Stephanie McGeary / @ 1:19 p.m. / Agendizer

Who Will Be Arcata’s Next Mayor and Vice-Mayor? Arcata City Council Will Decide During a Special Meeting on Thursday

(left to right) Arcata City Councilmembers Alex Stillman, Meredith Matthews, Sarah Schaefer, Kimberly White and Stacy Atkins-Salazar | File photo

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As we near the end of 2023, it’s time for the Arcata City Council to ponder the year ahead and think about what roles each of the councilmembers will fill. Who will be Arcata’s next mayor and vice mayor? What committees and commissions do they each want to serve for the next year? These are questions the council will answer during a special meeting on Thursday night, when the council will elect a mayor/ vice mayor and assign all of their liaison appointments for 2024. 

Unlike in some other cities, like Eureka, where the mayor is voted in by the public during general elections, the Arcata City Council decides which councilmember will serve as mayor/ vice mayor each year. And though the councilmembers can technically nominate any one among them that they choose, the City of Arcata has a rotation protocol that allows each council member a chance to serve in both roles during their term. 

During the rotation, which happens around the middle of every December, whoever is serving as mayor – currently Sarah Schaefer – will step down from their reign, and whoever is serving as vice-mayor will step into the role of mayor. So Vice-Mayor Meredith Matthews will most likely become Mayor Matthews. 

The position of vice mayor is then typically given to the councilmember with the most time on the council who has not previously served as mayor. Now this is where things potentially get complicated. Technically, after Schaefer and Councilmember Stacy Atkins-Salazar (who has the most continuous time on council, but has already served as mayor during her term), the councilmember with the most time is Alex Stillman. You may recall that Stillman was elected during the 2022 primary to fill the seat of Emily Goldstein, who vacated her position early. Councilmember Kimberly White was also elected in 2022 during the general election, just five months later. 

Because Stillman stepped into the council seat mid-term, that would usually put her at the bottom of the list for the rotation. According to the council’s protocol manual, “If a Councilmember is appointed to fill a mid‐term vacancy, that Councilmember will go to the bottom of the rotational list.” However, Stillman was not appointed by the council to fill the vacant seat, she was actually elected by the public. Does this change things? We’re not sure. The protocol doesn’t seem to address the difference, and the issue hasn’t come up in recent years, since it is much more usual for the council to appoint a new councilmember to fill mid-term vacancies.

It also seems worth noting that Stillman has also served as both vice-mayor and mayor during her previous terms on the council, and the protocol does not specify whether “has not previously served as mayor” applies to all past terms, or only continuous ones. If the council does decide that Stillman is precluded from being elected as vice-mayor, either because she has served before, or because she was elected midterm, then the next candidate would be Kimberly White. 

Again, this is the way the council usually does things based on its protocol manual, but it’s not set in stone. The council has definitely made changes to the rotation before to accommodate the current council and make sure everyone gets their turn. Again, the outgoing mayor and vice-mayor are also allowed to nominate whichever councilmember they want to succeed them. But the council generally follows the protocol the best it can, and addresses unusual situations as they come up in discussion. Also, any councilmember can decline to be nominated for mayor or vice-mayor, if they choose. 

However it all plays out, after the councilmembers have elected their new mayor and vice-mayor, they will turn their attention to assignments on regional boards, committees and commissions and decide which councilmembers will serve in these various positions. 

This will all go down during the Arcata City Council special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. at Arcata City Hall. Scroll down for more information and documents compiled by our AgendaBot, or click here for the full agenda and directions on how to view/ participate in the meeting.


Arcata City Council
Dec. 14, 2023, 4 p.m.

1. ROLL CALL

1. Roll Call


2. PUBLIC COMMENT

3. NEW BUSINESS

A. 4319 : Elect a Mayor and Vice Mayor Pursuant to Arcata Municipal Code Section 2020.

The city council is having a meeting to choose a new mayor and vice mayor. According to the city’s rules, they have to do this every year. It doesn’t cost any money. There are some documents attached to the report that explain the rules in more detail.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a science-fiction story!

In the year 2023, the city of Arcata was bustling with anticipation as the City Council prepared to elect a new Mayor and Vice Mayor. The Arcata Municipal Code dictated that this important decision must be made annually on the Thursday after the second Wednesday of December. Bridget Dory, the diligent City Clerk, had meticulously prepared the staff report and gathered all the necessary information for the council members.

As the council members gathered for the special meeting, the atmosphere was filled with both excitement and tension. The city had undergone significant changes over the past year, and this election would shape its future direction. The council members knew that their decision would not only impact Arcata but also its citizens and beyond.

The meeting commenced, and Bridget Dory, with her extensive knowledge of the city’s laws and regulations, presented her recommendation. She emphasized the importance of electing a Mayor and Vice Mayor to uphold the principles of the Arcata Municipal Code. The council members listened intently and acknowledged the significance of their choice.

