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Council names Christine Bowles mayor pro tem after re-do of selection process
Summary
The Pacifica City Council unanimously appointed Council Member Christine Bowles as mayor pro tem on Feb. 10 after reopening the selection process and public comment; former mayor pro tem Mary Beer stepped aside to allow a new selection.
Council Member Christine Bowles was unanimously appointed mayor pro tem by the Pacifica City Council on Feb. 10, 2025, after the council reopened the selection process following public comment and a voluntary step-back by Council Member Mary Beer.
The vote came after a period of public testimony and council deliberation that revisited the mayor pro tem selection process. The council adopted the appointment by roll-call vote; Council Members Wright, Espinosa, Bowles, Beer and Mayor Beckmeyer all voted in favor.
The decision followed public comment from multiple residents who urged support for Bowles and praise for Beer’s decision to step aside. Several speakers called the re-do a demonstration of civic leadership and urged a unanimous vote. Council Member Christine Bowles said on the dais, “I have interest in serving in that position,” and later council members spoke in support of restoring a calm, transparent process.
Mayor Sue Beckmeyer opened the public comment period for the item and then called for interest from council members. After discussion and expressions of support from colleagues and residents, Council Member Espinosa moved to appoint Bowles; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The mayor pro tem serves as acting mayor when the mayor is absent and often presides at council meetings; the post can shape meeting procedure and represent the city in regional forums. Council members and members of the public framed the re-do as a corrective step intended to restore trust after earlier controversy around the initial selection process.
The council did not adopt any new rules for future pro tem selections during the vote; members said the council would follow the council handbook and work to make the process clearer going forward.
Votes at a glance Motion: Appoint Christine Bowles as mayor pro tem. Mover: Council Member Espinosa. Second: Council Member Beer/Bier (second recorded). Vote: Wright — yes; Espinosa — yes; Bowles — yes; Beer — yes; Mayor Beckmeyer — yes. Outcome: approved unanimously.
The council adjourned the meeting later in the evening.
