HUNTINGTON BEACH : City to Seek Applicants for Silva’s Council Seat

The City Council voted on Monday to not appoint the fifth-highest vote-getter from November’s election--in which four seats were up for grabs--to fill the vacancy that will occur next month when Councilman Jim Silva takes a seat on the Board of Supervisors.

The council voted to accept applications for the vacancy and to make an appointment by late January.

Silva, who said he will resign from the council Jan. 3, the same day he is sworn in as the 2nd District supervisor, voted against the move.

Silva said he believes the fifth runner-up in the election, who was city Planning Commissioner Susie Newman, should be appointed to complete the two years remaining on his term. Twenty-two people ran for the four seats.

Silva said the cost of a special election--which could be as high as $129,000--is too expensive in light of the city’s financial woes, and that it would be unfair to residents for the seat to remain vacant until an election in June. The council voted against holding a special election.

Councilman Dave Garofalo, who favored appointing the fifth runner-up or holding a special election, said, “We are overriding the electorate.” He ended up voting for the application process.

Councilman Peter Green said he doesn’t want to see the appointment process hastened.

“Let’s not hurry,” he said. “This is one of the most important things we can do this year. It’s going to set the tone of this council.”

The council on Dec. 19 is expected to decide the criteria used to select a replacement and set a date to begin accepting applications.

The city’s charter says the council must fill a seat within 60 days of a vacancy. If the council does not fill the vacancy within that period, a special election must be called.