Consideration for Place 4 Vacant Council Seat
Since the City Council election this past Saturday, we have received several emails from citizens who would like to be considered to serve out the unexpired term of former Councilmember Cassie Barrientos (Place 4) who resigned on April 10, 2023. The unexpired term for Place 4 expires in May 2024. Per Texas Local Government Code, Section 22.010 (a) for a General Law, Type A Municipality: “If for any reason a single vacancy exists on the governing body of the municipality, a majority of the remaining members who are present and voting, excluding the mayor (except to break a tie), may fill the vacancy by appointment”. As such, this will be an agenda item during the May 15, 2023 City Council meeting.
The following individuals have submitted their request(s) for consideration:
- Derek Kahanek
- Garrett Gutierrez
- Mitch Jameson
- Monica Poss
- Joanna Morgan
- Mark Richter
The selection of a replacement for former Councilmember Barrientos’ position (Place 4) will be by Council appointment after administering the oaths of office to the newly-elected / re-elected councilmembers. Once the oaths of office are administered to the newly-elected / re-elected Councilmembers, the candidates above will be given 3-minutes to address the Council to state their qualifications, experience, and why they want to serve. Mayor Foerster will draw names (in real time) to establish the order in which the candidates will address the Council. After the closed Executive Session, the Council will return to the Open Meeting where a motion will be made to appoint whichever individual the Council feels is the most qualified candidate to fill the vacancy. The Mayor will call for a vote and the individual selected will be sworn-in and then take a seat on the dais to participate in the remainder of the meeting.
- New / re-elected Councilmembers are sworn-in and report to dais
- Mayor draws names to determine Place 4 Candidate speaking order
- Candidates address Council (3-minutes each)
- Council Asks Questions of Candidates – (3 to 5 minutes each)
- Citizen Comments – (3-minutes each)
- Closed Executive Session – (30 to 60 minutes)
- Council Appoints Candidate to fill Place 4 Vacancy
- Place 4 Appointed Councilmember is sworn-in and reports to dais
The City Council agenda, agenda notes, and council data package will be available on the City’s FB page by 5:00 pm Friday afternoon. Citizens attending the meeting in person who would like to address the City Council on this (or any other topic on the agenda) may do so by signing up prior to the start of the meeting. For those who are unable to attend, the meeting will be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube Channel
