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Calistoga council asks staff to draft policy for annual rotation of vice mayor by seniority
Summary
Council members agreed to pursue a change to the civic operating agreements to select the vice mayor by annual rotation based on seniority, with a coin‑toss tie breaker and an automatic transition unless the councilmember declines.
The Calistoga City Council discussed and gave direction on revising the council’s civic operating agreements for selecting a vice mayor, with a consensus to adopt annual rotation by seniority.
Council Member Gift proposed shifting to an annual rotation based on seniority so more council members have the opportunity to serve in a leadership role. Multiple council members, including Eisenberg and Cooper, agreed and asked staff to prepare specific language for amendment. The council said the rotation should be effective at the start of a calendar year (the reorganization meeting in December with the vice mayor serving for the next calendar year). Council members said the process should be automatic—meaning the senior eligible councilmember becomes vice mayor—unless that person declines; in the event of equal seniority the council asked staff to propose an impartial tie‑breaking method such as a coin toss. The council requested staff return with suggested amendments to the civic operating agreements and recommended implementation mechanics.
City staff said they will prepare language and bring back a proposed amendment for council consideration; no formal ordinance or policy change was adopted at the meeting.
