Pacific Grove council sets application schedule and directs policy edits for vacant seat selection

The Pacific Grove City Council on May 6 approved a schedule to begin accepting applications to fill a vacant council seat and directed staff to refine a draft appointment policy.

Mayor Smith recommended opening the application period May 7 and closing it at close of business on May 22, with the selection hearing to occur at the council’s regular meeting on June 3 and the appointee sworn in at the June 17 meeting. The mayor and staff emphasized a rolling process for publishing redacted application materials within 24–48 hours at staff discretion so the public can see applicants before the selection hearing.

Council members discussed details the draft policy should address, including whether each council member should nominate one or two candidates, a consistent Q&A process for applicants, uniform time limits for candidate presentations that can be adjusted depending on applicant numbers, and transparency around posting application materials. Several council members urged staff to spell out how to preserve fairness, allow a council discussion of finalists, and consider conflict‑of‑interest disclosures for appointees.

The council directed staff to return with an edited policy that: limits each council member to one nomination; incorporates a uniform council questioning step during the appointment process; sets candidate presentation time at the time the agenda is posted (to reflect the number of applicants); and contains clear posting procedures for applications with personal information redacted. The motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will open applications on May 7, post redacted applications on a rolling basis, close the window May 22, and hold the selection hearing June 3; the revised policy will return to council for final consideration prior to use.