Amador County – Sutter Creek City Council welcomed new Councilman Jim Swift and also seated Councilwoman Linda Rianda to her first elected term Monday in a ceremony before their first meeting.

The council and about 30 people in attendance also saluted outgoing Councilman Pat Crosby, who retired and did not seek reelection.

The two new council members took their oaths of office, as did newly elected City Treasurer Victoria Runquist, who ran a successful write-in campaign, albeit unopposed, as former Treasurer Cathy Castillo did not register as a candidate.

The council also appointed Deputy City Clerk Natalie Doyle as the interim City Clerk, because immediate past City Clerk Judy Allen did not run during the November election.

City Manager Sean Rabe recommended the appointment at interim clerk “until staff is able to provide definitive answers as to how the council should fill the vacant seat.” He said staff anticipates having the answers by the first meeting in January.

City Attorney Derek Cole said no one ran for city clerk, which creates a vacancy. The council can handle it by either calling a special election, or by appointing a person to the position. Cole also recommended making an appointment, due to the high cost of having a special election.

The city clerk position is required by city code to be filled by an election, for a four-year term. He said city code also requires that the clerk be a resident and registered voter of Sutter Creek, which Natalie Doyle is not.

Cole said the council can appoint her as interim clerk, and direct staff to interview candidates for appointment to the elected position. Those applicants also must be registered voters and city residents.

He said if no one applies, the council could change the city code to allow for an appointed, rather than elected city clerk.

Councilman Tim Murphy moved to make the appointment of Doyle and also reevaluate the position, “before we go out and look for a more permanent” action. He asked Rabe to get a proposed set of revised duties for the clerk.

Councilwoman Sandy Anderson asked that staff get the resolution prepared well before 2012, so they can be sure to have it make the ballot, if they decide to seek a change.

Wooten said the new city council will decide its new Mayor and Vice Mayor for the coming year in its first meeting in January. Wooten also decided to table an issue of appointing council members to the proposed “Gold Rush Ranch Implementation committee.” He said the new Mayor should establish those members.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.