The Process in 2006 for the Redlands Council Vacancy That Resulted in The Appointment of Pete Aguilar

The City of Redlands is appointing a new Council Member on January 20, 2015.  I am one of the candidates.

In 2006, when Susan Peppler resigned, the Council had a similar appointment process.  I remember being in the audience as Assistant City Attorney, and that there were multiple ballots that resulted in Pete Aguilar being chosen to serve the remainder of Susan Peppler’s term.   Here are the minutes of the Redlands City Council meeting of April 18, 2006:

CITY COUNCIL VACANCY

A vacancy exists on the City Council due to the resignation of Councilmember Susan Peppler. At the meeting of April 4, 2006, the City Council voted to fill the vacancy through an appointment process on or before May 4, 2006. On April 5, 2006, the City issued a Notice of Intention to fill the vacancy on the City Council by appointment. Interested applicants were invited to submit applications to the Office of the City Clerk by 5:00 P.M. on April 14, 2006. Eleven (11) applications were received from: Peter R. Aguilar, George D. Bartch, Roy S. Cencirulo, Eric Robert Fraser, James G. (Jim) Macdonald, Dennis John Mullenix II, Reyes L. Quezada, Brian Roche, Mark Stanson, Eddie Tejeda and William E. (Bill) Turnpaugh. Voter registration has been confirmed for each applicant. Mayor Harrison explained the process to the applicants and audience.

At this time, he opened the meeting to public comments from the audience regarding the presentation and appointment process. Wayne Stair urged the City Council to consider appointing Pete Aguilar. Speaking in support of appointing Bill Turnpaugh were Brad Easter and Larry James.

A random drawing was conducted by City Clerk Poyzer, assisted by Assistant City Clerk Teresa Ballinger, to determine the order the applicants would speak. Five minutes presentations were made by: Peter R. Aguilar, Eddie Tejeda, Mark Stanson, Dennis John Mullenix II, Eric Robert Fraser, James G. (Jim) Macdonald, Roy S. Cencirulo, George D. Bartch, Brian Roche, William E. (Bill) Turnpaugh and Reyes L. Quezada.

Appointment – Nominations were opened by City Clerk Poyzer for an appointment to the City Council to complete a term ending on December 4, 2007. Councilmember Gilbreath nominated Pete Aguilar, Councilmember Gil nominated Reyes L. Quezada and Councilmember Gallagher nominated Bill Turnpaugh. The random roll call vote was as follows:

Aguilar: Councilmember Gilbreath

Quezada: Councilmember Gil
Turnpaugh: Councilmembers Gallagher and Harrison

There not being a majority vote for any one nominee, nominations were re- opened by City Clerk Poyzer for the appointment to the City Council to complete a term ending on December 4, 2007. Councilmember Gilbreath nominated Eric Fraser, Councilmember Gil nominated Reyes L. Quezada and Councilmember Harrison nominated Bill Turnpaugh. The random roll call vote was as follows:

Turnpaugh: Councilmembers Harrison and Gallagher

Fraser: Councilmember Gilbreath
Quezada: Councilmember Gil

There not being a majority vote for any one nominee, nominations were re- opened by City Clerk Poyzer for the appointment to the City Council to complete a term ending on December 4, 2007. Councilmember Gallagher nominated Pete Aguilar. Councilmember Gil nominated Reyes L. Quezada. The random roll call vote was as follows:

Aguilar: Councilmembers Gallagher, Gilbreath, Harrison and Gil Quezada: None

By unanimous vote, Pete Aguilar was appointed to the City Council to complete a term ending on December 4, 2007, and the Oath of Allegiance was administered to Mr. Aguilar by City Clerk Poyzer. Councilmember Aguilar expressed his appreciation for having been appointed to this position and pledged to do a good job of representing the citizens of Redlands.

The City Council meeting recessed at 7:17 P.M. and reconvened at 7:30 P.M.

PRESENT Jon Harrison, Mayor
Pat Gilbreath, Mayor Pro Tem

Gilberto Gil, Councilmember Mick Gallagher, Councilmember Pete Aguilar, Councilmember

I remember sitting behind Pete Aguilar.  I remember being surprised that there were two votes that were deadlocked, leading to a third vote.

We will see what happens this time.