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Public urges Sunnyvale committee to tighten appointment limit for council vacancies
Summary
During the charter review, a public commenter and several members questioned Section 606.G, which currently allows up to two council seats to be filled by appointment before an election; the commenter urged lowering the limit to one.
A public commenter and several committee members pressed the Charter Review Committee on the city's vacancy rules, specifically Section 606.G, which currently allows up to two council seats to be filled by appointment before a replacement election is required.
Steve Skandalas, a Sunnyvale resident who spoke during public comment, urged the committee to change the rule. "If we have more than 1, doesn't matter what the position, there's 7, You need to have an election. So please take a look at that," Skandalas said, referring to the charter's limit of two appointed seats before an election must be held.
Committee members acknowledged the point and said the issue is on the Council's list of topics for the committee to consider. Members noted the subject can affect representation when multiple seats are vacant at once and said staff should track it for potential charter changes.
Why it matters: The number of seats that may be filled by appointment before triggering a special election affects district representation and the balance of elected versus appointed officials on the dais. Residents and committee members said reducing appointed seats before an election would increase direct voter control over council composition.
Next steps: Staff will record the suggestion and include it in the committee's tracking document; the committee may draft specific ballot language if it chooses to propose an amendment.
