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Pacifica council forms ad hoc to review mayoral-selection process after public outcry; mayor pro tem signals intent to step aside
Summary
Following public criticism of the Jan. 13 reorganization and calls for a fair rotation, the City Council appointed a two-member ad hoc to craft options for how the council selects mayor and mayor pro tem. Mayor Pro Tem announced an intent to step aside; public comment was strongly in favor of ensuring district representation.
Pacifica’s City Council on Jan. 27 established a two-member ad hoc subcommittee to review and propose changes to the annual selection process for mayor and mayor pro tem, after several hours of public comment and debate about the reorganization held earlier this month.
At the start of the meeting, the council heard a public statement from the sitting mayor pro tem announcing an intent to step aside from that role; the mayor pro tem said she would file a letter before Feb. 5 for inclusion in a future agenda. The announced intent followed a December reorganization and extensive public comment accusing council members of an unfair process for choosing leadership.
In response, the council voted unanimously to appoint an ad hoc subcommittee to develop options and recommendations for an updated selection protocol. The motion was moved and seconded on the council floor and recorded as passing unanimously. The subcommittee was charged with drafting comparative options (for example: a district-based rotation, a nomination-and-vote process, minimum-experience thresholds, or a hybrid) and to return to council with proposed language and a public outreach plan ahead of the next council meeting.
Public comment on the item was lengthy. Residents and civic leaders repeatedly asked the council to adopt a transparent rotation that ensures each district has an opportunity to be represented in the mayor’s seat. Dozens of callers and in-person speakers — many identifying themselves by district — urged the council to restore trust and move quickly to give District 2 representation at the mayoral level.
Several speakers urged a specific solution: a formal rotation keyed to district order so that districts who have not had a mayor represent their constituents, and a rule that breaks from the rotation require a supermajority. Others proposed minimum experience thresholds before serving as mayor and clearer nomination and public-comment procedures during reorganizations.
Council members repeatedly said they wanted council staff and the ad hoc to keep the process simple and to return quickly with options; the council scheduled the ad hoc to report back to the full council with draft options ahead of the next meeting.
Ending: Council members agreed to place the mayor-pro tem selection on the next agenda, with a clarified process for announcing interest, opening public comment, and a structured discussion before any motion. The ad hoc committee will draft proposals for the council’s consideration.
