Laura Sturza
CIVIC CENTER -- Following recent departures by two elected officials,
the city is reviewing its policy for replacing city officers who resign.
The city charter requires vacancies to be filled by the City Council
within 30 days. If it doesn't, the mayor must make the appointment. An
election is not required. The newly appointed official serves for the
remainder of the unexpired term.
"What I've heard from the public through this whole process is they
would rather elect than have [candidates] appointed," Councilwoman Stacey
Murphy said at Tuesday's council meeting.
However, if the charter were changed to allow elections, the time and
expense of running them could prohibit filling an office promptly,
officials said.
Mayor David Laurell argued that the length remaining on an unexpired
term should be a factor in determining how the appointment is made. When
Judy Sarquiz resigned as city clerk, three-and-a-half years remained on
her term.
"I personally believe if there is more than one-and-a-half years left
on a term, the council should have the option to call for a special
election," Laurell said.
The city's charter was last reviewed in 1983.
Council members directed staff to form an 11-member Charter Review
Committee, which will first do an in-depth review of the policy for
replacing officials. It will later review the entire city charter. The
charter outlines the city's principles, functions and organization.
Impetus to review the policy came, in part, from Judy Sarquiz's Oct.
31 departure as city clerk and former mayor Bob Kramer's Feb. 25
resignation from the City Council, officials said.
Any changes to the charter would have to go before the voters. Laurell
said it might be possible to have any proposed amendments on either the
November or the February ballots.
The city will begin advertising for the 11-member committee by
Tuesday, and hopes to appoint members within 45 days.
Question: CHARTER BANTER Should elected officials who resign continue
to be replaced by City Council appointment or by special election? Write
to Community Forum, 220 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Suite B, Burbank, CA 91502, or
e-mail bleader@latimes.com.
