1975/03/18 City Council MinutesCall to Order
Roll Call
ROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 18, 1975
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session commencing at 7:04 p.m. in the
City Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with
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Mayor Beary presid-ing. The session was preceded by an
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executive session which commenced at 7:00 p.m. and at
which all Councilmen only were present.
Mayor Beary called the meeting,of the adjourned regular
session to order at approximately 7:04 p.m.
Present: :(5) Councilmen Eck, Flores, Hopkins, Smith,
and Beary
Absent: (0) None
Others present: City Manager Callinan, Department
Heads- the nress and auests
Introduction of Former
Mayor Beary introduced former City Councilmen and Mayors
Mayors
Jack Buchanan, Art Roberts, and Jimmie Rogers who were
present.
Election of Mayor
Upon motion of Mayor Beary, seconded by Councilman Eck,
Pro-Tempore
and unanimously approved, Councilman Flores was elected
-Mayor Pro-Tempore (Vice Mayor).
Election of Mayor
Upon motion of Councilman Flores, seconded by Mayor Beary,
and approved by the following roll call vote, Councilman
Hopkins was elected Mayor:
AYES: (3) Councilmen Flores, Hopkins, and Beary
NOES: (2) Councilmen Eck and Smith
Councilman Eck made a statement for the record as follows:
"I would like to have this vote for Mayor to be unanimous.
However, I think there are two serious issues that are
important enough for me to cast a vote against the system
by which the Mayor is elected. First, there has been a
historical policy of orderly transition of Vice Mayor to
Mayor. This procedure has been followed since I have
lived in this community, with this exception. The
second is one that I feel is more basic. The major duty
of the Mayor as specified in city guidelines is to pre-
side at Council meetings. However, presently the role of
Mayor has taken on artificial significance'with the public
and is a political asset for anyone seeking reelection.
I feel that the Council cyuld by its action prevent this
advantage to any candidate. My vote no is not in any way
directed personally at Councilman Hopkins. I feel he will
do a good job and represent the city capably. I do vote
no because I feel the procedures have been violated."
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Adjournment
Page 2. March 18, 1975
Councilman Smith made a statement for the record as
follows:
"Many times we are encouraged to pursue those things that
are recognized by external rewards and we now find the
mayorship cast in the role of an external reward. All
too often, however, we forget that the most satisfying
reward is internal - like when one is able to say I am
free, I am my own man. I see myself as that kind of
person I feel free in exercising the right of dissent
when I do not agree with the majority so as a protest to
the system and the rationale used this evening to select
the mayor, I-cast a dissenting vote.
Outgoing Mayor Beary commented he had met very many fine
people in the community during his term as Mayor and it
had given him a great deal of pleasure to serve as Mayor;
that.the City Council had a great deal to look forward to
and many fine accomplishments of which to be proud. He
then turned the chairing of the meeting over to incoming
Mayor Hopkins,
Mayor Hopkins commented that it would be an honor serving
the City of Rohnert Park as Mayor and felt the City had
much to look forward to. On behalf of the Council he
presented outgoing Mayor Beary with a silver tray in
appreciation of his service.
Councilman Flores commented that it takes a tremendous
amount of time to be Mayor and Councilman Beary, probably
more than any other, had given much time and had made many
difficult decisions during the past year.
There being no further business, Mayor Hopkins adjourned
the meeting at approximately 7:10 p.m.
De _ ty Ci ,, Clerk