MOORPARK : Council to Consider Filling Vacant Post

Tonight’sMoorpark City Council meeting will be the first since Councilman Scott Montgomery resigned last week after pleading guilty to a felony conflict-of-interest charge.

The council is expected to set a date for a special meeting to determine how it will fill Montgomery’s seat. The city’s municipal code provides for the council to appoint someone within 30 days of the vacancy, but city leaders seem unsure that they will be able to find someone acceptable to a majority of council members.

If the council cannot agree on an appointment, it may keep the seat vacant until the next election, which is expected to be held in March.

Mayor Paul Lawrason said he already has received several calls from individuals interested in the post, as well from people offering other names for consideration. He has even received several calls asking that certain people be excluded from consideration.

Each of the four council members may submit a list of individuals that he supports for appointment. The appointment must then be approved by a majority of the council.

Although the city canceled last year’s City Council election because of a lack of interested challengers, interest in the vacancy is running high, Lawrason said.

“There’s some activity and interest out there,” he said.

A candidate interested in running for the post during the regularly scheduled election could find it advantageous to be appointed now and appear on the ballot as an incumbent.

“That’s a possibility. It does put you in front of the public, and if they like what they see, it could help you in the election,” Lawrason said.

Montgomery pleaded guilty to accepting a $3,500 loan from a Ventura County trash hauler, then voting on the company’s contract extension. He faces a maximum penalty of 3 1/2 years in jail and a $1,000 fine.