The council members were reminded of the rotational schedule outlined in Section 2.3 of the City Council’s Protocol Manual. This manual provided guidance on ensuring fair representation among the council members. It ensured that each member had the opportunity to serve as Mayor or Vice Mayor during their tenure.

As the discussion unfolded, the council members delved into the qualifications and merits of each candidate. They passionately argued for their choices, each highlighting their preferred candidate’s unique abilities and achievements. The room was alive with spirited debate and a shared desire to select the best individuals for these pivotal roles.

Among the prospective candidates was Council Member Ethan Roark, a brilliant scientist known for his groundbreaking research on sustainable energy solutions. His vision for a greener and more sustainable city had garnered widespread admiration. Many believed that his scientific acumen and innovative ideas would be the catalyst that Arcata needed.

Opposing him was Council Member Olivia Montague, a charismatic and empathetic leader who had dedicated her career to improving social equality in Arcata. Her initiatives to combat poverty, homelessness, and discrimination had touched the lives of countless citizens. She was known for her ability to bring people together and bridge the gap between different communities.

The debate continued, with the council members considering the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. While Roark seemed to offer a path towards technological advancement, Montague embodied the spirit of unity and social progress. The decision weighed heavily on their minds.

As the council proceeded with the voting process, the tension in the room grew. Each council member cast their ballot, silently reflecting on the future they were about to shape. The votes were counted, and the anticipation reached its peak.

Finally, the results were announced. Ethan Roark was elected as the new Mayor of Arcata, while Olivia Montague became the Vice Mayor. The room erupted in a mix of applause and murmurs of anticipation. The city had chosen leadership that embodied both scientific progress and social equality.

Little did they know that a future awaited them, where their city would be at the forefront of scientific discoveries and advancements. The energy solutions pioneered under Mayor Roark’s guidance revolutionized the city’s infrastructure, making Arcata a model for sustainability worldwide.

Simultaneously, Vice Mayor Montague led initiatives that eliminated poverty and inequality in Arcata. Her efforts transformed the city into a harmonious community, where acceptance and empathy thrived.

Together, Mayor Roark and Vice Mayor Montague spearheaded a paradigm shift that put Arcata on the global map. Their united leadership galvanized the city and its citizens, inspiring them to work towards a brighter future.

As the years passed, Arcata became a beacon of progress on Earth, an example of what humanity could achieve when guided by vision and compassion. The City Council’s decision to elect Mayor Roark and Vice Mayor Montague set in motion a chain of events that would shape the destiny of the city and ignite a new era of scientific and social evolution.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Arcata Municipal Code, Title II, Chapter 1B. Excerpt from Protocol Manual 2021


B. 4320 : Consider Council Member Assignments to Regional Boards, Committees, and Commissions, and as Liaisons for 2024.

Summary:

This staff report is about the City Council deciding which members should represent them on different boards, committees, and commissions. They review the current assignments and decide if they want to continue with those representatives. The representatives are responsible for going to meetings, gathering information, and reporting back to the Council. The decision made by the representative is not their personal opinion, but the direction from the majority of the Council. The Council considers factors like availability, experience, interest, and time served on the Council when making these assignments. There is no cost associated with this decision.

— LoCOBot

… or, as a sea shanty!

(Verse 1)
In a city council meeting, on a December day,
The clerk stood before them, with news to relay,
She spoke of assignments, for the year to come,
To regional boards, committees, and commissions some.

(Chorus)
Oh, it’s time to review, and appoint once more,
To represent our city, on these boards offshore,
The council members, with experience and might,
Will sail the waves of governance, through day and night.

(Verse 2)
The council’s recommendations, carry weight indeed,
But the direction they give, comes from all who lead,
They’ll attend the meetings, provide information true,
Reporting back to council, on all that they do.

(Chorus)
Oh, it’s time to review, and appoint once more,
To represent our city, on these boards offshore,
The council members, with experience and might,
Will sail the waves of governance, through day and night.

(Verse 3)
Availability and interest, experience they possess,
These are the factors, that they must assess,
Time served on the council, counts in this affair,
As they choose their assignments, with thoughtful care.

(Chorus)
Oh, it’s time to review, and appoint once more,
To represent our city, on these boards offshore,
The council members, with experience and might,
Will sail the waves of governance, through day and night.

(Outro)
So here’s to our council members, with their duties grand,
As they embark on the seas, with appointments in hand,
Bound by their service, and their love for this place,
They’ll navigate the waters, with honor and grace.

— LoCOBot

DOCUMENTS:

Staff ReportA. Committee Commission Liaison Appointments 2023


4. ADJOURNMENT


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