04/10/2017 City Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Eugene Work Session: Process for Appointing Interim Ward 4 City Councilor Meeting Date: April 10, 2017 Department: Central Services www.eugene-or.gov Agenda Item Number: A Staff Contact: Beth Forrest Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5882 ISSUE STATEMENT At your work session on March 15, 2017, Councilor George Poling announced his resignation as Ward 4 City Councilor, effective April 10, 2017. This item is an opportunity for the council to discuss the process and timeline for recruiting and appointing an interim replacement. BACKGROUND The Eugene Charter outlines the following process for filling vacancies on the council: Section 24. Vacancies - Filling (excerpt) (2) The council shall fill a vacancy in any other elective city office by appointment within ninety days after the vacancy occurs. A person so appointed shall hold office until the successor to the office is duly elected and qualifies therefor. (3) If the position of a city councilor or mayor becomes vacant more than 100 calendar days prior to the May election of any year, an election to fill that vacancy shall be conducted in the same year. If the position of city councilor or mayor becomes vacant less than 100 days prior to the May election of any year, the election to fill that vacancy shall be conducted the next year. If a candidate for election to a vacated position achieves a majority of all votes cast for that position in the May election, that candidate shall assume office the following July 1, notwithstanding Section 21 of this charter. The term of office of any person elected to fill a vacancy shall expire when the term of the vacated position expires. Because there are fewer than 100 days prior to the May 2017 election, the council shall appoint an interim councilor no later than July 9 who will serve until a successor is duly elected in 2018. The council has the authority to appoint a qualified person to the Eugene City Council outright or to undertake a recruitment and selection process similar to the one used in 2012 for filling the Ward 6 vacancy. If the latter is preferred, staff will open the online application and publicize the vacancy in various ways, including a press release, webpage announcement, notice to stakeholder groups, and media notice. The application period will be followed by council interviews and appointment. (See Attachment for sample timeline.) X:ACMO\2017 Council Agendas\M 170410\S 170410A.doc