Fortuna council opts to solicit applicants and appoint a replacement by May 11; special election rejected as cost‑prohibitive

The Fortuna City Council voted unanimously on Monday to announce a vacancy and solicit applications to fill a vacant council seat, scheduling a filing deadline of April 18, 2025, and a special public interview meeting on April 28, 2025, with the expectation of appointing a replacement by May 11, 2025.

City staff told the council that Jerry King submitted his resignation effective immediately and presented three options: (1) make an immediate appointment; (2) announce the vacancy, solicit applicants and conduct interviews with an appointment by May 11, 2025; or (3) call a special election by May 11 (staff recommended against a special election because of its $35,000–$55,000 estimated cost). The staff recommendation that the city follow the advertised application and appointment schedule was the option the council adopted.

The recommended timeline read into the record was: announce the vacancy and solicit applications beginning March 18, 2025; a filing deadline of April 18, 2025; and a special public meeting to conduct interviews and select an appointee on April 28, 2025. Council members said the public, transparent interview process used previously worked well and was the most fiscally responsible option.

Public comment included a written submission read into the record from Clyde Silversmith, a Fortuna resident, who urged the council to require that interviewees be present in person and said online interviewees could gain an unfair advantage by watching prior interviews on the livestream; he asked that the council clearly state whether remote interviews would be allowed. A speaker who identified themself remotely commended the previous process and said remote participation via video conference is a recognized statutory option and helpful to applicants with scheduling constraints.

The motion to proceed with the advertised appointment schedule passed on a roll‑call vote: Council member Connolly — aye; Council member Diaz — aye; Mayor Pro Tem Trent — yes; Mayor Johnson — yes.

Votes at a glance — consent and other actions taken that evening included: (1) approval of the consent calendar (13 items, including the MOU with the Fortuna Police Employees Association and routine reports) — approved unanimously; (2) approval to solicit applications and appoint by May 11, 2025, using the schedule above — approved unanimously; (3) approval of the Jacobs Engineering contract amendment for the wastewater NPDES compliance project — approved unanimously.

Ending: With the schedule set, staff will publish the vacancy notice and application materials, accept filings through April 18 and present candidates for public interviews on April 28.