Rose Kanusky, an elections attorney at McCall Parkhurst & Horton, recommended for council to appoint a new council member at an open meeting by June 7.
What you need to know
City staff reached out to Kanusky to determine next steps, according to agenda documents.
The office of mayor or a council member becomes vacant upon the death, resignation, recall or removal from office in any manner authorized by law or forfeiture of office. When a vacancy occurs on the dais, the remaining remembers will appoint a qualified person to fill the unexpired term within 30 days, according to the city's charter.
Although state law permits an appointment or election for a single council vacancy, the city charter specifically requires council to fill a single vacancy by appointment. The charter only requires a special election if a second vacancy occurs more than 90 days before the city’s next general or special election, Kanusky added.
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Bulman—who was re-elected to council on May 3—publicly announced her resignation during a City Council meeting May 6. Bulman had said the city was a "clique with cruel people," and that it was impossible to be heard.
She also sent a letter of declination of office to the city clerk's office on May 8, which created a council vacancy, Deputy Clerk Maribel Garcia said.
