Report Prepared by: Jennifer Parsley, Assistant City Clerk
Title
SUBJECT: Discussion on the Format of the December 2, 2025, Special Meeting to Potentially Appoint and Fill the Council District 2 Vacancy and Forming Interview Questions to be Asked at the Special Meeting and Discussion on a Potential Special Election
REPORT IN BRIEF
Council will discuss the format and the type of interview questions to ask applicants for the December 2, 2025, Special Meeting to potentially appoint a District 2 Council Member.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide Staff direction on the format of the Special Meeting and forming interview questions for applicants.
Body
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 403(C).
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
N/A.
DISCUSSION
On October 7, 2025, Councilmember Ronnie DeAnda submitted a letter of resignation to the City Clerk, indicating that his resignation from the District Two seat will be effective October 31, 2025. Councilmember DeAnda was elected to the Merced City Council on December 5, 2022, and has served with distinction and dedication to the residents of District Two and the entire community.
Section 403(C) of the City of Merced Charter governs vacancies in elective offices. Under this provision, when a vacancy arises “from whatever cause,” the City Council must either (1) appoint a qualified elector of the City to fill the vacancy within thirty (30) days after the office is declared vacant, or (2) if no appointment is made within that timeframe, call a special election to fill the vacancy. The appointed or elected individual shall serve until the first Tuesday following the next general municipal election and until a successor is elected and qualified.
During the November 3, 2025, City Council Meeting, Council decided to move forward with the appointment process to fill the District 2 Council seat. Council directed staff to format an application for people to apply and to use social media and other platforms to get the message out. On November 5, 2025, the application became live and available for qualified electors in the City to apply for the vacant Council seat.
Council will discuss the format of the Special Meeting and how they want the interview process go. They will also discuss the type of interview questions they want to ask the applicants to help them with their appointment decision. Once Council provides direction to Staff, Staff will then put together a questionnaire document and will provide it to Council for the December 2, 2025, Special Meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
None.