HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07b - City Council VacancySTAFF REPORT
OFFICE OF THE CITY CKERK
DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager
By: Justine Bruno, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE DISTRICT 3 CITY
COUNCIL VACANCY
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
Eileen Wang was elected to serve on the Arcadia City council by the voters of District
3 in November 2022, for a four-year term. The term for the City Council Member of
District 3 will expire upon the certification of the November General Municipal
Election results, expected in early December 2026. On May 11, 2026, Eileen Wang
resigned from the City Council, creating a vacancy in the Mayoral role and in Arcadia’s
District 3. The Arcadia City Charter outlines the process in which City Council
vacancies may be addressed, which include a direct appointment, special election, or
continued vacancy until the next established election date.
It is recommended that the City Council provide direction regarding the District 3 City
Council vacancy.
BACKGROUND
The Arcadia City Charter establishes the conditions in which a vacancy occurs on the
City Council. According to the Charter, removal from office occurs upon the
conviction of a crime of moral turpitude, violation of the City’s Charter, unexcused
absences from regular meetings for more than 60 consecutive days, holding other
elective public office, or lacking the qualifications to hold office, such as no longer
residing in Arcadia or the particular district the Council Member was elected to
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May 19, 2026
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represent. In addition to these conditions for vacancy, City Council Members may
also choose to resign their seat.
In recent years, a vacancy has been created on the City Council twice. In 2015, before
Arcadia adopted its district map, Mr. John Wuo resigned from the Arcadia City Council
with approximately six months remaining in his term. The City Council filled the
vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Wuo at its October 20, meeting,
approximately two-weeks after the resignation, with the appointment of former
Council Member Mickey Segal.
In November 2021, a City Council vacancy was created with the passing of former
Council Member Roger Chandler of District 5. Following the vacancy in 2021, the City
Council directed staff to solicit applications to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Chandler
by direct appointment. The application period was open for five days and resulted in
14 submissions, with eligible applications sent to the City Council for review.
Following the submission period, City Council conducted an interview process for
each candidate and deliberated. After several months without reaching consensus,
former Council Member Michael Danielson was selected to fill the vacancy in District
5 on March 29, 2022.
In November 2022, Eileen Wang was elected to the Arcadia City Council by District 3
voters and held office until her resignation on May 11, 2026. Ms. Wang’s resignation
from the Arcadia City Council creates a vacancy in District 3 for the balance of the
term, which is set to expire upon the certified results of the next General Municipal
Election. At last count, there were 5,309 registered voters in Arcadia’s District 3.
This agenda item enables the City Council to have a discussion and provide direction
on addressing the vacancy in District 3.
DISCUSSION
All potential candidates for the Arcadia City Council must reside in Arcadia, including
the district they seek to represent, be a registered voter, a United States citizen, and
at least 18 years of age. There are three options for addressing the vacancy in District
3, which include appointment, special election, and a continued vacancy.
Appointment
Under the Arcadia City Charter, any vacancy on the City Council shall be filled by a
majority vote of the remaining Council Members within 60 days after the vacancy
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May 19, 2026
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occurs. As such, the City Council would have until July 10, 2026, to make an
appointment for District 3. Similar to the vacancy appointment process from 2022,
the City Council could offer a public application process, review the materials and
interested candidates, and make a selection from eligible candidates. The
appointment process is the most expedient and cost-effective process to fill the
vacancy on City Council.
Special Election
Under the applicable Arcadia City Charter, California Government Codes, and
California Election Codes, a vacancy on the City Council may be filled by an all-mail
ballot special election. The special election is to be held on the “earliest possible
date”, which is the next regularly established election date not less than 114 days
from the call of the special election. Assuming the resolutions calling for a special
election were approved at the June 2 City Council Meeting, September 24, 2026, is
the earliest an all-mail ballot special election could occur.
A special election on September 24, 2026, is approximately 40 days before the
November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election. At last count, there were 5,309
registered voters in Arcadia’s District 3. To hold an all-mail ballot special election for
5,309 registered voters is estimated to cost between $115,000 and $225,000.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that the candidates for the special election in
District 3 would also seek the four-year term, which will be decided at the November
2026 election. Based on the 40-day difference between a potential special election
and the general election for District 3, and the associated costs, a special election is
the least efficient and most costly method to fill this City Council vacancy.
Vacancy
According to the City’s Charter, if the City Council fails to call for a special election
within 60 days of the vacancy occurring, the City Clerk must call for one within five
working days, provided that the term of the vacant office does not expire at the next
established election date. The next established election date will be the General
Municipal Election of November 3, 2026. At the November election, City Council seats
for Districts 2, 3, and 5 will be on the ballot. Seeing that the District 3 City Council seat
is set for expiration at the next established election, the City Clerk would not be
compelled to call a special election, and thus, the City Council seat for District 3 may
remain vacant until such time. This method results in no added cost or process, but
leaves District 3 without direct representation on City Council until after the
November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
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May 19, 2026
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Based on the available options and affiliated costs, it is recommended that the City
Council provide direction on addressing the District 3 City Council vacancy in the
most expedient and cost-effective manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have
no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impacts of selecting a new member of the City Council vary depending upon
the path selected. If the City Council seeks to conduct a special election, most recent
estimates of an election for District 3, which has 5,309 registered voters as of the
latest results from Los Angeles Registrar/Recorder’s Office would range
from approximately $115,000 and $225,000. If a special election for District 3
is pursued, a supplemental budget appropriation will be needed in Fiscal
Year 2026-27. Alternatively, if the City Council opts for an appointment, the
costs are minimal and do not include any of the mailing, noticing, or other
expenses associated with a special election.
Under both options, any new member of the City Council necessitates a new portrait,
purchasing name plates and badges, business cards and stationery, and updating all
digital and printed publications. While the associated expenses of onboarding a new
City Council Member are unplanned, by the time a new Council Member was seated,
the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget will likely be adopted and able to absorb
the marginal expenses listed above.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and provide direction to
address the District 3 City Council vacancy.
Attachment No. 1: Resignation Letter of Ms. Eileen Wang
Attachment No. 2: District 3 Map
1
Subject:FW: Resign Letter
From: Eileen Wang <ewang@arcadiaca.gov>
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2026 11:58 AM
To: Dominic Lazzaretto <domlazz@arcadiaca.gov>
Cc: Michael Maurer <michael.maurer@bbklaw.com>
Subject: Resign Letter
Dear Dominic:
After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from my position as Mayor and City Council
Member.
Serving the City of Arcadia has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
I am deeply grateful for the trust and support I have received and for the opportunity to serve this
community alongside so many dedicated colleagues and staff members.
This decision is personal in nature and does not reflect my love and commitment to Arcadia, which will
always remain strong.
I sincerely apologize for any concern my decision may cause, and I thank the community again for its
trust, support, and friendship throughout my service.
With gratitude,
Eileen Wang
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Attachment No. 1
Attachment No. 2