At the meeting to reorganize the California Board of Aldermen on Monday, the need for a Ward 1 alderman was discussed. The outgoing council approved the results of the April 3 municipal election. Two city officials were sworn in by City Clerk Aimee Hill. Ward 2 Alderman Bryan Lawson and Ward 3 Alderwoman Resa Dudley return to the governing body after running unopposed.
In a brief meeting of the new five-member board, the need for a sixth alderman was discussed. One Ward 1 seat on the board is now vacant. It was a write-in election for Ward 1, since no one filed. Alderman Joe Coffelt submitted a letter to Mayor Norris Gerhart in which he declined to serve in the position for a sixth two-year term.
The new board discussed how to seek a person to appoint to fill the position until the next election.
"The mayor has no recommendation," Gerhart said. "We need to fill the seat, but have no name and no process to select the needed alderman at the moment."
After discussion, it was decided to solicit a person from Ward 1 who might be interested in serving on the council. Ward 1 is the part of the city north of Business 50 and east of Oak Street and Route O.
Any person interested in serving the Ward 1 area as alderman is requested to contact the mayor or an alderman and submit his or her name for consideration.