Council adopts expedited appointment process to fill city clerk vacancy; removes signature requirement

Lede: Antioch city council on Aug. 26 approved a process to appoint a replacement for the recently vacated elected city clerk seat, directing staff to solicit letters of interest and Form 700 financial disclosures and removing an earlier proposal requiring 20–30 registered‑voter nomination signatures. Nut graf: Staff proposed a short timetable to collect candidate materials, vet applicants and conduct interviews so council could appoint a replacement who would serve until the next general election cycle. The council accepted a staff recommendation to drop the signature verification requirement because county election offices cannot verify petition signatures for an appointment process. Body: City Attorney presented a draft resolution outlining the appointment process after the clerk’s resignation. Staff proposed asking applicants to submit a letter of interest not to exceed 400 words explaining qualifications and a statement as to why they seek the role, along with Form 700 financial disclosure. A nominal nomination petition signed by 20–30 registered voters had been suggested, but staff advised county election officials cannot assist with signature verification for a non‑election appointment process. Council agreed to remove that signature requirement. Staff also explained statutory limits on the appointment: because the vacancy occurred in the first half of the incumbent’s term the appointed clerk will serve only until the next general election, at which point the remainder of the unexpired term will be decided by voters. Council directed staff to process applications on the timeline in the resolution and hold an early evening interview session ahead of the Sept. 23 regular meeting so council could deliberate and, if ready, make an appointment the same night. Action: Council approved the resolution as amended (removing the nomination‑signature requirement). The motion passed with Council member Torres Walker abstaining; the item otherwise passed 3–1‑0 (one abstention, one absence). Ending: Staff will circulate the application instructions and make candidate materials available to council in advance of the Sept. 23 agenda packet; council may finalize an appointment that evening or set an alternative date if deliberations continue.