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Item 6c <br />Options to Fill Vacant Council Scat ff Incumbent Councilmember is Elected as Mayor. <br />(SR96:222) <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarvet asked if an ordinance could be adopted that sets a policy that anytime a <br />vacancy occurs on the Council, that a special election should be called, unless it is so close to <br />a general election that it doesn't make sense. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta indicated that was possible, but any Council could change that. It could also <br />be placed in the Council's rules so the expectation was clear each time. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti asked for clarification of past practices. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta indicated that in the history of Pleasanton, a variety of things have been <br />done. This issue was placed before Council in 1992 by staff, because it was appropriate to make <br />statements prior to the election. It can be very controversial following an election because it <br />looks like decisions are based on who got the highest vote counts, etc. It is better to set policy <br />prior to the election. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis felt there was less controversy if a vacant seat is filled by election rather than <br />appointment. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta indicated there are a variety of reasons people vote as they do, especially <br />when there are multiple seats available. Sometimes there are even strategies of not voting for <br />all the openings to influence the decision process. The next highest vote getter may not be the <br />person the voter would have elected if the entire field were open. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver preferred to have elections, especially if there are two years left on a term. <br />If there were only six months prior to a general election, then Council could operate with four <br />members. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti asked when the next election date would be. <br /> <br /> Ms. Acosta pointed out that Council did not have to decide on a special election date this <br />evening. The idea is to decide on a more general policy that there would be an election and <br />staff could describe in more detail the various options available. <br /> <br /> It was moved by Ms. Dennls~ seconded by Ms. Michelotti, to adopt a resolution <br />calling for a special election to fill any vacancy created by the November 1996 election and <br />for staff to bring back an ordinance to set policy for future elections. <br /> <br />07/09/96 - 11 - <br /> <br /> <br />