Council elects Council member Bowen vice mayor after contentious nominations

San Leandro City Council elected Council member Bowen to serve as vice mayor for the coming year after a nomination period, public comment and a recorded vote that required a revote.

Mayor Gonzales opened nominations under the procedure outlined in the council handbook; several council members were nominated. Discussion at the dais included a review of a seniority‑based selection mechanism in the council handbook, and members argued whether the custom should prioritize seniority or give preference to council members who had not previously served as vice mayor.

Mayor Gonzales proceeded to call the question and conduct the roll call. The first recorded vote produced 4 yes, 1 no and 2 abstentions; after a procedural motion to re‑take the vote, the council completed a revote. The clerk recorded the final roll call as: Mayor Gonzales, yes; Council member Bolt, yes; Council member Bowen, yes; Vice Mayor Simon, no; Council member Aguilar, abstain; Council member Azevedo, yes; Council member Viveiros Walton, yes. The mayor then announced the motion carried and Council member Bowen as vice mayor.

Council members who supported Bowen cited experience and readiness; council members opposing or abstaining cited prior agreements about rotation and seniority. The mayor said the order of voting was at the mayor's discretion and moved the process forward. The selection will stand for one year as provided by City Charter Section 310.