Pacific Grove council appoints interim member after competitive candidate process

The Pacific Grove City Council voted on June 3 to appoint Nicholas (recorded in the meeting transcript as both “Nicholas Mullam” and later as “Nicholas Morm”) to the vacant at‑large seat, following a night of candidate presentations and public endorsements.

In a process the council had just formalized at a 5:30 p.m. special meeting, the council heard five‑minute presentations from seven applicants. Each candidate answered one pre‑submitted question from council members with a one‑minute response. Public comment included multiple endorsements, notably two speakers who recommended Ben (a local middle‑school teacher) for the post.

Why it matters: The appointment fills a temporary vacancy that the city will carry through the coming months until the next election; the appointee immediately assumes council duties and votes. Council members repeatedly stressed the need to pick someone who can onboard quickly and contribute during the short term.

How the council chose: After presentations and public comment, the council held a public deliberation period and a nomination phase. Multiple council members nominated Nicholas; a motion to appoint him carried on a roll‑call vote. The oath was administered at the meeting and Nicholas took his seat.

Ex parte disclosure discussion: During earlier discussion on the vacancy policy, public comment and several council members urged adding a requirement that councilors disclose private communications with applicants when a candidate’s name is being considered. The council adopted the vacancy policy and directed staff and the city attorney to draft additional language clarifying whether and how ex parte communications should be disclosed publicly. City staff described possible approaches and noted legal questions about whether the city can compel disclosures similar to land‑use ex parte rules.

What happens next: The appointee will serve in the interim capacity until the voters fill the seat. Council members said they will invite non‑selected applicants to serve on boards and commissions and encouraged them to remain engaged.

Quotation: “We are so fortunate — this is an embarrassment of riches — and I really hope those who aren’t selected will stay involved,” Mayor Smith said during deliberations.

Note on transcript name variants: The meeting transcript lists the selected candidate with variant spellings during the evening; the council recorded the appointment and administered the oath in open session. The city clerk’s official minutes and subsequent documents should be checked for the appointee’s final official spelling.