HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - unsigned - 1991-06-061
6/6/91
City Council, Special Meeting
760 Parkview Avenue
Redding, California
June 6, 1991 7:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Buffum with the following Council
Members present: Arness, Dahl, Fulton, Moss, and Buffum.
Also present were City Manager Christofferson, Assistant City Manager McMurry,
City Attorney Hays, Assistant City Attorney Calkins, Director of Finance
Downing, Assistant Director of Finance Sundin-Gruber, City Clerk Nichols, and
Secretary to the City Council Moscatello.
REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL
(A-050-060)
Mayor Buffum stated that the purpose of this meeting tonight is to discuss the
issue regarding herself and the subsequent reorganization of City Council.
Mayor Buffum read the following statement: "The welfare of the community and
that of the City Council is the most important issue, and for that reason, I
believe it is appropriate that an interim Mayor serve during the
investigation. We have a democratic process to follow, and it is very
important that I also participate in that process." Mayor Buffum said the
floor would entertain a motion at this time. If not, she suggested that Vice
Mayor Dahl act as interim Mayor.
Council Member Fulton noted that Council has not yet decided to have an
interim Mayor.
Vice Mayor Dahl clarified that it may be beneficial for Council to consider
appointing an interim Mayor during the investigation. He imagined that the
investigation is quite distracting. He said there is important Council
business to contend with, and the Mayor has to focus attention on City
business. He empathized with the pressure on her.
Council Member Fulton questioned if Vice Mayor Dahl's statement was a motion.
If not, Council Member Fulton said he will move that Vice Mayor Dahl be the
interim choice.
Council Member Arness questioned if, under the circumstances, an interim Mayor
should be appointed. He suggested, in the alternative, that Mayor Buffum step
down and stay on the Council and offer, at a less stressful pace, her
knowledge from the years on the Planning Commission and City Council. He
supported the suggestion that Vice Mayor Dahl take over the duties of Mayor.
He said this is not intended to be a judgement, it is only aimed at peace of
mind during the times before us. We are in a very dynamic time frame.
Mayor Buffum clarified that Council Member Arness did not wish for an interim
Mayor to serve; rather, Council Member Arness would like to have an election
for Mayor at this point.
Council Member Moss concurred with Council Member Arness. He noted that with
so much work in front of Council, it does not need an interim Mayor. He
questioned if City ordinance allows for an interim Mayor; and he pointed out
that under a general law city, a Mayor is not elected for a definite length of
time. He said he would prefer, for Mayor Buffum's and the City's benefit,
that Council accept Mayor Buffum's resignation and elect a new Mayor.
Vice Mayor Dahl noted that Council Member Fulton may want to amend the motion
from "interim" to "fill the remainder of the term," if that is the concurrence
of Council.
Council Member Fulton said he is not in favor of making this permanent. A
Mayor should only be appointed on an interim basis for 60 days; and if it is
found at that time that there is no reason to reinstate, that is fine. He
asked what happened to due process. He said Council is acting without
sufficient information and is judging prematurely with less than valid
information.
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6/6/91
Vice Mayor Dahl noted that Council Member Moss' point is well taken. If an
interim Mayor is appointed for 60 days, Council will have to go through this
debate again and rehash the issues. He said, on second thought, that 60 days
is
probably not enough time, and he pointed out that Council planned to
reorganize at the first of next year, anyway.
Council Member Fulton made a motion that Mayor Buffum step down for 60 days
and Vice Mayor Dahl be appointed interim Mayor for that time.
Mayor Buffum clarified that this motion would allow her to remain on the City
Council.
City Council clarified that it does not have the authority to remove Mayor
Buffum from the City Council.
Council Member Fulton's motion died for lack of a second.
MOTION: Made by Council Member Moss, seconded by Council Member Arness, that
Vice Mayor Dahl be appointed as Mayor to fill the remainder of the term.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members - Arness, Dahl, and Moss
Noes: Council Members - Fulton
Absent: Council Members - None
Abstain: Council Members - Buffum
MOTION: Made by Council Member Arness, seconded by Council Member Fulton, to
appoint Council Member Moss to be Vice Mayor for the remainder of the term.
Voting was as follows:
Ayes: Council Members - Arness, Dahl, Fulton, and Moss
Noes: Council Members - None
Absent: Council Members - None
Abstain: Council Members - Buffum
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 7:07 p.m., Mayor Dahl declared
the meeting adjourned.
APPROVED:
________________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
City Clerk