Los Al Council rules out special election, will appoint Bates replacement

Ronald “Ron” Bates. July 14, 1946 to September 6, 2022. Courtesy photo.

In a special meeting this week, the Los Alamitos City Council voted unanimously to appoint a replacement for the late Council member Ronald Bates, who died suddenly last month.

Bates had more than two years left on his term in office at the time of his death, said city clerk Windy Quintanar said.

Per the city charter, she City Council would have to appoint someone with 60 days or call a special election at the next available date, which would be March 7, 2023, she told the Council in the special zoom meeting.

“If the council chooses to call a special election,” said Quintanar, “a special staff report will be presented at a later date,” she added.

Before the Council discussion, the city clerk said no members of the public registered to speak during the special meeting’s oral communications.

So we have two options, do we have any discussion or do we go straight to a vote,” asked Mayor Shelley Hasselbrink.

Council member Mark Chirco, who began his career by being appointed to the Council, as was Tanya Doby, but both have now been elected by voters in their respective Council districts.

“I know we’ve done this successfully in the past,” said Chirco, referring to appointing Council members. “But if we decide to do a special election, it would be costly, it wouldn’t be for another six months, we’re not even sure if anyone would run so that’s a long time to be without a fifth Council member,” he said.

Quintanar told Chirco that a special election could cost the city about $12,000 if they held it in conjunction with another county election.

“So, I’m in favor of appointing a replacement Council member,” he said.

Chirco recently made a surprise announcement that he would not be seeking re-election on Nov. 8. Therefore, there will be three new Council members when the election winners are sworn in.

Both Council member Jordan Nefulda and Doby said they also agreed with the appointment, so a motion passed unanimously to have the city Council appoint a replacement to fill Bates’ unexpired term.

Hasselbrink said the city has set a special meeting on Oct. 24 to interview candidates who have expressed interest in serving. The only prerequisite for the position is having to be resident of the city and a registered voter.

The Council members seemed to have expressed interest in interviewing applicants on Oct. 24, then appointing on the same night a replacement to fill the seat until the next election. Quintanar said the city has until Nov. 24 to make the appointment but “it would be advisable to appoint that evening.”

Here is the process established by the city after the meeting for interested applicants.

On September 26, 2022, the City Council voted to appoint a member to fill the vacant City Council seat in District 2. The position will serve until the next General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024.

The City Council is the legislative body of the City and is composed of five (5) members who serve by District. Council Members are elected by the registered voters of the respective District. The City Council meets the third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m.

Special meetings are called as needed. Interested parties are encouraged to apply for the vacant City Council seat. To qualify for considerations, you must be a registered voter in District 2 in the City of Los Alamitos and submit a cover letter, application, and resume to the City Clerk’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

Postmarks will not be accepted. Upon successful submittal of your cover letter, application, and resume, the City Clerk’s Office will verify you are a registered voter in District 2. After verification, you will be sent a list of interview questions.

Each verified applicant will be invited to interview in front of the City Council at an open televised meeting of the City Council. Council has scheduled interviews for Monday, October 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 3191 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, CA 90720. Applicants will be allowed 30 minutes to address the City Council. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 431-3538 ext. 220 or via email at wquintanar@cityoflosalamitos.org.