San Leandro council appoints James Aguilar to fill District 2 vacancy

The San Leandro City Council on March 23 appointed James Aguilar to fill the District 2 vacancy, following a series of candidate interviews and public comments. The council adopted a resolution to appoint Aguilar unanimously after a final nomination round produced the needed votes.

Sarah Bunting, the city clerk, opened the item by reminding the council of the city charter requirement that a vacancy be filled within 60 days of its creation (the council identified April 11 as the deadline) and described the interview, nomination and voting process. "If a person receives four votes, they would be selected for appointment," Bunting said, explaining how nominations and voting would work.

The council heard from seven eligible applicants and received about a dozen applications overall; staff reported 12 total applications with seven meeting residency and eligibility criteria. Public commenters voiced preferences during the online comment period. Douglas Spalding urged support for James Aguilar, while Emily Grego, president and CEO of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of selecting an appointee "prepared to support business retention, attract new investment, and help foster a predictable and supportive business environment." Other members of the public endorsed different candidates.

Aguilar, who said he has lived in the community for more than a decade and has served on a local school board, told council members he would focus on bridging the city council, addressing the budget shortfall and keeping families in San Leandro. "If I am able to serve beside you, I hope to work to bring the council to consensus leadership and effective governance," Aguilar said in his opening remarks. He also cited the need for revenue strategies to address a large list of unfunded capital projects.

Council members questioned applicants on a range of topics including the budget, infrastructure maintenance, homelessness and collaboration with schools. Applicants offered different emphases: several highlighted youth and family retention, sustainable economic development in Bayfair and targeted approaches to homelessness; others emphasized fiscal and governance experience. Candidates and council members repeatedly referenced the upcoming budget choices and the city's need to weigh revenue options, service levels and short-term cuts.

After a randomized nominee-order process and multiple rounds of discussion and voting, the council moved to adopt a resolution appointing James Aguilar to fill the District 2 seat. The motion was seconded and the council voted to adopt the resolution. Mayor Gonzalez announced that Aguilar preferred to be sworn in at the council's April 6 meeting; staff said the appointment will be subject to the normal credentialing and swearing-in procedures.

The clerk had also outlined the alternatives if the council failed to appoint by the charter deadline: the council could continue deliberations at its next regular meeting (April 6) or call for a special election, with staff recommending consolidation with the November general election to lower costs (the clerk said standalone special-election costs can range from about $200,000 to more than $1.2 million, depending on timing and county procedures).

The council adjourned after completing the appointment process. The newly appointed council member is expected to be sworn in at the next meeting and will serve until the seat is filled by election as required by the charter.

What happens next: the appointee is scheduled to be sworn in at the April 6 council meeting; the city will continue budget discussions in the coming weeks as council members weigh revenue and program decisions.