CC 2023-12-23_09.h. Selection of Mayor Pro Tem 2024Item 9.h.
MEMORANDUM
TO: City Council
FROM: Jessica Matson, Legislative & Information Services Director/City Clerk
SUBJECT: Consideration of Selection of Council Member Guthrie as Mayor Pro
Tem for Calendar Year 2024
DATE: December 12, 2023
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Annual appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem to serve for the next one -year period.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is no financial or staffing impact from this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Appoint Council Member Guthrie as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one -year period,
pursuant to Council policy.
BACKGROUND:
At its December 10, 2002 meeting, the City Council established a policy regarding the
selection of the Mayor Pro Tem. At that time, the City Council agreed to appoint the Mayor
Pro Tem on a one-year rotational basis by seniority of those members who have not yet
served as Mayor Pro Tem. 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 Council appointed Commission and/or Committee prior to being elected to the City
Council. In January 2014, the policy was again modified so that newly elected and/or
appointed Council Members become eligible to serve as Mayor Pro Tem after serving on
the City Council for a period of one year (Attachment 1 – Section 2.3 of the City Council
Handbook).
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Council Member Barneich has served as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2023 calendar year.
Council Member George served as Mayor Pro Tem for the 2022 calendar year. Based on
Council policy regarding seniority of those members who have not yet served as Mayor
Pro Tem and the eligibility of newly elected Council Members to serve after one year on
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Item 9.h.
City Council
Consideration of Selection of Council Member Guthrie as Mayor Pro Tem for
Calendar Year 2024
December 12, 2023
Page 2
the City Council, Council Member Guthrie would be the next in line for the position of
Mayor Pro Tem for the 2024 calendar year.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. Appoint Council Member Guthrie as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one -year
period;
2. Do not appoint Council Member Guthrie and provide staff with direction on
modifications to the policy; or
3. Provide staff direction.
ADVANTAGES:
Appointment of Council Member Guthrie as Mayor Pro Tem is consistent with Council
policy, which was developed to provide an orderly and fair procedure for alternating the
position of Mayor Pro Tem. The proposed recommendation is consistent with the current
policy.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified regarding this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
Attachments:
1. Section 2.3 of City Council Handbook
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CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK
PAGE 8
1.5 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
It is the mission of the City to make Arroyo Grande the best place possible
for everyone who lives, works and visits Arroyo Grande. The City Council
adopted Resolution 5142 adopting a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Policy as a commitment to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
in all facets of society and to model and implement the objectives within the
community and City organization (Exhibit G).
2.COUNCIL ORGANIZATION & DUTIES
2.1 City Council Districts
On April 12, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance 713 establishing a by-
district election system and created four (4) district boundaries (Exhibit H).
By 2024, each Councilmember will be elected by voters within their district
boundary for a four-year term. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large for
a two-year term.
The City Council wishes to remain united in its service to the community and
will govern on an at-large basis, considering the needs and interests of the
entire community. Professional management of the City will continue to be a
Council-Manager form of government under the policy leadership of the City
Council as a governing body. City resources will be allocated to address
priorities and needs on a citywide basis with a budget adopted by the City
Council as a governing body.
As customer service is a priority, any Council Member will help any member
of the community who contacts them. Current practices regarding invitations
of City Council Members to events and activities and appointments to
committees and various bodies will remain in effect.
2.2 Newly-Elected Members
Newly-elected Council Members are sworn into office generally at a
r egular meeting in December following a regular municipal election.
Immediately upon election (even before being sworn into office), newly-
elected Council Members are subject to the provisions of the Brown Act.
A reception is traditionally held immediately following the reorganization
meeting.
2.3 Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
The City Council appoints a Council Member as Mayor Pro Tem to serve the
duties of Mayor in his/her absence.
The Mayor Pro Tem shall serve a term of one year.
The appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem takes place at the first meeting in
December of each year.
It is the City Council’s policy to rotate appointment of the Mayor Pro Tem
based upon the seniority of City Council Members that have not yet served in
the position of Mayor Pro Tem. City Council Members become eligible to serve
ATTACHMENT 1
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CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK
PAGE 9
as Mayor Pro Tem after serving on the City Council for a period of one year.
If two Members of the City Council have the same seniority, the order of
rotation will be based upon time served on a City Council appointed
Commission and/or Committee prior to being elected to the City Council.
2.4 Meeting Duties of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
The Mayor shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If he/she is
absent or unable to act, the Mayor Pro Tem shall serve until the Mayor
returns or is able to act.
In the absence of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, the City Clerk shall call
the Council to order, whereupon a temporary Chairperson shall be elected
by the members of the Council present.
2.5 Seating Order
Following the Council reorganization, the City Clerk shall designate the
seating order for the Council dais. The Mayor Pro Tem shall sit to the Mayor’s
left.
2.6 Signing of City Documents
The Mayor, unless unavailable, shall sign all ordinances, resolutions,
contracts/agreements and other documents which have been adopted by the
City Council and require an official signature, except when the City Manager
has been authorized by Council action to sign such documents. In the event
the Mayor is unavailable or has a conflict of interest, the Mayor Pro Tem’s
signature may be used.
2.7 Representation at Ceremonial Functions
The Mayor shall represent the Council at ceremonial functions. The Mayor
may, at his/her own discretion, ask the Mayor Pro Tem or another Council
Member to represent the Council at the function. Voluntary attendance at
ceremonial functions by Council Members is encouraged.
2.8 Issuance of Proclamations, Commendations, Special Recognition
PROCLAMATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS: All requests for proclamations
are subject to the review and approval of the City Manager or his/her designee,
or Mayor. Proclamations and commendations are signed by the Mayor, and
are prepared in response to the type of recognition requested (which may
include recognition of individuals, groups, and events of significance to the
Arroyo Grande community). Proclamations and commendations may be
presented at a City Council meeting or at an outside event or meeting.
Typically, requests are honored for presentation at a Council meeting only if
a local representative from the requesting party can appear to accept the
proclamation or certificate.
IN MEMORY OF: A meeting may be adjourned in memory of an individual
at the direction of the Mayor or a member of the City Council if the
Council Member submits a request to the Mayor or to the City Clerk ahead
of the meeting. The announcement will be made at adjournment of the
meeting.
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