Soledad council appoints longtime volunteer Eva Banuelos to fill vacant seat after interviews
May 23, 2024 | Soledad City, Monterey County, California
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The Soledad City Council voted 3–1 on May 23, 2024, to appoint Eva Banuelos to the at-large council seat left vacant when Council Member Jimenez resigned on March 31. The appointment follows public interviews of four applicants and a brief public-comment period.
City Manager Megan explained the process before interviews began, saying the appointee "will fill the vacancy until a successor is elected in the 11/05/2024 general municipal election." The council interviewed each applicant in turn; each candidate had five minutes for an opening statement and then answered four council questions with two-and-a-half minutes per response.
Banuelos, a lifelong Soledad resident who identified herself as a long-time volunteer and GPAC committee member, told the council she has worked on community events and local outreach and emphasized transparency and service. During interviews and public comment dozens of residents praised Banuelos’ local involvement. Cindy Abelino said she has known Banuelos for more than 20 years and urged the council to appoint her; other speakers cited Banuelos’ volunteer history and family ties to the city.
During deliberations council members commended all four applicants but repeatedly cited Banuelos’ long-running community involvement as a deciding factor. At roll call, Mayor Ana Velasquez voted yes, Mayor Pro Tem Maria Coruejo voted no, and Council members Fernando Cabrera and Anzaldu/Ansaldo Sanchez voted yes, carrying the motion 3–1. The mayor congratulated Banuelos after the vote.
Council then moved to adopt a resolution memorializing the appointment for the administrative record; staff and the city attorney described the step as procedural to document the action. The city manager said staff will reach out to the candidates who were not selected with openings on advisory bodies.
Banuelos is scheduled to be seated and take the oath of office at the council’s next regular meeting on June 5, 2024. The appointment runs until the successor elected in the Nov. 5, 2024, general municipal election takes office.
The council concluded the special meeting after adopting the resolution.
City Manager Megan explained the process before interviews began, saying the appointee "will fill the vacancy until a successor is elected in the 11/05/2024 general municipal election." The council interviewed each applicant in turn; each candidate had five minutes for an opening statement and then answered four council questions with two-and-a-half minutes per response.
Banuelos, a lifelong Soledad resident who identified herself as a long-time volunteer and GPAC committee member, told the council she has worked on community events and local outreach and emphasized transparency and service. During interviews and public comment dozens of residents praised Banuelos’ local involvement. Cindy Abelino said she has known Banuelos for more than 20 years and urged the council to appoint her; other speakers cited Banuelos’ volunteer history and family ties to the city.
During deliberations council members commended all four applicants but repeatedly cited Banuelos’ long-running community involvement as a deciding factor. At roll call, Mayor Ana Velasquez voted yes, Mayor Pro Tem Maria Coruejo voted no, and Council members Fernando Cabrera and Anzaldu/Ansaldo Sanchez voted yes, carrying the motion 3–1. The mayor congratulated Banuelos after the vote.
Council then moved to adopt a resolution memorializing the appointment for the administrative record; staff and the city attorney described the step as procedural to document the action. The city manager said staff will reach out to the candidates who were not selected with openings on advisory bodies.
Banuelos is scheduled to be seated and take the oath of office at the council’s next regular meeting on June 5, 2024. The appointment runs until the successor elected in the Nov. 5, 2024, general municipal election takes office.
The council concluded the special meeting after adopting the resolution.
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