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1977/03/09 City Council MinutesROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 9, 1977 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in special session commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the City Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Flores presiding. Call to Order Mayor Flores called the meeting of the adjourned regular session to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Present: (5) Councilmen Beary, Eck, Hopkins, Roberts and Flores Absent:. (0) None Others present, City Manager Callinan, Department Heads and guests. Mayor Flores commented on some of the past year's accomplish - ments, i.e. location of State Farm Insurance in Rohnert Park, construction of the .Scout Hut, development of recreational facilities such as the bowling alley and skating rink, construction of the community library, purchase of the Firestone- Stimpson nursery stock, expansion of the municipal water system, and introduced Supervisor George De long who was in the audience. Mayor .Flores presented certificates of appreciation to the following individuals or firms for various contributions to the community: Hugh and Nell Codding Peter McCormick Jimmie W. Rogers C.C. "Jack" Eddinger Milt Hudis Art Condiotti Ralph Fitch Lyle Amlin Padula Lumber Company Fred W. Rohnert and Dorothy R. Spreckles Martin Stone Young America Homes, Inc. Mayor Flores commented on the working relationship of the Council members and expressed his appreciation for City staff. Election of Upon motion of Councilman Roberts, seconded by Councilman Mayor Pro - tempore Beary, and approved by the following vote, Councilman Hopkins was appointed by the City Council to serve as Mayor Pro-' Tempore (Vice - Mayor). AYES: (4) Councilmen Beary, Hopkins, Roberts and Flores NOES: (1) Councilman Eck Page 2 March 9, 1977 Election of Councilman Hopkins made a motion,which was seconded by Mayor Councilman Roberts, to appoint Councilman Beary as Mayor. Councilman Eck read a statement, a copy of which is attached to the original set of these minutes, concerning selection of mayor. The original motion to appoint Councilman Beary as Mayor was approved by the following vote: AYES: (4) Councilmen Beary, Hopkins, Roberts and Flores NOES: (1) Councilman Eck Councilman Flores introduced newly elected school board members Donna Cambell and Alice Wells who were in the audi- ence, At this point in the meeting, Councilman Flores turned the gavel over to Mayor Beary. Incoming Mayor Beary assumed the chairing of the meeting and commented on serving the community of Rohnert Park and thanked guests attending the meeting. Mayor Beary, on behalf of the City, presented outgoing Mayor Flores with a silver tray in appreciation of his service as Mayor. Adjournment There being no further: business the meeting was adjourned at approximately 7 :45 p.m. to coffee and cake. Deputy City Clerk APPF,OjV�D: Mayor Beary 4 o7 ":ii1, S e le ct10Y1 !?c)hnert Park City Council r. c y, 1977 Statement fro.-ii David a::ck Although many people received invitations to this swc:�ri:r)t:-�ira ceremony, I am g oinp; to proceed as if this matter 1.%rere riot cut anc± dried, siace accord.infr to the 19rown. Act -all decisions need to r.)e made in V`y motivation. for the action I am going to propose; this evening is simple. 7. am fed. up with the mayoral selection system as it is and- bias been *practiced by the Council over the past few years; and, further, 1: result past attempts to make me any :Less representative of the people, of .1ohnert Park than any other Council member. Under the i:-t.ohnert Park system, if ideally practiced, the rrlayor would be rotated every year with the previous year's vice mayor then selected. mayor. its the only member of this Council riot to ;nave served a term as mayor, I: ghould have been vice mayor lest year a.nci rrlayor this year However, that did not come to pass because, to paraphrase the Council, I ha.d. philosophical di +ferences with the riia,iority of the (.oun:,il ,arid- should not rei)resent them as mayor. Regardless of differences ifrith the rest of the Council it is my turn, to chair this holy, and if is do not take the action I am `taki.n.r tonight, it would indicate a lack of interest in that role which is not true. 1 ai ; .proud to say I do frequently disafrreF:• with th i. Council or sor e? issues --- particularly that of frrowth -- but that is irrelevant t ,ir,in-I'!t, since as an electeJ member of this Council I .repr(--sent the nt or.le of P.oY.nert Fark lust as much as any other member. If 1. a;r) d.ej) rived of the riF-,:nit; to be included in the natural rotation of riia.yo.r, it is TI C� "sorla SL-!T) ci,t me] ald more imi7ortantly d.e )ri-v e; - ,,-ho:iE; P o "G> t e uth0 c -I'1cI uq) "p.ort r. -its t l,(7. same rei. )reseYit— � -_ "l. ';t:_�� ..'iC'1. ...'.! iii ?I "I: ..._. ,., 1.E Gt;li�Tl If' the issue of the mayorship were the only question, is riit" at be content to let t;hiS slide. However, to me it is of much more siF� -- nificance because it is a symptom of the political Lttitude that prevades these chambers and parts of our community. This Council alone, with a small group of builders and developers has chosen a path of char�;i�:j ahead with development of this community. Under the deulocratic syste , that is their right and should be. Of equal importance to me t4,o« J is the rip-ht of those. of us I this co;nrnunit r who choose to oppose this r= lri -ina)" It dev ;loprr3ent to voice their dissent without intir; idati on, threat or ?)ol.i tical bullyi np . This is not the case and some past Y(istory will ':)ear me out. T.)oint to f oryiler'" counci_li,,,, -n fern. Smith who sLi:C`1, e,d t)'li � rJLIliiii ts'1.1. t';t f'or tvlelve years an(` o'ten d.isaVred. with its rrrovvtl`z policy. Two years a cs Ise was cel ied his rotation f`ron -vice mayor to ny the 11.ction ''ore recently beca c tY:i �.�ounCi.;. l r 'd; �:: vi' C:7 ' ::�. �is i7 U1 GV't ;ret",ods and- cox .itents in a - ,rowth plan, he was removed by Council actioll fron, an appoin.ted position to the l..osquito Abatement District. 1"he city of Cotati has rfaised issue with the growth of Rohnert Park and found Itself without police c'.i.spati;h, street cleaning and doer patrols. In. other cases Individuals who have disagreed with this t;ouncil have found pressures from outside the Council brou;: ht to bear that have threatened their ,jobs. It is my hope this city is politically mature enouffh to tolerate honest opposition and sincere differences of opinion. In closi.ntr. I would comment on the actual process of selection. In the past couple of ,years the outcome has been predetermined prior to the formal City Council action. Tonight unless something totally surprising; ?;ar)p(:ns shou.1j. be no different. :invitations have already c)een extended !> 'eary to atten(.1 the «routtine" selection. in r,y opinion if this hcls ;cat n predetermined, the 13rown act which mandates U, orlal sell'. ection 1' .� ap,e deliberations and decisions be public has been violated. `Iherefore, T nominate myself for mayor and invite you all to Lump on the band wagon.