Monday Morning Bullpen: District 3 Appointee on Monday’s Council Agenda

The City Council will discuss the process to select a new District 3 City Councilmember.

The Council must appoint a Councilmember by early October to succeed John J. Kennedy.

Kennedy died late last month. A public celebration of Kennedy’s life is scheduled for Sept. 30 in front of City Hall.

The City Charter sets a 75-day deadline on the City Council and requires the seat be placed up for grabs in the next General Municipal Election.

After that, the City Council can decide the format of the interview process.

Over the past several years, the City Council has been forced to appoint Councilmembers. Usually the process comes into play when a sitting Councilmember ascends to the mayor’s chair.

That led to the appointments of Andy Wilson and Jess Rivas, who were appointed after Terry Tornek and Victor Gordo became the mayor.

Joel Bryant stepped in for Chris Holden after Holden left the City Council for the state assembly.

Since Bryant has filled in before, he may be someone that could fill the bill again if need be.

Something to think about for sure.

But what makes the process different this time, is the City Council must hold two votes on this matter.

The first one, which must be completed by early October, covers Kennedy’s current term which ends in December.

But after that term ends, the City Council must again vote to appoint a District 3 Councilmember to cover Kennedy’s next term.

District 3 voters reelected Kennedy in June.

Before you ask, yes the City Council can appoint the same person twice. The seat will be up for grabs in 2024 General Municipal Election.