Live Council Coverage: Meet the New Boss…

Happy New Year, Davis!  We are only four days into 2011, but it is already a unique year in Davis politics. Our city has been Mayor-less for about 30 hours, since Don Saylor took his oath of office as the newest Yolo County Supervisor, and the Council has consequently been reduced to four hearty souls.

This development was, of course, not a surprise. The upcoming vacancy has been discussed at length in our community, including on the pages of this fine publication. But now that the Council vacancy is no longer “upcoming”, it is time for the remaining members to roll up their proverbial sleeves and get to the business of picking a new Mayor and a new Councilmember.

Both of these issues are to be addressed tonight. If things go as expected, we should leave tonight’s meeting with a new Mayor, a defined process for selecting a new Councilmember, and new appointments of City Council Liaisons to Boards, Commissions and Committees. But things don’t always go as expected. That’s why they play the games…err…have the meetings.

Before I begin the live coverage, however, there are a few items of note. Foremost, the esteemed Mr. Kemble K. Pope, founder of this publication and all-around modern renaissance man, finds himself in Texas (of all places) this evening. But his undying love for our community demanded that “the show must go on”, and he called upon a pinch-blogger (me!) to cover the meeting in his stead. My name is Will. I have no expectation of holding a candle to Kemble’s blogging prowess, but I will do my best.

Also, I am quite sure you will want to familiarize yourself with tonight’s agenda: Agenda for Tuesday January 4, 2011

Regular Calendar

• 02 Council Vacancy Appointment Process.pdf
• 04 2010-12 Council Liaison Assignments.pdf

6:35pm - Mayor Pro Tem Joe Krovoza has called the meeting to order. It is a light crowd, with more empty chairs at the dias as well as among the public. I count only 10 non-journalist, non-staff members of the public. It was noted that public comment shall be restricted to items on the agenda, because this is a special meeting.

The meeting starts with City Manager Navazio presenting a staff report regarding the process for Councilmember appointment. He kicked it to His Deputy City Manager, Kelly Stachowicz, to talk about timelines and procedures. She is emphasizing three main points for the Council to consider when formalizing the Councilmember application process:First, she identified the timeline within which the Council is bound, specifically a March 4 deadline for making the appointment. Second, she identified a potential need to limit the number of “finalists” for consideration. Finally, she outlined the application form being recommended, which includes the applicant’s name, his or her eligibility for appointment, a form 700 financial disclosure statement, an applicant statement, an an opportunity for written public input on each applicant.

6:45pm – The Council is responding to the staff recommendations. Councilmember Greenwald identified two concerns: First, that written public input (i.e., positives and negatives) about an applicant is a beyond that which is even part of an election process and, second, that she is not in favor of “ranking” the candidates in an attempt to narrow the field. Joe spoke next and emphasized that this preliminary discussion “doesn’t lend itself to motions because we’re just sharing ideas” at this point. Councilmember Souza asked the  City Clerk to remind him of the typical timeline for candidate application (filing) during a normal election process. Her response was 25 days, with an additional 10 days if no incumbents file. Councilmember Souza then identified his desire to see a longer “public input” process (as opposed to application process). Councilmember Swanson then indicated her desire to have more forums (literally) for public input and applicant interview. Specifically, she indicated a desire for more groups (other than the previously suggested League of Women Voters) to hold candidate forums, including the Downtown Business Association, ASUCD, Sierra Club, and Chamber of Commerce.

7:00pm – The Mayor Pro Tem called for public comment… and no one stepped up to say anything. Public comment is now closed.

7:01pm – There is a motion on the floor, moved by Swanson, seconded by Souza, to approve the “Extended Timeline” for appointment, to approve the third option for narrowing the field, and to approve “specific” language for an application statement.

Regarding timelines, the motion is for the following: “Timeline A shows an extended process which would allow a Council appointee to participate by the March 1 Council meeting. If, however, the Council wishes to expedite the process with the intent of having a new person on board as soon as possible.

Regarding narrowing of the field, the motion is for the following: Each councilmember provides his/her top five choices. Any applicant named remains a candidate. If there are more than 10 candidates after this first round, Council repeats the process using the reduced list and choosing only four names each. This can be repeated for a third round, if necessary, until the Council has 10 or fewer candidates.

Regarding application statement language, the motion is for the following (with the caveat that Councilmember Swanson produce final language to be used…by tomorrow!):

A. Provide background that you feel is relevant to your appointment to the City Council.

B. Describe the attributes you feel make you a good candidate for a Council appointment.

C. Describe the issues you feel are important to the city and or positions you may hold on city issues.

The motion passed unanimously.

