HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2012-12-31M
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETfNG
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, California 94083
CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM
400 GRAND AVENUE,
Sot 1'I'H SAN FRANCISCO
MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call.
3.
None.
4.
None.
S.
Agenda Review.
Time: 9:00 am
Present: Councilmembers Addiego
and Gjarbarino, Mayor Pro Tem
Matsumoto and Mayor Gonzalez.
Public Comments — comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting
Agenda.
Discussion and determination of process for filling vacant City Council
seat including:
1) Resolution appointing an applicant to fill the vacant City Council seat
for the remainder of the term to expire November 3, 2015; item to include
discussion of applicants and balloting; or
2) Resolution No. 110-20112 appointing an applicant to fill the vacant City
Council seat for an interim term to expire upon certification of the
November 5, 2013 Election; item to include discussion of applicants and
balloting; and Resolution setting a Special Election to be consolidated
with the November 5, 2013 Municipal Election to elect a Councilmember
for the remainder of the term to expire November 3, 2015; or
3) Resolution setting a Special Election to be consolidated with the
November 5, 2013 Municipal Election to elect a Councilmember for the
remainder of the term to expire November 3, 2015,
Mayor Gonzalez requested that Council Mattas advise of the options presently pending before
Council with respect to filling the vacant City Council seat.
Counsel Mattas advised that at its last Special Meeting on this subject, which took place December
22, 2012, Council had voted ballots to select an applicant to fill the vacated City Council seat
formally held by Assemblyman Mullin with a term ending November 3, 2015. Applicant Dr.
Pradeep Gupta was the successful applicant, with a second round unanimous vote in his favor.
Council had deadlocked, however, on the issue of whether Dr. Gupta should be appointed to fill the
remainder of the term through November 3, 2015, or through certification of a Special Election that
could be called and consolidated with the November 5, 2013 General Municipal Election.
Councilman Garbarino commented that he believed the process had gotten political, but he would be
willing to move from his previous position and appoint Dr. Gupta through certification of a Special
Election. He commented that he would have hoped Dr. Gupta could focus on getting up to speed as
a Councilmember and gain footing for the City regionally without being subject to the simultaneous
demands of a campaign. However, he believed this was necessary to break the deadlock, given that
he did not think the Council could sit effectively with only four (4) members for the upcoming 11
months.
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto concurred with Councilman Garbarino's comments. She stated that in
addition, she had been uncomfortable appointing the successful applicant to the position, and then
calling a Special Election which would require him to run twice in a four (4) yearperiod if he wished
to maintain the seat. She cited expenses upwards of $20,000/campaign. She explained that she now
understood the successful applicant could run for the three (3) at large four (4) year seats that would
be up for election at the same time. Accordingly, she was more comfortable with the shorter
appointment.
Councilman Addiego opined the nature of the process was political. He stated his belief that it was
paramount not to pass an election cycle without providing the public an opportunity to weigh in.
Calling a Special Election at the time of the General Municipal Election would permit this
opportunity.
Mayor Gonzalez stated his first preference was to call a special election immediately to have
someone voted in by the people to fill the seat. Since under state and local law, the first available
time to call a Special Election was November 2013, this was not an option. Accordingly, he
supported an appointment with a Special Election called for the first available date of November 5,
2013.
Motion-Councilman Addiego/ Second- Councilman Garbarino- to approve Resolution No. 11.0-
2012 and appoint, by name, Dr. Pradeep Gupta to the City Council and set a Special Election for
November 5, 2013 to be consolidated with the General Municipal Election of the same date.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 31, 2012
AGENDA PAGE
6. Adjoumment.
Being no further business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Submitted-/) A rt ved-
kris:t oy' Martin olli Pedro Golfz/alez
City Cl6&,Citp6f South- San Francisco Mayor, City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 31, 2,012
AGENDA PAGE