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City Attorney Yamamoto provided the report on behalf of City Clerk Howe. He clarified <br />that the Council was to make a decision on what course of action to take since only three <br />candidates qualified to run for the three seats. <br /> <br />The Council options were: <br />1) Appoint to the office the persons who have been nominated <br />or <br />2) Hold the election on November 6, 2001 <br /> <br />Council Member Jordan requested that staff share with the public the research done on <br />the issue of other Peninsula cities that faced a similar election circumstance and what the <br />outcome was for each individual city. Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte summarized the <br />cities that faced the same situation in the last 10 years and what their decision was. <br /> <br />Public Comment: <br /> <br />Daniela Gasparini stated that the Council should choose to appoint because the three <br />incumbents are very good and the cost does not justify the election. Similarly, since most <br />of the cities in the Peninsula had chosen to appoint in the last 10 years (with one <br />exception) Redwood City should also appoint. <br /> <br />Pat Dixon stated that possible "write ins" should be considered, and the people of <br />Redwood City should be given the opportunity to vote. It was mentioned that holding an <br />election would be the right thing to do. <br /> <br />Mayor Ruskin requested that Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte read into the record a letter <br />from Rudy Luca who was out of state and therefore could not attend the special meeting. <br /> <br />Robert O'Brien requested that the Council appoint the three unopposed incumbents, <br />because the abstention of valid candidates has already made this a 99% win for the <br />incumbents. He stated that the people would be best served if the Council focuses on the <br />current city business. <br /> <br />Bonnie Miller supports the representatives in the Council and does not see holding an <br />election as a justifiable expenditure. A suggestion was made to have a public forum with <br />the three candidates to better understand the community and their needs. <br /> <br />William Conkin believes an election would be a useless act. In his opinion an election is <br />an expense not only to the City but also to the people who support campaigns. Mr. <br />Conkin believes in the concept of holding a public forum with the three candidates if they <br />are appointed. <br /> <br />SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 23, 2001 <br />MINUTES PAGE 2 <br />MINUTES Book No. 58 <br />Page No. 489 <br /> <br /> <br />