CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is inviting interested community members to apply to fill a council seat that became open last month as the result of a resignation.
At its Thursday night meeting, the council approved moving forward with inviting applications for the seat formerly held by Denise Loustalot.
Loustalot resigned effective March 25 due to her plans to move just outside of the city limits, as Lake County News has reported.
Loustalot's term expires in November.
Filling the seat by application is the most expedient manner of selecting Loustalot's successor, as explained to the council by City Manager Greg Folsom.
If the council were to call a special election, it still wouldn't go on the ballot until November, when Loustalot's seat would be on the ballot anyway.
By taking applications, the council can have the seat filled much sooner.
California Government Code requires that a notice of the vacancy be posted for 20 days. The law also requires that, within 60 days, the council must fill the vacancy by appointment or call for a special election.
Staff recommended that an ad hoc committee that includes the mayor, vice mayor and planning commission chair review applications and interview applicants, and recommend up to three individuals for consideration by the full council.
The council would then appoint Loustalot's successor by a majority vote in an open meeting, according to Folsom.
At Thursday night's meeting, Joey Luiz, a former councilman, expressed interest in fulfilling the remainder of Loustalot's unfinished term.
The resolution the council adopted directed City Clerk Melissa Swanson to prepare applications for the vacancy.
Those who wish to apply can contact Swanson at 707-994-8201, Extension 106, for more information.
Correction: An earlier version of the story had reported that former Councilman Chuck Leonard also had expressed an interest in the vacant seat. Leonard clarified on Friday that he was not going to apply.
John Jensen contributed to this report.
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Clearlake City Council to take applications for open seat
- Elizabeth Larson
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