Mayor's letter to District 2 residents outlines process for picking a caretaker until someone is elected to fill the seat
Jan. 24, 2024
Dear District 2 residents:
I hope the New Year finds you well and wish you all the best for a safe and healthy 2024.
I’m writing today to let you know how the city intends to serve you and the people of District 2 in light of Councilmember Leloee’s recent resignation.
As your Mayor, I am the only citywide elected official, which of course includes District 2. I will therefore be your direct representative until the seat is filled. I’m happy to take on this responsibility even for a short time.
District 2 has always held a special place in my heart. I have many friends in the district who I know have worked so hard to improve our community. I look forward to continuing our partnership.
Mayor Steinberg attends the resource fair after the MLK march in District 2
My office has helped deliver significant investments to D2 in recent years and will continue advocating on your behalf. I proposed and won City Council approval to spend $5 million in federal Covid relief funds on community improvements, including façade improvement grants and assistance to non-profits and small businesses. Under my leadership, the City has also provided financial support to rebuild and reopen Iceland Skating Rink, build new sports fields and open a new library in the former News & Review building on Del Paso Boulevard.
My Office is working alongside the existing staff of D2 to bring these economic development projects to fruition and to respond to the justified concerns of D2 residents about crime, homeless encampments, code enforcement and other issues.
Because the D2 vacancy occurred within a year of a general election, the City Charter gives the City Council the authority to appoint someone to fill the seat temporarily. My council colleagues and I have collectively decided that it would be premature to fill the seat before the March 5 primary election.
If one of the candidates emerges from the primary with 50 percent or more of the vote, they would win outright but not actually take office until December. If that were the case, we would appoint that person to the vacant seat and let them get a head start on the job.
If nobody gets a majority of the vote, we will appoint a caretaker to fill the seat. The caretaker will not be one of the candidates for the four-year seat.
We are beginning that process now so that the city and the district can be ready in case the seat should be filled by a temporary caretaker.
On or near Feb. 1 the City Clerk will begin an application period that will remain open until Feb. 29. Anyone seeking to fill the seat temporarily must fill out the application, including candidates who are currently running. (A candidate again would only be appointed if he or she wins a majority of the vote in the March election).
More information will be shared on our website in the coming days.
After the primary, during the week of March 12, the Council’s Personnel and Public Employees Committee will lead a process to assess the applications and interview candidates. They will then recommend their three top candidates to the City Council, which will conduct public interviews and vote on who to choose. The goal is to appoint someone by March 26 and seat them on the Council shortly thereafter.
If you have questions or need anything from our office during this period, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 916-808-5300 or engage@cityofsacramento.org. You can also find regular updates from our office at engagesac.org.
I look forward to seeing you over the weeks ahead in District 2
Sincerely,
Mayor Darrell Steinberg
