Committee rejects rule change to make council president an at‑large-only position

A proposal to change council rules so the City Council president could be chosen only from at‑large members failed in the Neighborhoods Committee on Monday.

Councilmember Michael Boylan sponsored the ordinance, saying an at‑large-only rule would give city voters a stronger role in leadership selection and reduce internal conflict. “If you decide to run and you have aspirations for leadership, you should run for an at‑large seat,” Boylan said, adding that at‑large members run citywide and have broader visibility.

Opponents said the change would unjustly narrow leadership opportunities for district-elected members and that the council should retain the prerogative to choose officers from among all members. Councilmember Jimmy Paluso called the change limiting, and Councilmember Ken Amaro argued leadership ability is not determined by whether a member is at‑large or district-elected. Several members said the underlying problem is process and “optics” around how leadership contests are conducted, not who is eligible.

An amendment to require that an at‑large member have at least one year as a committee chair failed to receive a second. After debate, the committee held a hand vote; the chair announced the measure failed (vote recorded as one in favor and six opposed in committee). The bill will not advance as drafted.

Supporters said the change was intended to reduce internal politics and make the council president more directly accountable to citywide voters; opponents said the change would disenfranchise district constituents and that the council should improve internal process rather than restrict eligibility.