Hollywood Park shoring up protocols for new City Council members, vacancies

Mayor Sean Moore said he liked the concept of recreating a council members’ manual, but asked to ensure that council does not get bogged down with a comprehensive review of the draft document.

“I think the idea is good; I just don’t want us to micromanage a 150-page manual and every page that comes through to us,” Moore said.

Todd Kounse, who was elected to the council last May, agreed that a new council orientation manual is necessary.

“I think we need it in our hands,” Kounse said.

Chester Drash, appointed to a recent council vacancy in May, agreed with his colleagues.

“I think this is a good idea to have some kind of orientation,” Drash said.

Aten said he would return to the council in September with a draft manual after collecting input from council members.

The council on Aug. 16 also approved an ordinance spelling out protocols for filling a council vacancy.

The ordinance, Aten said, makes it clear that the council may choose between appointing an eligible resident to an empty post or waiting to call a special election to fill that position.

But Aten added that if the council were facing two vacancies simultaneously, the only option then is to call a special election to fill both positions.