After debate, Port Hueneme names Mayor McQueen Lejon and Council Member Perez to city-port committee

Port Hueneme's City Council spent more than an hour on March 2 discussing a recent Port proposal that would change or eliminate the contractual requirement for a joint city-port committee. Staff recommended appointing two members so the city remains in compliance with the current agreement while staff and the city attorney review the Port's proposal.

City Manager James Vega said the city received the proposal late the preceding Friday and recommended the council appoint two representatives to the committee for now because the existing contract remains in effect until any amendment is approved. Several council members urged that the committee's future tasks should not be limited by contract language and suggested that the council should set the committee's agenda if the committee continues.

Council considered competing nominees. The council first voted on an alternate slate (Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem) and that motion failed in a recorded vote. The council then voted to appoint Mayor Martha McQueen Lejon and Council Member Perez as the city's two representatives. The successful motion passed 3–2 with Council Member GMA, Council Member Perez and Mayor McQueen Lejon voting yes; Council Member Lopez and Mayor Pro Tim Hernandez voted no. (Per the record, two recorded votes were taken before the final appointment passed.)

City staff and the city attorney will analyze the Port's proposal, and return to council for a public discussion and possible agenda item about whether to change the committee's duties or contractual status. Council members emphasized the committee should remain a public forum for collaboration and noted historical materials show the committee has considered community-benefit and broader strategic matters in the past.

The council's appointment satisfies the existing contractual requirement while giving staff time to analyze the Port's proposed changes and to present options to council for public review and deliberation.