The City of California Board of Alderman was called to order by Mayor Norris Gerhart Tuesday, April 21, for a special meeting. With a quorum present, the certified election results were read and accepted by the council.
The results included the race for mayor, three council races - only one of which was contested - and the Proposition for a Use Sales Tax. Gerhart, unopposed for mayor, garnered 350 votes. Ron Baker, also unopposed, received 54 votes for Ward I Alderman. Darryl Elliott, who challenged incumbent Charles E. Roll for the Ward II Alderman office, won with 101 votes to 77 for Roll. Carol Rackers, unopposed for Ward III Alderman, won with 139 votes.
Mayor Gerhart presented a certificate of appreciation to outgoing Alderman Nathan Lewis and Alderman Charlie Roll and thanked them for their years of service.
The oath of office was then administered to the mayor, the returning alderman and the two new aldermen.
Charles Roll approached the council concerning the decision at the regular meeting on April 6 that for-profit vendors would be required to purchase a city license, including vendors at craft shows. His questions were about the City's business license application requirement that an applicant must have general liability insurance before the vendor can receive a business license. He was told this insurance is required to protect the business, as well as the customers. Roll asked a specific question about the difference between a Craft Fair, such as the one planned for the coming Saturday at Z Krafty, and the consignment booths at other places, such as Sweet Buy and Buy. It was explained that each vendor invited to set up a booth in a store parking lot needs a business license. A consignment store, with business done inside a "brick and mortar" store, requires only one business license. Alderwoman Rackers commented that it is unfair to have the vendors set up without obtaining the license, which requires liability insurance, to compete with licensed "brick and mortar" businesses in the city.
Following this discussion, Roll left the meeting, which was soon adjourned.