Elk Grove launches process to select new council member

As Elk Grove prepares to swear in Gary Davis as its first directly elected mayor next week, the City Council is gearing up to appoint a replacement for Davis' vacated District 4 seat.

The city is currently accepting applications from residents for the position on the five-member council. Completed applications are due to the city clerk by Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.

After Davis is sworn in at the council meeting on Dec. 12, his seat will be up for grabs for the remainder of his term, which ends Dec. 10, 2014.

The League of Women Voters will host a forum with the candidates on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. at the council chambers, 8400 Laguna Palms Way. The candidates will also have an opportunity to make a presentation to the City

Council at its meeting on Jan. 9.

The council may make an appointment at the Jan. 9 meeting, or could put it off to the Jan. 23 meeting.

Davis currently represents District 4, which generally sits in the southwestern part of the city, west of Highway 99 to Franklin Boulevard and south of Elk Grove Boulevard to Kammerer Road.

Each council member must reside in their respective district in the city. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and registered to vote.

Since the city's incorporation in 2000, Elk Grove City Council members have selected one of their colleague as mayor on a rotating basis, typically for a one-year term.

Elk Grove voters approved a new election format in 2010. The package of election reforms included voting for a mayor in a city-wide, at-large election for a two-year term, and reducing the number of council districts from five to four. Council member terms will remain four years.

In July, the council remapped the districts, dissolving District 5, and merging it with Districts 2 and 4.

District 5's current council representative, Sophia Scherman, made an unsuccessful bid for state Assembly, then lost in the November Elk Grove mayoral election against Davis.

The disappearance of District 5 and the loss in the mayor's race effectively threw Scherman off the council, marking the first time since incorporation the city will not have her serving on its council.

The mayor's post is largely a ceremonial title, with few special powers. The mayor will have the ability to appoint citizens to boards and commissions, with council approval.

The application is available at www.elkgrovecity.org/council/member-vacancies.asp.

For more information, or to see the council district map, visit www.elkgrovecity.org/council or contact Jason Lindgren at 916-478-2286 or jlindgren@elkgrovecity.org.

• Read more articles by Anne Gonzales

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