CC 2013-12-10_11.a. Selection of Mayor Pro TemMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: STEVEN ADAMS, CITY MANAGER fir
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF SELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE
AS MAYOR PRO TEM
DATE: ·DECEMBER 10, 2013
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council: 1) appoint Council Member Guthrie as the Mayor
Pro Tern for the next one-year period; and 2) direct staff to prepare an amendment to
the City Council appointment policy so that newly elected and appointed Council
Members wait a period of one year before being appointed Mayor Pro Tern.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is no cost or staffing impact from this action.
BACKGROUND:
At the December 10, 2002 meeting, the City Council established a policy regarding
selection of the Mayor Pro Tern. At that time, the City Council agreed to appoint the
Mayor Pro Tern on a one-year rotational basis by seniority of those members who have
not yet served as Mayor Pro Tern. In 2005, the policy was modified to include additional
language to address circumstances in which two members have the same tenure on the
City Council. If this situation exists, the order of rotation is then based upon time served
on a City Councir appointed Commission and/or Committee prior to being elected to the
City Council.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
All members of the Council have served as Mayor Pro Tern. Therefore, based on the
rotation and Council policy, Council Member Barneich would be the next in line for the
position. However, Council Member Barneich indicated that she would prefer to wait
one year before serving as Mayor Pro T em to provide time for more experience with the
Council meetings. As a result, Council Member Guthrie would then be the next in line
for the position.
Item 11.a. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
SELECTION OF COUNCIL MEMBER GUTHRIE AS MAYOR PRO TEM
DECEMBER 10, 2013
PAGE2
Now that the policy has been in place for several years, which has provided the
opportunity for all other council members to serve as Mayor Pro Tern, the policy
provisions can frequently result in newly elected council members being selected for the
position. Council Member Barneich's request to wait one year brings up a good point,
which is that there is an advantage of having a year of experience with Council meeting
protocol prior to being requested to run a meeting. Therefore, staff also recommends
an amendment be drafted that would make waiting one year part of the ongoing
process.
ADVANTAGES:
Based on the request of Council Member Barneich to wait one year, the appointment of
Council Member Guthrie is consistent with the current process, which provides an
orderly and fair procedure for alternating the position of Mayor Pro Tern. The proposed
change to the policy will further enhance the process.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified regarding this item.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
1. Appoint Council Member Guthrie as the Mayor Pro Tern for the next one-year
period and direct staff to prepare an amendment to the policy;
2. Appoint Council Member Guthrie as the Mayor Pro Tern for the next one-year
period, but do not amend the policy;
3. Do not appoint Council Member Guthrie and modify the policy; or
4. Provide staff direction.
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, December 5, 2013 and on the
City's website on Friday, December 6, 2013.
Item 11.a. - Page 2