7:15pm – The Council is now making comments regarding their general desires for qualities an applicant may posses. Councilmember Souza said, “I always like unique things. I think we will choose an individual who will serve our community well.” Councilmember Swanson indicated her desire not to get into specifics in the interest of not discouraging potential applicants, but that the new Councilmember must be a “good listener” and reach out to all members of our community. Councilmember Greenwald said that, while an appointment was not her “first choice, but when we put the cost concerns out there I got ‘zero feedback’ asking for an election.”

7:25pm - The Council now took up the item of Mayorship and Mayor Pro Tem-ship. Prior to this point in the meeting, it had been an exceedingly friendly discussion with little disagreement. This is when things changed.

It began with public comment. One member of the public came forward to speak. He was the esteemed former Mayor Jerry Adler. He indicated an expertise specific to the selection of Mayor. He drafted the original city ordinance that has led recent Councils to appoint the top vote-getter in an election Mayor Pro Tem, to become Mayor following the next election. He said the ordinance had “a single purpose”. “What I saw was a great deal of political maneuvering and not a great deal of legitimacy on the selection of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.”

Councilmember Souza moved that the Mayorship rotate at six month intervals, with Councilmembers Greenwald, himself, and Swanson serving in that order. The motion was seconded “for discussion purposes” by Councilmember Swanson.

Then Councilmember Greenwald made a substitute motion to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Krovoza as Mayor. Swanson again seconded “for discussion”. Councilmember Souza spoke against the substitute motion and in favor of his original motion, stating his desire to see the Mayorship shared among his colleagues. But when it came to a vote, the motion passed 3-0-1, with Souza abstaining. The motion passed.

**Joe Krovoza is now Mayor of Davis.**

7:40pm - Now the Council took up the issue of the Mayor Pro Tem. Councilmember Greenwald moved to appoint Councilmember Swanson to the position. The motion was seconded by Mayor Krovoza.

It was at this point that a visibly discouraged Councilmember Souza spoke on his own behalf. He stated a sincere desire to serve the community in this position, and a belief that his 25+ years of service and experience, as well as a reputation for “fairness”, earned him at least the position of Mayor Pro Tem.

Councilmember Swanson indicated a desire to hear from the public.

Once again, former Mayor Adler spoke. He reiterated the sentiment expressed by Councilmember Souza and called upon Councilmember Swanson “in the interest of humility” to withdrawal her name from consideration. He went on to say he believes Councilmember Swanson “will be Mayor some day”.

David Greenwald spoke next. He made a point previously unmentioned in this discussion, that considerations of electoral advantage are to be considered. Specifically, that appointing someone who will (likely) be on the 2012 ballot to a position such as this may give him or her an undue advantage in that election. Consequently, he urged the Council to appoint someone who will not be running in 2012, namely, Councilmember Swanson.

Public comment closed, and it was time for the Council to weigh in. Councilmember Greenwald spoke first. She made a point of indicating her original intent not to speak specifically as to the merits of a particular Councilmember for appointment to this position, but that she was compelled to respond to Councilmember Souza’s statements. She said that he, in her opinion, had not been fair to her and others on a number of occasions, citing specific examples of conflicts regarding past Commission and Committee appointments. Mayor Krovoza then spoke, saying he understood the stated concern or potential electoral advantage should Councilmember Souza be appointed. A vote was taken and passed by the same margin as the Mayorship, 3-0-1 with Councilmember Souza abstaining.

**Rochelle Swanson is now Mayor Pro Tem of Davis**

7:55pm – The Council now moved on to appointing various City Council Liaisons to Boards, Commissions and Committees left absent by former Mayor Saylor. It was at this point that Councilmember Souza took a brief respite in the break room behind the dais. After a few of the appointments were made without objection, and Councilmember Souza returned to his colleagues, Councilmember Greenwald indicated that, as Mayor, Mr. Krovoza could make such appointments as he sees fit, barring objection. The appointments were made, details of which I will update when I get them.

8:10pm - The meeting adjourned. Most folks lingered, as they are wont to do. But Councilmember Souza left the Chambers with some haste. He had a bad half-hour or so and looked as though he wanted to put the evening behind him.

It is at this point that my “live” coverage ends. But I am compelled to say a few words about the rapid and eventful end of this meeting.

I would, first, like to congratulate the new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. They are both civil servants of the highest quality and Davis is lucky to have them in such positions of leadership.

To Councilmember Souza, I extend the same sentiment. He has indeed served our community well for many years and will undoubtedly continue to do so admirably. Putting one’s self out there for public scrutiny and discussion, like he did tonight, is a risk very few people ever take. I can only hope that the disappointment of tonight’s decisions fill him only with a stronger desire to achieve the Mayorship as a candidate. Davis would be well served.

That’s it for my editorializing and for this post. I will back-fill with more info and links as I get them. Thank you for putting up with a rookie live-blogger. I will be happy to see Kemble doing this next week instead of me!