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is no cost or staffing impact from this item.
BACKGROUND:
At the October 8, 2013 meeting, the City Council made the decision to fill the Council
vacancy left by former Council Members Ray’s appointment to the County Board of
Supervisors through the same process utilized in 2010, which included the following
steps:
The City Council vacancy would be filled by City Council appointment.
An Application and Notice of Vacancy forms were approved and a deadline to
submit applications was established.
An applicant public forum was scheduled to provide public involvement in the
process and the League of Women Voters moderated the forum. Staff formally
noticed the applicant forum as a Special Council Meeting in order to avoid any
Brown Act problems, so that all Council Members could be present to view the
proceedings.
Three (3) City Council questions were developed by the Council for applicants to
respond to at the forum, along with questions that would be submitted by the
public. The appointment was scheduled to take place at a subsequent Regular
City Council Meeting.
Following an additional opportunity for the public and Council to obtain applicant
feedback at the Regular Council Meeting, Council Members ranked all the
applicants. The rankings were tabulated and presented by staff, which would
then be used by Council to make a motion(s) for appointment.
Item 10.a. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF QUESTIONS FOR COUNCIL APPLICANT FORUM
OCTOBER 22, 2013
PAGE 2
The new Council Member was sworn in and seated at that same meeting.
Staff has made arrangements with the League of Women Voters for the forum. The
forum is scheduled on October 29, 2013 at the City of Arroyo Grande and Woman’s
Club Community Center at 6:00 p.m. The appointment is anticipated to be placed on
the November 12, 2013 meeting agenda.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Staff is seeking direction from the Council on whether to utilize the same questions as
last time or whether to submit different questions. The Council may also submit a
different number of questions. One option would be to simply have each Council
Member submit one question.
The questions developed by the Council in 2010 included:
1) What do you consider two or three important issues facing the City that you would
like to help solve?;
2) Name two or three things you like about Arroyo Grande that should be protected; and
3) What do you think are the three most important financial priorities for the City?)
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Utilize same questions as last forum;
2. Provide three new questions;
3. Provide a different number of questions;
4. Have each Council Member provide one question; or
5. Provide staff other direction.
ADVANTAGES:
The advantage of providing further direction is to ensure the forum best addresses the
information desired by the City Council.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, October 17, 2013. The staff
report was posted on the City’s website on Friday, October 18, 2013.
Item 10.a. - Page 2