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City Council Discussion and Direction on Process for Selection of Vice Mayor
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SUMMARY
At the City Council meeting of June 3, 2013, the Council agreed by consensus to schedule a discussion of the process for selection of Vice Mayor. This report provides information on past practice and methods for the selection of Vice Mayor in other cities in Alameda County.
BACKGROUND
Section 310 of the San Leandro City Charter specifies that, "At its first regular meeting in May of each year, the Council shall designate one of its members Vice Mayor, to serve for a period of one year and until a successor is elected and qualified." The City Council has no other written procedures or guidelines for Vice Mayor selection.
The City Council followed an informal policy of rotating the designation of Vice Mayor until 1989. In that year, the Council determined that the Vice Mayor position should not be just one of rotation, but should be elected by the City Council.
Cities generally make their Vice Mayor selections in the month in which their elections are held, or shortly thereafter. Until 2000, San Leandro held its General Municipal Election in April of even-numbered years, and made the Vice Mayor selection in May. In 2000, the City's General Municipal Election was moved from April to November, without a corresponding ballot measure to change the timing of the Vice Mayor selection.
To aid the Council's discussion of Vice Mayor selection, staff surveyed the other cities in Alameda County to determine how they choose their Vice Mayor. The results of the survey are provided below:
Berkeley, Dublin and Livermore - Similar to San Leandro, the City Councils in the Cities of Berkeley, Dublin and Livermore designate a vice mayor to serve for one year, and have no formal process for selection.
Oakland - The Oakland City Council President nominates a President Pro Tempore, who is confirmed by the Council. The President Pro Tempore serves until repl...
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