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San Leandro council names Lavera Walton vice mayor; Simon abstains
Summary
San Leandro City Council appointed Councilmember Lavera Walton as vice mayor after nominations and a brief discussion; Councilmember Simon abstained, citing concerns about the council’s internal democratic process.
The San Leandro City Council appointed Councilmember Lavera Walton as vice mayor following nominations at its meeting. Councilmember Bolt nominated Lavera Walton; a second was recorded and a motion to appoint Walton passed with one abstention by Councilmember Simon.
Councilmember Simon said he would abstain because he believes the council’s vice mayor selection process requires reform and cited the need for restorative-justice mediation and improvements to the council’s democratic process. “I will be abstaining on this item as my vote to the democratic process on vice mayor is not protected,” Simon said during discussion.
Mayor Gonzalez called for the vote after nominations and public comment; the clerk announced the motion carried with one abstention from Simon. No public comment cards were submitted on the vice mayor nomination.
The appointment is procedural under the city charter, which requires the council to designate a vice mayor at the first regular meeting in January. The new vice mayor will serve for calendar year 2026. Councilmembers did not take other formal action as part of the appointment aside from the vote and the brief discussion about council processes.
The council moved on to other agenda items after the appointment.
