Proposed Ordinance Would Set Procedure for Vacant Pasadena Council Seats

The City Council will conduct the first reading of a hearing of an ordinance that will establish how vacancies on the City Council are filled when less than two years remain on an unexpired district term.

Under the former rules, the City Council appointed replacements when a seat became vacant, the process was used several times to bring Andy Wilson and Jess Rivas to the City Council after Terry Tornek and Victor Gordo won respective mayoral elections.

But some local residents began complaining about the process after Justin Jones was chosen to represent District 3 after John J. Kennedy died.

Jones was twice appointed to fill Kennedy’s term. Voters later backed him in a special election for the seat.

The Charter Study Task Force reviewed and discussed City Charter Sections 403 and 404 regarding Council vacancies, and recommended the current language in an effort to achieve balance between expeditiously filling vacant Council seats and holding special elections, and determined that it was appropriate for appointments to be made under the specified circumstances.

City officials say the change is intended to provide continuity in representation while balancing cost and efficiency.

Under the ordinance, the appointment process would apply only when a council district seat becomes vacant with fewer than two years remaining in the term.

The City Council discussed the recommendation in May and directed staff to prepare an ordinance consistent with that guidance.

City Charter Section 404 already outlines the process for filling a vacancy in the office of mayor. The proposed ordinance would similarly establish a defined process for council district seats, providing consistency across city governance.