Fountain Valley council members say they’re unsurprised by ‘disengaged’ Mark McCurdy’s resignation

This week’s resignation of Fountain Valley City Councilman Mark McCurdy didn’t go unmentioned Tuesday at the council’s first meeting without him, though no audience members spoke about the frequently nonconformist councilman’s departure.

McCurdy’s former colleague, Councilwoman Cheryl Brothers, said after the meeting that his departure was sudden but not surprising.

“He’s been virtually absent for quite some time,” she said.

“Disengaged, I’d say,” said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Nagel.

In an email Monday, McCurdy informed City Manager Rob Houston of his immediate resignation. He said he needed to “secure employment outside the area” and that he was grateful to have served Fountain Valley. He was first elected to the council in 2010.

Some council colleagues in recent years have frowned on McCurdy’s absences at meetings about the city’s strategic plan, which includes goals to help the city increase economic stability, promote business and maintain facilities. McCurdy has cited the meetings’ lack of detailed minutes and that they are not televised and are held early in the morning away from City Hall.

The council passed over McCurdy in its mayoral rotation process the past two years. In 2016, Michael Vo was named mayor pro tem, and last month Vo was appointed mayor.

McCurdy said in December that he felt targeted by those votes “because I simply have a different opinion.”

“We were not elected to be a club of like-minded people, but in fact as a deliberative body,” he said. “So having a different philosophy, opinion or vote should not be a crime.”

Nagel told McCurdy at the time that he also had skipped other city events and that “this doesn’t have anything to do with your voting record” but rather “your behavior and showing up for events.”

On Tuesday, Nagel reiterated that but said he and McCurdy didn’t have an adversarial relationship.

“I wish him well,” Nagel said.

Brothers asked that a future council agenda include a discussion of the city’s options for filling McCurdy’s seat for the remainder of his term through 2018. The city previously said the council may discuss steps for replacing McCurdy during a closed session Jan. 23.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD