Replacement talks likely, but not action

Deirdre Newman

The City Council will begin the arduous task tonight of finding a

replacement for Mayor Karen Robinson, who is resigning this month to

become a Superior Court judge.

The two alternatives are for the council to appoint her

replacement or to hold a special election. If a majority of the

council -- in this case, three -- can’t agree on an appointment

within 30 days after April 15, the day Robinson resigns, the process

will automatically become a special election, which cannot be held

until November.

Councilman Gary Monahan said he didn’t believe any concrete action

could be taken tonight.

“We do not have a vacancy until she actually steps down,” Monahan

said. “I don’t mind talking about it Monday, but it’s my

understanding that we can’t take any formal action, so anything we

put out there can only be a ‘suggestion.’”

Monahan said he is looking forward to the public discussion to get

the information out about a special election.

“A lot of people who want a special election don’t realize the

person wouldn’t be seated until December,” Monahan said.

Acting City Attorney Tom Wood said he hopes the council will give

staff some direction to at least get the ball rolling.

“They might want to adopt some kind of a process where some

persons interested in the appointment might make that interest known

by filing a letter or something like that,” Wood said.

Monahan said he believes the public will be able to comment

tonight, even though no formal action may be taken.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.