Title
Recommendation to Authorize Councilmember Malia Vella to be Absent for More than Thirty Days Consecutively in 2019 in Compliance with Section 2-9 of the Alameda City Charter. (City Manager 2110)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Eric Levitt, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Section 2-9 of the Alameda City Charter suggests that the City Council needs to grant permission to an elected or Council-appointed officer of the City if they will be absent for more than thirty days.
This action by the City Council authorizes Councilmember Vella to be consecutively absent for more than thirty days at any time during the remainder of 2019. Councilmember Vella’s absence will not impact any regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
BACKGROUND
Councilmember Vella plans to take bonding leave, which may extend beyond thirty days, and during that time, she may be absent from the City of Alameda (City).
Section 2-9 in the Alameda City Charter states, “If any elected or Council-appointed officer of the City who shall remove from the City or absent himself or herself therefrom for more than thirty days consecutively without the permission of the Council, or shall fail to qualify by taking the oath of office within fifteen days form the time his or her certificate of election or appointment is mailed or delivered to him or her, or shall resign, or be convicted of a felony, or be adjudged insane, his or her office shall be vacant.”
It is unclear if this section of the City Charter is referring to vacation, relocating, leave, or something else.
DISCUSSION
The City Council is being asked to authorize the absence of Councilmember Vella for more than thirty days between now and the end of the year. Councilmember Vella’s absence will not impact any regularly scheduled City Council meetings.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact from taking this action.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is in conformance with the Alameda Municipal Code and all policy documents.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not subject to environmental review as the activity is not a "project" for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is an organizational or administrative activity of the City that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. CEQA Guidelines, section 15378(b)(5).
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize Councilmember Malia Vella to be absent for more than thirty days consecutively in 2019 in compliance with Section 2-9 of the Alameda City Charter.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Alameda City Charter Section 2-9